The Effects of Task-Based Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Motor Function and Use in Daily Living in Adults With Stroke

Background: Stroke, global health problem and second cause of death with fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. Mirror therapy is a new approach in rehabilitation used in different neurological disorders including stroke. In mirror therapy, a mirror is placed beside the unaffected limb, blocking the view of the affected limb. This creates the illusion that both limbs are functioning properly. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of mirror therapy on upper extremity motor functions and activity of daily living in stroke patients. Method: A quasi-experimental one group pre-test post-test design used by convenient sampling assign 35-stroke patients who met the inclusion criteria. The intervention administered in the morning for a week and a self-structured tool (UEMFs assessment scale) for Upper extremity motor functions and ADL Independence scale for activity of daily living. Data were collected every day in a week. Results: The result showed that UEMFs score was significant after intervention (p<0.001), ADL score was significant (p<0.001). There was significant improvement from pre to post test was found in UEMFs status among stroke patents (p=0.015). The significant improvement in ADL status among stroke patients. (p=0.003). The significant correlation was found between UEMFs (r=0.737, p<0.001) and ADL (r=0.857, p<0.001). Conclusion: The study concluded that Mirror therapy was an effective, non-pharmacological measure for improving upper extremity motor functions and ADL among stroke patients.

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Effectiveness of mirror therapy on upper limb function, activities of daily living, and depression in post-stroke depression patients

Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.5606/tftrd.2021.6635 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 67 (3) ◽

pp. 365-369

Author(s):

Xiang Zhang ◽

Yi Zhang ◽

Yu Liu ◽

Qiujin Yao

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Motor Function ◽

Daily Living ◽

Control Group ◽

Mirror Therapy ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Upper Limb Function ◽

Mirror Group ◽

Post Stroke Depression ◽

The Mean

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy (MT) on upper limb function, activities of daily living (ADLs), and depression in post-stroke depression patients. Patients and methods: Between November 2018 and December 2019, a total of 60 post-stroke patients (33 males, 27 females; mean age: 58.45±11.13 years; range, 35 to 88 years) were included. The patients were randomly divided into either the cosntrol group (n=30) or the MT group (n=30). Regular occupational therapy was provided for the control group (two times per day for 30 min per session, five times per week over four weeks). Occupational therapy and MT were used to treat patients in the mirror group (one 30 min session once per day, five times per week over four weeks). Motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity, FMA-UE), ADL (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) and depression (17-item Hamilton Depression Scale, HAMD-17) were used to evaluate the treatment outcomes. Results: Before treatment, the mean HAMD-17, FMA-UE, and MBI scores showed no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). After treatment, the mirror group exhibited more significant improvements than the control group in terms of the mean HAMD-17, FM-UE, and MBI (p<0.05). After four weeks, the mean FMA-UE and MBI scores revealed more significant improvements than the baseline scores in the control group (p<0.01). The mean HAMD-17, FMA-UE, and MBI scores showed more significant improvements than the baseline scores in the MT group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Based on these results, MT can effectively improve motor function, ADLs, and depression in post-stroke depression patients. The curative effectiveness of MT seems to be more prominent than the regular occupational therapy.

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