Effect of Mirror Therapy on Upper Limb Function in Children and Adolescents with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

This review aimed to explore the effect of mirror therapy (MT) on upper limb function in children and adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP).

Methods

MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Scopus, PEDro, and Web of Science were systematically searched. PEDro scale  was used for the quality assessment of included trials. Risk of Bias assessment was done using Cochrane Risk-of-bias tool version 2. Meta-analysis was performed on four of the seven studies included.

Results & Conclusion

The majority of the trials included in this review found MT efficacious in improving motor function in HCP. Quantitative analysis of the included trials using QUEST scores for evaluation of quality of upper extremity function revealed positive but non-significant difference between the groups (MD = −0.12; 95% CI = −2.57,2.33; Z = 0.09, p = .92). Pooled analysis of the included trials using BBT, however, favored control (MD = 4.98; 95% CI = 2.32,7.63; Z = 3.67, p = .0002).

KEYWORDS:

• Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
• Mirror movement therapy
• Neurorehabilitation
• Upper extremity control
• Dexterity
• Visual feedback

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support provided by the Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author Contributions

All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved submission.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.