Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of motor imagery therapy on patients accepted radiotherapy after operation for cerebral glioma. Methods 34 patients were randomly divided into control group (n=17) and observation group (n=17). Both groups accepted routine physiotherapy during radiotherapy, 45~60 min/d, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, while the observation group underwent motor imagery additionally, 15 min/d for 4 weeks. They were evaluated with Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Manual Muscle Test (MMT) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment., and with Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) 1 year later. Results There was no significantly difference in the scores of FMA, MMT and MBI between 2 groups before treatment (P>0.05). There was no significantly difference in the score of FMA in both groups before and after treatment (P>0.05). The score of MMT improved in the observation group after treatment (P<0.01). The scores of MBI improved in both groups after treatment (P<0.05). And there was no significantly difference in the D-value score of FMA, MMT and MBI between 2 groups (P>0.05). After 1 year follow-up, KPS showed that the number of survival patients and their quality of life were better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Motor imagery therapy can improve the muscle force, activities of daily living and long-term quality of life in patients during radiotherapy after neurosurgery for cerebral glioma.

Key words: cerebral glioma, motor imagery therapy, radiotherapy, rehabilitation