title: Combining Afferent Stimulation and Mirror Therapy for Improving Muscular, Sensorimotor, and Daily Functions After Chronic Stroke: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mirror therapy (MT) combined with mesh glove (MG) afferent stimulation (MT + MG) has been suggested as an effective intervention for motor recovery in patients with stroke. This study aimed to further determine the treatment effects of the MT + MG approach on muscular properties, sensorimotor functions, and daily function.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Forty-eight participants with chronic stroke were recruited from medical centers and were randomly assigned to the MT, MT + MG, and MT with sham MG stimulation (MT + sham) groups. The intervention consisted of 1.5 hrs/day, 5 days/wk for 4 wks. Primary outcomes were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and muscular properties (muscle tone and stiffness). Secondary outcomes included measures of sensorimotor and daily functions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the MT and MT + sham groups, the MT + MG group demonstrated improved muscular properties. The MT + MG and MT + sham groups showed greater improvement in manual dexterity and daily function than the MT group did. No beneficial effects on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and other sensorimotor outcomes were found for the MT + MG group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although no significant group differences were found in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, MT + MG induced distinctive effects on muscular properties, manual dexterity, and daily function.
authors: From the Department of Occupational Therapy and Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan (YL, CW, CL, JL); Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan (YL, CW); School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei (KL); Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei (KL); Children Are Us Foundation, Taipei (CL); Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City (JL); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan (CC); and Graduate Institute of Early Intervention, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan (CC).
authors: Ya-yun
authors: YY
authors: Lee
authors: Keh-chung
authors: KC
authors: Lin
authors: Ching-yi
authors: CY
authors: Wu
authors: Ching-hua
authors: CH
authors: Liao
authors: Jui-chi
authors: JC
authors: Lin
authors: Chia-ling
authors: CL
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D010291:Paresis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology