Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Mental imagery is a powerful tool in upper extremity stroke recovery when used in conjunction with traditional rehabilitative therapies. ft is the process of cognitively visualizing fluid and functional movements of the affected upper extremity during everyday tasks. Substantial research has been conducted regarding the efficacy of this intervention with supported outcome measurement data. Mental imagery training is beneficial because it can be done with minimal set up and completed outside of therapy hours. Neuroplasticity is used to salvage motor pathways for functional return of the limb. This tool is not suitable for every person who has had a stroke, and a selection process must occur prior to provision. Once the appropriate patient is selected, thorough training and education should be administered by a therapist or allied health staff. 3 An in-service was subsequently provided to share the information gathered from the literature review. Additional objectives included creating a mental imagery toolkit consisting of the necessary items for implementation at an acute rehabilitation unit. A total of ten rehabilitation professionals attended the in-service and were presented with pre- and post-surveys to complete before and after the in-service. These surveys included the five identical questions administered on a Likert scale, creating quantitative data that could be analyzed. Overall, the data demonstrated an increase in knowledge of mental imagery and its provision for upper limb post-stroke recovery from the in-service. The mental imagery intervention toolkit and in-service provision presented to staff was successful in improving access to and knowledge of this underutilized recovery tool.

Publication Date

4-2021

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