Effects of mental practice on mobility of individuals in the early subacute post-stroke phase: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Zaqueline F Guerra; Letícia C Bellose; Ana Paula Ferreira; Christina D C M Faria; Clarissa C S C Paz; Giancarlo Lucchetti

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.04.018

Effects of mental practice on mobility of individuals in the early subacute post-stroke phase: A randomized controlled clinical trial

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Oct:32:82-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.04.018. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Authors

Zaqueline F Guerra¹, Letícia C Bellose², Ana Paula Ferreira³, Christina D C M Faria⁴, Clarissa C S C Paz⁵, Giancarlo Lucchetti⁶

Affiliations

¹ Post Graduation Health Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (SUPREMA), Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Electronic address: zaquelineg@gmail.com.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Terezinha de Jesus Hospital and Maternity, Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Electronic address: leticiacbellose@gmail.com.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences (SUPREMA), Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Electronic address: paulafisio@gmail.com.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Electronic address: chrismoraisf@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Physical Therapy, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil. Electronic address: clarissacardososcp@gmail.com.
⁶ Department of Geriatrics, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil. Electronic address: g.lucchetti@yahoo.com.br.

PMID: 36180164
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.04.018

Abstract

Introduction: Only a small number of clinical trials were designed to investigate Mental Practice (MP)'s use for gait rehabilitation in individuals in the early subacute post-stroke phase. This trial aims to investigate the effect of mental practice on mobility rehabilitation in the early subacute phase after a stroke in comparison to a control group.

Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial with 16 individuals diagnosed with a stroke between 50 and 80 years of age. Mobility was evaluated using Timed Up and Go and the Five-Minute Walk Test. In addition, lower extremity muscular strength, Timed Up and Go Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies, quality of life, and depression were evaluated.

Results: Before and after intervention (within-subjects), mental practice group showed improved mobility in Timed Up and Go (p = 0.01,r = 0.59), muscular strength for bending the right hip (p = 0.04, r = 0.50), for right knee bending (p = 0.03,r = 0.53), and in biomechanical performance of Timed Up and Go Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies(p = 0.01,r = 0.63). Control group showed improvement in neither mobility nor in muscular strength after intervention. Comparing the scores between the groups after intervention (between-subjects), no differences were found for any of the study's outcomes. In the analysis of deltas (gains), it was observed that mental practice group volunteers had a reduction in Timed Up and Go (p = 0.27,r = 0.29) and an increase in total Timed Up and Go Assessment of Biomechanical Strategies scores (p = 0.14,r = 0.36).

Conclusion: Mental Practice was not associated with mobility, muscular strength, mental health, and quality of life improvement for patients in the early subacute post-stroke phase as compared to a control group.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02540096.

Keywords: Gait; Imagery; Lower extremity; Mobility limitation; Paresis; Stroke.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Gait
Humans
Muscle Strength
Quality of Life
Stroke Rehabilitation*
Stroke* / complications

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02540096