Authors:
Keh-chung Lin, Yi-chun Li, Yu-fang Lin, Hiu-ying Lau, Chih-chieh Kuo, Chia-jung Lin, Yi-hsuan Wu, Chih-yu Lin
Following this course, the learner will be able to:
- Recall the primary outcome measures used in the study to assess stroke rehabilitation effectiveness.
- Explain how mirror therapy combined with augmented reality impacts upper extremity motor function in stroke survivors.
- Identify the differences in outcomes between clinic-based and home-based stroke rehabilitation settings.
Course Credit: .1 AOTA CEU (1 contact hour/1.25 NBCOT PDU)
Importance: Stroke rehabilitation in clinic- and home-based settings may yield differential effects on motor and functional outcomes.
Objective: To investigate the effects of mirror therapy preceding augmented-reality therapy in the clinic and home setting.
Design: Single-blinded, randomized crossover study.
Setting: Rehabilitation clinics and home environment of participants.
Participants: Thirty-one stroke survivors.
Intervention: Participants were randomized to receive clinic-based practice ?rst or home-based practice ?rst. The intervention involved mirror therapy–primed augmented-reality practice. Participants received nine treatment sessions, with a 3-wk washout period between two phases.
Outcomes and Measures: Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale of Upper Extremity(FMA–UE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory, Motor Activity Log (MAL), and Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).
Results: Clinic-based practice signi?cantly improved the FMA–UE (p 5 .04), BBS (p 5 .01), and SIS Mobility domain scores (p 5 .05). Home-based practice showed a trend for better performance on the MAL. Clinic-based practice revealed retention of treatment gains at the 3-mo follow-up assessment on the FMA–UE (p 5 .01) and the Activities of Daily Living–Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (p 5 .01), Mobility (p 5 .02), and Hand Function (p 5 .03) domains of the SIS.
Conclusions and Relevance: Clinic-based practice improved motor and balance de?cits, whereas home-based practice may enhance functional arm use. Practice setting is relevant for consideration in stroke rehabilitation.
Plain-Language Summary: Research supports the bene?ts of using augmented reality in stroke rehabilitation. Stroke rehabilitation that includes mirror therapy has also shown promising bene?ts. This study investigated the effects of using mirror therapy before augmented-reality therapy to improve motor and balance after a stroke. Stroke survivors participated in sessions in either a clinic- or a home-based setting. The results showed that the clinic-based sessions led to more improvements in motor and balance, whereas the home-based sessions improved patients’ use of the affected arm in real-life situations. The ?ndings suggest the need to take into consideration the occupational therapy practice setting as part of stroke rehabilitation. Clinic- and home-based practice may complement each other to optimize the effects of stroke rehabilitation.
Lin, K.-c., Li, Y.-c., Lin, Y.-f., Lau, H.-y., Kuo, C.-c., Lin, C.-j., … Lin, C.-y. (2025). Clinic- and home-based practice of mirror therapy preceding augmented reality in stroke rehabilitation: A crossover study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79, 7903205160. https://doi.org/ 10.5014/ajot.2025.050961
Expiration: Please note that all AOTA CE courses expire at one year from date of purchase.
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