This study supports that MST, when combined with conventional treatment, is effective for the recovery of motor skills in post-stroke patients. Additionally, it suggests that apart from the repetitive practices of MST, music may play a unique role in improving upper-limb motor function for post-stroke patients.

Objective: Very early mobilization was thought to contribute to beneficial outcomes in stroke-unit care, but the optimal intervention strategy including initiation time and intensity of mobilization are unclear. In this study, we sought to confirm the rehabilitative effects of different initiation times (24 vs. 48 h) with different mobilization intensities (routine or intensive) in ischemic stroke patients within three groups. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized and controlled trial with a blinded follow-up assessment. Patients with ischemic stroke, first or recurrent, admitted to stroke unit within 24 h after stroke onset were recruited. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to 3 groups: Early Routine Mobilization in which patients received < 1.5 h/d out-of-bed mobilization within 24–48 h after stroke onset, Early Intensive Mobilization in which patients initiated ≥3 h/d mobilization at 24–48 h after the stroke onset, and Very Early Intensive Mobilization in which patients received≥3 h/d mobilization within 24 h. The modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 was used as the primary favorable outcome. Results: We analyzed 248 of the 300 patients (80 in Early Routine Mobilization, 82 in Very Early Intensive Mobilization and 86 in Early Intensive Mobilization), with 52 dropping out (20 in Early Routine Mobilization, 18 in Very Early Intensive Mobilization and 14 in Early Intensive Mobilization). Among the three groups, the Early Intensive Mobilization group had the most favorable outcomes at 3-month follow-up, followed by patients in the Early Routine Mobilization group. Patients in Very Early Intensive Mobilization received the least odds of favorable outcomes. At 3 month follow up, 53.5%, ( n = 46) of patients with Early Intensive Mobilization showed a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) ( p = 0.041) as compared to 37.8% ( n = 31) of patients in the Very Early Intensive Mobilization. Conclusions: Post-stroke rehabilitation with high intensity physical exercise at 48 h may be beneficial. Very Early Intensive Mobilization did not lead to a favorable outcome at 3 months. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn , identifier ChiCTR-ICR-15005992.

Motor imagery (MI), defined as the mental implementation of an action in the absence of movement or muscle activation, is a rehabilitation technique that offers a means to replace or restore lost motor function in stroke patients when used in conjunction with conventional physiotherapy procedures. This article briefly reviews the concepts and neural correlates of MI in order to promote improved understanding, as well as to enhance the clinical utility of MI-based rehabilitation regimens. We specifically highlight the role of the cerebellum and basal ganglia, premotor, supplementary motor, and prefrontal areas, primary motor cortex, and parietal cortex. Additionally, we examine the recent literature related to MI and its potential as a therapeutic technique in both upper and lower limb stroke rehabilitation.