Combined effectiveness of Functional Electrical Stimulation with Mirror Therapy on hand dexterity and quality of life in recovering stroke individuals. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Stroke often leads to impaired hand function and decreases manual dexterity leading, limiting activities of daily living and impacting quality of life.  People note lower perceived quality of life with reduced hand dexterity. About 50% of stroke survivors have impaired upper limb and hand function in the chronic phase, which impacts strongly on activities of daily living and on independence. Due to the affection of activities of daily living the quality of life is also affected in stroke individuals. In 1 study it was found that it is difficult to achieve motor function improvement by electrical stimulation alone in patients lacking active movements. In another study it was found that although FES can improve range of motion it does not improve purposeful movements. Placing an emphasis on motor function might be considered to result in inadequate consideration of cognitive aspects, but reorganization of brain can be enhanced when cognitive aspects and physical functions are adequately addressed. Mirror therapy may provide suitable intervention for providing that cognitive aspect. In order to gain the hand dexterity both strength of hand and grip is required hence the need to combine both FES and MT. Although there are many studies focusing on hand dexterity in stroke patients, very few studies have been done that explains the combined effect of FES and MT on both hand dexterity and quality of life in recovering stroke individuals