學院

醫學院

系所

職能治療學系

題名

Combining afferent stimulation and mirror therapy for improving muscular, sensorimotor, and daily functions after chronic stroke: A randomized, placebo-controlled study

作者

Lee, Y-Y., Lin, K-C., Wu, C-Y.*, Liao, C-H., Lin, J-C., & Chen, C-L.

期刊名稱

American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

發表日期

2015

著作性質

原著

語文

英文

關鍵字

stroke, electric stimulation, muscle hypertonia, rehabilitation

摘要

Objective: Mirror therapy (MT) combined with mesh glove (MG) afferent stimulation (MT+MG) has been suggested as an effective intervention for motor recovery in patients with stroke. This study aimed to further determine the treatment effects of the MT+MG approach on muscular properties, sensorimotor functions, and daily function.

Design: This was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Forty-eight participants with chronic stroke were recruited from medical centers and were randomly assigned to the MT, MT+MG, and MT with sham MG stimulation (MT+Sham) groups. The intervention consisted of 1.5 hours/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Primary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and muscular properties (muscle tone and stiffness). Secondary outcomes included measures of sensorimotor and daily functions. 

Results: Compared with the MT and MT+Sham groups, the MT+MG group demonstrated improved muscular properties. The MT+MG and MT+Sham groups showed greater improvement in manual dexterity and daily function than the MT group. No beneficial effects on the FMA and other sensorimotor outcomes were found for the MT+MG group. 

Conclusions: Although no significant group differences were found in the FMA, the MT+MG induced distinctive effects on muscular properties, manual dexterity, and daily function.