Panacea Journal of Medical Sciences

Effect of home-based mirror therapy on lower limb function in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial

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Article Type : Original Article

Author Details: Maneesha Deshpande,Franny Nathani*

Volume : 10

Issue : 1

Online ISSN : 2348-7682

Print ISSN : 2249-8176

Article First Page : 13

Article End Page : 17

Abstract

Stroke is a global health-care problem that is common, serious, and disabling. The rehabilitation of impaired lower limb functioning post stroke is a major issue and approximately 30% of patients with chronic stroke have persistent difficulties in independent ambulation. Hence this study was performed with the objective of assessing the efficacy of Mirror Therapy on lower limb function in patients with stroke as a home based program. 30 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and divided into conventional therapy (CT group) (n=15) and Mirror + conventional therapy (MT+CT) group (n=15). Fugl Meyer lower extremity score was assessed at baseline. Both the study groups performed conventional treatment for approximately 40 minutes/ day, 6 days/week for a period of 4 weeks. In addition to conventional treatment, the Mirror Therapy plus Conventional Therapy (MT+CT) group received an additional exercise program to be performed for the non-affected extremity, against the reflecting surface of the mirror and observing the mirror image of the moving limb. Re-assessment of the outcome measure was done after the intervention of 4 weeks. Data analysis showed significant changes in the Fugl Meyer Assessment scores of the CT group (Control) (p=0.02) and MT+CT (Experimental) group (p=0.0001). On analyzing the difference in the mean scores of both the groups, FMA score showed significant changes (p=0.02).

Keywords: Mirror therapy, Lower limb, Fugl meyer assessment, Home-based therapy.

Doi No:-10.18231/j.pjms.2020.004