Effects of mirror therapy in post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome type-1: a randomized controlled study

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation medicine Vol. 56; p. jrm40417
• Main Authors: Özdemir, Elif Can, Elhan, Atilla H., Küçükdeveci, Ayşe A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden MJS Publishing, on behalf of the Foundation for Rehabilitation Information 24.09.2024; Medical Journals Sweden
• Subjects: Adult; complex regional pain syndrome; CRPS; Female; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; mirror therapy; Original Report; Pain Measurement; physical therapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Quality of Life; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - etiology; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - physiopathology; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy - rehabilitation; rehabilitation; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1651-2081; 1650-1977; 1651-2081
• DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.40417

Objective: To investigate the effects of mirror therapy applied in addition to routine rehabilitation on clinical outcomes in post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome type 1. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Patients with trauma-induced complex regional pain syndrome type 1 of the hand receiving outpatient rehabilitation. Methods: Patients were randomized into mirror therapy and control groups. All patients received routine physical therapy and rehabilitation for 20 sessions (5 sessions/week, for 4 weeks). The mirror group received additional mirror therapy at each session. The primary outcome was pain intensity by numeric rating scale. Secondary outcomes were grip/pinch strength, hand/wrist circumference, dexterity, hand activities, and health-related quality of life. All assessments were performed before and immediately after the treatment, and 4 weeks later at follow-up. Results: Forty patients were enrolled, 20 in each group. Both groups revealed statistically significant improvements from therapy regarding pain, grip/pinch strength, wrist circumference, dexterity, and hand activities (p <  0.05). When groups were compared regarding the improvements in assessment parameters, no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups in any of the outcomes (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Mirror therapy applied in addition to routine therapy in post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome type 1 did not provide extra benefit to the improvement of pain, function, and other clinical outcomes.