Article

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 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for 4
wks. Primary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment 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 did. No beneficial effects on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and other
sensorimotor outcomes were found for the MT + MG group. CONCLUSIONS: Although no
significant group differences were found in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, MT + MG
induced distinctive effects on muscular properties, manual dexterity, and daily function.

Langue : ANGLAIS