Effect of Auditory Neurofeedback Training on Upper Extremity Function and Motor Imagery Ability in a Stroke Patient: A Single Case Study

Methods: A stroke patient with a left putaminal hemorrhage participated in this study. This study consisted of baseline and intervention periods (4 weeks each). The participant performed standard rehabilitation during the baseline period, and auditory neurofeedback training with motor imagery in addition to standard rehabilitation during the intervention period. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Motor Activity Log (MAL), Hand Laterality Judgement Task (HLJT), Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-10 (KVIQ-10) scores were measured before (Pre1) and after (Pre 2) the baseline period, and then after the intervention period (Post). Results: The shoulder/elbow/forearm subscale of the FMA, the amount of use and quality of movement subscales of the MAL, the accuracy and reaction time of the HLJT, and the visual and kinesthetic subscales of the KVIQ-10 improved in the Post compared with the Pre1 and Pre 2. Conclusion: This study suggests that auditory neurofeedback training contributes to improving upper extremity function and motor imagery ability in stroke patients.