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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Author Spotlight: Using Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients
Published on: September 1, 2023
Recovery of motor imagery ability in the first year after stroke
Wya Feenstra1, Marga Tepper, Anne M Boonstra
1aDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen b'Revalidatie Friesland' Centre for Rehabilitation, Beetsterzwaag cCentre for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen dSaxion University of Applied Sciences, School of Applied Psychology, Deventer, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the level and recovery of motor imagery ability (MIA) in the first year after stroke and whether the recovery of MIA is related to that of arm/hand function. Twenty-three patients with diminished arm/hand function were included. The accuracy score on the hand laterality judgment task was used to assess MIA and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment was used to evaluate the recovery of arm/hand function. The patients were assessed 3, 6, 16, 26, and 52 weeks after stroke. In the first year after stroke, the percentage of patients with moderate to good MIA improved from 78% after 3 weeks to 94% after 1 year. The recovery of MIA took place in the first 6 weeks after stroke. No correlation was found between the recovery of MIA and arm/hand function, despite the fact that the greatest improvement in both occurred in the first 6 weeks.
