Acute Stroke
Conditions
Keywords
Mirror Therapy Acute Stroke
Brief summary
Randomized controlled trial to determine whether mirror therapy (MT), added to conventional physiotherapy, improves upper-limb motor recovery, hand function, spasticity, and range of motion (ROM) in acute stroke compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. Outcomes include ARAT, Motor Assessment Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale, and goniometric ROM.
Detailed description
Stroke causes significant upper-limb impairment in the acute stage; early, targeted rehabilitation leverages heightened neuroplasticity. Mirror therapy uses a mid-sagittal mirror to reflect movements of the non-paretic limb, creating the illusion of normal movement in the paretic limb, recruiting mirror neuron circuits and facilitating motor relearning. Prior work suggests MT can improve fine and gross motor skills, reduce spasticity, and increase active ROM. This trial operationalizes a pragmatic MT protocol integrated with standard inpatient/outpatient physiotherapy in acute stroke.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALMirror Therapy Conventional Physiotherapy
Experimental: Mirror Therapy + Conventional Physiotherapy Mirror therapy performed 20 min/session, 2 sessions/week for 1 week. A mirror is placed midsagittal, reflecting the non-paretic limb while hiding the paretic limb. Patients perform bilateral movements (wrist, finger, elbow flex/extension; reaching/grasping) while focusing on the mirror image. This is followed by 20 min of conventional physiotherapy, including strengthening, functional tasks, theraputty squeezes, finger extension with rubber band, towel wringing, lifting small objects, overhead reaching, and ball toss. Active Comparator: Conventional Physiotherapy Only Conventional physiotherapy 20 min/session, 2 sessions/week for 1 week. Exercises include upper limb strengthening, functional task practice, theraputty squeezes, finger extension with rubber band, towel wringing, lifting small objects, overhead reaching, and ball toss.
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
None (Open Label)
Intervention model description
Parallel Assignment (2 arms)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 40-55 years * Acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke within the last 1 month * Unilateral hemiparesis/hemiplegia * Medically stable and cleared for rehabilitation * Able to follow verbal instructions; MMSE ≥ 24 * Provides written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Recurrent stroke or bilateral involvement * Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE \< 24) * Visual field deficits, unilateral neglect, or severe aphasia interfering with MT * Other neurological disorders (e.g., Parkinson's, MS) * Orthopedic conditions affecting upper limb/trunk * Uncontrolled cardio-respiratory disease limiting exercise * Severe spasticity (MAS ≥ 3) in affected limb * Concurrent enrollment in other interventional trials * Inability/refusal to consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Upper-Limb Function (ARAT total score, 0-57) | 6 Months | Change from baseline to end of week 1; higher scores = better function. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Function (Motor Assessment Scale - relevant upper-limb items, 0-6 per item) | 6months | Change baseline→week 1; higher = better. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, 0-4) | 6 months | Change baseline→week 1; lower = less spasticity. |
| Range of Motion (Goniometric AROM at shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger joints; degrees) | 6 months | Change baseline→week 1; higher = improved ROM. |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
Primary ContactDr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS
Backup ContactDr.Nadeem Ahmad, MS
Outcome results
None listed