Mirror Therapy and Treadmill Training for Patients With Chronic Stroke
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Interventions
- Device: Mirror TherapyDevice: Placebo Mirror TherapyDevice: Treadmill
- Registration Number
- NCT03468504
- Lead Sponsor
- Institute of Technology, Sligo
- Brief Summary
This is a pilot randomised controlled trial investigating a combination of mirror therapy and treadmill training for the rehabilitation of lower limb impairment following a stroke. This study has been conducted as part of a PhD qualification at the Institute of Technology Sligo in Ireland with all therapy sessions taking place at the institute. The study was conducted in conjunction with Sligo University Hospital and it attained ethical approval through the relevant University Hospital Ethics Committee.
- Detailed Description
The study necessitated patients with chronic stroke to walk on a treadmill while viewing a reflection of their non-affected limb in a mirror. There was also a placebo group and these patients walked on the treadmill and viewed a mirror in an altered position. Patients were referred through Hospital Health Professionals. Prior to trial commencement all participants were given comprehensive trial information and provided signed written informed consent. A total of 30 participants were recruited. Patients attended the study for 30 minutes per day, three days per week, for four weeks. Patients received outcome assessment prior to the beginning of the intervention, directly after it and at three month followup assessment. All assessments were carried out by a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in stroke rehabilitation. Patients were assessed using established outcome measures for lower limb motor function, muscle tone, walking speed and endurance.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 30
- Chronic stroke (greater than or equal to 6 months post stroke) with lower limb heimiparesis.
- Ambulatory with/without walking aid.
- Discharged from formal rehabilitation.
- A Mini Mental State Examination >/= 24.
- Younger than 18 years
- Any additional illness that may prevent treadmill walking
- A Mini Mental State Examination < 24.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Mirror Therapy & Treadmill Training Mirror Therapy Mirror Therapy: Participants view a mirror reflection of their non-affected limb which is placed in their mid-sagittal plane for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Treadmill Training: Participants will walk on a treadmill at their comfortable walking speed for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Placebo Mirror & Treadmill Training Treadmill Placebo Mirror Therapy: Participants view a mirror which is placed forward/ahead of them in their mid-sagittal plane, and cannot see a reflection of any lower limb as their leg does not pass in front of the mirror for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Treadmill Training: Participants will walk on a treadmill at their comfortable walking speed for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Mirror Therapy & Treadmill Training Treadmill Mirror Therapy: Participants view a mirror reflection of their non-affected limb which is placed in their mid-sagittal plane for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Treadmill Training: Participants will walk on a treadmill at their comfortable walking speed for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Placebo Mirror & Treadmill Training Placebo Mirror Therapy Placebo Mirror Therapy: Participants view a mirror which is placed forward/ahead of them in their mid-sagittal plane, and cannot see a reflection of any lower limb as their leg does not pass in front of the mirror for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks. Treadmill Training: Participants will walk on a treadmill at their comfortable walking speed for 30 mins per day, 3 days per week, for four weeks.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Ten Metre Walk Test 5 mins. Walking velocity measure. Lower times indicate an increased walking velocity.
Six Minute Walk Test 10 mins Walking endurance measure. Larger distance indicates an improved walking endurance ability.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Modified Ashworth Scale 10 minutes Muscle tone measure. Range 0 (No increase in muscle tone) to 4 (Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension).
Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower extremity 10 mins Motor function outcome. Range 0 (Unable to do any functional Task) to 34 (Fully Independent in Functional Lower Extremity Tasks).
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Institute of Technology, Sligo
🇮🇪Sligo, Co Sligo, Ireland