Resultados da imaginação motora no fortalecimento muscular em membro inferior de uma pessoa com sequela pós acidente vascular cerebral: estudo de caso

Abstract

Motor Imagination (MI) is the mental representation of a motor act without the actual execution of the movement. It activates the same brain areas as real movement, even in the presence of paralysis, missing limb or vision, and can be used in the process of conserving and stimulating brain engrams in the process of motor recovery of a paralyzed limb. Method: We report a 34-year-old patient with right hemiplegia due to ischemic stroke. He performed exercises with a Physical Educator professional, twice a week, 50 minutes/session, for 19 weeks, in addition to the conventional multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. The intervention was based on MI for flexion and extension of the knee on the paralyzed side, followed by the attempt of the same active movement. Results: Active range of motion (ROM_A) of the right knee flexors started at 217° with the minimum equipment load (11 lbs). Then, the professional asked the patient to imagine that he was performing the movement and then try to perform it. After 19 weeks, ROM_A was 112° Conclusion: The ROM_A gain of 8.48° for knee flexion of the paralyzed hemibody represents a clinically important minimal difference in post-stroke patients. MI increases the cognitive demand on the brain's motor networks, increasing plasticity, resulting in motor gains that impact the prognosis of capacity and functionality, justifying its use as a training method in post-stroke recovery. MI associated with strength training in rehabilitation contributes to the recovery of post stroke sequelae.