The Effect of Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Rehabilitation

The subjects of the control group received the CPT based on their routine physical therapy neurological evaluation. The CPT was individualized based on the needs of the subjects. It included: normalization of muscle tone, strengthening of weak muscles, lengthening of tight muscles, training for transfers like supine to sit, sit to stand, balance training, and gait training. The upper extremity training for ADLs also were incorporated using mobilization, reaching, grasping and dexterity movements

A mirror was positioned in front of the subjects to shield the involved upper extremity, reflecting the image of the uninvolved side. The involved upper extremity was placed in a relaxed posture beside the mirror, mirroring the same posture on the uninvolved side to enhance illusional movements. The MT for the experimental group included reaching, grasping, and dexterity movements of the unaffected upper limb, followed by imitation on the involved side. Subjects performed five activities: finger flexion and extension, finger opposition, counting with fingers, wrist flexion and extension, and forearm supination and pronation. Each activity was done 10 times, with mirror therapy lasting 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes of CPT treatment. Each session lasted 45 minutes, held three times per week over six weeks.