Mirror Therapy in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I

Mirror Visual Feedback as Therapeutic Modality in Unilateral Upper Extremity Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I

The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of Mirror Therapy on pain reduction and hand function in subjects with unilateral upper extremity Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I.

Subjects were randomly divided into two groups. Group A carried out a ten-minute Mirror Therapy exercise daily, for a total duration of six weeks. Group B acted as a control group for six weeks followed by six weeks of Mirror Therapy with the same characteristics as Group A. Upper extremity active range of motion, strength, dexterity, limb volume, right-left temperature difference, and health-related quality of life were evaluated before and after each period. Daily records on the visual analogue scale were used for pain evaluation. Effectiveness was calculated using mixed-effects modelling for between-group comparisons and within-group variability and identifying significant predictors.

Specifically, the study employs a half cross-over design. Group A begins with the intervention, while Group B starts with a control period of equal length, followed by the intervention. This design facilitates comparisons both between the groups and within Group B across the two periods.

Group B acted as a control group for six weeks (no Mirror Therapy) followed by six weeks of Mirror Therapy with the same characteristics as Group A.

Mirror Therapy for the upper limb involves the use of a mirror to create a reflected image of the unaffected arm, making it appear as if both arms are moving symmetrically. During the therapy, the patient places their affected arm behind the mirror and their unaffected arm in front. While focusing on the mirror reflection, the patient performs various movements with the unaffected arm, giving the illusion that the affected arm is moving normally.

The participants in both groups made daily accounts of their pain level using 10 cm long visual analog scale (VAS) at rest as well as typical pain level during hand movement.

Recordings performed every day from day 0 to day 42 (Group A) and from day 0 to day 84 (Group B); Follow-up on day 72 (Group A) and day 114 (Group B).

Three attributes were measured: maximal active range of wrist flexion and extension (°) determined with goniometer measuring the angle between forearm and metacarpal bones

Dexterity was evaluated by using a nine-hole PegBoard. The time taken to complete this task was measured.

Determined using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-3 Levels questionnaire. A range of 0-100% is used, where a higher score means a better outcome.

Inclusion Criteria: - diagnosis of CRPS I based on the Budapest criteria Exclusion Criteria: failure to meet the diagnostic Budapest clinical criteria for CRPS I previous use of Mirror Therapy prior to the commencement of this study substantial difficulties in cooperation a significant change to the subjects' treatment regimen, outside of the study design