This research explores the combined effects of motor imagery and core stability exercises on trunk control, balance, and sleep quality in stroke recovery, addressing Pakistan's unique healthcare challenges. By enhancing neuroplasticity, core strength, and physical function, these interventions aim to improve mobility, independence, and overall quality of life for stroke survivors, while addressing common sleep disturbances.
Stroke patients can benefit from motor imagery and mirror therapy, which are easy to perform anytime and anywhere at their convenience. Integrating motor imagery training with task-specific training leads to greater improvements in sit-to-stand performance compared to task-specific training alone. Core exercises, whether performed alone or combined with other therapies, have been shown to influence trunk performance in stroke patients compared to traditional training. Patients who have had strokes can benefit from rehabilitation training that focuses on strengthening their core muscles. This is likely because it thickens the transverse abdominis muscle. Post-stroke patients were able to regain their motor function and sense of independence with the use of motor imagery as an additional resource. It has been shown to be an effective therapeutic strategy for this particular patient population. More than with routine physiotherapy, core stability exercises on both stable and unstable support surfaces improve ambulatory stroke patients' trunk control, core muscular strength, standing weight-bearing symmetry, and balance confidence. Combined action observation and motor imagery therapy may be helpful for neurorehabilitation in chronic stroke survivors when physical practice is not appropriate. Compared to standard physical treatment alone, core stability exercise and conventional physical therapy has demonstrated better outcomes in trunk control and balance. The combination of motor imagery and core stability exercises remains underexplored in stroke rehabilitation, leaving a significant knowledge gap about their synergistic potential. Investigating their combined effects could offer innovative strategies to improve trunk control, balance, and sleep quality, paving the way for more comprehensive and effective post-stroke treatment programs.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
62
The exercises have been divided into three difficulty categories based on the level of difficulty. Level I: When the patients were unable to sit independently, level I core stability therapy was administered. First-level exercises were done in a supine position on a plinth. The workout program mostly included side bridging movements, leg crosses, one-leg curl-ups, and straight and diagonal reaching activities. Patients can move to level once they can sit on a plinth edge unsupported for one minute while flexing their knees and hips to 90 degrees. Level II: Exercises included straight-arm curl-ups, diagonal-arm curl-ups, and arm curl-ups with the arms crossed. The patient will go to stage three once they can sit on an unstable surface for thirty seconds. Level III: Using a physio ball, the exercises were done while seated. The exercises performed with the ball consisted push-ups, bird dog, side Bridge, abdominal curl-ups, and bridge movements
The motor imagery program will be performed in three steps. STEP 1 Subjects will be instructed to watch the video provided and recorded by investigator. Two types of videos will be available to watch. One recording normal movements and the other film will contain recording the patient movements. Patient will be asked to watch the video and analyze the differences. STEP 2 In next step participants will be asked to close the eyes to focus and then to imagine how they are doing task they had previously observed 10 times. STEP 3 Participants will be than instructed to carry out the task in verbal commands given whenever necessary. During the recall process components of movement deviating from normal will be emphasized. The difficulty level of activities and the analysis of movement components will be increased gradually according to the patient's capacity.
Well Versed Physio Clinic
Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan
• Berg Balance Scale ( BBS)
The Berg Balance Scale evaluates changes in static balance over time .Each item is a 5-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating lowest level of function and 4 indicating highest level of function. It has 14 items and the maximum score is 56, higher the score, the better the balance function, while the lower the score, the worse the balance function.
Time frame: 12th week
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