Using Mirror Therapy to Optimize the Efficacy of Balance Programs for Older Adults With Poststroke Balance Impairment.

Purpose: Poststroke rehabilitation is an inevitable element of the treatment for stroke survivors. This study aimed to investigate the effect of balance training with mirror therapy in older adults with poststroke balance impairment.

Design/methods: The study adopted a two-arm randomized clinical trial and included 38 older adults with poststroke balance impairment. The intervention group received balance exercises with mirror therapy, whereas the control group received the same balance exercises without mirror therapy (a nonreflective plate was used instead). The patient outcome, the balance score, was measured using the Berg Balance Scale. Analysis of covariance was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Results showed that balance exercises combined with mirror therapy were significantly more effective than balance exercises without mirror therapy in improving balance in the stroke survivors ( p < .001).

Conclusion: Mirror therapy combined with regular balance exercises is an effective and practical method for enhancing balance in older adults suffering from balance impairment.

Clinical relevance: Balance training combined with mirror therapy may be included in the rehabilitation programs of older adults with poststroke balance impairment.