title: Mirror therapy enhances upper extremity motor recovery in stroke patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy program in addition with physical therapy methods on upper limb recovery in patients with subacute ischemic stroke. 15 subjects followed a comprehensive rehabilitative treatment, 8 subjects received only control therapy (CT) and 7 subjects received mirror therapy (MT) for 30 min every day, five times a week, for 6 weeks in addition to the conventional therapy. Brunnstrom stages, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (upper extremity), the Ashworth Scale, and Bhakta Test (finger flexion scale) were used to assess changes in upper limb motor recovery and motor function after intervention. After 6 weeks of treatment, patients in both groups showed significant improvements in the variables measured. Patients who received MT showed greater improvements compared to the CT group. The MT treatment results included: improvement of motor functions, manual skills and activities of daily living. The best results were obtained when the treatment was started soon after the stroke. MT is an easy and low-cost method to improve motor recovery of the upper limb.
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" Iasi, 9-13 Kogalniceanu Street, 700454, Iasi, Romania.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Mirela Cristina
authors: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" Iasi, 9-13 Kogalniceanu Street, 700454, Iasi, Romania. dvm2202@yahoo.com.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Matei
authors: Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" Iasi, Str.Universitatii NR.16, 700115, Iasi, Romania.
authors: Bogdan
authors: B
authors: Ignat
authors: Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Grigore T. Popa" Iasi, Str.Universitatii NR.16, 700115, Iasi, Romania.
authors: Cristian Dinu
authors: CD
authors: Popescu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D056228:Feedback, Sensory; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Mirror therapy; Motor recovery; Stroke; Upper limb extremity