Mirror therapy for distal radial fractures: A pilot randomized controlled study

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy of mirror therapy in reducing pain and disability in patients with distal radial fractures. Pilot randomized controlled study. Twenty-two patients with closed distal radial fracture. Patients were randomly assigned to experimental (= 11) or control (= 11) groups. Researchers were blinded to group allocation. Both groups received conventional physiotherapy. In addition, the experimental group had 15 sessions of mirror therapy (a daily session, 30 min). The control group received the same amount of conventional occupational therapy. Assessment was made from baseline to post-treatment. Pain was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Active wrist extension and Quick-DASH (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) were used to assess functional recovery. Pain, disability, and range of motion improved for both groups after intervention. No significant post-treatment differences were found between groups in Quick-DASH (= 0.409), active wrist extension (= 0.191) and VAS scores (= 0.807). There was no significant difference in active wrist extension between groups. Mirror therapy was not superior to conventional occupational therapy in reducing pain and disability.

The effect of visual feedback of body parts on pain perception: A systematic review of clinical and experimental studies

“…Data for pain intensity could be pooled from 10 trials. Three studies did not measure pain intensity (Dohle et al., ; Daenen et al., ,b), and the other four studies did not report all relevant information needed for analysis (Hunter et al., ; McCabe et al., ; Cacchio et al., ; Bayon‐Calatayud et al., ). Data from six trials comparing mirror VF using a normal‐sized reflection of a body part against a no reflection control could be analysed and resulted in a significant effect in favour of mirror VF using a random‐effects model ( Z = 2.35, p = 0.02; Fig.…”

“…Bayon‐Calatayud et al. () investigated patients with closed distal radial fracture and found no difference in pain intensity comparing mirror VF using a normal‐sized reflection with direct view of the arm. Hunter et al.…”

“…Cacchio et al (2009b) reported that a course of 4 weeks of mirror VF using a normalsized reflection reduced pain intensity in patients with CRPS when compared with covered mirror and mental imagery. Bayon-Calatayud et al (2016) investigated patients with closed distal radial fracture and found no difference in pain intensity comparing mirror VF using a normal-sized reflection with direct view of the arm. Hunter et al (2003) investigated whether mirror VF associated with tactile stimulation was more effective than mirror VF on its own in 13 amputees.…”

Defining Outcomes Following Distal Radius Fractures: Correlation of Function, Pain, and Hand Therapy Utilization

“…In the elderly population, due to the osteoporosis-induced low bone density, these fractures often result from low energy traumas [1]. The annual incidence between sexes was estimated to be approximately 105/100,000 in men and 416/100,000 in women, with a ratio of women to men of 4:1 [2]. Furthermore, DRF is a condition that affects the population in general and is found in different sexes, races, ages, professional occupations, and socioeconomic levels.…”

Graded motor imagery for women at risk for developing type I CRPS following closed treatment of distal radius fractures: a randomized comparative effectiveness trial protocol

“…Bayon-Calatayud et al [ 45 ] carried out a randomized controlled trial in 22 patients with closed DRF managed surgically or conservatively. Two groups completed a conventional OT regime while one (experimental) group also completed MT.…”