The effects of task-oriented mental practice on upper limb function and coordination in chronic stroke patients—Randomized controlled trial design

Abstract

Objective This study is a randomized experimental design study conducted to investigate the effect of task-oriented mental practice (TOMP) on upper limb function and coordination in chronic stroke patients. Methods A total of 34 chronic stroke patients participated in this study and were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) of 17 patients (TOMP) and a control group (CG) of 17 patients (task-oriented training). To measure the subject’s upper extremity function and coordination, the results of Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) of motor function (U/E) and co-coordination ratio (CCR) values calculated from the measurements of the BTS FreeEMG 300 were used. Results In the comparison before and after group intervention in terms of FMA, the EG showed significant changes in all items of FMA, but the CG showed significant changes only in the shoulder items ( p < 0.05). In the comparison between groups, significant differences were observed only in the total score of FMA ( p < 0.05). In terms of the CCR value, positive changes were found in the EG in all items except for the shoulder flexion, but negative changes were observed in all items in the CG. Conclusion It was confirmed that the TOMP applied in this study can have a positive effect on upper limb function and coordination in chronic stroke patients.