Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2006 Oct 26:6:39.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-6-39.

Recovery of hand function through mental practice: a study protocol

Magdalena Ietswaart  1 , Marie Johnston, H Chris Dijkerman, Clare L Scott, Sara A Joice, Steven Hamilton, Ronald S Macwalter
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Recovery of hand function through mental practice: a study protocol

Magdalena Ietswaart et al. BMC Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: The study aims to assess the therapeutic benefits of motor imagery training in stroke patients with persistent motor weakness. There is evidence to suggest that mental rehearsal of movement can produce effects normally attributed to practising the actual movements. Imagining hand movements could stimulate the redistribution of brain activity, which accompanies recovery of hand function, thus resulting in a reduced motor deficit.

Methods/design: A multi-centre randomised controlled trial recruiting individuals between one and six months post-stroke (n = 135). Patients are assessed before and after a four-week evaluation period. In this trial, 45 patients daily mentally rehearse movements with their affected arm under close supervision. Their recovery is compared to 45 patients who perform closely supervised non-motor mental rehearsal, and 45 patients who are not engaged in a training program. Motor imagery training effectiveness is evaluated using outcome measures of motor function, psychological processes, and level of disability.

Discussion: The idea of enhancing motor recovery through the use of motor imagery rehabilitation techniques is important with potential implications for clinical practice. The techniques evaluated as part of this randomised controlled trial are informed by the current understanding in cognitive neuroscience and the trial is both of scientific and applied interest.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study Design.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Dijkerman HC, Wood VA, Langton Hewer R. Long-term outcome after discharge from a stroke rehabilitation unit. J R Coll Physicians London. 1996;30:538–546. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Wade DT, Langton Hewer R. Functional abilities after stroke: measurement, natural history and prognosis. J Neurol Neuros Psychi. 1987;50:177–182. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Feltz DL, Landers DM. The effects of mental practice on motor skill learning and performance. A meta-analysis. J Sport Psych. 1983;5:25–57.
    1. Driskell JE, Copper C, Moran A. Does mental practice enhance performance? J App Psych. 1994;79:481–492. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.79.4.481. - DOI
    1. Martin KA, Moritz SE, Hall CR. Imagery use in sports: A literature review and applied model. Sport Psychol. 1999;13:245–268.

Publication types