Upper Limb Recovery and Brain Activities for Mirror Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

Mirror therapy (MT) has been used to treat various neurological disorders. The recent application of electroencephalogram (EEG) to the MT study allows researchers to gain insight into the changes in brain activity during the therapy. This review aims to map existing evidence and identify knowledge gaps about the effects of MT on upper limb recovery and its connection with brainwaves activity for post-stroke. A scoping review through a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. Twenty articles published between 2010 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria. The efficacy of MT on upper limb recovery and brain activity during MT were discussed according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Most of the studies indicated positive effects of MT on upper limb recovery from the body structure/functional domain. All studies used EEG to indicate brain activation during MT. MT is a promising intervention in improving upper limb function for individuals with chronic stroke. This review also highlights the need to incorporate EEG into the MT study to capture brain activity and understand the underlying mechanism of therapy.