MOTOR IMAGERY TOGETHER WITH CONVENTIONAL THERAPY WILL BE EQUAL TO OR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CONVENTIONAL ALONE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF GAIT IN STROKE PATIENT

Abstract

Strokes can result in many different disabilities, ranging from motor control and urinary incontinence to depression and memory loss. Stroke usually occurs on only one side of the brain, so decreased motor control (the ability to move muscles in a coordinated manner) usually develops on only one side of the body. Total 30 participants including both male and female who were previously diagnosed by Neurologist was recruited for the study. Subject will be selected as per convenient sampling and assigned into two groups i.e. Group –A (Experimental group) and Group-B (Control Group). In group-A subjects were given motor imagery and conventional therapy both; in group-B subjects were given conventional therapy alone. This group received Motor imagery (10-15 minute) & Conventional therapy (30-40 minutes) both and it was given in single session of 45-50 minutes. The program was conducted for 3 times per week. Total duration of both programs was for 4 weeks. For group B Intervention of Conventional therapy alone was given for 30-40 min. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding their age. Group A got 13 subjects with (mean age = 65.46 years ±7.55) and Group B got 13 subjects with (mean age = 65.69 ±5.58). Both programs were conducted in the respective participant’s home and hospital environment. The procedure requires only a stopwatch, two felt tip marking pens with washable ink, and a 16-m (53ft) walkway that is premeasured and marked with masking tape at four points. Initially subjects were introduced with Motor Imagery technique. Statistics are performed by using SPSS 13 and Sigma state. t- Test was used for analysis of data. Paired t-test was applied to compare the data of Gait assessment (stride length, step length, gait velocity and cadence) within group. Student t-test was used to compare the data of gait assessment (stride length, step length, gait velocity and cadence) between groups. The statistical significance was set at 0.05 at 95% confidence interval and P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Key words: Strokes, Gait assessment, Motor Imagery and Conventional therapy.