Mirror Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation: Why, How Early, and Effects: A Meta-analysis

Background and Aims: The use of visual stimuli to facilitate a desired response in the affected limb in mirror therapy (MT) makes it an effective treatment modality even in instances of a complete plegic upper extremity poststroke. This article analyzes the effects of MT on impairments, activity limitation, and participation restriction in the acute and chronic phases poststroke. Methods: In total, 16 out of 3871 studies were included in the meta-analysis, using PRISMA guidelines. Data were categorized based on application in stroke rehabilitation (acute/chronic, motor/sensory/neglect/activity of daily living, upper limb/lower limb), modes and dosage of intervention delivery, types of control, and outcome assessment. RevMan 5.0 software was used for analysis. Results: Studies were equally distributed between chronic and acute phases. Therapy durations lasted between 1 and 8 weeks. Most studies intervened for upper limb motor impairments showing improvement in Brunnstrom motor recovery stages of arm (P value: .04, 95% CI, 0.05-1.54, I2 = 59%) and hand (P value: <.001, 95% CI, 0.80-2.01, I2 = 0%) during acute phase (0-4 weeks). “Activity/function” measured by functional independence measure showed improvement only in self-care subsection (P value: <.001, 95% CI, 2.05-5.16, I2 = 0%). No long-term effects were analyzed in any of the included studies. Conclusion: A significant finding of this study is the role of MT in improving arm and hand impairments in acute phase poststroke. Rehabilitation protocols can be improved based on this finding. As MT is effective, affordable, and feasible, we have made suggestions toward its incorporation in physiotherapy protocols for low- and middle-income countries.