Mirror vs Virtual Reality Therapy for Upper Extremity Function in Hemiplegic Patients
Comparison of the Acute Effects of Mirror Therapy and Virtual Reality Therapy on Upper Extremity Function and Performance in Hemiplegic Patients
Istinye University
42 participants
May 30, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Upper extremity impairment in hemiplegic patients significantly impacts daily activities and reduces quality of life. Although traditional rehabilitation methods can help, some patients experience limited progress. Recently, modern techniques such as mirror therapy and virtual reality (VR) have emerged, demonstrating promising results in motor skill improvement. This study aims to directly compare the acute effects of mirror therapy and VR therapy on upper limb motor function in hemiplegic patients. Forty-two participants aged 18-75 with hemiplegia due to stroke (6-12 months post-stroke) will be randomly assigned to either mirror therapy or VR therapy. The evaluation includes motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), fine motor skills (Box and Block Test), proprioception, and reaction time. The goal is to identify the effectiveness of the mirror therapy and VR therapy on motor function, spasticity control, proprioception, daily activity performance, and reaction times, contributing valuable insights to clinical rehabilitation practices.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Hemiplegic patients in need of upper extremity rehabilitation.
- Having had a stroke 6 to 12 months prior to the study.
- Being at least Stage 3 for the upper extremity according to the Brunnstrom motor recovery stages.
- Age range: between 18 and 75 years.
- Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study.
- Individuals who are cognitively suitable for mirror therapy and virtual reality applications (a score of at least 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination)
Exclusion Criteria4
- Patients with severe spasticity (score ≥ 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale)
- Individuals with secondary neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis).
- Individuals diagnosed with vestibular dysfunction (as virtual reality equipment may cause issues like nausea or dizziness).
- Individuals with communication issues, such as hearing or vision loss.
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Interventions
Mirror therapy will be applied to the affected upper extremity by placing a mirror in the midsagittal plane to reflect movements of the non-paretic limb, creating the visual illusion of symmetrical bilateral movement. Participants will perform task-specific functional movements of the hand and arm (e.g., grasping, wrist flexion, and extension) while focusing on the mirror image.
Virtual reality therapy will be delivered using the Meta Quest 2 head-mounted display system. Participants will engage in interactive, task-specific upper extremity exercises designed to promote motor activation and functional movement of the affected limb through immersive visual feedback.
Locations(1)
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NCT07018336