Effects of motor imagery training on lower limb motor function of patients with chronic stroke: A pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Aims: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the effects of motor imagery training on lower limb motor function of stroke patients.

Background: Motor imagery training has played an important role in rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients.

Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial 32 stroke patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups from January to June 2017. Patients in both groups received conventional neuro-rehabilitation five times a week in 3-h segments for 6 weeks. Patients in the experimental group underwent an additional 20 min of motor imagery training. Measures were evaluated by motor function of the lower extremity, activities of daily living and balance ability.

Results: The outcomes significantly improved by motor imagery training were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower extremity, the Functional Independence Measure dealing with transfers and locomotion, and the Berg Balance Scale.

Conclusion: Motor imagery training could be used as a complement to physical rehabilitation of stroke patients. Our findings may be helpful to develop nursing strategies aimed at improving functional ability of stroke patients and thus enhancing their quality of life.