Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Activity-based Mirror Therapy for Lower Limb Motor Recovery, Balance, Gait, and Mobility in Acute Inpatient Stroke: A Feasibility Study

This study is checking if a special 'mirror therapy' can help people who have recently had a stroke (within the last 30 days) and are in the hospital. This therapy involves using a mirror to create an illusion that their weaker leg is moving more easily. The researchers want to see if this therapy, done for 15 minutes, three times a week for two weeks, can improve leg movement, balance, and walking. It's done in addition to their regular physiotherapy. This is an early study to see if the therapy is practical and if it shows promising results to explore further in a larger study. Participants will also share their experiences.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Glasgow Caledonian University

Enrolment target

Start

04 Apr 2025

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Stroke

What is this study about?

This study is trying out a therapy called 'mirror therapy' for people who have recently had a stroke. When someone has a stroke, it can sometimes affect the movement in one side of their body, including their leg. This study wants to see if using a mirror can help improve movement, balance, and how well people walk or move around after a stroke.

Here's how mirror therapy works: you sit in a chair with a mirror placed in front of you, reflecting your unaffected leg. Your affected, weaker leg is hidden behind the mirror. When you move your good leg, it looks like your weaker leg is also moving easily. This can sometimes trick your brain into thinking your weaker leg is moving better than it is, which might help it recover.

This is a 'feasibility study,' which means it's one of the first steps. The main goal is to see if this type of mirror therapy program is practical to do in a hospital setting and if it shows early signs of helping patients. It's not a large study yet, but if it shows good results, it could lead to bigger studies in the future to confirm its benefits.

Key takeaways

This study explores mirror therapy for stroke recovery in the leg.
It's for people recently hospitalised after a stroke (within 30 days).
You'll have 15-minute mirror therapy sessions 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
This is in addition to your usual physiotherapy.
The study aims to see if it's practical and shows early signs of helping movement and balance.
Your experiences and feedback are important.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older, who has had a stroke. You need to be well enough to take part in physical therapy, and your stroke must have happened between 3 days and 30 days before the study starts. You also need to have some weakness or paralysis in one of your legs because of the stroke.

You should be able to sit steadily in a chair while moving your good leg. Before your stroke, you should have been able to walk, whether you used a walking aid or not. It's important that you don't have any major issues with your memory or understanding that would stop you from understanding the study or the exercises. You also shouldn't have severe vision problems that would stop you from seeing the mirror clearly, or other serious health problems that would prevent you from doing seated exercises with your good leg.

People who have had an amputation of a leg, or those whose medical team has said they can't make their own decisions, or if English is not your first language, won't be able to join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Did your stroke happen between 3 days and 30 days ago?
Do you have some weakness or paralysis in one of your legs due to the stroke?
Can you sit steadily in a chair while moving your unaffected leg?
Do you understand English well enough to follow instructions?
Are you able to see a reflection in a mirror clearly?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will continue with your usual physiotherapy sessions, which typically happen five days a week for about 45 to 60 minutes. On top of this, you will have special mirror therapy sessions. These mirror therapy sessions will be 15 minutes long and will happen three days a week for a total of two weeks.

During mirror therapy, you will sit in a chair and do exercises with your unaffected leg, watching its reflection in a mirror. You'll do various leg movements like stepping, wiping the floor, kicking a ball, and picking up marbles with your toes. A physiotherapist student, supervised by a qualified physiotherapist, will guide you through these sessions.

After the two weeks of mirror therapy, the researchers will check your leg movement, balance, and walking again to see if there have been any changes. You'll also be asked to fill out a short questionnaire and have a chat about your experience in the study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might offer a small chance to improve your leg movement, balance, and walking, as it adds extra therapy to your usual care. However, as this is an early-stage study, we don't fully know how much benefit it might provide. The risks are generally low, as the exercises are done while sitting and are supervised. You might feel a little tired from the extra sessions, but you can rest between exercises. Remember, your participation is voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without explaining why, and it will not affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'mirror therapy'?

Mirror therapy involves sitting with a mirror positioned so you see your unaffected leg moving, creating the illusion that your weaker leg is also moving, which may help your brain recover.

How long does the study last?

The mirror therapy part of the study lasts for two weeks, with sessions three times a week. Your overall check-ups will be before and after these two weeks.

Will I still have my regular physiotherapy?

Yes, you will continue to have your usual physiotherapy sessions as planned by your medical team; the mirror therapy is in addition to this.

Who will be giving me the mirror therapy?

A physiotherapy student will conduct the mirror therapy sessions, and they will always be supervised by a qualified physiotherapist.

Do I have to do all the exercises?

You will be guided through a set of seated exercises targeting your leg movements. You'll be instructed to perform them, but you can take short rests if needed.

How to find out more

Cassidy Flammang, DPT student

cflamm300@caledonian.ac.uk +4407481988475 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.