Dawn M Nilsen1, Theresa DiRusso2. 1. Dawn M. Nilsen, EdD, OTL, is Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine (Occupational Therapy), Columbia University, 710 West 168th Street, Eighth Floor, New York, NY 10032; dmn12@columbia.edu. 2. Theresa DiRusso, OTR, is Occupational Therapist, Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, New York.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Mirror therapy (MT) is a potential intervention to improve function after stroke. How to apply this intervention in practice is not clear. This case report illustrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-administered home-based MT program. METHOD: A home-based MT program was practiced over 5 wk. The participant was encouraged to use MT for 30 min 5×/wk. Therapist contact occurred 1×/wk to monitor performance. An independent evaluator administered three outcome measures pre- and postintervention: Upper Extremity Sensory and Pain sections of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function, and the Manual Ability Measure-20. RESULTS: The participant engaged in a mean of 39.23 (±7.44) min of MT per day and used a variety of the recommended activities. Change scores indicated improvement on all of the included outcome measures. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that a predominantly self-administered home-based MT program is feasible and effective at improving function after stroke.
OBJECTIVE: Mirror therapy (MT) is a potential intervention to improve function after stroke. How to apply this intervention in practice is not clear. This case report illustrates the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-administered home-based MT program. METHOD: A home-based MT program was practiced over 5 wk. The participant was encouraged to use MT for 30 min 5×/wk. Therapist contact occurred 1×/wk to monitor performance. An independent evaluator administered three outcome measures pre- and postintervention: Upper Extremity Sensory and Pain sections of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment; Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function, and the Manual Ability Measure-20. RESULTS: The participant engaged in a mean of 39.23 (±7.44) min of MT per day and used a variety of the recommended activities. Change scores indicated improvement on all of the included outcome measures. CONCLUSION: This case report suggests that a predominantly self-administered home-based MT program is feasible and effective at improving function after stroke.