A randomized control trial comparing the effects of motor relearning programme and mirror therapy for improving upper limb motor functions in stroke patients

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of motor relearning programme with mirror therapy in upper limb motor functions of stroke patients.

Methods: The randomised control trial was conducted in Rafsan Neuro Rehabilitation Centre, Peshawar, Pakistan, from June to December 2017, and comprised stroke patients who had Mini Mental State Examination score over 24. Participants were randomly allocated into treatment and control groups. The treatment group underwent a Motor Relearning Programme, while the control group received Mirror therapy. Upper limb sub-scales of the motor assessment scale were used as data collection tool. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.

Results: Of the 66 subjects, 46(69.7%) were males and 20(30.3%) were females. The overall mean age was 55.44±9.21 years. Left hemiplegia was found in 31(47%) subjects, while 35(53%) had right hemiplegia. Each of the two groups had 33(50%) subjects. There were significant differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment mean scores of upper arm functions, hand function and advance hand activities of the two groups (p<0.05 each). All the three variables significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Motor Relearning Programme and Mirror therapy were found to be effective in improving upper limb motor functions of stroke patients, but the former was found to be more effective than the latter.

Keywords: Motor relearning programme, Mirror therapy, Physical therapy, Stroke.