Combined Effects of Mirror Therapy and Exercises on the Upper Extremities in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

KAYA KARA Ö., YARDIMCI LOKMANOĞLU B. N., ŞAHİN S., Orhan C., LİVANELİOĞLU A., SOYLU A. R.

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROREHABILITATION, vol.23, no.4, pp.253-264, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 23 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17518423.2019.1662853
  • Journal Name: DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROREHABILITATION
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.253-264
  • Keywords: Cerebral palsy, therapy, mirror neuron, upper extremity, exercise training, TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY, HAND FUNCTION, VISUAL FEEDBACK, COORDINATION, STRENGTH, STROKE, MOVEMENT, ARM, EFFICACY, VALIDITY
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the combined effects of mirror therapy involving power and strength exercises of the upper extremities in children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy (USCP). Methods: Thirty children were included in either an experimental group or a control group. All participants were evaluated with the Quality of Upper Extremity Skill Test (QUEST), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and a handheld dynamometer to measure isometric muscle strength. Results: Compared to the control group, greater improvement was found in dissociated movements (p < .001, d = 1.82), grasp (p < .001, d = 1.38), weight bearing (p = .006, d = 0.91), and total scores (p = .001, d = 1.16) of QUEST; performance (p < .001, d = 2.9), satisfaction (p < .001, d = 1.91), and total scores (p < .001, d = 2.87) of COPM; and isometric muscle strength of the biceps brachii (p < .001, d = 1.27) and triceps brachii (p = .002, d = 2.22) of the affected upper limbs in the experimental group. Conclusions: Mirror therapy combined with power and strength exercises is a promising intervention approach to improve activity performance and upper-limb function in children with USCP.