Objective
To investigate the effect of mirror therapy on recovery of upper limb function and strength in subacute hemiplegia after stroke. Method: Fourty subacute hemiplegic stroke patients (onset ＜6 months) were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the mirror therapy (MT, n=19), or control group (n=21). MT group received mirror therapy for 30 minutes after each treatment, additionally with the traditional rehabilitation programs, 5 days per week for 4 weeks; 2 hours or more per day, 3 days or more per week. To measure the outcome, we performed the manual muscle test (MMT), manual function test (MFT) and Jarmar grip strength test. Results: MT group showed significant improvements in MMT, grasp and lateral pinch force of grip strength test (p＜0.05), compared to control group. Improvement in MFT was more evident in MT group (p＜0.05). Conclusion: Mirror therapy can be used as an adjuvant therapeutic technique for improving upper limb function and strength for subacute hemiplegia. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 508-512)
