Improvement of motor function in post-stroke patients with severe paralysis by repeating cognitive augmentation of motor function is associated with the ability to induce motor imagery

Abstract

We have continued to study methods for cognitive augmentation of motor function by kinesthetic perception using visual stimulation (kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation : KINVIS), in order to apply it to the treatment of upper-limb motor paralysis that occurs after nerve injury such as stroke and spinal cord injury. In this article, we introduce our previous study that showed that the application of KINVIS for 20 min, which evokes kinesthetic perception, improved their ability to induce motor imagery in post-stroke patients with severe paralysis who were unable to extend their paretic fingers for a prolonged period of time. In addition, we consider the possibility that the improvement of the ability to induce motor imagery represents the potential of the improvement of motor function by repeating the combination approach of KINVIS therapy and conventional therapeutic exercise based on supplementary data.