Effects of Brunnstrom movement therapy versus mirror therapy on hand function in post-stroke hemiplegic population

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of Brunnstrom movement therapy and mirror therapy (MT) on hand function in the post-stroke hemiplegic population. Methods: This randomized control pilot trial was conducted at District Headquarters Hospital and Rafiqa Hospital Sargodah, Pakistan in 2022. A total of 26 stroke patients having spastic hands aged 40–70 were randomized into two groups. Group A was treated with Brunnstrom movement therapy along with conventional treatment. Group B was treated with MT and conventional treatment. Fugl-Meyer assessment: wrist and hand subtest (items VII, VIII, and IX) and Brunnstrom hand manipulation were used to assess outcome measures. Results: Twenty-six patients of both sexes, 13 in each group. The mean age in Group A was 58.30 ± 7.53, and Group B’s was 57.46 ± 8.40. Brunnstrom movement and MT scores showed a statistically significant difference within a group ( P < 0.05). The between-group comparison showed a statistically significant difference ( P < 0.05). Between-group comparison of results showed marked improvement in Fugl-Meyer in the case of Brunnstrom movement therapy compared to MT. Conclusion: This study concluded that stroke patients treated with Brunnstrom movement therapy showed more improvement in hand functioning and activities of daily living than those treated with MT.