Effect of Mirror Therapy on Hand Functions in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral Palsy describes “group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain”. Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy learn strategies [4] and techniques leading to learnt non-use of the affected hand. Purpose of Study: Out of total population of children with cerebral palsy, about 18% children [1] are diagnosed cases of hemiplegic cerebral palsy as per the statistical data available in the Indian Journal of Paediatrics. G. Cioni [15] in his study have shown that upper extremity involvement is more severe and the residual effects are prolonged. Hence, easy and suitable treatment technique is necessary that will help the patients in better recovery and early functional use of hand. Aim of study: To study the effect of mirror therapy on hand functions in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methodology: A 5year old female patient diagnosed as hemiplegic cerebral palsy was assessed for the QUEST [Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test] and Box and Block test. Mirror therapy was taken for 30 minutes per day for 6 days a week for 3 weeks. Activities performed by the right hand included-Grasps of cylindrical, spherical and hook pattern, Gripping activities with theraputty of green colour, Arrangement of peg board, Peg link activities, Transfer of objects. Conclusion: the pre-treatment and post treatment scores showed significant changes suggesting that mirror therapy has an effect incorporating use of affected hand for daily activities.