Effects of mirror therapy on upper limb motor function of patients with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the effects of mirror therapy on upper limb motor function in patients who have experienced a stroke. Based on 18 randomized controlled trials involving 633 stroke survivors, mirror therapy was found to significantly improve overall upper limb and hand function, particularly when administered five or more times per week over a period of four weeks or less, and in patients more than six months post-stroke. However, no significant improvements were observed in shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist function, or coordination, likely due to limited data. The study highlights mirror therapy as a cost-effective, accessible intervention that may enhance motor recovery through neural reorganization, while emphasizing the need for further rigorous trials to clarify its effects on specific upper limb components and optimal treatment parameters.