Effectiveness of Motor Imagery combined to Action Observation in controlling Stroke-related Genu Recurvatum: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Genu recurvatum is one of the physical impairments that can affect functional recovery and independence after stroke. The aim of our study is to evaluate the effect of Motor Imagery (MI) combined to action Observation (AO) on the reduction of Genu Recurvatum in post-stroke patients. Twenty subjects were recruited and were randomly and equally allocated to two different groups. Experimental group received AO+MI protocol and the control group received a conventional rehabilitation care including stretching and functional rehabilitation. Outcome measures were static range of motion (during single leg stance on the affected limb) measured by an electrogoniometer and Gait recovery measured on the gait subcomponent of the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS). Subjects in the experimental group showed greater reduction in knee hyperextension. This was particularly evident when comparing static knee range of motion before and after each session. Additionally, reduction in knee hyperextension was found to be highly correlated to the improvement of gait recovery score of the MAS (r=0.86). These results suggest that a motor imagery protocol can be effective for the reduction of genu recurvatum in post-stroke patients.