Check if the Mirror therapy represents an effective method in improving the motor activity of the hands of institutionalized elderly.
Among the various functions impaired by aging there is the muscle function, which indirectly affects the quality of life for seniors, since it is crucial to the progressive increase of the debilitating condition, leading to difficulties in carrying out everyday tasks and often making them dependent on the assistance of others. The possible neural mechanisms underlying this decrease in muscle function associated with aging include changes undefined in Central Nervous System, a delay in conduction velocity of motor nerve fibers and in transmission of the neuromuscular junction. In this context, it is necessary to develop procedures that reduce the functional losses and decrease the negative effects of the aging process, increasing the quality of life for seniors. Mirror Therapy (MT) is the one of those possible procedures, which is based on the activation of mirror neurons from the illusion generated by viewing the reflection of a member in a mirror. When performing a movement with a member who is in your field of vision, generated the reflection in the mirror is able to offer the brain a new, albeit illusory visual stimulus, suggesting that covert member is moving. This illusion promotes the activation of mirror neurons located in the sensorimotor cortex region and the progression of therapy, this activation drives cortical plasticity that promotes the reestablishment of functions, such as motor coordination and increased range of motion. Therefore, MT is a promising technique to reduce the functional losses of aging. It is then suggested the implementation of a protocol for functional recovery of MT hands in institutionalized elderly and the measurement of electromyographic activity of the wrist, the range and speed of movement, the writing skill and the application of a questionnaire to Katz index calculation in order to investigate whether the technique can benefit this public.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
Mirror Therapy, which is based on the activation of mirror neurons from the illusion generated by viewing the reflection of a member in a mirror, that is, intended to facilitate the movement through the practice of bilateral symmetric activities, since it is able to stimulate cortical plasticity, promoting reversal of the decrease and the reestablishment of motor function.
Hands movements.
Laboratory of Sensory and Motor Rehabilitation Engineering
São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
RECRUITINGElectromyography
Muscle electrical activity will be assessed at two different times, one related to the collection along with the dynamometer and another related to the simultaneous collection accelerometer.It is expected that after treatment with Mirror Therapy for 2 weeks has been an improvement of sensorimotor functions, gain muscle strength , uniformity of muscle fiber recruitment and improves muscle synergy and gain in speed of movements.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Dynamometry
Manual strength will be assessed with the electromyography, asking the volunteer to perform the maximal volunteer contraction when pressing the portable manual dynamometer. It is expected that after treatment with Mirror Therapy for 2 weeks has been an improvement of muscle strength.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Functionality
The functionality will be measure by the Katz index during the period of the study.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Range of motion
The range of motion will be taken for the movements of flexion and extension of the wrist.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Writing skill
The volunteers will writing a specified phrase and they will received a paper with four four geometric forms (square, triangle, circle and rhombus) to follow the line. This task should be done for both hands. The skill will be analysed by using a computer software developed to calculate the distances between the original line of the form and the line performed by the volunteer.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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