The Effects of an Augmented Reality-Based Mirror Therapy System in Patients With Stroke

Summary

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an augmented reality-based mirror therapy system (MirrARm), developed using sensor-based tracking and visual feedback principles, on upper extremity motor recovery and functional activity levels in patients with stroke.

Research Questions

This study seeks to address the following questions:

Does the MirrARm system improve upper extremity motor recovery and functional activity levels in patients with stroke?

Are the effects of the MirrARm system on upper extremity motor recovery and functional activity levels greater than those of conventional mirror therapy in patients with stroke?

Study Design and Comparison The MirrARm system will be compared with conventional mirror therapy to evaluate its effectiveness in patients with stroke.

Participants and Procedures Participants will take part in a treatment program administered three days per week for a total duration of eight weeks. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline (Week 0), at mid-intervention (Week 4), and at the end of the intervention period (Week 8).

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

OTHER

Augmented Reality-Based Mirror Therapy

The MirrARm system will consist of a 27-inch computer monitor placed on a work table, a Leap Motion Controller motion-tracking sensor, and a laptop computer. Task-oriented and activities will be developed using the Unity 6.1 game engine. During training, participants will be seated in a chair with back support and participants' hand movements will be visually mirrored according to mirror therapy principles. Movements performed with the unaffected upper limb will be displayed on the screen as if they were being executed by the affected limb. The MirrARm system will include four task-oriented activities such as: Cube stacking activity (Shoulder elevation-focused), Reaching activity (Elbow extension-focused), Supination-pronation activity, Door knocking activity (Wrist extension-focused). Each activity will consist of three progressively increasing difficulty levels. Participants will perform each level for two minutes, with a 30-second rest period between levels and between activities.

OTHER

Conventional Mirror Therapy

In conventional mirror therapy training, participants will be seated on a back-supported chair at a table, with a mirror (60 cm × 50 cm) positioned vertically between the upper limbs, facing the unaffected arm. Task-oriented activities will be performed with the unaffected upper limb and observed in the mirror as if executed by the affected limb, in accordance with mirror therapy principles. The same activities used in the MirrARm system will be performed using real objects. Each activity level will be applied for two minutes, with 30-second rest periods, for a total duration of 30 minutes per session.

OTHER

Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment

Conventional physiotherapy treatment will include neurophysiological approaches based on strengthening, stretching, and coordination exercises for the affected upper limb, as well as neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University Scientific Research Projects Unit

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Marmara University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Burcu ERSÖZ HÜSEYİNSİNOĞLU, Professor · Marmara University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

• Sergen ÖZTÜRK, PhD Student · Marmara University, Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-01

Primary Completion

2027-08-01

Completion

2027-08-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations