Effect of motor imagery program (MIP) for a patient with CRPS type I after stroke - A pilot study using a single-case study design

Abstract

We conducted Moseley's motor imagery program (MIP) for a patient with left upper limb complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS1) after right thalamic hemorrhage. The treatment aims at activation of cortical networks that serve the affected limb. The MIP consists of three different interventions 1) hand laterality cognition task, 2) imaged hand movement, and 3) mirror therapy. We investigated the effect of MIP using a single-case study design. The results showed pain relief during the MIP period, and the effect was maintained during the follow-up period. Body-schema assessed by affected hand tracing at pre-MIP changed to a more detailed picture post-MIP. We suggest the MIP altered the disrupted body-schema, and improved central pain due to cortical abnormalities.