Digital versus conventional mirror therapy for arm recovery after stroke
Compares two mirror therapy types for arm recovery in adults after stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Digital Mirror Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation
Key facts
- Where
- Hong Kong, Hong KongSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT07460128, who can take part
Where in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong Kong, Hong KongTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Trial code
- NCT07460128
- Record updated
- 10 March 2026
- Original description
Background: While conventional mirror therapy is a Level A recommended rehabilitation for poststroke upper extremity recovery, digital mirror therapy-enabled by augmented reality and computer vision-offers a promising alternative with potential for greater engagement and enriched sensory feedback. However, systematic comparisons of their clinical and physiological benefits, alongside an understanding of patient experiences with digital therapy, are lacking.Read full original descriptionShow less
Digital Mirror Therapy in Poststroke Rehabilitation: Efficacy and Patient-reported Facilitators and Barriers to Adherence.
Background: While conventional mirror therapy is a Level A recommended rehabilitation for poststroke upper extremity recovery, digital mirror therapy-enabled by augmented reality and computer vision-offers a promising alternative with potential for greater engagement and enriched sensory feedback. However, systematic comparisons of their clinical and physiological benefits, alongside an understanding of patient experiences with digital therapy, are lacking.
Objectives: This randomized controlled trial will compare the efficacy of digital versus conventional mirror therapy for upper extremity rehabilitation in people after chronic stroke. The evaluation will focus on three areas: 1) clinical outcomes in motor function and community integration; 2) musculoskeletal physiological mechanisms, assessed through upper extremity muscle co-activation patterns; and 3) patient-reported barriers and facilitators to adherence with the digital technology. Methods: A parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Participants with chronic stroke will be randomized to receive either digital or conventional mirror therapy three times per week for a total of 10 sessions over 21 days. The quantitative outcomes will be upper extremity function (using clinical scales), community integration (using a dedicated scale), and muscle activation/co-activation patterns during functional tasks (measured via surface electromyography [EMG]). The qualitative outcome will be patient-experienced barriers and facilitators, which will be explored through focus groups. Expected Results: This project aims to determine whether digital mirror therapy yields superior clinical outcomes compared to the conventional protocol. We hypothesize that greater improvement in upper extremity motor function will be associated with increased voluntary activation of task-relevant muscles and a reduction in abnormal co-contraction patterns. Furthermore, the qualitative findings will provide insights into the practical facilitators and barriers to patient adherence to digital technological rehabilitation, which will guide its future development and real-world clinical implementation.
Inclusion: diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke more than 6 months; age between 18 and 80 years; upper limb function rated at levels 2-6 according to the Functional Test for Hemiplegic Extremity Hong Kong Version.
Exclusion: any concomitant neurological disease other than stroke; signs of cognitive impairment, defined as a score below 6 out of 10 on the Abbreviated Mental Test - Hong Kong Version ; or severe spasticity in the hemiparetic upper extremity muscles, with a Modified Ashworth Scale score greater than 2; unable to express thoughts effectively through verbal speech or written language.