engleski

Rehabilitation of patients with hand function impairment by mirror-induced visual illusion

Mirror-induced visual illusion of movement (mirror therapy) is used to enhance motor function of affected extremity after stroke and similar neurological conditions. Patient is observing reflection of the healthy arm during movement, imagining the reflection being the affected arm, therefore activating neural imagery and circuits where movement patterns are being stored, using brain neuroplasticity in motor improvement, with the aim of promoting activity and function. The study included patients after stroke and patients with a spinal cord injury and peripheral nerve injuries with motor impairments of the affected arm. We wanted to demonstrate the benefits of mirror therapy in improving hand dexterity, in addition to usual rehabilitation treatment. Test group included patients with usual treatment and exercises using mirror-induced visual illusion, once daily 5 times a week, while Control group included patients with usual treatment. Inclusion criteria: patients with plegic or paretic arm ; exclusion criteria: inability to sit, inability to sign Informed consent, MMSE result <22/30. Exercises were conducted within a 15-minutes time-frame, with short breaks as needed. Hand dexterity was assessed before treatment period and 10 days afterwards, using Core Upper Limb (CUL) scale to evaluate reach, speed and smoothness of movement and tasks. All patients underwent subacute rehabilitation. The average improvement of CUL scale results in the Test group was 30, while in the Control group it was 14 points, with significantly better results in the Test group (p = 0.018). The results show efficacy of mirror therapy in improving hand motor function, adding to independence in daily activities. Mirror-induced visual illusion therapy in some patients may be added to usual rehabilitation treatment.

stroke ; movement visual illusion ; mirror therapy

nije evidentirano