Efficacy of Mirror Therapy on Motor Recovery of Hand Functions in Sub Acute Stroke Individuals-a Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim of the Study

The aim was to find out the efficacy of mirror therapy (congruent visual feedback from the moving non-paretic hand) on motor recovery of paretic hand functions in sub acute stroke individuals.

Objective

1. To analyze the motor recovery of hand functions in subacute stroke individuals after mirror therapy.

Design

• Randomized controlled experimental study.

Setting

• Outpatient clinic, neurology department and general wards in SVIMS.

Participants

• Total number of subjects 30.

• 15 in experimental and 15 in control group.

Interventions

The treatment session was 6 days a week, 30 minutes a day, for 6weeks excluding the time for conventional program. The conventional program consisted of physiotherapy like passive movements, active movements, strengthening techniques for the same period.

Mainoutcome Measures

1. Motor assessment scale(hand movements)

2. Modified ashworth scale for wrist flexors..

3. Brunnstrom stages of motor recovery for hand.

Results

Comparison was made between control and experimental groups at 0.05 level of significance. Mann –Whitney U statistic was applied to compare and results were found insignificant in ASHWORTH parameter (p= 1.00 NS) and significant results are observed for MAS (p < 0.05) and BRUNSTORM (p<0.05) parameters.

Conclusion

Mirror therapy along with conventional rehabilitation (congruent visual feedback) led to greater improvement in the motor recovery of hand functions in sub acute stroke subjects than sham therapy.