Effectiveness of Motor Imagery on Physical Function in Patients With Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Over the past two decades, motor imagery (MI) has been used as a supplementary treatment approach to regain physical function in patients with stroke. However, the baseline treatment and the quality of study methodology for new treatment approaches have improved. This systematic review examined the evidence published in the past few decades on the effectiveness of MI on upper- and lower-extremity function and functional performance in patients with stroke. A total of 29 randomized controlled and crossover trials that compared MI with other interventions were analyzed. In addition, the outcomes were grouped into upper-, lower-extremity function, and functional performance for data analysis. More than half of the upper-extremity function studies reported improved performance in Fugl-Meyer assessment, Wolf motor function test, and box and block test in both acute and chronic stages. Lower-extremity function and functional performance were primarily investigated using Fugl-Meyer assessment, gait speed and parameters, activities of daily living, and balance ability. When considering only high-quality studies, six of 15 on upper extremity reported significant effects, whereas five of 15 reported nonsignificant effects. In addition, six of 14 studies on gait and balance reported significant effects. This systematic review suggests that both MI training and conventional rehabilitation programs effectively enhance upper limb functional abilities, including improvements in gait speed and balance, in individuals with acute and chronic stroke. Although the studies published during the past few decades showed heterogeneity in onset after stroke, research protocol, training intensity, and research methodology quality, none of them reported the long-term effects.

Effectiveness of motor imagery on sports performance in football players: A randomised control trial.

Background: Nowadays, the development of training programs for speed, agility and reaction time responses in football players is increasing widely. Motor imagery is a new method that uses collateral with physical training. However, there is still a scarcity of evidence concerning the addition of motor imagery protocol to routine training programs. Objective: The main objective was to compare speed, agility and reaction time after motor imagery training in university athletes and amateur athletes who received and did not receive motor imagery training for 2 weeks. Methods: Participants were divided into 4 subgroups as follows: university athlete group with motor imagery training and control group, amateur athlete group with motor imagery training and control group. This study collected the training effects of speed, agility and reaction time. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test were selected to analyse the differences within and between groups, respectively. Results: The result presented positive changes in all variables after training sessions for 2 weeks in all groups. Speed at 20 m, agility, and reaction time were found to be significantly different after motor imagery training in both university athletes and amateur athletes. Conclusion: This finding demonstrated that the addition of the motor imagery training along with routine physical training promotes physical performance in athletes at all experience levels. In further studies, the retention effect after practice should be considered.

Walking and stair climbing abilities in individuals after chronic stroke with and without mental health problem.

OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle strength, balance, walking and stair climbing abilities among individuals after chronic stroke with or without mental health problems; to describe their physiological response after stress stimulation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Subjects who had their first stroke more than one year ago were classified for mental health problems according to the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. Lower extremity muscle strength of the quadriceps and plantar flexors, was measured by dynamometer Balance and walking performance was measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 10-m walk test and timing of stair climbing. Community participation and spiritual well-being were measured. The physiological response of stress stimulation was assessed by the long stress test protocol of the biofeedback device. RESULTS: Forty-five subjects with chronic stroke aged 40-80 years were grouped by with (n = 25) and without mental health problems (n = 20). Significant differences were found in quadriceps muscle strength, BBS, walking and stair climbing speed, community participation and spiritual well-being between two groups. In the stress stimulus phase, the electromyography and heart rate variability demonstrated significant difference between those with and without stress. CONCLUSION: Individuals with chronic stroke with mental health problems demonstrated decreased quadriceps muscle strength, balance and locomotor performances.