Mirror Feedback, Augmented Task-Specific, Impairment-Oriented Therapy, Home Practice, Stroke Rehabilitation
Condition: Stroke Rehabilitation
MeSH terms: Stroke
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      In this study, the investigators will (1) examine immediate and long-term effects of MT
      priming with task-specific training versus MT-priming with impairment-oriented training,
      relative to a dose-matched control therapy on motor function, arm activities, quality of
      life, etc; (2) provide comprehensive evaluations based on the ICF model to identify the
      specific benefits of MT-priming regimens; and (3) explore demographic and clinical
      characteristics of participants that may predict treatment outcomes.
    

Detailed description: 
      Stroke is one of the major causes of long-term disability. Most stroke survivors suffer from
      arm paresis even in the chronic phase. There is a need to develop novel strategies to augment
      therapeutic efficacy in stroke rehabilitation. One potential method to enhance treatment
      efficacy is through the "priming" technique. Among all priming techniques, mirror therapy
      (MT) has been proposed to be a promising method to augment effects of motor re-training. The
      investigators propose a 3-year research project to determine the effects of MT-priming on
      augmenting stroke interventions. The investigators select two types of evidence-based
      neurorehabilitation, the task-specific training and the impairment-oriented training, to be
      primed by MT based on their unique treatment benefits on restoring arm ability. In addition,
      the investigators will provide customized home practice corresponding to each type of
      interventions. Specifically, the investigators will (1) examine immediate and long-term
      effects of MT priming with task-specific training versus MT-priming with impairment-oriented
      training, relative to a dose-matched control therapy on motor function, arm activities,
      quality of life, etc; (2) provide comprehensive evaluations based on the ICF model to
      identify the specific benefits of MT-priming regimens; and (3) explore demographic and
      clinical characteristics of participants that may predict treatment outcomes.
    

Intervention name(s): Mirror therapy (MT) priming with task-specific training; Mirror therapy priming with impairment-oriented training; Control therapy
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): In the regimen, participants will perform MT first followed by task-specific training. After completion of MT, participants will practice task-specific training that emphasizes on restoration of essential skills for daily activities. After that, the contents of home practice will be designed corresponding to treatment principles of the clinic-based intervention.; In the regimen, participants will perform MT first followed by impairment-oriented training. After completion of MT, participants will practice impairment-oriented training that emphasizes on restoration of movement. After that, the contents of home practice will be designed corresponding to treatment principles of the clinic-based intervention.; The control group will receive therapeutic training equivalent in duration to the two experimental groups. The control intervention will include practice of gross/fine motor activities, training of activities of daily living, practice to increase range of motions, muscle strengthening, as well as use of adaptive or compensatory technique to alleviate functional deficits. After that, the contents of home practice will be designed corresponding to treatment principles of the clinic-based intervention.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment