title: Motor imagery during movement activates the brain more than movement alone after stroke: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the neural correlates of motor imagery performed in conjunction with movement of the paretic arm after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven individuals in the chronic phase of stroke recovery (median (range): age: 58 years (37-73); time post-stroke: 9 months (4-42); upper extremity Fugl-Meyer motor score: 48 (36-64)).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants actively moved the paretic/right arm under two conditions while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. In the motor condition, pronation/supination movements were made in response to a visual cue. In the motor + imagery condition, the same movements were performed in response to a visual cue but the participants were instructed to imagine opening and closing a doorknob during performance of the movement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the motor condition, the anticipated motor network was activated and included left sensorimotor cortex and right cerebellum. For performance of the same movements during the motor + imagery condition, additional brain regions were significantly engaged including the left inferior parietal lobule and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of motor imagery to movement may provide a practical, accessible way to modulate activity in both the planning and execution components of the motor network after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Neurology and Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dodakian
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell Stewart
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*