Mirror therapy and treadmill training for patients with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Issue 3 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Broderick, P.; Horgan, F.; Blake, C.; Ehrensberger, M.; Simpson, D.; Monaghan, K.
• Is Part Of: Topics in stroke rehabilitation. Volume 26:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 172
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Mirror therapy -- stroke -- lower limb -- treadmill training -- muscle tone; Cerebrovascular disease -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Cerebrovascular disease -- Periodicals; 616.810305
• DOI: 10.1080/10749357.2018.1556504
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1074-9357

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Previous lower-limb mirror therapy research has focused on non-weight bearing interventions. Objectives : The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect and feasibility of a combination of mirror therapy and treadmill training on post-stroke lower-limb recovery compared to a placebo intervention. Methods : All patients (N = 30) walked on a treadmill for 30 min per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. The mirror therapy and treadmill training group (n = 15) walked on the treadmill while viewing a reflection of their non-paretic limb in a mirror positioned in their mid-sagittal plane. The placebo group (n = 15) received no mirror visual feedback due to an altered mirror position. Primary outcome measures: Ten Metre Walk Test (10MWT) and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Secondary outcome measures: Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-LE). Feasibility was appraised by examining participant compliance and any adverse events. Results : No significant between group differences were demonstrated for the 10MWT, 6MWT or FMA-LE at post-training or 3-month follow-up assessment. A significant between group difference on the MAS was demonstrated in the reduction of ankle dorsiflexion muscle tone ( p = 0.006) and ankle plantarflexion muscle tone ( p = 0.01) in the mirror therapy group compared to the placebo group at post-training assessment but not at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion : Our study reveals that in our group of patients with chronic stroke, mirror therapy combined with treadmill training facilitated significant reductions in ankle muscle tone ( p < 0.05) compared to a placebo intervention.