Systematic review demonstrates improved hand function in children with spastic cerebral palsy using mirror therapy, indicating its potential in rehabilitation.
Context: Mirror therapy utilizes visual feedback mechanisms to enhance motor recovery in neurological conditions. This systematic review examines its effectiveness for hand function improvement in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methodology: Systematic searches across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate identified studies from 2014 to 2024 using the unified search query of mirror therapy and cerebral palsy. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and comparative investigations involving children aged 3–18 years with spastic cerebral palsy. Meta-analyses employed random-effects models. Results: Twelve studies (456 children) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis revealed substantial improvements: hand function quality (standardized mean difference = 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89–1.95; P < 0.001), manual dexterity (Cohen’s d = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.42–1.00; P < 0.001), functional independence ( d = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.52–1.26; P < 0.001), and grip strength ( d = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.12–0.64; P = 0.004). Conclusion: Evidence supports mirror therapy as an effective adjunctive rehabilitation intervention for enhancing hand function in children with spastic cerebral palsy, with moderate-to-large effect sizes across multiple functional domains.
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Patel et al. (2026) studied this question.
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