A study of motor imagery training on motor strategies of sit-to-stand task and functional mobility in individuals with chronic stroke

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of motor imagery (MI) intervention on parameters used to assess motor strategies in sit-to-stand (STS) task and functional mobility in individuals with chronic stroke. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, simple, randomized control trial. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Forty individuals with chronic stroke, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included in the study and randomly allocated to control (Group A) and experimental (Group B) groups through the sealed envelope method. INTERVENTION: Group A received conventional therapy for STS, whereas Group B received MI training. Both the groups were intervened for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks along with other rehabilitation services. Weight symmetry, sway velocity, rising index, and weight transfer time (WTT) were assessed to evaluate the motor strategies of STS and Timed Up and Go test to assess the functional mobility. They were assessed before starting the intervention and post 4 weeks of training. RESULTS: Intra-group analysis showed that there was significant improvement found in weight symmetry (Group A, P = 0.01 and Group B, P = 0.04) and functional mobility (P = 0.001 for Group A and B) while significant improvement in rising index was found only in the control group. There was no significant improvement of sway velocity and WTT in both the groups. Inter-group analysis showed that there is no significant difference in all outcome measures between the groups. CONCLUSION: There was no overt effect of MI over conventional treatment for STS task.