Effects of kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation (KINVIS) therapy on patients with stroke in the subacute phase: a visual analysis based on paralysis severity.

We explored the effect of kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation (KINVIS) therapy on motor function in patients with stroke during the subacute phase based on paralysis severity. The study was performed using an ABAB design (A1, B1, A2, B2; for 10 days each). KINVIS therapy was additionally administered in periods B1 and B2. Ten patients with stroke were classified according to severity. The improvement in upper limb motor function was higher after B1 and B2 than after A1 and A2 in the moderate group. The effect of KINVIS therapy increases the degree of improvement in motor function, especially in the moderate group.

Effect of kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation on muscular output function after short-term immobilization.

Kinesthetic illusions by visual stimulation (KiNVIS) enhances corticomotor excitability and activates motor association areas. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of KiNVIS induction on muscular output function after short-term immobilization. Thirty subjects were assigned to 3 groups: an immobilization group, with the left hand immobilized for 12h (immobilization period); an illusion group, with the left hand immobilized and additionally subjected to KiNVIS of the immobilized part during the immobilization period; and a control group with no manipulation. The maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), fluctuation of force (force fluctuation) during a force modulation task, and twitch force were measured both before (pre-test) and after (post-test) the immobilization period. Data were analyzed by performing two-way (TIME×GROUP) repeated measures ANOVA. The MVC decreased in the immobilization group only (pre-test; 37.8±6.1N, post-test; 32.8±6.9N, p<0.0005) after the immobilization period. The force fluctuation increased only in the immobilization group (pre-test; 2.19±0.54%, post-test; 2.78±0.87%, p=0.007) after the immobilization period. These results demonstrate that induction of KiNVIS prevents negative effect on MVC and force fluctuation after 12h of immobilization.