A feasible customized camera-based mirror visual feedback apparatus in stroke patients

Abstract

It has been reported that there were kinematic disadvantages, like weight shifting, and perceptive limitations like insufficient embodiment which hindered the effectiveness of a plain mirror based mirror visual feedback (MVF). Some novel MVF apparatuses have been the focus of much interest, but sparse literatures on this topic reported the effectiveness in patients with stroke. The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical feasibility of a camera-based MVF apparatus in stroke patients. Eleven sub-acute stroke patients (Age (y): 53.08 ± 11.11; Duration (m): 12.00 ± 15.25; Male (N): 10; Left paralysis (N): 5) were recruited and received the camera-based MVF intervention as an adjunct treatment among their routines for 60 minutes per day, 5 times per week, lasting for four weeks. The primary outcome was the upper-limb function based on Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA); the Brunnstrom stages, modified Barthel Index (mBI), and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were the second outcome measures. Moreover, electroencephalogram (EEG) and behavior performance were recorded in the left/right hand judgement. All data was collected before and after intervention. The Wilcoxon-signed ranks test was employed for the Brunntrom stages, and pair-t test was used for other measurements. All the patients showed dramatic improvements of upper limb function after the treatment, see Table 1 . However, the reaction time and accuracy during left/right hand judgement and the EEG signal analysis emphasized on altered motor pattern have not been completed yet. The camera-based MVF might be a feasible apparatus as an adjunct treatment to improve the motor function, quality of life, balance control and mental reaction in stroke patients.