I agree that motivation plays an important part in the rehabilitation process. Concentration and what umamadhu said about visualization helps. Stroke patients need a a lot of psychological support. Praising them for a small movement made would enable them to do more and feel encouraged. And if you could encourage him or her "TO HELP YOU" instead of you telling him to do it, they would be more willing to do so. It is not just on how you elicit a movement or response from them that is important but on how you build a rapport to every individual that makes the whole rehabiltiaiton process successful.

Cheers!!

Regards,
Charlize29