In a nutshell
This trial examined whether mirror therapy is effective at improving symptoms of unilateral neglect in stroke patients. The authors concluded that it is a simple and effective therapy.
Some background
Stroke patients commonly experience unilateral neglect, which means that one area of the brain was damaged resulting in a lack of attention or awareness to one side of the body or environment. Mirror therapy is a method that conveys visual stimuli to the brain through observation of an unaffected body part as it carries out a set of movements. It has been shown to help patients control their movements. There is possibility that mirror therapy can help stroke patients with unilateral neglect.
Methods & findings
48 patients were included in this study. 27 patients were treated with mirror therapy (MT). In MT, the affected hand was hidden behind a mirror while the unaffected hand was viewed in the mirror reflection. Patients performed movements with both hands while watching the unaffected hand in the mirror. 21 patients were in the control group. The control group used the non-reflective side of the mirror and could not see their affected hand.
Following treatment, patients were scored using screening tools that measure unilateral neglect.
For all scoring methods, patients who received mirror therapy had improved scores compared to the control group.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that mirror therapy is effective at improving unilateral neglect symptoms in stroke patients.
Published By :
Neurology
Date :
Aug 08, 2014
