The Effect of Motor Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. A proportion of individuals who experience a stroke fail to achieve the desired level of motor recovery in the affected upper extremity following rehabilitation, resulting in significant limitations in activities of daily living. After stroke, rehabilitation programs are essential to reduce disability and enhance functional outcomes. This study aims to evaluate whether the addition of Motor Imagery (MI) to a standard rehabilitation program contributes to improvements in upper extremity motor function in individuals with stroke. MI is a mental practice technique in which individuals cognitively rehearse movements without physically performing them. Although the movement is not executed, the brain regions involved in the movement are activated. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to three groups. All groups will receive a standard physical therapy and rehabilitation program. The first group will receive only standard physical therapy and rehabilitation. The second group will receive, in addition to conventional therapy, 15 minutes of MI training three days per week, while the third group will receive 15 minutes of MI training five days per week. The total treatment duration for all groups is planned as 30 sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, at the end of the treatment period, and again at the 12th week. This study is based on the hypothesis that adding MI practice to a conventional upper extremity rehabilitation program after stroke will contribute to improvements in activities of daily living and functional recovery, and that these effects may be associated with the frequency of the intervention.