Effects of mental practices on balance and quality of life in stroke

One of the major causes of death and disability in all countries is stroke and the most common complication of stroke is hemiplegic Plzy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mental practice on improving balance and quality of life in stroke patients. The present study is a randomized clinical trial (RCT). Participants were 32 patients admitted to Mehrvarzan clinic in Qom and met the inclusion criteria. After the initial assessment performed by an experienced clinician, all the participants were randomly assigned to two groups with a mean age of 66.9 for the intervention group and and 66.4 for control group. The intervention group received mental exercises in addition to conventional therapy by a therapist for six weeks while the control group received only routine occupational trainings. The balance of all patients was assessed using tests of balance function (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Get Up & GO) in four different phases: prior to the onset of clinical intervention, immediately after the intervention, two weeks after the intervention, and six weeks after the intervention. Assessment of the quality of life in the patients was carried out using 36SF test at the onset of the clinical intervention and six weeks after the intervention. The results showed that scores on tests of balance and mental status tests had asignificant difference, with higher indices in the intervention group. The results of the study support the role of mental exercises to improve balance function of stroke patients and the impact of physical and mental exercises on the mental status and quality of life as compared to the physical dimensions using Berg, Timed Up Go, and SF36 tests. It is recommended that this method be used as an action plan for improving balance and quality of life in stroke patients.