EFFICACY OF MIRROR THERAPY AND CONSTRAINT INDUCED MOVEMENT THERAPY ON UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTION AND ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING IN STROKE

Abstract

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h3>Background</h3> Stroke has been identified as an epidemic and an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and at least 85% of stroke survivors experience hemiplegia and upper-extremity function of at least 69% of patients are affected. Over 50% of stroke survivors have impairment of motor function of the upper extremity; therefore there is pertinent need to use functional rehabilitation approaches such as; mirror therapy and constraint induced movement therapy for stroke survivors to regain upper extremity motor function. <h3>Aims</h3> To compare the efficacy of mirror therapy (MT) with constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) on the upper extremity motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) in chronic stroke survivors. <h3>Methods</h3> 30 stroke survivors were recruited for this study. They were randomized into three groups, the MT plus conventional therapy group, CIMT plus conventional therapy group and control group. Upper extremity motor function and ADL were assessed. Participants were assessed at baseline and after seven weeks of intervention. <h3>Results</h3> The MT and CIMT groups' intervention both had significant improvement on upper extremity motor function and ADL, however, there was no significant difference on upper motor function (p=0.503) and ADL (p=0.133) across the three groups. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study concluded that neither of MT nor CIMT had an additional significant improvement compared to conventional therapy alone on recovery of motor function in the upper extremity and performance of ADL.