Effectiveness of a Mirror Therapy Intervention on Upper Extremity Functional Recovery in a 70-Year-Old Sub-Acute Patient following Stroke.

Effectiveness of a Mirror Therapy Intervention on Upper Extremity Functional Recovery in a 70-Year Old Sub-Acute Patient following Stroke.

Background and Purpose: Stroke is globally rated as the second most common cause of death and integral to engendering disability. 1 In the United States, it is considered a third most common disease with causality for death. 2 It is also deemed the leading cause of incurred adult impairment of functional activities of daily living in the developed economies.2 Current research reinforces the impact of mirror therapy (MT) in acute, sub-acute and chronic phases of stroke with interventions lasting between 1-8 weeks recommended.3 This case report aims to determine the effectiveness of a mirror therapy intervention on upper extremity functional recovery in a sub-acute patient following stroke.

Case Description: The patient is a 70-year old male who sustained an ischemic stroke and presented with left hemiplegia with other neurological deficits that impaired functional ability in completing ADL tasks. The patient received 21 days of intensive therapy in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). The patient was transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility for intensive rehabilitation following his acute hospital stay as he was functionally impaired and unable to return home. The patient demonstrated significant ADL impairment, hemiparesis, impaired mobility, and limited functional transfers and ambulation.

Outcome Measures: The Fugl Myer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score improved by 23 points indicating considerable functional improvement. The GG section score improved to contact guard assistance (CGA) for self-care and other ADL tasks, along with supervision required for functional transfers and ambulation. Distance ambulated also increased by 140 feet. Muscle strength improved to 3-/5 for the left upper extremity and 4+/5 for the left lower extremity.

Discussion: MT can have a have a significant impact on functional recovery in stroke rehabilitation.