Feasibility of Mirror Therapy for Acute Stroke Lower Limb Recovery(V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Activity-based Mirror Therapy for Lower Limb Motor Recovery, Balance, Gait, and Mobility in Acute Inpatient Stroke: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
348947
Contact name
Vicky Joshi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. One of the most common impairments, one-sided lower limb weakness, can have detrimental effects on balance, gait, and mobility, thus limiting the ability to participate in activities of daily living. Mirror therapy (MT) has been suggested as a simple and cost-effective therapeutic technique to supplement convention rehabilitation strategies. It has been shown to improve lower limb motor recovery, balance, and gait in stroke survivors, however, there is minimal research on its use in the acute phase. This is especially important to evaluate because although most motor recovery occurs within the first month following stroke, acute survivors may exhibit lower tolerability due to medical instability, more severe impairments, or greater fatigue. Therefore, this single-arm feasibility study will explore the feasibility and effectiveness of a 2-week MT intervention for acute inpatient stroke survivors.
Participants will be recruited from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit between 72 hours and 30 days post stroke. Following written informed consent, participants will engage in activity-based MT for 15 minutes 3 days per week for 2 weeks in addition to 45 minutes of usual conventional rehabilitation 5 days per week. All MT exercises will be performed by the stronger lower limb whilst seated with a mirror placed in the midsagittal plane. The exercises will target all major movements of the lower limb except hip extension.
The primary outcome measures will be participant recruitment and retention, outcome measure practicality, data collection methods practicality, intervention tolerability and practicality, participant and provider acceptability and satisfaction, and adverse events. The secondary outcome measures examine motor recovery, balance, gait, and mobility. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and upon completion of the 2-week intervention. Acceptability questionnaires and Semi-structured interviews will also be completed by participants and physiotherapists.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0829
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion