Effectiveness of Motor Imagery Combined with Structured Progressive Circuit Class Training on Functional Mobility in Post-Stroke Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy vs health education combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy on dynamic balance, endurance, and functional mobility in post-stroke individuals.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Methods: A total of 40 post-stroke individuals were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group was trained using motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy, while the control group received health education combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy, 3 times a week for 4 weeks with an overall of 12 sessions. Outcomes included the step test for affected and unaffected limbs, the 6-Minute Walk Test, and the Timed Up and Go test. Assessments were performed at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the intervention
Results: There were significant effects (p < 0.05) of: group on the step test for unaffected limb; of time on all outcomes; and of their interaction effect on the step test for affected limb, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go test. Inter-group comparison showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the step test for unaffected limb at 2 weeks after the intervention. At 4 weeks after the intervention, significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in the step test for affected and unaffected limbs and in the Timed Up and Go test.
Conclusion: Motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy was more effective on the step test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go test than training with structured progressive circuit class therapy alone. This suggest that that motor imagery should be incorporated into training programmes for restoring dynamic balance, endurance, and functional mobility in post-stroke individuals.

LAY ABSTRACT
Survival rates after stroke have increased, with the frequency of mobility impairments remaining high. Therefore, a low-cost and effective stroke rehabilitation technique must be developed and its efficacy proved. This study compared the effect of motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy vs health education combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy on dynamic balance, endurance, and functional mobility in post-stroke individuals. Outcomes included the step test, 6-Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go test. Significant improvements occurred in all outcomes when training with motor imagery combined with structured progressive circuit class therapy compared with structured progressive circuit class therapy alone. In conclusion, these results suggest that incorporating motor imagery into the post-stroke training programme may result in greater improvement.