NCT03500705

Upper Limb Unilateral Strength Training and Mirror Therapy for Chronic Stroke Patients

Unilateral Strength Training and Mirror Therapy for Enhancing Upper Limb Motor Function Post Stroke: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 35 (actual)
• Sponsor: Institute of Technology, Sligo · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This is a pilot randomised controlled trial investigating a combination of unilateral strength training (cross-education) and mirror therapy for the rehabilitation of upper limb impairment following a stroke. This study has been conducted as part of a PhD qualification at the Institute of Technology Sligo in Ireland with all assessments being conducted at the institute and all therapy sessions taking place at the participant's home. The study was conducted in conjunction with Sligo University Hospital and it attained ethical approval through the relevant University Hospital Ethics Committee.

Detailed description

The study necessitated patients with chronic stroke to perform a strength training programme with their less-affected upper limb. The mirror and strength training group observed the reflection of the training limb in a mirror, the strength training only group exercised without a mirror entirely. Patients were referred through Hospital Health Professionals. Prior to trial commencement all participants were given comprehensive trial information and provided signed written informed consent. A total of 32 participants were recruited. After a warm-up participants performed 4 sets of 5 maximal isometric elbow extensions with their less-affected upper limb, three days per week, for four weeks. Patients received outcome assessment prior to the beginning of the intervention, directly after it and at three-month follow-up assessment. All assessments were carried out by a blinded Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in stroke rehabilitation. Patients were assessed using established outcome measures for upper limb isometric strength, motor function, muscle tone, and self-perceived participation.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Mirror Therapy	Mirror Therapy involved the patient sitting on a chair at a table with a standard mirror placed on the table in the mid-sagittal plane between both arms, with the reflective side of the mirror facing the non-affected arm. The patient is instructed to observe the reflection of the non-affected arm during the sessions. The patient was not given any instruction on the use of the affected arm.
OTHER	Cross-Education of Strengthening.	Cross-education of strengthening involves training one side of the body with the intention of producing strengthening gains on both sides of the body. In this case the strengthening was done on the non-affected arm of each stroke patient.

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-10-22
• Primary completion: 2017-08-16
• Completion: 2017-08-16
• First posted: 2018-04-18
• Last updated: 2018-04-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Ireland