Mirror Box Therapy

What is mirror box therapy? Mirror therapy is used for individuals who have experienced a stroke, phantom limb pain, and peripheral nerve injury and coordination disorder. Patients are instructed to place their affected limb inside a “mirror box” that is placed perpendicular to the centre of the body. The patient performs identical, exaggerated movements or sensory experiences with both limbs. While attempting to move or feel, the patient is encouraged to look at the mirror image of their non-effected limb. Mirror therapy can be done with a therapist or at home. It can be done after a recent amputation or stroke or after a long time. Mirror therapy is done to promote recovery of movement in the affected limb post stroke. For individuals post amputation, it is used to reduce sensitivity/ pain in the residual limb. While performing movements, patients are receiving visual feedback of enhanced movement. The brain perceives an illusion of movement capacity in the affected limb. The feedback provides visual-motor congruence.
It works by using the reflection of your good hand or leg to fool your brain into thinking that you’re missing hand or foot is moving. Similarly with paralysis or muscle weakness (hemiparesis) after a stroke. Looking at the reflection of your working limb stimulates movement in your weak or paralysed limb. Developed by VS Ramachandran, mirror box therapy is based on the idea that the brain is “plastic” and able to change and recognise itself after serious injury. As you watch the mirror image of your movements, your brain begins to create new connections and map out new pathways. It is important when you do the exercises that you do not look at the weak/amputated