The effect of mirror therapy on the upper extremity function in obstetric brachial plexus injured children

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity functionality in children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury (OBPY). Thirty-two children aged 4-16 years with a diagnosis of OBPY were included in the study. Children were randomly divided into 2 groups (study group n = 16, control group n = 16). Inclusion criteria; According to the Narakas classification, those in Group 2-3 were to have the communication skills to understand and execute the given commands, to have no other neuropsychological, orthopedic, neuromuscular disorders, to be willing to participate in the study and to be 4-16 years old. Exclusion criteria; loss of sensation and motor in the intact extremity, presence of neglect, visual problems, medical complications, and lack of ability to perceive and apply commands. Our study was conducted for 12 weeks and 2 days a week. The study group received 40 minutes of traditional physiotherapy program and an additional 20 minutes of mirror therapy to the rehabilitation program. A traditional physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for 40 minutes was applied to the control group. Upper extremity functions of children with OBPY; Raimondi's hand function evaluation system was evaluated using Gilbert's elbow motion evaluation system, Raimondi's shoulder movement evaluation system, Modified Mallet Scoring, QUEST and Narakas sensory evaluation system. Evaluations were made before treatment, at the 4th week, 8th week and 12th week (at the end of the treatment). The data obtained were used in statistical analysis. As a result of statistical analysis, demographic characteristics of both groups were similar. No statistical difference was found between the study group and the control group (p> 0,05). There was no statistically significant difference between the measurement times (pre-treatment, 4th week, 8th and 12th weeks) between the groups (p> 0,05). However, in the in-group analysis studies, it was observed that mirror therapy was more effective in improving upper extremity functionality in the study group between measurement times (p <0,05). The results of this study showed that mirror therapy applied in addition to classical physiotherapy and rehabilitation is effective in improving upper extremity functionality in children with OBPY. The use of mirror therapy to be applied during the rehabilitation programs of children with OBPY can play an active role in gaining and increasing upper extremity skills.