Motor imagery training can improve motor function and gait after stroke / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of motor imagery therapy based on mirror neuron theory on the motor function and gait in stroke survivors.Methods Forty-nine stroke survivors were randomly divided into a treatment group (n =24) and a control group (n =25) using a random number table.All the patients in both groups were given similar conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the patients in the treatment group were given motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory once a day for 20 min each time,5 days a week,lasting 8 weeks.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs),average step length,the percentage of time spent on the intact foot and the paralyzed foot,and 6 minute walking distance were used to evaluate the subjects' motor function and gait before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of any of the measurements.At the end of the 8 weeks of treatment all measurements in both groups had significantly improved compared with before training.The averages of all the measures were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group.Conclusions Motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory can improve the motor function and gait of stroke survivors.