Is mental practice effective for treating upper extremity deficits in individuals with hemiparesis after stroke? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary.

Abstract

Mental practice, which is proposed for the rehabilitation of people post-stroke, is a training method based on the repetition of the internal representation of a movement or a task with the aim of improving the performance. The aim of this commentary is to discuss Cochrane evidence on the efficacy of mental practice in improving upper extremity functioning in people with hemiparesis after stroke. To summarize and discuss from a rehabilitation perspective the published Cochrane Review "Mental practice for treating upper extremity deficits in individuals with hemiparesis after stroke" by Barclay et al.RESULTS:This Cochrane Review included 25 studies involving 676 people with hemiparesis after stroke. The authors analysed the following two comparisons: mental practice versus conventional therapy and mental practice in addition to other treatment versus other treatment (±placebo). Mental practice in addition to other treatment, compared with other treatment, probably improves upper extremity activity and function in people with hemiparesis after stroke.