Effect of Motor Imagery Training with Visual and Kinesthetic Imagery Training on Balance Ability in Post Stroke Hemiparesis

Purpose This study aimed to compare the effect of two conditions (visual and kinesthetic) of motor imagery : training on static and dynamic balance. Methods Fifteen patients with post-stroke hemiparesis volunteered to participate in this study. Two motor : imagery training conditions, for 10minute trials, employed with audiotape instructions. Measurements were performed at pretest, posttest and 1-hour follow up in both static and dynamic balance. Results M : easures were significantly different both static and dynamic balance tests between treatment conditions (kinesthetic imagery more than visual imagery) at the pretest, post test, and 1-hour follow-up (p<.05). Measures of both static and dynamic balance tests, for both conditions, improved significantly from pretest to posttest (p<.05), and was maintained at 1-hour follow up. Conclusion This study showed that both imagery training applications were effective treatment strategies for : both static and dynamic balance. When comparing the two treatment conditions, kinesthetic motor imagery training was more effective than the visual motor imagery training in static and dynamic balance.