Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Mirror therapy focused on activities of
daily living on recovery of motor function of upper limb and on the changes of corticospinal excitability in acute
hemiplegia after stoke.
Subjects and Methods: The 2 subjects(2 males) were patients with stroke. Subjects(onset <6 months, KMMSE >24) received mirror therapy focused on activities of daily living for 30 minutes after each treatment, additionally with the traditional rehabilitation programs, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Some activities of mirror therapy were selected with consideration for interests and experiences of the subjects. To measure the improvement of motor function of upper limb, we performed FuglMeyer assessment(FMA), manual function test(MFT), Jamar strength test and pinch force test for each sessions. And before and after the 4 weeks intervention, Motor Evoked Potential(MEP)s of the Abductor Digit Minimi(ADM) of affected upper limb were obtained by the repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) to investigate the changes of corticospinal excitability.
Results: The 2 subjects showed significant improvements in FMA, MFT, Jamar strength test and Pinch force test. One subject showed the response at the reassessment, compared to ‘no response’ at the initial assessment, although that is ‘prolonged’ latency and ‘low’ amplitude. The other showed increased MEP amplitude compared to initial assessment.
Conclusions: Mirror therapy focused on activities of daily living can be used as an adjuvant therapeutic technique by improving motor function of upper limb and facilitating of corticospinal excitability for acute hemiplegia. Further individual studies of mirror therapy focused on activities of daily living should be conducted in order to generalize the effects. Key words Stroke, Mirror Neuron System, Mirror Therapy, Activities of daily living
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