Imagery Improves Upper Extremity Motor Function in Chronic Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

After medical stabilization, stroke patients receive rehabilitation during a period that is considered subacute. The traditional view of neurologic rehabilitation is that it reduces impairment and minimizes disability. However, intensive rehabilitation is expensive and there are limited and diminishing financial resources to pay for therapy after stroke. Imagery improves motor learning and performance. Studies report increased blood flow, electromyographic activity during imagery, and subsequent changes in organization of the motor cortex in stroke patients following imagery. Since these events usually precede reacquisition of function, it has been suggested that imagery may be beneficial in reacquisition of function following stroke. To test this, 8 chronic stroke patients with right-arm hemiparesis were provided a four-week program combining occupational therapy and imagery (OT + I), while 8 controls received a program consisting only of OT. Scores on the upper extremity section of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Recovery indicated that those receiving OT + I exhibited significantly more improved function than those receiving OT ( F [1,14] −14.71; p < .05). Findings suggest that imagery may be an inexpensive, noninvasive compliment to OT for hemiparesis in stroke. The researchers encourage further investigation of OT + I in stroke.