Application of motor imagery therapy on the patients with unilateral spatial neglect

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of motor imagery therapy on fall efficacy of patients with unilateral spatial neglect. Methods 50 patients with unilateral spatial neglect were selected and divided, according to time of their admission into the hospital, into experimental group and control group, each with 25 cases. Conventional rehabilitation therapy was conducted to both groups, and patients in the experimental group treated with extra motor imagery therapy. Intervention effect of the two groups was compared by Chinese behavioral inattention test-Hong Kong version (CBIT-HK), Modified fall efficacy scale (MFES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti gait analysis (TGA). Results Before the treatment, scores of patients in the two groups in CBIT-HK, BBS, TGA and MFES had no significant difference (P>0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, scores of patients in the two groups were all higher than before the treatment (P<0.05), and scores of patients in the experimental group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Combination of motor imagery therapy with routine rehabilitation can improve patients′ unilateral spatial neglect, improve their function of balance and gait, improve their fall efficacy and reduce incidence of falling. Key words: Unilateral spatial neglect; Fall efficacy; Motor imagery therapy