Abstract

Background and Purpose: The impairment of hand function is one of the most significant hurdles to independence after a stroke, necessitating the use of novel procedures and tactics aimed at boosting the functional recovery of motor skills after a stroke. A newer technique known as "mirror therapy" is said to alter neuroplasticity and is simple to implement. As a result, the purpose of this study is to see how well mirror therapy improves hand function in persons who have had subacute stroke. Methodology: Ethical clearance was obtained from institutional ethical committee. Subjects fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included and informed consent form was taken from each prior to the treatment. A sample of 42 subjects within the age group of 40-60 years with sub-acute stroke were recruited in the study and were treated with Mirror therapy and conventional therapy. Pre and post intervention tests were assessed for Grip and release function of hand using Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) measures. Results: The study of pre and post intervention data revealed that the Mirror group improved significantly in hand function. At the post-test, participants demonstrated considerable improvement in FMA-WH and WFMT-WH. FMA-UE rose from 38.57 to 48.14 (p=0.000), while WMFT from 2.38 to 4.8 (p=0.000). Conclusion: The preliminary data indicate that Mirror therapy can be a valuable intervention to enhance patient rehabilitation; it provides a simple and cost-efficient therapy for wrist and hand motor recovery and improves grip and release function in subacute stroke patients.

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Funding