| Objective: To explore the cortical reorganization induced by motor imagery (MI) in stroke patients with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: All 16 patients were randomly divided into the MI group, executive motion (EM) group and control group. The MI group received the motor imagery treatment, and the EM group was given the actual operation, 30 min/time, 5 times a week, for a period of 4 weeks. The control group only received conventional rehabilitation. The improvement of hand function was assessed, and the fMRI scanning (overt and covert palmar opposition of thumb of the affected side) was done to find out the activated intensity (t value) of contralateral SMC and laterality index (LI). Results: The hand functions were improved in MI group and EM group after training (P<0.05), more significant in MI group than in the rest two groups (P<0.05). The t value caused by overt movement of MI and EM groups in contralateral SMC activation increased (P<0.05), more significantly in MI group than in control group (P<0.05). The activated cortices caused by imagery were similar to that of overt movement. The activation of MI was mainly located in the bilateral SMC and SMA. After training, the t value of bilateral SMC activation in all groups increased, the activation in MI group showed an advantage of the ipsilesional side (P<0.05), and the LI was significantly increased in MI group as compared with that in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: MI could significantly improve the hand function of stroke patients, which might be related to the reorganization of brain functions. |
