Task-based and Magnified Mirror Therapy for Unilateral Spatial Neglect among post-stroke subjects: Study protocol for...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Stroke Recovery

Background:

• Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a common post-stroke neurocognitive disability.
• USN can impede motor recovery and functional performance in upper and lower limbs.
• Mirror therapy presents a potential, cost-effective intervention for USN and associated impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of task-based and magnified mirror therapy on USN in post-stroke individuals.
• To assess the impact of this intervention on motor recovery of the upper and lower limbs.
• To investigate improvements in overall function and disability.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled, assessor-blinded trial involving 86 post-stroke participants in India.
• Participants aged 20-80 years with 1-36 months post-stroke onset, hemiparesis, and USN.
• Experimental group received 40 sessions of Task-based and MAGnified Mirror Therapy for Unilateral Spatial Neglect (T-MAGUSN) alongside conventional rehabilitation; control group received conventional rehabilitation only.

Main Results:

• Primary outcomes include Line Bisection Test, Letter Cancellation Test, and Fugl-Myer Assessment.
• Secondary outcomes encompass Catherine Bergego Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Ambulation Classification, and Modified Rankin Scale.
• Assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 4-week follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The study proposes a novel rehabilitation protocol for USN management post-stroke.
• The intervention targets both upper and lower limb recovery.
• Aims to mitigate the impact of cognitive deficits on functional outcomes.