Imagery training effects of Upper limb function and Activities of daily living in Subacute stroke patients

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of imagery training on upper limb function and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients. This study included 16 voluntary participants with subacute stroke. Subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control group, with 8 in each group. Imagery training group performed imagery training during 30 minutes and then task-oriented training 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Control group performed task-oriented training during 30 minutes during a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessments were made using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) to evaluate the changes of upper function. And modified Barthel Index (MBI) was measured to evaluate the activities of daily living. The results showed that imagery training group was more significant increase than control group in WMFT, FMA, and MBI (p<.05). Small to huge effect sizes of 1.59, 2.02, 0.37 were observed for WMFT, FMA, and MBI, respectively. This study indicated that imagery training may be helpful in improving the upper limb function and activities of daily living for subacute stroke patients, and support the clinical feasibility of the imagery training.