A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Upper Limb Training with Mirror Therapy (MT) and Bilateral Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (Bi-TENS) to Improve Upper Limb Motor Functions in Patients with Stroke
This study compare the effectiveness of 2 rehabilitation programmes that use (1) MT with Bilateral TENS (Bi-TENS), (2) sham-MT with Bi-TENS (Bi-TENS), respectively, in addition to conventional rehabilitation of standardized upper limb training, in improving upper limb motor functions, activities of daily living, community integration, and quality of life in patients with stroke.
• have been diagnosed with ischemic brain injury or intracerebral hemorrhage by MRI or computed tomography within three weeks to 10 years after the first onset of stroke;
• have volitional control of the non-paretic arm, and at least minimal antigravity movement in the shoulder of the paretic arm;
• have at least 5 degrees in wrist extension of the paretic arm in the antigravity position
• are able to score \> 6 of 10 of abbreviated Mental Test;
• are able to follow instruction and give informed consent of the study.