The Effectiveness of Exercises Based Mirror Therapy on Functional Activity of the Limbs among Stroke Patients.

Context: Cerebrovascular stroke is a perilous health concern that results in motor and functional impairments necessitating continuous care. It is the primary cause of disability and the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mirror therapy is an emerging alternative treatment that is simple, cost-effective and patient-centered. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercises based mirror therapy on functional activity of the limbs among stroke patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design (pre/post-test) was employed on a purposive sample of 63 patients diagnosed with stroke admitted to department of Psychiatry and Neurology and outpatient clinics at Benha University Hospital, Qualubyia governorate, Egypt. The study utilized the following tools, I: Patients' Structured Interview Questionnaire, II: Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity (FMAUE), III: Brunnstrom Stages Assessment, IV: Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and V: Barthel activity daily living (ADL) Index Scale. Results show a statistically significant enhancement in the overall patients' knowledge mean score after implementing the exercises based mirror therapy with P<0.001. Also, a statistically significant improvement in the overall functional ability of upper limbs (FMAUE), as the total mean score was 54.022±8.363 which increased to74.302±10.986 post implementation of exercises based mirror therapy. Total mean score of Barthel ADL Index Scale was 20.52 ± 3.58 pre implementation which indicating poor ADL, but improved significantly to 28.80±6.72 post implementation, which indicating better ADL with p<0.001. Conclusion: The exercises based mirror therapy is efficient in improving the stroke patients' upper limb functional activity. Recommendations: Stroke patients should consider exercises-based mirror therapy as an accessible and practical approach for enhancing upper limb functionality.