Zeitschrift für neuartige Physiotherapien

Abstrakt

Differences between High Intensity and Low Intensity Mirror Therapy for Hand Functions of Patients with Cerebrovascular Accidents

Pallavi Palaskar

Background: Stroke is the major cause of disability and loss of hand functions which affects the functioning of impaired limb. One of the new therapeutic approaches is the mirror therapy which is found to be effective and easily available in India. This treatment can be used by all rich and poor people as it is easily available. There are different protocols of mirror therapy available however evidence is lacking with comparison between high intensity and low-intensity protocols. Thus, the aim of the study is to compare these two protocols of mirror therapy with hand functions in patients with Cerebrovascular Accidents.

Methods: The study was conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Mission Physiotherapy Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre, Aurangabad for four weeks. Twenty patients were divided into two groups as Group A as low intensity mirror therapy group where participants were given treatment for 15 minutes twice a day, 10 repetitions, five times a week for 4 weeks. Group B as high intensity mirror therapy group where participants were given treatment for 30min twice a day, 20 repetitions five times a week for 4 weeks. Data was collected and analysis was done using SPSS.

Results: There was significant difference found in high intensity mirror therapy group as compared to low intensity mirror therapy. The range of motion of wrist joint with p value for flexion (0.0453), p value for extension (0.0228), p value for radial deviation (0.2321), p value for ulnar deviation (0.171) and metacarpophalangeal joint with p value for flexion (0.0808), p value for extension (0.0094), was significantly improved in high intensity mirror therapy group as compared to low intensity mirror therapy group.

Conclusion: High intensity mirror therapy program enhanced the wrist and hand joint range of motions significantly indicating a preferred technique for the rehabilitation of the upper extremity in sub-acute population.