Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy to Improve Upper Extremity Motor Function in Neurological Deficit Patients

Author Name: Major Jonita Johnson,1 Maj Lekshmi CL,2 Maj Tanusree Mitra3

Volume: 02/02

Country: India

DOI NO.: 11.2023-61555522 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/09.2024-6312283

Affiliation:

1. PG Trainee, College of Nursing, AFMC, Pune
2. Assoc Professor, College of Nursing, AFMC, Pune
3. Assoc Professor, College of Nursing, AFMC, Pune

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Mirror therapy is a novel clinical intervention to address neurological deficits like hemiplegia after stroke and postoperative procedures, aiming to enhance patients' neurological function and overall quality of life. It is a non-pharmacological and inexpensive method of treatment. The study is aimed to assess the effectiveness of mirror therapy to improve upper extremity motor function in neurological deficit patients and to implement it as a routine inpatient service. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Neurology /Neurosurgery Ward, Male/Female Medical Ward and Oncology Wards of a tertiary care centre. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to select 52 study subjects with neurological deficits based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sociodemographic and Clinical variables were collected. Fugl Meyer assessment scale was used to assess the pre and post interventional upper extremity motor function scores. Mirror therapy was administered for 30 minutes per day for 6days/week for two weeks for the intervention group. The comparison group received routine treatment only. Post assessment was done on 7th and 14thday of intervention for both the groups. Results: It was found that in the intragroup comparison, both groups showed statistically significant differences between assessments done pre and post interventions after two weeks of therapy(p<0.05). In the intergroup comparison, the mirror therapy group did not show significant improvements compared with the routine treatment group. Conclusion: The study findings concluded that Mirror therapy is effective in improving upper extremity motor functions among patients with neurological deficits who are hemiplegic/hemiparetic without any adverse effects.

Key words: Mirror therapy, Neurological deficit patients, Fugl Meyer