ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect of mirror visual feedback combined with exercise relearning in rehabilitation of upper extremity dysfunction after stroke.Methods:Patients with upper extremity dysfunction received stroke rehabilitation treatment in the Nanyang No. 9 People's Hospital from August 2016 to August 2018 were enrolled prospectively. According to the random number table method, they were divided into either mirror visual feedback combined with exercise relearning group (mirror therapy group) or exercise relearning alone group (control group). The rehabilitation treatment was 1-2 times a day, 5 d a week, and 1 week was a course of treatment, for a total of 4 courses. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) was used to assess upper extremity function. Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test (UEFT) was used to assess hand function. Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was used to assess upper extremity operability and flexibility. Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) was used to assess the motor function of hands, fingers and upper extremities. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess upper extremities pain. The modified Barthel Index (MBI) was used to assess self-care ability in daily life. The modified Ashworth Spasm Scale was used to assess the degree of spasm of shoulder joints, wrist joints, and elbow joints. According to the FMA score, the clinical efficacy of both groups of patients was evaluated, and a score of >31 was defined as excellent.Results:A total of 60 stroke patients with upper extremity dysfunction were enrolled ( n=30 in the mirror therapy group and n=30 in the control group). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in age, gender, course of disease, stroke type, and stroke location, as well as each baseline score. After treatment, the FMA score, UEFT score, ARAT score, MAS score, MBI score and the proportion of the modified Ashworth grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅰ + were significantly higher than those before treatment in both groups (all P<0.05), while VAS score and the proportion of modified Ashworth grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ was significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05). After treatment, FMA score, UEFT score, ARAT score, MAS score, MBI score, as well as the proportion of Ashworth grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅰ + in the mirror therapy group was significantly higher than that in the control group (all P<0.05), while VAS score and the proportion of modified Ashworth grade Ⅲ were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). According to the FMA score, the excellent and good rate of treatment in the mirror therapy group was significantly higher than that in the control group (93.3% vs. 70.0%; χ2=5.455, P=0.020). Conclusions:The curative effect of mirror visual feedback combined with exercise relearning is superior to exercise relearning alone in rehabilitation therapy for upper extremity dysfunction after stroke.