Mirror therapy combined with contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation for the upper limb motor function after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the effects of mirror therapy (MT) combined with contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) on upper limb motor function, activities of daily life, and corticospinal excitability in post-stroke patients.

Methods

Sixty post-stroke patients were randomly divided into four groups: CCFES, MT, MT combined with CCFES, and control. All the patients underwent routine rehabilitation. Those in the MT, CCFES, MT combined with CCFES, and control groups received MT, CCFES, MT combined with CCFES, and routine rehabilitation alone, respectively. Upper limb motor function, activities of daily living, and corticospinal excitability were evaluated before and after a 3-week intervention period.

Results

MT combined with CCFES demonstrated a significantly greater therapeutic effect on motor function of the paretic wrist than CCFES, MT, or routine rehabilitation alone. However, there was no significant difference in the overall motor function of the affected upper limb, activities of daily life, or corticospinal excitability between the MT combined with CCFES group and the other three groups.

Conclusion

MT combined with CCFES may be a potential adjuvant therapy to promote motor function in paretic wrist after stroke.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• The combined therapy of mirror therapy (MT) and contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) may be a potential adjuvant therapy to promote motor function in paretic wrists after stroke.

• MT combined with CCFES could be incorporated into rehabilitation programs for post-stroke patients with impaired upper limb motor function.

• Exploring the potential benefits of combining different rehabilitation therapies could inform the development of more effective interventions.

Keywords:

• Mirror therapy
• contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation
• stroke
• upper limb
• motor function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data associated with the paper are not publicly available but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Project of 2020 scientific research plan of Baoji Health Committee [No.2020-011] and Natural Science Foundation of China [No.82072540].