Researchers Power of Illusion - Mirror Therapy Helps Stroke Patients

Every year more than 250,000 people in Germany suffer a stroke. Those affected often have life-long struggles with the consequences of hemiplegia. Many of them can apparently help with a therapy mirror. This was shown by a new study from Turkey.
Stroke with lifelong consequences
In Germany, more than a quarter of a million people suffer an "ischemic" stroke each year. A blood clot closes a vessel in the brain, and the interrupted blood supply causes nerve cells to die. About a third of patients remain disabled afterwards, for example in the form of paralysis or language problems. Hemiplegia is one of the most common episodes of stroke. Affected persons are usually unable to move the arm and hand of one side in a controlled manner. As the Foundation German Stroke Help (SDSH) writes in a message, a mirror for these patients can become a therapy device.

A new mirror therapy helps stroke patients. Picture: Picture: nielshariot - fotolia

Several new therapies presented
In recent years, much has been reported about advances in the treatment of those affected. For example, last year's US scientists presented a new therapy for stroke patients, which could save many sufferers from having a life-long disability through surgery. And researchers from the University of the Saarland had previously reported on a newly developed stroke therapy, through which patients can better perceive their left half of the body again. Among other things, light surges are used. New insights are now available from Turkey.

Mirror therapy has been used for some time
In the rehabilitation of stroke patients, ergotherapists have been increasingly using mirror therapy for years, reports the SDSH. The body of the affected person is mirrored in the middle, he does not see the affected side. Then he does gripping and movement exercises with his healthy hand. Looking into the mirror deceives the brain and gives the impression that the affected arm is moving. As Turkish doctors have impressively demonstrated in a study, this simple illusion has a startling effect.

Benefit confirmed in new investigation
In the study, a group of 30 stroke patients were divided into one half who received intensive conventional rehabilitation and a second who received an additional 30 minutes of mirror therapy per day. Although both groups made great progress within four weeks, the functional improvements were significantly greater in the mirror therapy group. These patients also reported less pain. In other areas, this form of Überlistung has already been examined. Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni), for example, had achieved good results with the mirror therapy for phantom pains of leg amputees some years ago.

Patients have to cooperate
According to the Foundation German Stroke Help, the mirror therapy is already used by many rehabilitation clinics and established occupational therapists. However, it is not always easy to teach patients the positive effects of these exercises. Those affected are used to training their affected side of the body. However, it is important for mirror therapy in particular that they engage in treatment and concentrate on their work. As the SDSH writes, therapists are likely to rejoice over the new study. Now they have one more proof in hand to convince their patients of the efficacy of a therapy that is basically based on illusion. (Ad)