Discovering mechanisms underlying mirror therapy using a mirror box and a novel tool.

Ezendam, D. (Danielle) (2008) Discovering mechanisms underlying mirror therapy using a mirror box and a novel tool. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

Purpose: This study was perfonned to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying mirror therapy. Gaining more insight into the mechanisms of mirror therapy is important because when the mechanisms are understood, mirror therapy can be used in the right way with appropriate patient groups. Method: A systematic study was perfonned using 32 healthy participants. The participants were divided in a mirror group and a control group. Using a mirror box and a novel tool the participants had to perfonn a unilateral reach and grasp task. EMG recordings were taken to control whether the hand that wasn't perfonning the task was inactive. It was expected that the mirror group shows a larger transfer of learning when the task is perfonned using the contralateral limb. Results: The mirror group does not show a larger transfer of learning than the control group. Both groups of the experiment do show a transfer effect to the contralateral limb. Both groups also learn to use the pliers. Conclusion: The present study did not show a positive result of mirror therapy in healthy participants. The fact that strong voluntary contractions, healthy participants, and a new and difficult task are used may be reasons why no clear effect was found.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Bongers, Dr. R.M.
Supervisor name:	Jannink, Dr. M.J.A. and Roessingh Research & Development, Enschede
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:53
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:53
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1421

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