Graded Motor Imagery in Elbow Limitation

This randomized-controlled trial aims to investigate the efficacy of Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) on function, pain, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with a posttraumatic stiff elbow.

To investigate the efficacy of GMI on function, pain, and ROM in elbow limitation, voluntary patients with elbow limitation, aged between 20-55 years will be randomly divided into two groups: GMI group and standard rehabilitation (SR) group. Interventions will be applied for 12 sessions. The patients will be assessed before, after six-week treatment and six-week follow-up. The pain on activity, at rest and at night will be assessed with Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Pain pressure threshold of the elbow and soft tissue around the elbow will be evaluated by digital pressure algometry. ROM will be assessed with a digital goniometer. Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer of elbow flexors and extensors. Grip strength will also be assessed. Recognise™ will be used for assessing the right-left discrimination. The functional status and kinesiophobia will be evaluated by Disabilities Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, respectively. The Global Rating of Change will be used to evaluate patient satisfaction. The Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire 2 (VMIQ-2) will be used for evaluating the individuals' ability to mental imaginary.

Each subject in the Graded Motor Imagery group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of Graded Motor Imagery, cold therapy, and home exercises.

Each subject in the Standard Rehabilitation group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of stretching and strengthening exercises, cold therapy, and home exercises.

The first stage of GMI includes laterality reconstruction. Patients will view and determine if the various images of body parts to image portrays the right or left side. The second stage targets activation of the primary motor cortex by imagine moving the involved body part. The final stage involves that the patient watches the unaffected body part moving in a mirror to "trick" the brain into thinking the affected body part is actually moving in a pain-free way. This will be applied for 6 weeks.

Shoulder, elbow and wrist AROM exercises. Elbow flexion and extension, and wrist flexion and extension stretching exercises. Elbow and wrist strengthening exercises. Grip strengthening exercises. This will be applied for 6 weeks.

Proprioception exercises for the elbow. Scapulothoracic strengthening exercises. This will be applied for 6 weeks.

The functional status of the patients will be evaluated by The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). It comprises 30 core questions and optional additional 8 questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (no difficulty-unable). The cumulative DASH score is ranged from 0 to 100, where the higher scores indicate an increased degree of disability.

Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The participants will be asked to indicate their perceived pain at rest, during activity and at night on the 10 cm line between no pain and terrible pain. The score will be determined by measuring the distance on 10 cm line using a ruler. The higher scores indicate an higher level of pain.

Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The participants will be asked to indicate their perceived pain at rest, during activity and at night on the 10 cm line between no pain and terrible pain. The score will be determined by measuring the distance on 10 cm line using a ruler. The higher scores indicate an higher level of pain.

Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The participants will be asked to indicate their perceived pain at rest, during activity and at night on the 10 cm line between no pain and terrible pain. The score will be determined by measuring the distance on 10 cm line using a ruler. The higher scores indicate an higher level of pain.

The elbow's and forearm's AROM, including flexion, extension, supination, pronation will be measured described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) using a universal goniometer. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

The elbow's and forearm's AROM, including flexion, extension, supination, pronation will be measured described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) using a universal goniometer. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

The elbow's and forearm's AROM, including flexion, extension, supination, pronation will be measured described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) using a universal goniometer. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

The functional status of the patients will be evaluated by The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). It comprises 30 core questions and optional additional 8 questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (no difficulty-unable). The cumulative DASH score is ranged from 0 to 100, where the higher scores indicate an increased degree of disability.

The functional status of the patients will be evaluated by The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH). It comprises 30 core questions and optional additional 8 questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (no difficulty-unable). The cumulative DASH score is ranged from 0 to 100, where the higher scores indicate an increased degree of disability.

Kinesiophobia of the patients will be assessed by Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. It is a 17-item questionnaire scored on a 4-point Likert-type scale (strongly disagree-strongly agree). The total score of the scale ranged from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating more kinesiophobia.

Kinesiophobia of the patients will be assessed by Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. It is a 17-item questionnaire scored on a 4-point Likert-type scale (strongly disagree-strongly agree). The total score of the scale ranged from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating more kinesiophobia.

Kinesiophobia of the patients will be assessed by Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. It is a 17-item questionnaire scored on a 4-point Likert-type scale (strongly disagree-strongly agree). The total score of the scale ranged from 17 to 68, with higher scores indicating more kinesiophobia.

Patient satisfaction regarding improvement in elbow function will be assessed by the Global Rating of Change scale. The participants will be asked to rate their condition after a six-week intervention period compared to baseline by indicating whether they have improved significantly, improved slightly, unchanged, deteriorated slightly, or deteriorated significantly in this study.

Right-Left Discrimination will be assessed with Recognise™ application. It tests the patients' ability to quickly and accurately recognise an image of a body area as either left or right ('Left/Right Discrimination'). The test will be repeated three times and average values will be recorded.

Right-Left Discrimination will be assessed with Recognise™ application. It tests the patients' ability to quickly and accurately recognise an image of a body area as either left or right ('Left/Right Discrimination'). The test will be repeated three times and average values will be recorded.

Right-Left Discrimination will be assessed with Recognise™ application. It tests the patients' ability to quickly and accurately recognise an image of a body area as either left or right ('Left/Right Discrimination'). The test will be repeated three times and average values will be recorded.

The Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire-2 (VMIQ-2) will be used to measure the vividness of imagery. It comprises three subscales and 12 core questions that are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale (Perfectly clear and as vivid (as normal vision or feel of movement) - No image at all, you only "know" that you are thinking of the skill). The subscales scores (External Visual Imagery, Internal Visual Imagery, and Kinaesthetic imagery) are ranged from 1 to 60, where the higher scores indicate a decreased ability of vividness of imagery.

Pain pressure threshold of the elbow and soft tissue around the elbow will be evaluated by digital pressure algometry. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Pain pressure threshold of the elbow and soft tissue around the elbow will be evaluated by digital pressure algometry. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Pain pressure threshold of the elbow and soft tissue around the elbow will be evaluated by digital pressure algometry. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer for elbow flexors and extensors. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer for elbow flexors and extensors. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Grip strength will be assessed with JAMAR hydraulic hand dynamometer. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Grip strength will be assessed with JAMAR hydraulic hand dynamometer. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.

Inclusion Criteria: Subjects will be included with Aged between 20 and 55 years Elbow fracture in the six months before the study Elbow limitation in flexion or extension Being a volunteer to participate Fractures should be managed with surgically The "Standardized Mini Mental Test" result must be at least 24 points Exclusion Criteria: Malunion or Nonunion Fracture The occurrence of complex regional pain syndrome, peripheric nerve injury, heterotopic ossification, myositis ossification or post-traumatic ankylosing Non-healing wound or infection Previously received physiotherapy for elbow limitation Having any cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, rheumatic diseases or psychiatric diseases Could not adjust to the treatment Shoulder, elbow or wrist movement limitation in contralateral upper extremity or absence of limbs in the contralateral upper extremity Having severe visual loss

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