EFFECT OF MIRROR THERAPY VERSUS REPETITIVE FACILITATION EXERCISE ON UPPER LIMB FUNCTION IN POST STROKE PATIENT

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of task-based mirror therapy and Repetitive Facilitation Exercise on upper limb function in post stroke patient. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Pakistan Railway general hospital, Rawalpindi. The duration of this study was from 10th July to 31st December 2019. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used with n=50 male and female subacute and chronic post-stroke patients between 40-50 years. The patients with Modified Ashworth Scale <3 and the first-ever stroke was included. The participants were randomly divided by the sealed envelope method into mirror therapy group (n=25) and Repetitive Facilitation Exercise group (n=25). The Upper extremity functional index (UEFI) was used to assess the functional impairment in individuals with upper limb dysfunction, Fugl Meyer (FMA-UE) for assessment of activity in post stroke patients, “Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) for upper extremity performance and functional capability” and Brunnstrom recovery scale (BRS) for motor function of the upper limb was used in a post stroke patient. All the patients were assessed at baseline than after 3 weeks and again after 6week for interventional session of 30 min,3 days of the week. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age of Group A (MT) was 50.97±6.741 and 49.76±12.66 of Group B (RFE). After 6 weeks of intervention between groups analysis of Task-based mirror therapy showed significant improvement in mirror therapy group as compare to Repetitive Facilitation Exercise group ,for upper extremity functional index scores(p<0.001) but for motor assessment(FMA-UE), Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and for stroke recovery (Brunnstrom) no statistically significant difference (p≥0.05) was found. Within-group analysis of both groups showed statistically significant results in all variables (p<0.001). Conclusion: Mirror therapy and Repetitive facilitation Exercise both were found to be effective in improving upper limb motor functions of acute stroke patients. However, Mirror therapy has shown significant effects in upper extremity functional index. Keywords: Mirror therapy, Physical therapy, Repetitive Facilitation Exercise, Stroke, Upper extremity.