The Effect of Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Rehabilitation (MT)

University of Jazan

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Stroke; Hemiplegia; Chronic Stroke Patients

Treatments: Other: Mirror Therapy; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06698380

MUREC-Apr.13/COM-2022/32-5

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aimed to determine the effect of mirror therapy versus conventional physical therapy treatment in improving upper extremity impairments and motor function among chronic hemiplegic subjects.

Research Objectives:

1. To discover the effectiveness of conventional physical therapy treatment on improving upper limb motor function among chronic hemiplegic subjects.
2. To find out the effect of mirror therapy along with conventional physical therapy treatment on improving upper limb motor function among chronic hemiplegic subjects.
3. To find out the effectiveness of mirror therapy combined with conventional physical therapy treatment versus conventional physical therapy treatment alone on improving upper extremity motor function among chronic hemiplegic subjects.

Enrollment: 38 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Duration of stroke more than six months
• Subjects of chronic stroke with left or right hemiplegia.
• Genders of male and female with age ranging between forty-five to sixty-five years.
• MMSE scores greater than 23 out of 30.
• Scored one or one plus on MAS on all muscles of the affected upper limb.
• Have normal visual perception.
• Able to follow oral commands.

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to follow visual and oral commands.
• Unilateral neglect.
• Cognitive impairments (MMSE scores less than 24 out of 30), or language deficits.
• Any other neurological disorders and recent surgeries.
• Previous exposure to MT.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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38 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

The participants of control participants received conventional Physical Therapy (CPT) based on their routine physical therapy neurological evaluation. The CPT was individualized based on the needs of the subjects. It included: normalization of muscle tone, strengthening of weak muscles, lengthening of tight muscles, training for transfers like supine to sit, sit to stand, balance training, and gait training. The upper extremity training for ADLs also were incorporated using mobilization, reaching, grasping and dexterity movements

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Physical Therapy

Experimental

Experimental group

Description:

The experimental group received combination therapy that is MT combined with CPT treatment. The subjects were asked to be seated on a comfortable chair with feet and back supported and the upper extremity was on a tabletop surface of two-by-two- meter size. A mirror was positioned in front of the subjects to shield the involved upper extremity, reflecting the image of the uninvolved side. The involved upper extremity was placed in a relaxed posture beside the mirror, mirroring the same posture on the uninvolved side to enhance illusional movements. The MT for the experimental group included reaching, grasping, and dexterity movements of the unaffected upper limb, followed by imitation on the involved side. Subjects performed five activities: finger flexion and extension, finger opposition, counting with fingers, wrist flexion and extension, and forearm supination and pronation. Each activity was done 10 times, with mirror therapy lasting 15 minutes and 30 minutes / 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Other: Mirror Therapy