Effect of Modified Mirror Therapy in Patients With Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

The Clinical Effect of Modified Mirror Therapy in Patients With Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Study

This was a randomized controlled study in China conducted during Aug. 2022 to Aug. 2023. Totally, patients with upper limb hemiplegia after stroke, who were admitted in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of two hospitals, were enrolled. The study lasted 30 days for each participant. The patients enrolled were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, all under routine rehabilitation therapy. Additionally, the patients in the experimental group were given modified mirror therapy.

Upper limb hemiparesis is a motor and sensory disorder that occurs after stroke, with an incidence rate of up to 55% to 75%. Effective upper limb rehabilitation methods help reduce the occurrence of disuse syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Therefore, finding active and effective limb rehabilitation methods has important practical significance.This was a randomized controlled study in China conducted during Aug. 2022 to Aug. 2023. Totally, patients with upper limb hemiplegia after stroke, who were admitted in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of two hospitals, were enrolled. The study lasted 30 days for each participant. The patients enrolled were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, all under routine rehabilitation therapy. Additionally, the patients in the experimental group were given modified mirror therapy. The assessment was conducted respectively on day 1 and day 30.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Meeting the diagnostic criteria of stroke, by CT or MRI.
• The first-onset stroke.
• Presenting with unilateral upper limb dysfunction, within Brunnstrom stage Ⅱ to Ⅳ on the affected side, and Ash-worth score ≤2.
• No obvious cognitive impairment, with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score >21 points.
• National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >4 points.
• Stable vital signs, no severe diseases such as cancer, liver or kidney disorders.
• Aged 35-70 years.
• Courses of diseases 2-6 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of aphasia, apraxia, or hemispatial neglect.
• Presence of hearing, vision, or comprehension impairments that hinder diagnosis and treatment.
• Complicate with traumas, fractures, or other progressive neuro-muscular system diseases.
• Severe spasticity in the upper limbs.
• Severe bone, joint, or muscle deformities or lesions.
• History of mental illness.