Clinical factors associated with motor imagery ability in individuals with subacute stroke.

Journal of rehabilitation medicine · 2026 · Other · PT · OT
Yuki Fukumoto, Tsubasa Kawasaki, Takanao Shirai, Tomomi Hase, Hinata Chiyo, Hiroyuki Hamada, Katsuya Sakai, Junpei Tanabe, Kota Sawa, Toshiaki Suzuki

In 40 subacute stroke patients, motor recovery, proprioception, and working memory together were associated with motor imagery ability, but no single factor independently predicted it. Cross-sectional design; associations only, not causation.

Key findings

1

Motor imagery ability was significantly correlated with motor recovery stage (r = −0.316, p = 0.047) and proprioceptive function (r = −0.422, p = 0.007), but not with working memory (p = 0.282) or time since stroke onset (p = 0.983).

2

When all three variables were entered simultaneously in a multiple regression, the overall model was significant (R² = 0.217, p = 0.030), but no single variable independently predicted motor imagery ability (BRS-H p = 0.402; SIAS-PS p = 0.060; BDS p = 0.278).

3

In an exploratory classification analysis, combining motor recovery, proprioception, and working memory distinguished high from low motor imagery ability above chance (AUC = 0.716; permutation test p = 0.032).

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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