The possibility of motor image intervention by mirror therapy

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects on the duration of actual and imagined movement when mirror therapy was given. The task selected was a writing task with the non-dominant hand. Subjects were 10 healthy volunteers. The durations of actual and imagined movement were recorded by electronic stop-watch operated by the subject and experimenter. The mirror therapy consisted of 10 minutes observation of the dominant-hand movement reflected in a mirror. A significant reduction in the task time was shown in the duration of the actual and imagined movement. Motor image training with mirror therapy may improve performance in the task. Movement repetition training would not be always needed for motor recovery in patients with motor disorders.