Effectiveness of mirror therapy on upper and lower limb function among stroke patients with hemiparesis

Introduction: The upper and lower limb function impairment remains an undesirable consequence followed by a stroke that increases activity limitation. Objective: To find the effectiveness of mirror therapy on upper and lower limb function among stroke patients with hemiparesis admitted at Govt Medical College, Kannur. Methods: Quasiexperimental, non-equivalent control group pre-test post-test research design was used among 24 stroke patients with hemiparesis who met inclusion criteria by using consecutive sampling technique and allotted to both experimental (n=12) and control group (n=12). Mirror therapy was administered to the experimental group daily for two weeks. A semi-structured interview schedule and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale were used to collect data. Results: The study showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores of upper limb function (Z=3.064), lower limb function (Z=3.076) in the experimental group, and upper limb function (Z=3.064), lower limb function (Z=3.075) in the control group. A significant improvement in post-test score of upper limb function (Z=3.050) and lower limb function (Z=2.266) among the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: This study concluded that mirror therapy was useful in improving upper and lower limb function among stroke patients with hemiparesis.