ABSTRACT

Objective : This study aimed to determine the effects of mental imagery training combined withelectromyography-triggered electrical stimulation on the paretic upper extremity functions in chronic strokepatients. Methods : Randomized and controlled trials were conducted on 44 chronic stroke outpatients at the K clinicbetween August 2012 and February 2013. The patients were divided into two groups: an experimental groupwas given mental imagery training combined with electromyography-triggered electrical stimulation, and acontrol group was given common functional electrical stimulation. The trials lasted for six weeks, consistingof 30-min treatment sessions conducted five days/week. As assessment tools, a Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA) and Manual Function Test (MFT) were used to assess the upper extremity functions, and a ModifiedBarthel Index (MBI) was used for pre- and post-intervention assessment of activities of daily living. Results : 1) After the six-week intervention, the FMA and MFT scores of the experimental group presented atatistical significant change (p<.05). 2) The MBI pre-post score comparison of the experimental group didnot show any statistically significant changes, except for personal hygiene and clothing items (p<.05). On theother hand, the control group showed a slight improvement in scores after intervention, but the differencewas not statistically significant for all items. Conclusion : The results of treatment with mental imagery training combined with electromyography- triggeredelectrical stimulation in chronic stroke patients demonstrated that this combined therapy is more effectivethan functional electrical stimulation for an improvement of the paretic upper extremity functions in strokepatients, and that it was also effective in enhancing the performance of hand manipulation- associatedactivities of daily living.