Effects of Mirror Therapy Combined with EMG-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation to Improve on Standing Balance and Gait Ability in Patient with Chronic Stroke

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation on balance and gait ability on patient with Chronic Stroke. A total of 60 chronic stroke patients were divided into mirror treatment and functional electrical (MT-EF) Group, MT group, CON group. Each group performed 60 min a day five times a week for eight weeks. MT-FE group was performed 30 min five times a week for eight weeks in mirror therapy process with EMG-FES. MT group performed 30 min five times a week for eight weeks in mirror therapy process. CON group was performed 30 min five times a week for eight weeks in conservative treatment. To measure the balance ability, Biorescue (COP, LOS), Berg balance scale (BBS) and FRT, and the gait ability test was performed by 10 m walk test. MT-FE group revealed significant differences in COP, LOS, BBS, FRT and 10 m walk test as compared to the MT and CON groups ( p < 0.05). Our results showed that MT-FE was more effective on COP, LOS, BBS, FRT and 10 m walk test in patients with chronic stroke. Our results also showed that MT-EF group was more effective on balance and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. We suggest that this study can be used for intervention data for recovering balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients.