Immediate effect of mental practice with and without mirror therapy on muscle activation in hemiparetic stroke patients

Tamise Aguiar Caires; Luciane Fernanda Rodrigues Martinho Fernandes; Lislei Jorge Patrizzi; Rafael de Almeida Oliveira; Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande de Souza

doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.12.010

Immediate effect of mental practice with and without mirror therapy on muscle activation in hemiparetic stroke patients

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2017 Oct;21(4):1024-1027. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.12.010. Epub 2016 Dec 26.

Authors

Tamise Aguiar Caires¹, Luciane Fernanda Rodrigues Martinho Fernandes², Lislei Jorge Patrizzi², Rafael de Almeida Oliveira³, Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande de Souza⁴

Affiliations

¹ Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: tamiseaguiar@hotmail.com.
² Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Physical Education at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁴ Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PMID: 29037618
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.12.010

Abstract

Mental practice (MP) consists of the repeated mental rehearsal of a physical skill without movement, called motor imagery (MI). Studies show that MP and MI associated mirror therapy (MPMT) may improve muscle control of the upper limbs in hemiparesis. This study aimed to evaluate muscle activation during active flexion of the wrist (MA), MP, and MPMT in patients with history of stroke and hemiparesis. Individuals diagnosed with stroke showing sequelae of upper limb hemiparesis were enrolled. The flexor carpi ulnaris was analyzed using electromyography during tasks (MA, MP, MPMT) involving wrist flexion. Greater electromyographic activity was detected during MP and MPMT techniques compared to active movement (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between MP and MPMT (p = 0.56). These results were found in both the affected limb and unaffected limb. Immediate effects on muscle activation are experienced during MP and MPMT, and muscle activity was similar with both therapies.

Keywords: Electromyography; Mental practice; Mirror therapy; Stroke.

MeSH terms

Aged
Electromyography
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
Paresis / rehabilitation*
Recovery of Function / physiology
Stroke Rehabilitation / methods*
Upper Extremity / physiopathology
Wrist / physiopathology*