Relationship between walking motor imagery ability and actual walking ability in stroke hemiplegic patients: A...

In stroke hemiplegic patients (hemiplegic patients), motor imagery ability is associated with physical activity. In particular, kinesthetic imagery may be associated with walking patterns related to muscle activity, as muscular contractions and intrinsic sensations are mentally perceived. However, no studies have examined whether the level of walking imagery ability (WIA) in hemiplegic patients differs from their actual walking ability, including walking patterns.

Is there a relationship between WIA and actual walking ability, including walking pattern, in hemiplegic patients? Also, are there any differences in walking ability based on the degree of WIA in hemiplegic patients?

This was a cross-sectional study. The participants included 33 hemiplegic patients. Walking ability was assessed based on the maximum 10 m walking time and knee joint motion during walking. WIA to walk was assessed using mental chronometry (MC). The evaluated MC was converted to WIA and divided into higher and lower imagers using a median split procedure. The relationship between the WIA and walking ability was examined, and the walking abilities of the higher and lower imagers were compared.

WIA was significantly correlated with the maximum 10 m walking time and paralyzed knee joint during the stance and swing phases. Additionally, the higher imagers had a smaller knee joint angle during the stance phase and a larger knee joint angle during the swing phase than the lower imagers.

WIA is related not only to walking time but also to walking patterns. Therefore, the findings imply that evaluating WIA using MC might predict abnormal walking patterns. Furthermore, cognitive interventions could be effective in enhancing walking patterns in hemiplegic patients. This study underscores offering valuable insights into interventions for improving walking patterns in hemiplegic patients.