Abstracts Category : Other

The effects of adding task-based activities to mirror therapy as compared to traditional mirror therapy alone on upper extremity motor function in post stroke individuals

by Courtney Williams

Background: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are the largest single cause of neurological disability, with 85% of patients showing an initial deficit in the upper extremity (UE). Mirror therapy (MT) may be an effective addition to standard stroke rehabilitation (SSR) when treating UE hemiparesis due to its low cost and simplicity. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to assess the effects of adding task-based activities to MT as compared to traditional MT alone, in conjunction with SSR, when assessing UE motor function using the Fugl Meyer UE Subscale. Methods: 7 randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of MT on UE motor function were assessed systematically and included in this meta- analysis. Researchers used range of motion (ROM) techniques, ROM and task- based techniques, or task-based techniques only during MT (ROM-MT, ROM+TB-MT, TB-MT). Results: TB-MT is most effective at improving UE motor function when used in conjunction with SSR (ES=0.966, P-value<0.001), with ROM+TB-MT being the next most effective (ES=0.502, P-value=0.042). Mirror therapy utilizing ROM techniques only (ROM-MT) in conjunction with SSR is more advantageous than SSR alone, however there is no statistical significance to support its efficacy (ES=0.351, P-Value=0.365). Conclusion: Utilizing task-based activities during MT when treating post stroke individuals with UE hemiparesis will lead to superior outcomes in UE motor function.Advisors/Committee Members: Roos, Jennifer (advisor), Rivera, Monica (committeeMember).