Clinical Effect of Motor Imagery Combined with Whole-Body Vibration Therapy on Elderly Patients with Limb Dysfunction After Stroke.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical efficacy of motor imagery (MI) combined with whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy on elderly patients with post-stroke limb dysfunction.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study. Elderly stroke patients with limb dysfunction were divided into a control group (traditional rehabilitation training) and an observation group (MI combined with WBV therapy). Outcomes assessed included upper limb muscle strength/function, event-related potentials (P300), gait indicators, balance, and self-care ability before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

There were a total of 139 patients, with 67 in the control group and 72 in the observation group. After intervention, the upper limb muscle strength and function, event-related potentials, gait indicators, balance ability, and self-care ability of both groups improved compared to before intervention, and the observation group was better than the control group.

CONCLUSION

The combination of MI and WBV therapy was superior to traditional rehabilitation alone in improving limb function, cognitive responses (P300), gait, balance, and self-care ability in elderly stroke patients.