title: Mirror therapy for patients with severe arm paresis after stroke--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of individual or group mirror therapy on sensorimotor function, activities of daily living, quality of life and visuospatial neglect in patients with a severe arm paresis after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient rehabilitation centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with a severe paresis of the arm within three months after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three groups: (1) individual mirror therapy, (2) group mirror therapy and (3) control intervention with restricted view on the affected arm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motor function on impairment (Fugl-Meyer Test) and activity level (Action Research Arm Test), independence in activities of daily living (Barthel Index), quality of life (Stroke Impact Scale) and visuospatial neglect (Star Cancellation Test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After five weeks, no significant group differences for motor function were found (P > 0.05). Pre-post differences for the Action Research Arm Test and Fugl-Meyer Test: individual mirror therapy: 3.4 (7.1) and 3.2 (3.8), group mirror therapy: 1.1 (3.1) and 5.1 (10.0) and control therapy: 2.8 (6.7) and 5.2 (8.7). However, a significant effect on visuospatial neglect for patients in the individual mirror therapy compared to control group could be shown (P < 0.01). Furthermore, it was possible to integrate a mirror therapy group intervention for severely affected patients after stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed no effect on sensorimotor function of the arm, activities of daily living and quality of life of mirror therapy compared to a control intervention after stroke. However, a positive effect on visuospatial neglect was indicated.
authors.affiliation: 1st European School for Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, Klinik Bavaria Kreischa, Kreischa, Germany. holm.thieme@physiotherapie-schule-kreischa.de
authors.forename: Holm
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thieme
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayn
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wurg
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zange
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Johann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Behrens
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000377:Agnosia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation