Table 1.
Data Extraction of Selected Studies.
| Author | Study | Technique | Sample | Interventions | Outcome | Follow-Up | Results | Jadad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsao J.W. et al., 2016 [30] | Case Report | MT | 1 single case brachial plexus avulsion | 15 min daily, 5 days/week | Pain and Sensation | 1 month 8 months |
MT coupled with nerve grafting may relieve phantom limb pain and restore sensation | / |
| Rosen B. et al., 2005 [31] | Case Series | MT | 3 cases following hand surgery | Different timing, no more specified | Pain, ROM, Sensation |
Different timing, no more specified | MT can contribute to restore sensation, pain and ROM after surgery of the hand | / |
| Selles R.W. et al., 2008 [32] | Case Series | MT | 2 cases with peripheral nerve Injury (neuroma) |
3–5 times each day for 15 min | Pain (VAS) | Different timing | MT can contribute to reducing pain in people with neuroma | / |
| Altschuler E.L. et al., 2008 [33] | Case Report | MT | 1 case with fractured wrist | 2–3 time each week for 15 min of MT combined with electrical stimulation | Active ROM | After treatment 3 months |
MT combined with other approaches can contribute to recovery active motion | / |
| Guillot A. et al., 2009 [34] | RCT | MI | 14 people with hand burns 9 EG, 5 CG |
EG: five MI sessions combined with conventional therapy CG: conventional therapy |
ROM Pain (VAS) |
After 2-week period treatment | MI contributes to a better motor recovery in term of ROM. Pain outcome were not reported caused heterogeneity of medication and timing | 1/5 |
| Paula M.H. et al., 2016 [35] | RCT | MT | 20 people with peripheral nerve and tendons injuries 11 EG, 9 CG |
EG: Duran Protocol for tendons combined with 30 min MT CG: Duran Protocol combined with classic sensory re-education |
Sensibility (Rosen Score, SWS) Function (DASH) |
After 3 and 6 months | MT does not contribute to better outcome. None statistical significant differences were observed. | 3/5 |
| Yun D. et al. 2019 [36] | RCT | MT | 30 people with mutilating injuries 15 EG, 15 CG |
EG: conventional physical therapy combined with MT (30 min daily, 3 days a week for 4 weeks) CG: conventional physical therapy |
Muscle Elasticity (MytonPRO) Pain (VAS) Function (PRWE) |
None | MT combined with conventional physical therapy improves hand function and reduces pain | 3/5 |
| Hsu H. et al., 2019 [37] | RCT | MT | 11 people with peripheral nerve injuries 6 EG, 5 CG |
EG: touch-observation and task-based mirror therapy for 12 weeks CG: classic sensory re-education combined with 40 min hand/physical therapy |
Sensibility (SWS test, Static 2 point discrimination) Dexterity (PPT, MMDT, Pinch-holding-up activity test) |
After 3 months | Touch-observed and task-based mirror therapy result in improvement of sensation and manual dexterity | 3/5 |
| Rostami H.R. et al., 2013 [38] | RCT | MT | 23 people with orthopedic injuries 12 EG, 11 CG |
EG: hand therapy combined (30 min) with MT 30 min daily, 5 days a week for 3 weeks CG: hand therapy 30 min with other 30 min of functional tasks observing affected hand |
ROM Function (DASH) |
After 3 weeks | Mirror therapy contribute to better outcomes for both ROM and hand function in post-intervention. After 3 weeks improvement in hand function remain, while not significant improvement in ROM was observed. | 3/5 |
| Abolfazi M. et al., 2019 [39] | RCT | MT | 40 people with different hand injuries (nerves, tendons soft tissue) 20 EG, 20 CG |
EG: 30 min mirror therapy plus 45 conventional rehabilitation twice a week for 8 weeks CG: 75 min conventional rehabilitation |
ROM Pain (McGill) Function (DASH) Strenght (Dynamometer) Dexterity (MMDT) |
After 12 weeks | Mirror therapy combined with conventional hand therapy contribute in reducing pain and disability, and improving hand function and ROM in both short term and follow-up. This approach seems does not influence strength and grip. | 1/5 |
| Stenekes M.W. et al., 2009 [40] | RCT | MI | 25 people with flexor tendons injuries 12 EG, 13 CG |
EG: motor imagery during immobilization combined with protocol for tendons rehabilitation CG: protocol for tendon rehabilitation |
Kinematic analysis Pain (VAS) Function (MHQ) ROM (Range of Motion Kit) Grip strength and pinch strength (digital dynamometer) |
After 12 weeks | Motor imagery positively influences central aspects of hand function (ie, preparation time) during the rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair, while other hand function modalities appear to be unaffected | 2/5 |
RCT: Randomized Control Trial; MI: Motor Imagery; MT: Mirror Therapy; EG: Experimental Group; CG: Control Group; ROM: Range of Motion; VAS: Visual Analog Scale; SWS: Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test; DASH: Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand; PRWE: PPT: Purdue Pegboard Test; MMDT: Minnesota Manual Dexterity Test; MHQ: Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire.