Effectiveness of Bilateral Task-Oriented Exercises and Mirror Therapy to Improve Hand Function in Hemiparetic Stroke

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Stroke is a clinical syndrome consisting of rapidly developing clinical signs of focal disturbance of cerebral function lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death with no apparent cause other than a vascular origin.” Some evidence-based studies proved that bilateral task-oriented exercise and Mirror therapy are effective in improving the hand function in hemiparetic stroke patient. But there is no comparative study of these two protocols. Hence the purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of bilateral task-oriented exercises and Mirror therapy in improving hand function in hemiparetic stroke patient. Methods: A total of 67 subjects met selection criteria for the study among them 7 members are dropouts from group A and B and were divided into 2 groups, 30 members in group A (bilateral task-oriented exercises), 30 members in group B (Mirror therapy). Both groups performed intervention for 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. The outcomes were Fugl Meyer and Motor Activity Log for measuring functional disabilities. Results: Paired “T” test was used to access the statistical significance within the groups. Statistical analysis between two groups using independent “t” test revealed that there is no significant difference between Bilateral task-oriented exercises and Mirror therapy groups. Conclusion: In this study, 4 weeks of bilateral task-oriented exercises and Mirror therapy showed that both approaches are equally effective in improving hand function in hemi paretic stroke. Keywords: Hemiparetic stroke, Bilateral task-oriented exercises, Mirror therapy, Motor activity log, Fugl Meyer.