Vol. 8, Issue 7, Part B (2022)

Abstract
Background: Up to 85% of post-stroke survivors experience upper limb weakness and even after therapeutic interventions, only 20% to 56% of them regain complete functional use of the paretic upper limb. Hence it is important to improve upper limb function and reduce long term disability.Objectives: To compare the effect of Visual Imagery versus Auditory Imagery on upper extremity function in chronic stroke subjects. Materials and Methods: 30 stroke subjects were recruited and were allotted into two groups randomly. 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. Upper extremity function was assessed prior to and post-intervention using Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE). Results: The pre-test scores of FMA-UE were 28.80±8.24 in Group A and 33.62±9.61 in Group B. The post-test scores of FMA-UE were 40.33±11.39 in Group A and 41.20±11.73 in Group B. When the post-test scores between the groups was compared, there was no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05).Conclusion: Results of the study show that upper extremity function significantly improved individually in both the groups, but no statistical significant difference was seen in between the groups. The study concluded that both the interventions are equally effective in improving the upper extremity function in chronic stroke subjects.