Effects of mirror therapy in post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome type-1: a randomized controlled study.
Elif Can Özdemir, Atilla H Elhan, Ayşe A Küçükdeveci
PMID 39318174WHAT IT FOUND
Adding mirror therapy to standard hand rehabilitation for acute post-traumatic complex regional pain syndrome did not improve pain, strength, or function more than standard care alone.
Both groups improved similarly, so mirror therapy offered no extra benefit.
Key findings
01There was no statistically significant difference between the mirror therapy group and the control group in improvements for any outcome, including pain, grip strength, and hand function.
02Both the mirror and control groups showed significant improvements from baseline in pain, grip and pinch strength, hand circumference, dexterity, and activities of daily living.
03All 40 patients completed the study, receiving a routine physical therapy and rehabilitation programme plus oral acemetacin, with the mirror group receiving additional mirror therapy.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only included patients in the acute stage of CRPS-1, so results may not apply to chronic cases. There was no sham mirror therapy in the control group, which could have influenced patient expectations and outcomes. Follow-up was limited to 4 weeks after treatment, so long-term effects are unknown. The study did not include neuroimaging to assess brain changes. All patients received the same routine physical therapy and medication, making it impossible to isolate the effect of mirror therapy from the other components of the standard care.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that mirror therapy is ineffective for CRPS in general. This study only tested it in acute post-traumatic CRPS-1 of the hand, added to a robust standard rehabilitation programme. It does not rule out benefits in chronic stages or when used differently.