Background: Motor imagery is the mental representation of an action without overt movement or muscle activation. However, few previous studies have demonstrated motor imagery training effects as an objective assessment tool in patients with early stroke.
Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) and upper limb function of stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study.
Methods: Twenty-four patients with stroke were enrolled in this study. All subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group. All participants received traditional occupational therapy for 30 minutes, 5 times a week. The experimental group performed an additional task of motor imagery training (MIT) 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Both groups were assessed using the SSEP amplitude, Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA UE) and Wolf motor function test.
Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SSEP amplitude and FMA UE than did the control group.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the MIT effectively improve the SSEP and upper limb function of stroke patients.

INTRODUCTION
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
    Subjects
    Methods
    Interventions
    Outcome measurements
    Data and Statistical Analysis
RESULTS
    General characteristics of the subject
    Effect on SSEP and upper limb function
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

• Jongbae Choi(Kyung Hee University Medical Center) Correspondence
• Jongeun Yang(Bethesda Hospital Rehabilitation Center)