Effectiveness of Physiotherapy While Observing Yourself in a Mirror for Balance and Walking Speed in People Who Underwent Transtibial Amputation

Abstract

Humans face a variety of difficulties in activities of daily living and mobility after leg amputation. It affects not only their psychoemotional state but also all the locomotor apparatus. Rehabilitation focuses on gait and balance training, as this has important implications for the further development of human independence level. We attempted to ascertain whether the mirrors as the means of feedback during physiotherapy have an effect for the recovery of balance and walking speed after transtibial amputation. The aim of research was to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy while observing oneself in a mirror for balance and walking speed after transtibial amputation. The study included 22 patients who underwent transtibial amputation 1.5–2 months ago. The study was carried out in "Orthopedijos technika" in February 2009–January 2010. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 11 persons. One group took conventional physiotherapy program, other – physiotherapy while observing themselves in a mirror. At baseline and at the end (after three weeks) the subjects’ walking speed and balance were assessed using "Up and go" test, "10 meter-walk" test and Berg test. Results of balance significantly improved and walking speed significantly increased in both groups after physiotherapy (p < 0.05). Physiotherapy while observing yourself in a mirror increased walking speed in persons who underwent transtibial amputation more than conventional physiotherapy but there was no significant impact on balance between these two groups.Keywords: transtibial amputation, balance, walking speed, mirror therapy.