Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of mental rotation in stroke patients and the relationship between mental rotation and visual-spatial cognitive function. MethodsFrom March, 2012 to October, 2013, 30 stroke patients were selected as experimental group and 30 healthy subjects as control group. They were tested with hand mental rotation task, and assessed with visuospatial abilities from Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). ResultsThe reaction time of hand mental rotation task was significantly longer in the experimental group than in the control group (F=95.6, P<0.001). The reaction time was longer with the increase of rotation angle in both groups, and was the longest as 180° of rotation (F=345.672, P<0.001). The response accuracy rate of hand mental rotation task was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (F=6.444, P<0.05). The response accuracy rate was lower with the increase of rotation angle in both groups, and was the least as 180° of rotation (F=102.911, P<0.001). The reaction time negatively correlated with the score of visuospatial abilities, while the response accuracy rate positively correlated with it in the stroke patients (P<0.05). ConclusionThe mental rotation ability is impaired in stroke patients, however, the respondent pattern is similar to healthy people. The mental rotation ability is correlated with visual-spatial cognitive functions in stroke patients.

Key words: stroke, mental rotation, motor imagery, visual-spatial cognition