[Source:  Medical News Today]

The Occupational Therapy team at The Huntercombe Group’s specialist Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre at Frenchay (Bristol), are exploring the use of mirror therapy to aid motor recovery in patients with acquired brain injury who are suffering from hemi-paresis (loss of control and weakness). Upper Limb Hemi-paresis is common in patients following an acquired brain injury often impacting on the individual’s ability to use the limb functionally.

A trial use of mirror therapy, with a 20 year old man who had sustained a traumatic brain injury, demonstrated an improvement in distal upper limb function. The Chedoke arm and hand inventory was used as an outcome measure, and results showed a reduction in the level of assistance required. The subject also demonstrated an increase in the spontaneous use of his affected upper limb during assessment which has enabled him to participate in further treatment options. Other benefits experienced included an increase in ‘ownership’

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