Recovery in the Severely Impaired Arm Post-stroke after Mirror Therapy – a Randomized Controlled Study

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mirror therapy (MT) on recovery in the severely impaired arm after stroke.DesignUsing single-blind randomized controlled design, patients with severely impaired arm within 1-month post-stroke were assigned to received MT (n=20) or control therapy (CT) (n=21), 30min. twice daily for 4 weeks in addition to conventional rehabilitation. During MT and CT, subjects practiced similar structured exercises in both arms, except that mirror reflection of the unaffected arm was the visual feedback for MT, but mirror was absent for CT so that subjects could watch both arms in exercise. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were the outcome measurements.ResultsAfter the intervention, both MT and CT groups had significant arm recovery similarly in FMA (p=0.867), WMFT-Time (p=0.947) and WMFT-Functional Ability Scale (p=0.676).ConclusionMT or CT which involved exercises concurrently for the paretic and unaffected arms during subacute stroke promoted similar motor recovery in the severely impaired arm. Objective This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of mirror therapy (MT) on recovery in the severely impaired arm after stroke. Design Using single-blind randomized controlled design, patients with severely impaired arm within 1-month post-stroke were assigned to received MT (n=20) or control therapy (CT) (n=21), 30min. twice daily for 4 weeks in addition to conventional rehabilitation. During MT and CT, subjects practiced similar structured exercises in both arms, except that mirror reflection of the unaffected arm was the visual feedback for MT, but mirror was absent for CT so that subjects could watch both arms in exercise. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) were the outcome measurements. Results After the intervention, both MT and CT groups had significant arm recovery similarly in FMA (p=0.867), WMFT-Time (p=0.947) and WMFT-Functional Ability Scale (p=0.676). Conclusion MT or CT which involved exercises concurrently for the paretic and unaffected arms during subacute stroke promoted similar motor recovery in the severely impaired arm. Corresponding Author: Dr. Stephanie S.Y. AU-YEUNG, Address: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China, Email: (1) auyeung.stephanie@yahoo.com; (2) stephanie.auyeung@polyu.edu.hk Conflict of interests The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The study was presented as poster presentation on 21-22 July, 2016 in International Conference on Neuro Oncology and Rehabilitation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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