Effect of mirror therapy on upper extremity function and body control in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function and trunk control in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP). 32 children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy, aged 6 to 16 years, were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n = 16) or a control group (n = 16). The control group received only conventional physiotherapy, while the treatment group received mirror therapy in addition to it. All children were evaluated by the same physiotherapist before and at the end of 6 weeks of treatment. Upper extremity function was assessed with the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), Box Block Test and ABILHAND-Kids; trunk control was assessed with the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS). When the post-treatment difference data for upper extremity function were examined; In JTHFT, it was seen that the change in total times for the dominant (p=0,0001) and non-dominant (p=0,001) sides and the overall total time (p=0,001) were significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group. In the Box Block Test, it was seen that the increase in the number of boxes for the dominant (p=0,0001) and non-dominant (p=0,001) hands was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group. When the post-treatment difference values for trunk control were examined; while there was a significant increase in the TCMS total score (p=0,0001), Selective Movement Control (SMC) (p=0,0001) and Dynamic Reaching (DR) (p=0,001) sub-parameters in the treatment group compared to the control group, no significant difference was observed in the Static Sitting (SS) (p=0,254) subparameter score compared to the control group. At the end of the study; It was observed that mirror therapy application structured with functional exercises including distal-proximal joints revealed significant improvements in upper extremity and trunk control; however, longer and more intensive sessions were required for these gains to be reflected in Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Keywords: Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy; Mirror Therapy; Neurorehabilitation; Trunk Control; Upper Extremity Function.