Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Role of Practice and Mental Imagery on Hand function improvement in stroke survivors Method: We conducted systematic review of the previous studies and searched electronic databases for the years 1995 to 2016, studies were selected according to inclusion criteria, and critical appraisal was done for each study and summarized the use of mental practice for the improvement in hand function in stroke survivors. Results: Studies differed in the various aspects like intervention protocols, outcome measures, design, and patient’s characteristics. The total number of practice hours to see the potential benefits from mental practice varied widely. Results suggest that mental practice has potential to improve the upper extremity function in stroke survivors. Conclusion: Although the benefits of mental practice to improve upper extremity function looks promising, general guidelines for the clinical use of mental practice is difficult to make. Future research should explore the dosage, factors affecting the use of Mental Practice, effects of Mental Therapy alone without in combination with other interventions.
Highlights
Up to 85% stroke survivors experience hemi paresis resulting in impaired movement of the arm, and hand as reported by Nakayama et al Loss of arm function adversely affects quality of life and functional motor recovery in affected upper extremity
The results of the studies reviewed were positive indicating the potential benefits of mental practice in the recovery of © Copyright iMedPub upper limb motor performance following a stroke, the limited number of studies and small sample sizes must be noted when considering the strength of results
Studies differed with respect to patient characteristics, intervention protocols and outcome measures
Summary
Up to 85% stroke survivors experience hemi paresis resulting in impaired movement of the arm, and hand as reported by Nakayama et al Loss of arm function adversely affects quality of life and functional motor recovery in affected upper extremity.Sensorimotor deficits in the upper limb, such as weakness, decreased speed of movement, decreased angular excursion and impaired temporal coordination of the joints impaired upper-limb and trunk coordination.Treatment interventions such as materials-based occupations constraint-induced movement therapy modified constraint-induced movement therapy and task-related or task-specific training are common training methods for remediating impairments and restoring function in the upper limb.For the improvement of upper and lower functions, physical therapy provides training for functional improvement and fine motor. Sensorimotor deficits in the upper limb, such as weakness, decreased speed of movement, decreased angular excursion and impaired temporal coordination of the joints impaired upper-limb and trunk coordination. Treatment interventions such as materials-based occupations constraint-induced movement therapy modified constraint-induced movement therapy and task-related or task-specific training are common training methods for remediating impairments and restoring function in the upper limb. For the improvement of upper and lower functions, physical therapy provides training for functional improvement and fine motor For most patients such rehabilitation training has many constraints of time, place and expense, in recent studies, clinical methods such as mental practice for improvement of the upper and lower functions have been suggested. A review of the duration of mental movements found temporal equivalence for reaching; grasping; writing; and cyclical activities, such as walking and running
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