Year: 2025 | Month: March | Volume: 15 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 104-109
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20250317
Effects of Mirror Therapy in Improving Motor Function After Stroke: A Literature Review
Roshan PSB1, Vishnu K Nair2, Prathik3, Bipin Wilson4
1Assistant Professor, 2Assistant Professor, 3Post Graduate Student, 4BPT Intern
Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Balmatta, Mangalore,575002
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka
Corresponding Author: Prathik
ABSTRACT
Background: Stroke is a vascular disorder leading to focal cerebral dysfunction, often presenting as hemiplegia. Rehabilitation starts within 24 hours, focusing on motor recovery. Mirror therapy, a cost-effective treatment, enhances neuroplasticity by reflecting the unaffected limb’s movements to stimulate the affected limb. This visual feedback improves motor function and reduces pain, particularly in patients with complex regional pain syndrome. Strategies include active, mental, and passive movements, with lasting improvements in motor function observed up to six months post-treatment.
Objectives: The objective of this literature review is to find the effects of mirror therapy in improving motor function after stroke.
Design: review of literature
Data synthesis: recent researches, meta-analysis, randomized control trials, observation studies
Methodology: various articles from following databases like Science Direct, PubMed and Cochrane were retrieved through a search by using keywords- Stroke, Upper Extremity; Recovery of Function; Rehabilitation; Meta-Analysis; Mirror Therapy, Exercise Therapy. Total 10 articles were included in the study and based on their findings a review was made.
Conclusion: This literature review concluded that mirror therapy reduced pain after ischemic stroke, but only in patients with a complex regional pain syndrome. Mirror therapy is significantly associated with immediately improved motor function of the upper extremity in patients with stroke.
Key words: Stroke, Mirror Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Motor function