TY - JOUR
T1 - Unilateral Strength Training and Mirror Therapy in Patients with Chronic Stroke
T2 - A Pilot Randomized Trial
AU - Ehrensberger, Monika
AU - Simpson, Daniel
AU - Broderick, Patrick
AU - Blake, Catherine
AU - Horgan, Frances
AU - Hickey, Paula
AU - O'Reilly, Joanne
AU - Monaghan, Kenneth
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019/8/1
Y1 - 2019/8/1
N2 - Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of mirror-aided cross-education compared with cross-education alone in poststroke upper limb recovery. Design A pilot randomized controlled parallel group study was carried out. Thirty-two patients with chronic stroke followed a 4-wk isometric strength training program performed with the less-affected upper limb three times per week. Participants in the mirror and strength training group observed the reflection of the exercising arm in the mirror. Participants in the strength training only group exercised without a mirror entirely. Participant compliance, adverse effects, and suitability of outcome measures assessed feasibility. Effectiveness outcomes included maximal isometric strength measured with the Biodex Dynamometer, the Modified Ashworth Scale, and the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory. Results Compliance was high with no adverse effects. The use of the Biodex Dynamometer must be reviewed. Mirror therapy did not augment the cross-education effect (P > 0.05) in patients with chronic stroke when training isometrically. Conclusions This pilot trial established the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial comparing mirror-aided cross-education with cross-education alone for poststroke upper limb recovery. Mirror therapy did not augment cross-education when training isometrically. However, results indicate that the combination of interventions should be investigated further applying an altered training protocol.
AB - Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of mirror-aided cross-education compared with cross-education alone in poststroke upper limb recovery. Design A pilot randomized controlled parallel group study was carried out. Thirty-two patients with chronic stroke followed a 4-wk isometric strength training program performed with the less-affected upper limb three times per week. Participants in the mirror and strength training group observed the reflection of the exercising arm in the mirror. Participants in the strength training only group exercised without a mirror entirely. Participant compliance, adverse effects, and suitability of outcome measures assessed feasibility. Effectiveness outcomes included maximal isometric strength measured with the Biodex Dynamometer, the Modified Ashworth Scale, and the Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory. Results Compliance was high with no adverse effects. The use of the Biodex Dynamometer must be reviewed. Mirror therapy did not augment the cross-education effect (P > 0.05) in patients with chronic stroke when training isometrically. Conclusions This pilot trial established the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial comparing mirror-aided cross-education with cross-education alone for poststroke upper limb recovery. Mirror therapy did not augment cross-education when training isometrically. However, results indicate that the combination of interventions should be investigated further applying an altered training protocol.
KW - Cross-Education
KW - Mirror Therapy
KW - Stroke Rehabilitation
KW - Unilateral Strength Training
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85069632591&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001162
DO - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001162
M3 - Article
C2 - 31318745
AN - SCOPUS:85069632591
SN - 0894-9115
VL - 98
SP - 657
EP - 665
JO - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
JF - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
IS - 8
ER -