An Investigation into the Effect of Sequencing Imagery and Physical Practices on the Immediate and Delayed Bilateral Transfer of a Throwing Task by Women with Hemiplegia

Transfer of learning is one of the most important instructional and rehabilitating techniques used widely in the treatment of some diseases around the world. The present study aimed to examine the effect of sequencing two types of practice, i.e. imagery and physical, on the immediate and delayed bilateral transfer of a throwing task by women with hemiplegia. This study was carried out with 30 women with hemiplegia (mild disease) and with an age range of 12 to 18 years. In this project, the participants practiced the intended task with both their healthy and damaged limbs, following two possible sequences of imagery or physical practice coming first. The effect of these practice protocols on the performance of the damaged limb was studied. In order to analyze the data, one-way ANOVA, Tukey post-hoc, and independent samples t tests were utilized. All significance levels were set at less than 0.05. The results of the immediate bilateral transfer test did not show any significant difference between the two groups with two different practice sequences (imagery or physical first) (P = 0.490). However, in the short-term and long-term delayed bilateral tests, the group with the precedence of physical practice had a significantly better performance than the group with the imagery practice precedence (P = 0.036 and P = 0.001, respectively). Based on the results of this study, it can be stated that patients with hemiplegia, due to their movement limitations, may benefit from a bilateral transfer technique to increase aspects of their mobility. In addition, in order to develop leaning, and increase the efficacy of the practices, the use of combined practices (physical and imagery) with the precedence of physical practice is suggested for these patients.