Recovery of Hand Function Through Mental Practice.
Recovery of Hand Function Through Mental Practice.
The purpose of this study is to assess the therapeutic benefits of motor imagery training in
 stroke patients with persistent motor weakness.
Stroke is a common and highly debilitating illness. Many patients (41-45%) experience chronic
 motor impairments (Dijkerman et al., 1996) and limitations in activities of daily living
 (Wade & Langton Hewer, 1987) even after extensive neurological rehabilitation. They often
 result in long-term dependence at a considerable cost to the carers and the health service.
 It is therefore crucial to optimise motor recovery after stroke. This study investigates the
 therapeutic benefits of motor imagery training in stroke patients with a motor weakness.

 Evidence for the idea that motor imagery training could enhance the recovery of hand function
 comes from several separate bases of evidence: the sports literature; neurophysiological
 evidence; evidence from health psychology research; as well as preliminary findings using
 motor imagery techniques in stroke patients.

 There is evidence to suggest that mental rehearsal of movement can produce effects normally
 attributed to practising the actual movements. Imagining hand movements could stimulate the
 redistribution of brain activity, which accompanies recovery of hand function, thus resulting
 in a reduced motor deficit. Patients are assessed before and after a four-week evaluation
 period. In this randomised controlled trial 45 patients daily mentally rehearse movements
 with their affected hand under close supervision. Their recovery is compared to 45 patients
 who perform closely supervised non-motor mental rehearsal, and 45 patients who are not
 engaged in a training program.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Confirmed diagnosis of stroke in the last 1-6 months Persisting upper limb weakness -

 Exclusion Criteria:

 Alcohol/ Drug abuse Psychiatric history Previous illness that has impacted on individuals
 Activity of Daily living

 - Dementia (assessed by MSQ) Severe Aphasia