Effect of Mirror Therapy on Lower Extremity Motor Control and Gait in Patients With Stroke

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01574079
• Recruitment Status: Completed
• First Posted: April 10, 2012
• Results First Posted: September 11, 2014
• Last Update Posted: September 11, 2014
• Sponsor: University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): Lisa J Barnes, University of Mississippi Medical Center

Study Description

Brief Summary:

Mirror therapy may be an effective intervention in increasing motor control and gait performance in patients with stroke.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Stroke	Other: Traditional Physical Therapy; Other: Physical Therapy plus Mirror Therapy	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

Using a mirrored image of the uninvolved extremity superimposed upon the involved extremity during exercise may facilitate improved motor control in patients after stroke.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Actual Enrollment: 33 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single (Investigator)
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Effect of Mirror Therapy on Lower Extremity Motor Control and Gait in Patients With Stroke
• Study Start Date: November 2010
• Actual Primary Completion Date: November 2012
• Actual Study Completion Date: November 2012

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Active Comparator: Traditional Physical Therapy; The control group will receive traditional physical therapy interventions directed at neuromuscular rehabilitation.	Other: Traditional Physical Therapy; Traditional physical therapy includes, but is not limited to, therapeutic exercise, functional mobility training, pre-gait and gait activities, electrotherapeutic modalities, and education.
Experimental: Physical Therapy plus Mirror Therapy; The mirror therapy will entail 15 minutes of exercises for the lower extremities focusing on ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and hip flexion.	Other: Physical Therapy plus Mirror Therapy; The treatment group will receive traditional physical therapy intervention as described in the control group with the addition of mirror therapy. The participant will attempt to perform the flexion exercises with both lower extremities. The patient will be blinded to the affected lower extremity with a mirror, and will be looking at the image of the unaffected lower extremity superimposed on the affected lower extremity as he or she performs the activities.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Functional Independence Measure - Locomotor Score [ Time Frame: measured at admission and discharge from rehab estimated length of stay 14 days ]
   The Functional Independence Measure (FIM)assesses level of disability and measures progress toward independence with rehabilitational intervention. The tool consists of 18 items. Only the the locomotor score was used to assess gait ability in this study. The locomotor score ranges from 1 - 7 with a higher score indicating a higher level of functional independence.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Timed Up and Go [ Time Frame: Measured at admission and discharge with estimated length of stay 14 days ]
   The Timed Up and Go (TUG) is used to assess balance and gait, and to estimate fall risks in patients with deficits. The participant rises from a seated position in a chair, walks 3 meters, turns around, returns to the chair, and sits down. The test is measured in seconds, with a lower number indicating a higher level of independence and the least risk for falls.
2. Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement [ Time Frame: measured at admission and discharge with estimated length of stay 14 days ]
   The Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM)is designed to measure mobility and motor ability after stroke. There are three subscales with 10 items each assessing the upper extremity, lower extremity, and basic mobility. Only the lower extremity and basic mobility items were used in this study. The lower extremity scores ranged from 0 - 18 with higher scores indicating a higher level of motor control. The basic mobility scores ranged from 0 - 30 with high numbers indicating a higher level of functional mobility.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• lower extremity Brunnstrom stage 2,
• lower extremity modified ashworth < 3,
• has the ability to follow 3-step command in English,
• has only unilateral involvement.

Exclusion Criteria:

• lower extremity Brunnstrom stage 1,
• lower extremity modified ashworth 3 or higher,
• history of prior stroke,
• Passive Range of Motion limitation of hip and or knee flexion < 90,
• has visual deficits which prevent participation.

Contacts and Locations

Locations

United States, Mississippi

University of Mississippi Medical Center - University Rehabilitation

Jackson, Mississippi, United States, 39216

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Investigators

• Principal Investigator: Lisa J Barnes, PT DPT; University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Study Director: Keri H McCullough, DPT; University of Mississippi Medical Center - University Rehabilitation
• Study Director: Kim C Wilcox, PT MsPT PhD; University of Mississippi Medical Center - Director of Neurologic Residency Program

More Information

• Responsible Party: Lisa J Barnes, Associate Professor, University of Mississippi Medical Center
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01574079
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2010-0244
• First Posted: April 10, 2012
• Results First Posted: September 11, 2014
• Last Update Posted: September 11, 2014
• Last Verified: September 2014

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Stroke; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases