Mirror vs Virtual Reality Therapy for Upper Extremity Function in Hemiplegic Patients

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Hemiplegia, Stroke, Upper Extremity Dysfunction

In brief

Upper extremity impairment in hemiplegic patients significantly impacts daily activities and reduces quality of life. Although traditional rehabilitation methods can help, some patients experience limited progress. Recently, modern techniques such as mirror therapy and virtual reality (VR) have emerged, demonstrating promising results in motor skill improvement. This study aims to directly compare the acute effects of mirror therapy and VR therapy on upper limb motor function in hemiplegic patients. Forty-two participants aged 18-75 with hemiplegia due to stroke (6-12 months post-stroke) will be randomly assigned to either mirror therapy or VR therapy. The evaluation includes motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), fine motor skills (Box and Block Test), proprioception, and reaction time. The goal is to identify the effectiveness of the mirror therapy and VR therapy on motor function, spasticity control, proprioception, daily activity performance, and reaction times, contributing valuable insights to clinical rehabilitation practices.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07018336

Run by

Istinye University

People needed

42

Starts

2025-05-30

Expected to finish

2026-07-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-02

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Hemiplegic patients in need of upper extremity rehabilitation.
• Having had a stroke 6 to 12 months prior to the study.
• Being at least Stage 3 for the upper extremity according to the Brunnstrom motor recovery stages.
• Age range: between 18 and 75 years.
• Individuals who volunteer to participate in the study.
• Individuals who are cognitively suitable for mirror therapy and virtual reality applications (a score of at least 24 on the Mini Mental State Examination)

You may not qualify if…

• Patients with severe spasticity (score ≥ 3 on the Modified Ashworth Scale)
• Individuals with secondary neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis).
• Individuals diagnosed with vestibular dysfunction (as virtual reality equipment may cause issues like nausea or dizziness).
• Individuals with communication issues, such as hearing or vision loss.

Where it is running

• İstinye Üniversite Hastanesi Medical Park Gaziosmanpaşa — Istanbul, Gaziosmanpaşa, Turkey (Türkiye) (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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