Motor Imagery in Post-Stroke Dysphagia

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Diagnosis of stroke by a neurologist based on medical history, physical examination, and brain computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging findings * No progressive or non-progressive neurological disease other than stroke * No known psychiatric disease * No sensory dysfunction * No communication problem * Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24 or higher and ability to follow commands at a level sufficient to comply with motor imagery practice * Ability to maintain sitting balance and remain in a sitting position for 30 minutes * Presence of dysphagia symptoms or need for further evaluation based on dysphagia screening tests, with referral for videofluoroscopic swallowing study * No serious acute medical condition such as hemodynamic instability during testing Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal to participate in the study or withdrawal from the study during the study period * Inadequate performance of videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluation due to technical, clinical, or patient compliance-related reasons * Presence of sensory-motor aphasia * Presence of visual or hearing impairment * Presence of severe neglect * Evidence of esophageal dysphagia on videofluoroscopy and/or clinical symptoms * History of surgery, cancer, or radiotherapy in the head and neck region that may affect swallowing * Presence of vertebral problems that may restrict cervical movement, such as advanced cervical discopathy, prominent osteophyte form…