Abstract
After
medical stabilization, stroke patients receive rehabilitation during a
period that is considered subacute. The traditional view of neurologic
rehabilitation is that it reduces impairment and minimizes disability.
However, intensive rehabilitation is expensive and there are limited and
diminishing financial resources to pay for therapy after stroke.
Imagery improves motor learning and performance. Studies report
increased blood flow, electromyographic activity during imagery, and
subsequent changes in organization of the motor cortex in stroke
patients following imagery. Since these events usually precede
reacquisition of function, it has been suggested that imagery may be
beneficial in reacquisition of function following stroke. To test this, 8
chronic stroke patients with right-arm hemiparesis were provided a
four-week program combining occupational therapy and imagery (OT + I),
while 8 controls received a program consisting only of OT. Scores on the
upper extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor
Recovery indicated that those receiving OT + I exhibited significantly
more improved function than those receiving OT (F [1,14] −14.71; p
< .05). Findings suggest that imagery may be an inexpensive,
noninvasive compliment to OT for hemiparesis in stroke. The researchers
encourage further investigation of OT + I in stroke.
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