Effect of functional electrical stimulation with mirror therapy on upper extremity motor function in poststroke...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Stroke Recovery
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Upper extremity motor recovery is crucial for stroke patient rehabilitation.
• Combining physical and cognitive interventions can accelerate motor recovery.
• Investigating novel therapeutic approaches is essential for improving stroke outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation (FES) with mirror therapy (MT) on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients.
• To compare the effects of FES with MT versus FES alone in a post-stroke rehabilitation setting.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 23 stroke patients over 4 weeks.
• Participants received conventional rehabilitation training.
• The experimental group received FES with MT, while the control group received FES without MT.

Main Results:

• Both groups showed significant improvements in upper extremity motor function.
• The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in wrist, hand, and coordination (FM scores) and hand function (MFT scores).

Conclusions:

• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) with mirror therapy (MT) is an effective intervention for improving upper extremity motor function in stroke patients.
• This combined therapy offers a promising approach for post-stroke rehabilitation, enhancing motor recovery outcomes.