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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2020 Aug;10(8):e01729.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.1729. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Effects of mirror neuron system-based training on rehabilitation of stroke patients

Huiwen Mao  1 , Yan Li  1 , Li Tang  1 , Ye Chen  1 , Jiawei Ni  1 , Liang Liu  1 , Chunlei Shan  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of mirror neuron system-based training on rehabilitation of stroke patients

Huiwen Mao et al. Brain Behav. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of the mirror neuron system (MNS)-based training on upper extremity motor function and cognitive function in stroke patients.

Methods: Sixty stroke patients (time from stroke onset 3-9 months) with upper extremity paresis (Brunnstrom stage II-IV) and cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≥ 15) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into MNS treatment group (N = 30) and control group (N = 30). Both groups underwent regular training for upper extremity motor function and cognitive function, and the MNS group was trained with a therapeutic apparatus named mirror neuron system training (MNST) including different levels of action observation training (AOT). Training lasted 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. MoCA, reaction time, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after training. Furthermore, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Modified Barthel index (MBI) were adopted to evaluated upper extremity motor function and daily life ability.

Results: After 8 consecutive weeks' training, both groups showed significant improvements on the upper extremity motor function, cognitive function, and daily life ability score after training (p < .05). The MNS group showed significantly improved upper extremity motor function and cognitive function (p < .05) compared with control group.

Conclusions: Combining MNS-based and conventional training can improve upper extremity motor function and cognitive function in stroke patients.

Keywords: cognitive function; mirror neuron system; stroke; training; upper extremity function.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The Mirror Neuron System Training (MNST, V1.0, Suzhou MNST Medical Science and Technology Co., Ltd) machine and patient training status
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Study Flowchart
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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