To Compare the Effect of Mirror Therapy and Motor Relearning Programme on Balance and Gait Speed in Chronic Stroke Patients: an Experimental Study

ABSTRACT Background: Stroke is rapidly developing clinical sign of focal disturbance of cerebral function. Mirror therapy is a form of mental practice, and it excites the primary motor cortex and evokes movement of the paralyzed side as mirror therapy allows an individual to have an experience of normal movement, also helps in improving balance and gait. The Motor Relearning approach was developed based on motor learning theory and in promoting physical function for stroke patients. The MRP was found to be effective for enhancing functional recovery as this drive neural plasticity for retraining functional skills useful for balanced sitting, sitting and standing, gait. Objective: To compare the effect Mirror Therapy and Motor Relearning Programme on balance and gait speed by BBS, TUG and 10MWT in chronic stroke patients. Method: 22 Subjects according to inclusion criteria were recruited into two groups. Group A was given MT while Group B was given MRP for 4 weeks. Outcome measures such as BBS, TUG and 10MWT were assessed before and after intervention. Rsult: Paired t-test was used for within group analysis for BBS and Mann Whitney test was used for TUG and 10MWT which showed significant difference in Mirror Therapy group, while BBS and TUG were significant and 10MWT was not significant in Motor Relearning Programme. Independent sample t-test was used for between group analysis for BBS which showed significant difference while Wilcoxon test was used for TUG and 10MWT with significant difference. Conclusion: This study shows that Mirror Therapy is more effective in improving balance and gait speed then Motor Relearning Programme. Keywords: Mirror Therapy, Motor Relearning Programme, Balance, Gait speed, Chronic stroke.