The effect of visual feedback plus mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training in people with hemiparesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of visual feedback with mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training in three individuals with hemiparetic stroke.
DESIGN: A single-subject experimental design, alternating with multiple baselines across individuals.
SETTING: Laboratory of a department of occupational therapy. PARTICIPANTS: Three individuals with left hemiparesis from stroke. INTERVENTION: Visual feedback with mental practice on symmetrical weight-bearing training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The proportion of the participant's weight-bearing by the affected limb while standing was measured using Limloader.
RESULTS: For participants 1, 2 and 3, the respective average weight-bearing proportions of the affected limb were 27%, 31% and 21% at baseline, 47%, 48% and 47% after visual feedback with mental practice, and 42%, 48% and 42% after visual feedback only, immediately following each training session. When the participants had visual feedback with mental practice, they placed a greater proportion of their weight on the affected limb, and this effect was maintained for 1 h.
CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that the visual feedback approach alone can effect improvement but visual feedback together with mental practice produces further positive effect on improving and maintaining a symmetrical stance posture in people with hemiparetic stroke.