Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mirror therapy (MT) with or without concurrent affected lower extremity movement, on walking ability in people with chronic stroke.
Background: More than 80% of the patients who survived from stroke have problem of lower extremity motor control, which seriously affects the walking ability. According to the systematic review and meta-analysis, MT improved lower extremity control and walking speed [1]. However, whether the affected limb should exercise concurrently during MT for better improvement is not known.
Method: A total of 18 chronic stroke patients meeting the selecting criteria were randomly assigned into two groups, the MT with affected leg movement group (experimental, n= 9) and the MT without affected leg movement group (control, n= 9). Participants in both groups received the MT in sitting position with or without affected lower extremity movement concurrently for 30 min followed by 15min gait training each session, 3 sessions per week for a total of 7 weeks. The mirror was placed in between the legs. The outcome measures included the walking ability measured by GAITRite system and the lower extremity motor control measured by Fugl-Meyer assessment at baseline and posttreatment.
Results: The gait velocity (p= 0.002) and cadence (p= 0.003) were significantly improved more in the experimental group than the control group. The step time (p= 0.011), step length (p= 0.038), and double limb support time (p= 0.021) were also improved after training in the experimental group, but not in the control group. The motor control of lower extremity was improved in both groups (experimental: p= 0.006; control: p= 0.007).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that MT with bilateral leg movement at the same time is better than MT with only unaffected leg movement in improving walking velocity and cadence in people with chronic stroke.
References: 1. Broderick, P., et al., Mirror therapy for improving lower limb motor function and mobility after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait Posture, 2018. 63: p. 208-220.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
W H. Weng, R Y. Wang, Y R. Yang. Effects of mirror therapy on walking ability in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2023; 38 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-mirror-therapy-on-walking-ability-in-patients-with-chronic-stroke-a-randomized-controlled-study/. Accessed May 24, 2025.« Back to 2023 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-mirror-therapy-on-walking-ability-in-patients-with-chronic-stroke-a-randomized-controlled-study/