| Objective: To explore the effect of mirror therapy combined with rhythmic auditory stimulation on the recovery of upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke. Methods: A total of 81 patients with upper limb dysfunction following stroke were selected as research subjects, and divided into three groups (each with 27 cases) according to the random number table method: conventional rehabilitation group, mirror therapy group, and combined treatment group. Each patient received conventional intervention and rehabilitation treatment. The mirror therapy group was given mirror therapy intervention + the conventional rehabilitation group, and the combined treatment group was subjected to mirror therapy + rhythmic auditory stimulation + the conventional rehabilitation. Patients in each group received 4 weeks of treatment. The Fugl-Meyer motor assessment scale-upper extremity (FMA-UE) and surface electromyography (sEMG) were used to evaluate the electromyographic signal values - root mean square (RMS) of the biceps and triceps muscles on the paralyzed side, modified Barthel index (MBI), and modified Ashworth scale (MAS) were used to assess the patients before and after treatment, and the data were statistically analyzed. Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in FMA-UE scores, MAS grading, RMS, and MBI scores among the three groups. After a 4-week treatment period, intra-group comparisons among the three groups showed that the FMA-UE scores, MAS grades, and MBI scores were all improved compared to pre-treatment, with significant differences (P<0.05). The mirror therapy group had superior FMA-UE and MBI scores to the conventional group (P<0.05). The combined therapy group showed significantly higher FMA-UE and MBI scores than the conventional group and the mirror therapy group (P<0.05). The number of cases showing improvement in MAS grade in the combined therapy group was significantly greater than in the conventional and mirror therapy groups (P<0.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in MAS grade between the mirror therapy group and the conventional group. Concurrently, post-treatment RMS of the biceps brachii on the affected side decreased, and RMS of the triceps brachii increased compared to pre-treatment in all three groups (P<0.05). The combined therapy group showed a more significant increase in RMS of both the biceps brachii and triceps brachii compared to the conventional and mirror therapy groups, with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: The combination of mirror therapy and rhythmic auditory stimulation can effectively promote the improvement of upper limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke and enhance the ability to perform activities of daily living. |
