Objective To investigate the effects of mirror therapy supplemented with motor imaging training on the upper extremity functions of hemiplegic stroke patients and on their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL).Methods Forty-four stroke patients were divided into a control group and an experimental group with 22 patients in each.All were given routine rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the experimental group was given 30 minutes of mirror therapy daily supplemented with 15 minutes of motor imaging training.The control group was given routine occupational therapy.All the patients were assessed with Brunnstrom staging,the functional test for the hemiplegic upper extremity-Hong Kong (FTHUE-HK) and the Barthel index (BI) scale before therapy and after 6 weeks.Results After 6 weeks of treatment,both groups showed significant improvements in upper limb function,hand function,and ADL ability.There were significant intra-group differences and significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of Brunnstrom staging,FTHUE-HK scores and BI scores.Conclusions Mirror therapy supplemented with motor imaging training can benefit patients suffering hemiplegia in improving their upper limb functioning and their ADL ability.

Objective To study the effects of dynamic,support-inducing exercise on the support,balance and gait ability of patients with moderate-to-severe hemiplegia after stroke.Methods Fourteen stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group (7 cases to each).The patients in the experimental group received both dynamic,support-inducing exercise and routine exercises,while the patients in the control group received routine exercises only.Before training and after 40 and 60 days of training,their functional capacity was evaluated with the Chinese stroke scale (CSS) for neurological deficits,Berg's balance scale (BBS) and using functional ambulation categories (FACs).Results Before training there was no inter-group difference in average CSS or BBS scores or in FACs.For the experimental group there were significant intra-group differences compared with 0th day in all three items at both time points.At days 40 and 60 there were also significant intra-group differences in BBS scores and FACs in the control group,and CSS scores improved significantly only in the experimental group.At day 40 there were significant inter-group differences in average CSS,BBS and FAC results.However,by day 60 a significant difference persisted only in average CSS scores.Conclusions Dynamic,support-inducing exercise can improve support,balance and gait in patients with moderate-to-severe hemiplegia after stroke.