Quantitative Analysis of EEG Power Spectrum after Continuous Passive Motion Mirror Therapy System

Abstract

Robotic mirror therapy (MT), which allows movement of the affected limb, is proposed as a more effective method than conventional MT (CMT). We aimed to improve post-stroke patients’ rehabilitation effectiveness by using continuous passive motion (CPM) device that is already equipped in the hospital and familiar to physical therapists, so we developed a sensory stimulation-based CPM-MT system for this study. Its performance was quantitatively assessed and compared with that of CMT. To evaluate their effectiveness, we measured brain activation through relative and absolute power spectral density (PSD) changes of EEG mu rhythm with CMT and CPM-MT. The relative PSD was most suppressed when subjects used to CPM-MT system: 22.11% (p < 0.05), 15.31% (p < 0.05), and 16.48% (p < 0.05) on Cz, C3, and C4, respectively. The absolute PSD of mu rhythm was most suppressed when subjects used to CPM-MT system: −60.71% (p = 0.05), −38.08% (p < 0.05), and −44.28% (p < 0.05) on Cz, C3, and C4, respectively. So, we came to this conclusion. The relative and absolute PSD of mu rhythm were both suppressed after using CPM-MT system. Thus, we conclude that CPM-MT is the most effective method for brain activation. This study suggests the more effective combination rehabilitation system for MT by utilizing CPM and magnetic-based MT task to add action execution and sensory stimulation compared with CMT.