Impact of Visual Imagery Versus Auditory Imagery on Upper Extremity Function in Subjects with Chronic Stroke

Background: Stroke is a major public health problem with an annual incidence estimate of 15 million people worldwide. Globally, it is the third leading cause of mortality. Up to 85% of survivors experience some degree of paresis of the upper limb at the onset and only 20% to 56% of survivors regain complete functional use of the affected upper limb even after therapeutic intervention. Motor recovery has been shown to be the most influential factor in determining well-being one year after stroke and hence the emphasis of rehabilitation interventions is to improve upper limb function and reduce long term disability. Objectives: To compare the effects of visual imagery versus auditory imagery on upper extremity function in subjects with chronic stroke. Materials and methods: 30 stroke subjects were recruited for the study and divided into two groups based on simple random sampling. Evaluation consisting the demographic details and clinical characteristics of the subjects were recorded. Group A received Visual Imagery Training along with conventional therapy. Group B received Auditory Imagery Training with conventional therapy. The treatment sessions were scheduled for 30 minutes per day, 4 times per week, for 4 weeks. Results: Comparison of post test scores of upper extremity function (FMA-UE) in between the groups, the mean and SD of post test FMA-UE of the stroke subjects administered by Visual Imagery in group-A was 40.33±11.39. It was more or less same the mean and SD of stroke subjects treated by Auditory Imagery in group B of 41.20±11.73. Conclusion: It evidenced that upper extremity function (FMA-UE) was significantly more improved within the groups among the stroke subjects administered by Visual Imagery and Auditory Imagery but no statistically significant differences were seen in between the groups. The study concluded that both the groups were equally effective in improving the upper extremity function.