NCT07435688

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy and Mirror Mode of Hand Robot in Stroke

Comparison of The Effectiveness Of Mirror Therapy And Mirror Mode of a Hand Robot in Upper Extremity Motor Recovery After Stroke

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Zeynep Lide Uz · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of conventional mirror therapy and robotic mirror mode training in promoting upper extremity motor recovery in adult patients with ischemic stroke during the early subacute phase. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does mirror mode of a robotic hand device result in greater motor function recovery compared to conventional mirror therapy? Are there differences between the groups in somatosensory improvement and gross motor skill outcomes? Do both intervention modalities result in clinically significant improvements in motor and functional outcomes? Researchers will compare a conventional mirror therapy group and a robotic-assisted mirror mode group to determine which provides more significant gains in motor function, somatosensory input, and functional use of the paretic arm. Participants will: Receive standard physiotherapy sessions for 6 weeks Be randomly assigned to either mirror therapy or robotic mirror mode intervention Be evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, ARAT, Box and Block Test, Wolf Motor Function Test and Tactile/proprioceptive sensory test using Fugl-Meyer Assessment Sensory subsection.

Detailed description

Upper extremity motor impairment is one of the leading causes of functional disability following stroke. Although conventional therapies promote some degree of recovery, restoring hand function remains a major challenge, particularly in patients with severe paresis. Mirror therapy has been widely used due to its affordability and portability. However, proprioceptive feedback limitations and the potential mismatch between visual and somatosensory input reduce its effectiveness. This study investigates an innovative approach that combines visual illusion and proprioceptive input using a robotic hand device in mirror mode. The robotic intervention is designed to synchronize joint motion with visual feedback, potentially enhancing the mirror neuron system's activation and promoting neuroplastic changes more efficiently than conventional mirror therapy. The study will be conducted over a 6-week period with stroke patients in the early subacute phase. Both groups will receive equivalent durations of upper limb training in addition to conventional physiotherapy. This trial aims not only to compare motor outcomes but also to evaluate whether motor improvements translate into functional hand use and to explore differences in somatosensory gains between interventions. By addressing both visual and proprioceptive components of motor learning, this research may guide future clinical strategies for individualized stroke rehabilitation.

Conditions

• Stroke, Ischemic
• Stroke
• CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Hand Robot Mirror Mode	Mirror mode of the hand robot group will mimic the movement of the unaffected arm. The robot will provide proprioceptive and visual feedback and make patient believe that the affected arm is moving.
DEVICE	Therapy Mirror	Patients in the mirror therapy group will glance at the reflection of their non-affected arm and fall into the illusion that their non-affected limb is moving. This is supposed to assist patients regain motor deficits by reducing non-use paralysis.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-01-10
• Primary completion: 2024-11-25
• Completion: 2024-12-10
• First posted: 2026-02-27
• Last updated: 2026-04-15

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)