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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Sep 24:56:jrm40417.
doi: 10.2340/jrm.v56.40417.

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

Elif Can Özdemir  1 , Atilla H Elhan  2 , Ayşe A Küçükdeveci  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Elif Can Özdemir et al. J Rehabil Med. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flowchart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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