Article

This study aimed to explore the effects of mirror therapy integrated with
task-oriented exercise on balance function in poststroke hemiparesis. Twenty
patients with poststroke hemiparesis were assigned randomly to an experimental
group (EG) and a control group (CG), with 10 individuals each. Participants of
the EG and CG received a task-oriented exercise program with a focus on the
strengthening of the lower limb and the practice of balance-related functional
tasks. An additional option for the EG was front and side wall mirrors to provide
visual feedback for their own movements while performing the exercise. The
program was performed for 30 min, twice a day, five times per week for 4 weeks.
Outcome measures included the Berg balance scale, the timed up-and-go test, and
quantitative data (balance index and dynamic limits of stability). In the EG and
CG, all variables showed significant differences between pretest and post-test
(P<0.05), and post-test values of all variables appeared to be significantly
different between two groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, in the EG, the change values
between pretest and post-test values of Berg balance scale (13.00+/-3.20 vs.
6.60+/-4.55 scores), and timed up-and-go test (6.45+/-3.00 vs. 3.61+/-1.84 s),
balance index (2.29+/-0.51 vs. 0.96+/-0.65 scores), dynamic limits of stability
(7.70+/-3.83 vs. 3.70+/-4.60 scores) were significantly higher than those of the
CG (P<0.05). The findings suggest that a mirror therapy may be used as a
beneficial therapeutic option to facilitate the effects of a task-oriented
exercise on balance function of patients with poststroke hemiparesis.

Langue : ANGLAIS