Mirror therapy and unilateral strength training for enhancing motor function after stroke: A pilot randomised controlled trial
Supervisor: Dr. Kenneth Monaghan
Funding Body: President’s Bursary Awards IT Sligo
Abstract:
Introduction:
Both mirror therapy (Thieme et. al. 2012) and cross-education of strength (Dragert & Zehr 2013) have successfully promoted functional recovery post stroke. A recent systematic review by Zult et. al. (2014) shows evidence for the effectiveness of mirror therapy to enhance cross-education of strength for patients after stroke. Recommendations from this review, propose that a combination of unilateral strength training with mirror training can further accelerate functional recovery post stroke.
Hypothesis:
In this study, we hypothesized that congruent visual feedback and motor imagery from the moving non-paretic upper extremity during unilateral strengthening, as provided by a mirror, would help restore the integrity of cortical processing and thereby restore function in the affected upper extremity during functional movement.
Objectives of the study:
Evaluate the effects of mirror therapy combined with cross education strength on lower-extremity motor recovery and functioning in patients with sub-acute stroke.
- Explore how this new combination therapy compares to both placebo and control conditions.
- Identify any adverse effects of the new combination therapy.
Design: Randomized, assessor-blinded, 6-week trial, with follow-up at 3 months.
