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The Effect of Motor Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Rehabilitation
Sponsor: Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Sancaktepe Training and Research Hospital
Summary
Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. A proportion of individuals who experience a stroke fail to achieve the desired level of motor recovery in the affected upper extremity following rehabilitation, resulting in significant limitations in activities of daily living. After stroke, rehabilitation programs are essential to reduce disability and enhance functional outcomes. This study aims to evaluate whether the addition of Motor Imagery (MI) to a standard rehabilitation program contributes to improvements in upper extremity motor function in individuals with stroke. MI is a mental practice technique in which individuals cognitively rehearse movements without physically performing them. Although the movement is not executed, the brain regions involved in the movement are activated. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to three groups. All groups will receive a standard physical therapy and rehabilitation program. The first group will receive only standard physical therapy and rehabilitation. The second group will receive, in addition to conventional therapy, 15 minutes of MI training three days per week, while the third group will receive 15 minutes of MI training five days per week. The total treatment duration for all groups is planned as 30 sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of the treatment period, and again at the 12th week. This study is based on the hypothesis that adding MI practice to a conventional upper extremity rehabilitation program after stroke will contribute to improvements in activities of daily living and functional recovery, and that these effects may be associated with the frequency of the intervention.
Official title: The Effect of Motor Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
51
Start Date
2026-05-01
Completion Date
2026-12-20
Last Updated
2026-09-22
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Conventional Rehabilitation
A physiotherapy program comprising range of motion exercises, stretching, strengthening exercises, neuromuscular facilitation techniques, and neurophysiological approaches such as Brunnstrom and Bobath.
Motor Imagery Training 1
A structured motor imagery program, applied in addition to conventional rehabilitation, consisting of visual and kinesthetic mental rehearsal of functional movements, delivered for 15 minutes per session, three days per week.
Motor Imagery Training 2
A structured motor imagery program, applied in addition to conventional rehabilitation, consisting of visual and kinesthetic mental rehearsal of functional movements, delivered for 15 minutes per session, five days per week.
Locations (1)
Sehit Prof. Dr. Ilhan Varank Sancaktepe Training and Research Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)