EFFECTS OF MOTOR IMAGERY TECHNIQUE WITH AND WITHOUT VIRTUAL REALITY ON PAIN INTENSITY, FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENT WITH POST STROKE SHOULDER HAND SYNDROME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/gxg8kq63Keywords:
Activities of Daily Living; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Motor Imagery; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; Stroke; Virtual Reality.Abstract
Background: Stroke commonly results in long-term upper limb impairment, and post-stroke Shoulder–Hand Syndrome is one of the painful complications that can restrict movement, reduce independence, and negatively affect quality of life. Pain and stiffness often limit active participation in conventional rehabilitation. Motor imagery offers a non-invasive method of stimulating motor networks without physical strain, while virtual reality may enhance this effect through visual feedback, patient engagement, and sensory-motor integration.
Objective: To compare the effects of motor imagery with and without virtual reality on pain intensity, functional disability, and quality of life in patients with post-stroke Shoulder–Hand Syndrome.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 40 patients with post-stroke Shoulder–Hand Syndrome. Participants were allocated into two equal groups. Group A received motor imagery combined with virtual reality, while Group B received motor imagery alone. Both groups received 30-minute sessions, three days per week, for six weeks. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, functional disability through the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and quality of life through the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests were applied according to data distribution.
Results: Both groups showed significant improvement after intervention. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale score decreased from 6.95 ± 0.76 to 4.10 ± 0.79 in the motor imagery group and from 6.95 ± 0.76 to 2.00 ± 0.73 in the motor imagery with virtual reality group. SPADI total score decreased from 68.91 ± 4.49 to 49.91 ± 3.95 in the motor imagery group and from 69.15 ± 4.51 to 29.16 ± 3.29 in the combined group. SS-QoL score increased from 2.77 ± 0.10 to 3.30 ± 0.10 in the motor imagery group and from 2.77 ± 0.10 to 4.19 ± 0.09 in the combined group. Post-treatment between-group differences were statistically significant for all outcomes.
Conclusion: Motor imagery with and without virtual reality improved pain, disability, and quality of life in patients with post-stroke Shoulder–Hand Syndrome. However, virtual reality-assisted motor imagery produced greater clinical improvement and may be considered a valuable adjunct in neurorehabilitation.
Keywords: Activities of Daily Living; Complex Regional Pain Syndromes; Motor Imagery; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; Stroke; Virtual Reality.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Hammad Khan, Dr. Syeda Nida Fatima, Prof Dr Fahad Tanveer , Dr. Izzah Ijaz Syed, Dr. Sehrish Shahzad , Akasha Khan (Author)
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