OBJECTIVE: This preliminary study sought to determine whether the imagery perspective used during mental practice (MP) differentially influenced performance outcomes after stroke. METHOD: Nineteen participants with unilateral subacute stroke (9 men and 10 women, ages 28 to 77) were randomly allocated to one of three groups. All groups received 30-min occupational therapy sessions 2x/wk for 6 wk. Experimental groups received MP training in functional tasks using either an internal or an external perspective; the control group received relaxation imagery training. Participants were pre- and post-tested using the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA), the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). RESULTS: At posttest, the internal and external experimental groups showed statistically similar improvements on the FMA and JTTHF (p < 0.05). All groups improved on the COPM (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MP combined with occupational therapy improves upper-extremity recovery after stroke. MP does not appear to enhance self-perception of performance. This preliminary study suggests that imagery perspective may not be an important variable in MP interventions.
Copyright by the Amerrican Occupational Therapy Association Inc. Reprinted with permission.

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