Effect of mental practice using inverse video of the unaffected upper limb in a subject with chronic hemiparesis after stroke

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 28; no. 10; pp. 2984 - 2987
• Main Authors: NAOKI ISO, SHIROU OOSO, NOBORU YAMAMOTO, TAKEFUMI MORIUCHI, AKIRA SAGARI, FUMIKO ISO, KOJI TANAKA, TAKAYUKI TABIRA, TOSHIO HIGASHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2016
• ISSN: 0915-5287

[Abstract.] [Purpose] The aim of this case study was to investigate whether a method of mental practice (MP) using an inverse video of a subject's unaffected limb to complement the vividness of motor imagery (MI) would be effective for improving affected upper limb function. [Subjects and Methods] The participant was 60-year-old male in the chronic stage of stroke recovery with left sided hemiparesis. The design of the study was AB method of Single-System-Design. He performed the MP as a home program with DVD. The intervention lasted 30 minutes a session, twice a day, 5 times a week, over 6 weeks. The DVD was created using inverse video of his unaffected upper limb. Primary outcome measures were used the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper limb (FMA) and the Motor Activity Log (MAL) 3 times each baseline, intervention and follow-up. The subjective vividness of MI was assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). [Results] FMA and MAL score during intervention was improved significantly comparing to baseline, and maintained in withdrawal. VAS score was improved in withdrawal comparing to baseline. [Conclusion] Results suggested that effect of mental practice for stroke patients increased by vividness of motor imagery was improved by the inverse video.