Mirror Box Therapy

Mirror box therapy was initially used for the relief of phantom limb pain for amputees, but is now used in other conditions such as within the treatment of Stroke and Brain Injury upper limb rehabilitation.

Recent evidence suggests that by visualizing and practicing symmetrical bilateral movements can influence the neuroplasticity changes in our brain, promoting the re-learning of normal movement patterns.

Occupational Therapists can use Mirror Boxes as a treatment modality alongside other tasks to encourage upper limb motor relearning. This treatment is now being used more widely in the therapy setting and offered by many clinicians as part of a person’s rehabilitation program.

How it is used in summary: Mirror boxes are used by the person placing their affected hand / arm in the Mirror Box with the unaffected upper limb in front of the mirror. The person then carries out gentle symmetrical exercises. The person attends to the mirror watching their unaffected arm in the mirror image moving in a normal pattern whilst their affected limb is hidden in the box. The brain associates the reflection with the opposite limb (the affected limb).

For further information or to discuss further please contact OT Partners, where we offer assessment and treatment sessions for the neurologically impaired upper limb.