Mirror therapy promotes recovery from severe XXXX : a randomized controlled trial.

@entity1 @entity64 @entity1269 @entity71 @entity1109 @entity385
BACKGROUND: . Rehabilitation of the severely affected paretic arm after @entity64 represents a major challenge, especially in the presence of @entity1109 . OBJECTIVE: . To evaluate the effect of a therapy that includes use of a mirror to simulate the affected upper extremity with the unaffected upper extremity early after @entity64 . METHODS: . Thirty-six @entity1 with severe @entity1269 because of a first-ever @entity385 in the territory of the middle cerebral artery were enrolled, no more than 8 weeks after the @entity64 . They completed a protocol of 6 weeks of additional therapy (30 minutes a day, 5 days a week), with random assignment to either mirror therapy (MT) or an equivalent control therapy (CT). The MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: were the Fugl-Meyer subscores for the upper extremity, evaluated by independent raters through videotape. @entity1 also underwent functional and neuropsychological testing. RESULTS: . In the subgroup of 25 @entity1 with distal plegia at the beginning of the therapy, MT @entity1 regained more distal function than CT @entity1 . Furthermore, across all @entity1 , MT improved recovery of surface sensibility. Neither of these effects depended on the side of the lesioned hemisphere. MT stimulated recovery from hemineglect. CONCLUSIONS: . MT early after @entity64 is a promising method to improve @entity71 and to support motor recovery in a distal plegic limb.
