Clinical feasibility of mirror therapy combined with electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation for the paretic hand after stroke: A pilot study

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a combined treatment of mirror therapy (MT) and electromyography-triggered neuromuscular stimulation (ETMS) (ETMS-MT) on the upper limb function of stroke patients. [Methods] Following receipt of their written informed consent, eight stroke patients received two 20-minute sessions of ETMS-MT, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Electrical stimulation was applied to the wrist and finger extensors of the paretic arms. The upper extremity items of the Fugl-Meyer assessment, active range of motion of wrist extension, hand ratio, box and block test, Wolf motor function test and motor activity log were evaluated before and after the treatment. [Results] After the treatment of 4 weeks, all outcome measures improved significantly. Besides, improvements were specifically seen in the outcomes related to wrist and finger function. [Conclusion] ETMS-MT might enhance functional recovery of the paretic hand of stroke patients. A randomized-controlled trial should be executed to investigate the treatment effect of ETMS-MT.