Background and Purpose: The Feldenkrais Method (FM) is a complimentay movement therapy approach to motor learning that shares tenets with dynamic systems theory. The approach purports to enhance movement awareness and efficiency. FM efficiency on balance has been reported in only one controlled trial with people with multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to determine if a group-delivered program of Feldenkrais Awareness through Movement (ATM) would improve balance and functional mobility in adults post-stroke. Methodology: The study used a double base-line pre-test post-test design. Subjects included 7 men and 3 women, 1 to 3 years post-stroke. Primary outcomes of balance and functional mobility were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Movement Battery (TMB), respectively. Secondary outcomes were quality of life and imagery ability measured with the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), and the Movement Imagery Questionnaire (MIQ), respectively. Subjects received 18 ATM sessions (1.5 hours each) over a 6-week period. Eight subjects were included in the final analysis using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient to measure differences and associations, respectively. Results: The group improved an average of 5 points on the BBS, with 5 out of 8 subjects improving 6 or more points. Eight out of 10 subjects improved on the TMB 20′ at walk a normal and fast speed. Most subjects improved on TMB stair ascension and left side stepping at normal and fast speeds. There was no significant difference on the SIS pretest-posttest scores. MIQ scores improved significantly for both the entire test as well as individual visual and kinesthetic subscales. There was a positive association between pre-test MIQ kinesthetic scores with posttest BBS. Discussion and Conclusion: For select individuals post-stroke, a group-delivered, exploratory method of perceptuo-motor learning resulted in functional gains in complex measures of balance and movement efficiency. Additionally subjects improved their imagery ability. Pre-testing kinesthetic imagery ability was related to post-test balance improvements suggesting that pre-test MIQ scores could be used to select for individuals that may benefit from this type of intervention.
