Effects of Imaginary Resisted Exercise Versus Physical Resisted Exercise on Hand Grip Strength in Stroke Patients

A Randomized Control Trial study will be conducted in which patients with stroke will be allocated to Group A that will receive imaginary resistance exercises and patients in group B will receive physical resistance exercises.

The intervention will be applied (3 days /week) for 12 weeks, which consists of 5 different types of resistance using 5 different resistive objects, each will have 15 repetitions. Each session includes handgrip exercises with physical resistance exercises for one group and imaginary resistance exercises using Virtual Reality Box for another group. As for improving dexterity and eye-hand coordination, the Purdue pegboard test and finger-to-nose test will be used respectively in both groups with 15-15 repetitions.

Inclusion criteria

• Age should be in the range from 50 years to 75 years
• Time passed since stroke attack should be more than one year.
• Grade of Manual Muscles Testing for Elbow and Wrist, Flexion / Extension should be more than 2 out of 5.
• Scoring of Modified Ashworth Scale should be more than 3 out of 5 for the same muscle groups of previously mentioned movements.

Exclusion criteria

• Any significant pain present in the affected upper limb.
• Increased muscle tone that interferes with movements of the affected upper limb.
• Serious sensory loss in the affected upper limb.
• Severe medical issues currently.
• Cognitive impairment to a level that interferes with sessions of intervention.
• Impairments of vision that disables patient to perform interventional exercises.
• Serious presence of apraxia / neglect.
• If enrolled for any related or alike other upper limb therapy sessions / interventional studies.