Comparing The Effects of Self-Selected Music Versus Predetermined Music On Patient Anxiety Prior To Gynaecological Surgery: The MUANX Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Anxiety is frequently observed in the preoperative setting. The negative impact of preoperative anxiety is well known. In the context of gynaecological surgery, anxiety is exacerbated by the fact that the intervention can have catastrophic repercussions on a woman’s body image, sexuality, and psycho-affective well-being. Music listening is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for minimizing preoperative anxiety. Personal preferences, familiarity and popularity may be key elements for an optimal relaxation response to music. This study aimed to determine whether listening to self-selected music decreases preoperative anxiety in women scheduled to undergo gynaecologic surgery compared with predetermined music from an application (MUSIC CARE®).Methods: The MUANX study was a single-blind, monocentric, parallel, superiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 174 women were included and randomized in two groups between August 2017 and September 2018. Patients in the intervention group listened to the personal music playlist that they had created before being hospitalized. Patients in the control group listened to the predetermined playlist on the MUSIC CARE® application. All patients received standard nursing care and listened to 20 minutes of music one hour before surgery. Anxiety scores were assessed before and after the music session using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).Results: The mean age of the 171 evaluated patients was 41.5 years (SD=10.0 years). Before the music session, the STAI state anxiety score was similar in the control group (M=38.8, SD=11.9) and the intervention group (M=39.0, SD=13.1). After the music session, this score had significantly decreased in both the control group (M= -7.2, SD=9.0) and the intervention group (M=-5.5, SD=6.6), with no significant difference in score reduction between groups. Physiological parameters were unchanged after the music session. No significant differences in postoperative measurements (pain intensity, hospitalization duration) were observed between the two groups.Conclusion: Self-selected music is as effective as predetermined music for reducing patient anxiety before gynaecological surgery. As it has no side effects and is easily applicable in gynaecological surgical services, this non-drug intervention may be proposed by healthcare professionals in the management of preoperative anxiety.Trial registration The MUANX trial is registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) #NCT03226834. Registered on 24 July 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03226834?term=muanx&draw=2&rank=1

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Comparing the effects of self-selected MUsic versus predetermined music on patient ANXiety prior to gynaecological surgery: the MUANX randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05511-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

D. Reynaud ◽

N. Bouscaren ◽

V. Lenclume ◽

M. Boukerrou

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Preoperative Anxiety ◽

Control Group ◽

Gynaecological Surgery ◽

Patient Anxiety ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Link Type ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Anxiety is frequently observed in the preoperative setting. The negative impact of preoperative anxiety is well known. In the context of gynaecological surgery, anxiety is exacerbated by the fact that the intervention can have catastrophic repercussions on a woman’s body image, sexuality, and psycho-affective well-being. Music listening is increasingly used as an alternative therapy for minimizing preoperative anxiety. Personal preferences, familiarity, and popularity may be key elements for an optimal relaxation response to music. This study aimed to determine whether listening to self-selected music decreases preoperative anxiety in women scheduled to undergo gynaecologic surgery compared with predetermined music from an application (MUSIC CARE®). Methods The MUANX study was a single-blind, monocentric, parallel, superiority, randomized controlled trial. A total of 174 women were included and randomized in two groups between August 2017 and September 2018. Patients in the intervention group listened to the personal music playlist that they had created before being hospitalized. Patients in the control group listened to the predetermined playlist on the MUSIC CARE® application. All patients received standard nursing care and listened to 20 min of music 1 h before surgery. Anxiety scores were assessed before and after the music session using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results The mean age of the 171 evaluated patients was 41.5 years (SD = 10.0 years). Before the music session, the STAI state anxiety score was similar in the control group (M = 38.8, SD = 11.9) and the intervention group (M = 39.0, SD = 13.1). After the music session, this score had significantly decreased in both the control group (M = −7.2, SD = 9.0) and the intervention group (M = −5.5, SD = 6.6), with no significant difference in score reduction between groups. Physiological parameters were unchanged after the music session. No significant differences in postoperative measurements (pain intensity, hospitalization duration) were observed between the two groups. Conclusion Self-selected music is as effective as predetermined music for reducing patient anxiety before gynaecological surgery. As it has no side effects and is easily applicable in gynaecological surgical services, this non-drug intervention may be proposed by healthcare professionals in the management of preoperative anxiety. Trial registration The MUANX trial (MUsic therapy on ANXiety) is registered at the US National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) #NCT03226834. Registered on 24 July 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03226834?term=muanx&draw=2&rank=1

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The effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia: a parallel randomized controlled trial

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00542-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maryam Behrouian ◽

Tahereh Ramezani ◽

Mahlagha Dehghan ◽

Abdoreza Sabahi ◽

Batool Ebrahimnejad Zarandi

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychological Traits ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is the most severe mental chronic disabling disease that the majority of the patients need constant care in a variety of aspects. Regarding the role of family caregivers in taking care of these patients, caregivers need to be resilient, in addition to other psychological traits, to adapt to the circumstance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in southeastern Iran. Methods The study was a parallel randomized controlled trial. Seventy caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to an emotion regulation training group and a control group. The intervention group received eight 90-min training sessions (one session weekly) about emotion regulation. The participants completed the Conner–Davidson resilience scale before and one month after the intervention. Results The mean scores of the resilience increased in the control and intervention groups at the end of the study. A significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.001). At the beginning of the study, the mean score of the resilience was 59.94 in the control group and 51.97 in the intervention group. However, the mean score of the resilience in the control group was 61.28 after the intervention, which was not significant, but it was 69.08 in the intervention group, which was significant. A significant difference was observed between two groups in the mean scores (p = 0.01). Conclusions According to the results of this study, cognitive and metacognitive skills of emotion regulation can be suggested as one of the methods for increasing the psychological well-being of schizophrenia patients’ caregivers. The increase of mental well-being and resilience of caregivers can help them better manage a patient with schizophrenia. Trial registration IRCT registration number: IRCT2017061733997N2, Registration date: 2017-08-16, 1396/05/25, Registration timing: prospective, https://en.irct.ir/trial/26116

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Effect of leg wrapping technique on prevention of spinal induced hypotension and fetal acidosis during cesarean section: Randomized controlled trial

Journal of Nursing Education and Practice ◽

10.5430/jnep.v10n2p70 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 70

Author(s):

Samah Nasser Abd El-Aziz El-Shora ◽

Amina Mohamed Rashad El-Nemer

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cesarean Section ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Control Group ◽

Induced Hypotension ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Wrapping Technique

Background and aim: Hypotension during cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia has been a subject of scientific study for more than 50 years and the search for the most effective strategy to achieve hemodynamic stability remains challenging. Aim: The study was carried out to apply leg wrapping technique for the prevention of spinal-induced hypotension (SIH) during CS.Methods: Randomized Controlled Trial design was utilized at cesarean delivery operating room Mansoura General Hospital in El-Mansoura City during the period from May 2018 to November 2018. A purposive sample of 88 pregnant women, assigned randomly to an intervention group (n = 44) in which their legs wrapped with elastic crepe bandage and control group (n = 44) in which no wrapping was done. Data collected for maternal, neonatal hemodynamic and signs of hypotension, the feasibility of application and cost analysis.Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of SIH and Ephedrine use among both groups (18.20% in leg wrapping group whereas 75% in control group). In addition, neonatal acidosis and NICU admission were less among leg wrapping group (11.40%, 9.10% respectively). Economically, leg wrapping technique was cost effective compared to the cost of the hospital regimen for treating SIH and admission to (NICU).Conclusion and recommendations: Leg wrapping technique was cost effective and an efficient method for decreasing SIH, neonatal acidosis and Ephedrine administration. It is recommended to apply leg wrapping technique in maternal hospitals' protocol of care for decreasing SIH during CS.

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Methylprednisolone or dexamethasone, which one is superior corticosteroid in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a triple-blinded randomized controlled trial

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06045-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Keivan Ranjbar ◽

Mohsen Moghadami ◽

Alireza Mirahmadizadeh ◽

Mohammad Javad Fallahi ◽

Vahid Khaloo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Ordinal Scale ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Group Data ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Although almost a year has passed since the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and promising reports of vaccines have been presented, we still have a long way until these measures are available for all. Furthermore, the most appropriate corticosteroid and dose in the treatment of COVID-19 have remained uncertain. We conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of methylprednisolone treatment versus dexamethasone for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Methods In this prospective triple-blinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 86 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from August to November 2020, in Shiraz, Iran. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day; intervention group) or dexamethasone (6 mg/kg/day; control group). Data were assessed based on a 9-point WHO ordinal scale extending from uninfected (point 0) to death (point 8). Results There were no significant differences between the groups on admission. However, the intervention group demonstrated significantly better clinical status compared to the control group at day 5 (4.02 vs. 5.21, p = 0.002) and day 10 (2.90 vs. 4.71, p = 0.001) of admission. There was also a significant difference in the overall mean score between the intervention group and the control group, (3.909 vs. 4.873 respectively, p = 0.004). The mean length of hospital stay was 7.43 ± 3.64 and 10.52 ± 5.47 days in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p = 0.015). The need for a ventilator was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (18.2% vs 38.1% p = 0.040). Conclusion In hospitalized hypoxic COVID-19 patients, methylprednisolone demonstrated better results compared to dexamethasone. Trial registration The trial was registered with IRCT.IR (08/04/2020-No. IRCT20200204046369N1).

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The Effect of Writing Therapy on Anxiety in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.5812/ijpbs.98256 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Maryam Montazeri ◽

Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽

Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi ◽

Sevda Golizadeh ◽

Mojgan Mirghafourvand

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Block Design ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Writing Therapy ◽

Randomized Block Design ◽

Significant Difference

Background: As one of the most enjoyable life experiences, pregnancy may be accompanied by many physiological and psychological changes that make women susceptible to developing mental disorders such as anxiety. Non-pharmacological methods such as writing therapy are among the ways to deal with anxiety. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of writing therapy on anxiety in women during pregnancy. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28 - 31 weeks. The participants were assigned to an intervention group and a control group using a randomized block design. The intervention group received three in-person writing therapy-based counseling sessions and two telephone calls between the sessions, while the control group received routine pregnancy care. The Beck anxiety inventory was completed before and six weeks after the intervention. Independent t-test and ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic variables and baseline anxiety scores. Based on ANCOVA with baseline score adjustment, the mean score of anxiety was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group after the intervention (adjusted mean difference = -6.8; 95%CI = -4.5 to -9.1; P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, writing therapy can reduce anxiety in pregnant women; however, further studies are needed before a definitive conclusion.

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The effectiveness of preoperative individual information on reducing anxiety and pain after hysterectomy: A randomized controlled trial

Journal of Nursing Education and Practice ◽

10.5430/jnep.v10n1p67 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 67

Author(s):

Hrønn Thorn ◽

Lisbeth Uhrenfeldt

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Postoperative Pain ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Anxiety Level ◽

Preoperative Anxiety ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Individual Information

Background and objective: Preoperative anxiety among gynecological patients is well-known and has a direct correlation with postoperative pain. By minimizing preoperative anxiety, the level of postoperative pain may decrease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative structured information and dialogue on patients' anxiety and postoperative pain.Methods: A single-center non-blinded randomized controlled trial. Forty-six women scheduled for hysterectomy were allocated either to the study group or the control group. The study group was given individual information at a preoperative consultation while the control group was given information at admittance. The main outcome was anxiety level and postoperative pain.Results: Forty participants (study group = 20; control group = 20) were analyzed. No statistically significant difference was found in anxiety level within the first 24 h postoperatively or in postoperative pain within four weeks between the groups.Conclusions: Preoperative individual information and dialogue did not result in significant effects in reducing anxiety level nor did it result in lower postoperative pain score.

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A randomized controlled trial of a specific reminiscence approach to promote the well-being of nursing home residents with dementia

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610204000055 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 33-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 80

Author(s):

Claudia K. Y. Lai ◽

Iris Chi ◽

Jeanie Kayser-Jones

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Comparison Group ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled

Background: To date, no firm conclusions can be reached regarding the effectiveness of reminiscence for dementia. Researchers have emphasized that there is an urgent need for more systematic research in the area.Objective and Method: A single-blinded, parallel-groups (one intervention, one comparison, and one no-intervention group) randomized controlled trial (RCT) was adopted to investigate whether a specific reminiscence program leads to higher levels of psychosocial well-being in nursing home residents with dementia. The intervention adopted a life-story approach, while the comparison group provided friendly discussions to control for any changes in outcome as a result of social contacts and attention. The Social Engagement Scale (SES) and Well-being/Ill-being Scale (WIB) were the outcome measures used. The outcomes of the groups were examined with reference to the baseline (T0), immediately (T1), and six weeks (T2) after intervention. The final sample had 101 subjects (control group: n=30; comparison group: n=35; intervention group: n=36). Using multivariate analysis with repeated measures, no significant differences in outcome were found between groups at either T1 or T2. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were performed for each group comparing outcomes between T1 and T0, T2 and T1, and T2 and T0. Significant differences were observed in the intervention group when comparing T1 and T0 WIB (p=.014), but not for the other groups.Conclusion: Although the intervention did not lead to significant differences between the three groups over time, there was a significant improvement in psychosocial well-being for the intervention group.

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EVALUASI INTERVENSI MEDIA BOOKLET TERHADAP TINGKAT PENGETAHUAN DAN KEPATUHAN PASIEN DIABETES MELITUS TIPE 2 DI PUSKESMAS BANJARBARU SELATAN

Jurnal Publikasi Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia ◽

10.20527/jpkmi.v6i1.6874 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Valentina Meta Srikartika ◽

M. Rasyid Akbar ◽

Herningtyas Nautika Lingga

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Diabetes Melitus

ABSTRAKKeberhasilan pengobatan diabetes melitus tidak hanya dipengaruhi oleh kualitas pelayanan kesehatan, keterampilan petugasnya, sikap, dan pola hidup pasien, tetapi dipengaruhi juga oleh kepatuhan pasien terhadap pengobatannya. Tingkat kepatuhan minum obat pasien diabetes mellitus di Indonesia mayoritas masih berada dibawah 50%. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah mengukur pengaruh edukasi melalui media booklet terhadap pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pasien diabetes melitus tipe 2. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). Populasi yang didapat dari penelitian ini sebanyak 40 orang dengan kelompok kontrol 20 orang dan kelompok intervensi 20 orang. Kelompok kontrol merupakan kelompok yang tidak mendapatkan booklet, sedangkan kelompok intervensi adalah kelompok yang mendapatkan booklet sebagi media edukasi. Pengetahuan dan kepatuhan responden diukur melalui kuesioner yang diberikan sebelum (pretest) dan 2 minggu kemudian (posttest). Rata-rata skor pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pre-test dibandingkan dengan skor post-test dengan menggunakan uji Wilcoxon. Berdasarkan hasil analisis, terjadi perbedaan tingkat pengetahuan dan kepatuhan yang signifikan (p value < 0,001) antara sebelum dan sesudah pemberian booklet pada kelompok intervensi dan tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan pada tingkat pengetahuan (p value = 0,83) dan kepatuhan (p value = 0,317) pada kelompok kontrol. Oleh karena itu, dapat disimpulkan bahwa media booklet dapat meningkatkan tingkat pengetahuan dan kepatuhan pada pasien diabetes melitus.Kata-kata kunci: Diabetes melitus, pengetahuan, kepatuhan, bookletABSTRACTThe success of a treatment of diabetes mellitus is not only influenced by the quality of health services, the skills of its officers, attitudes, and lifestyle of patients, but it is also influenced by patient adherence to treatment. The level of medication compliance among diabetes patients in Indonesia were still below 50%. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of education through booklet media on the knowledge and compliance of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The type of research used was Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT). The population obtained from this study were 40 people with a control group of 20 people and an intervention group of 20 people. The control group was the group that did not get the booklet, while the intervention group was the group that received the booklet as an educational medium. Knowledge and compliance of respondents was measured through questionnaires given before (pretest) and 2 weeks later (posttest). The average score of knowledge and adherence between pretest and posttest will be compared using Wilcoxon analysis. Based on the results of data analysis with the Wilcoxon test, there was a significant difference in the level of knowledge and compliance (p value < 0.001) between before and after booklet administration in the intervention group and no significant difference in knowledge level (p value = 0.83) and compliance (p value = 0.317) in the control group. It can be concluded that the booklet media can increase the level of knowledge and compliance in diabetes mellitus patients.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, knowledge, compliance, booklet

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Effectiveness of WeChat for Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding in Huzhu County China: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/23273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. e23273

Author(s):

Qiong Wu ◽

Yiwen Huang ◽

Zijun Liao ◽

Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽

Wei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Breastfeeding Rate ◽

Significant Difference

Background The benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers have been well recognized. However, the exclusive breastfeeding rate in China is low and decreasing. Mobile technologies have rapidly developed; communication apps such as WeChat (one of the largest social networking platforms in China) are widely used and have the potential to conveniently improve health behaviors. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of using WeChat to improve breastfeeding practices. Methods This 2-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among pregnant women from May 2019 to April 2020 in Huzhu County, Qinghai Province, China. Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they were aged 18 years or older, were 11 to 37 weeks pregnant with a singleton fetus, had no known illness that could limit breastfeeding after childbirth, used WeChat through their smartphone, and had access to the internet. A total of 344 pregnant women were recruited at baseline, with 170 in the intervention group and 174 in the control group. Women in the intervention group received breastfeeding knowledge and promotion information weekly through a WeChat official account from their third month of pregnancy to 6 months postpartum. The primary outcome of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding rate was measured 0-1 month, 2-3 months, and 4-5 months postpartum. Results At 0-1 month postpartum, the exclusive breastfeeding rate was significantly higher in the intervention group than that in the control group (81.1% vs 63.3%; odds ratio [OR] 2.75, 95% CI 1.58-4.78; P<.001). Similarly, mothers in the intervention group were more likely to provide predominantly breast milk (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.55-4.96; P<.001) and less likely to give dairy products to their children (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; P=.005). There was no statistically significant difference for exclusive breastfeeding rate 2-3 months (P=.09) and 4-5 months postpartum (P=.27), though more children in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed than those in the control group 2-3 months postpartum (intervention: 111/152, 73.0%; control: 96/152, 63.2%) and 4-5 months postpartum(intervention: 50/108, 46.3%; control: 46/109, 42.2%). Conclusions This study is the first effort to promote exclusive breastfeeding through WeChat in China, which proved to be an effective method of promoting exclusive breastfeeding in early life. WeChat health education can be used in addition to local breastfeeding promotion programs. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017364; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=29325 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-019-7676-2

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No evidence of effectiveness of mirror therapy early after stroke: an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215518824737 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 885-893 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Paola Antoniotti ◽

Laura Veronelli ◽

Antonio Caronni ◽

Alessia Monti ◽

Evdoxia Aristidou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Control Group ◽

Mirror Therapy ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Flexion Extension

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of mirror therapy on upper-limb recovery in early post-stroke patients. Design: Assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation clinic. Subjects: A total of 40 patients with upper-limb impairment due to a first-ever ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke, within four weeks from the cerebrovascular accident. Intervention: The intervention group received mirror therapy, while the control group received sham therapy. During mirror therapy, patients’ sound hand was reflected by a mirror. During sham therapy, an opaque surface replaced the mirror-reflecting surface. Both the mirror therapy and sham therapy groups practised their sound hand with exercises, ranging from the simple elbow flexion–extension to complex tasks (e.g. reaching and grasping). Mirror therapy and sham therapy were added to conventional rehabilitation. Main measures: Primary outcome includes Fugl–Meyer upper extremity scale. Secondary outcomes include action research arm test (ARAT) and functional independence measure (FIM) scale. Outcomes were measured at the beginning (T0) and end (T1) of the treatment. Results: At baseline, both groups (sham therapy vs. mirror therapy; mean (SD)) were comparable for Fugl–Meyer (30.9 (23.9) vs. 28.5 (21.8)), ARAT (25.1 (25.5) vs. 23.5 (24)) and FIM (71.0 (20.6) vs. 72.9 (17.8)) scores. At the end of the treatment, both groups significantly improved in the Fugl–Meyer (40.6 (21.3) vs. 38.3 (23.4)), ARAT (31.9 (23.0) vs. 30 (24.1)) and FIM (100.3 (21.9) vs. 99.4 (22.6)) scores. However, at T1, no significant difference was observed between the sham therapy and mirror therapy groups, neither for the Fugl–Meyer, nor for ARAT and FIM scores. Conclusion: Compared with sham therapy, mirror therapy did not add additional benefit to upper-limb recovery early after stroke.

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