Article

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of mirror therapy (MT) in restoring hand
function in patients with active range of motion (AROM) impairments following
orthopaedic injuries. METHOD: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), 30 patients
with active ROM impairment (8 men and 22 women; mean age : 38 years) were
measured. Intervention group received MT, 30 min a day, five days a week for
three weeks, as well, half an hour conventional rehabilitation after each MT
session. Patients in the control group received the same treatment programme, but
instead of mirror, they observed directly the affected hand. In addition, both
groups performed a 15 min home programme, including MT for intervention group and
AROM with direct observation of the affected hand for control group, twice daily.
Outcome measures, including total active motion (TAM) and Disabilities of Arm,
Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, were administered pre- and post-treatment
and three weeks later. This study was registered as an RCT, no. NCT01503762 in
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ . RESULTS: Final analysis was performed on 23
patients. The mean (SD) changes at post-test from baseline TAM was 154 (32) in
the MT (N = 12) and 61 (24) in the control group (N = 11); mean difference (95%
CI) 93 (68-118), p = 0.001. The mean (SD) change at post-test from baseline DASH
was -34 (7) in the MT (N = 12) and -15 (11) in the control group (N = 11); mean
difference (95% CI) 19 (-27 to -11), p = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Despite significant
improvement at post-test in both groups and maintenance of improvement during the
follow-up period, MT combined with conventional rehabilitation produced more
improvement in hand function than control group. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION : Hand orthopaedic injuries can result in disabilities in activities of daily
living. Mirror therapy (MT) provides perception of two healthy limbs through
reflection of the healthy limb as the injured limb. In a randomized controlled
trial, our study shows positive effects of MT combined with a classical
rehabilitation programme to improve hand function in patients with orthopaedic
injuries.

Langue : ANGLAIS