Effects of Mirror Neurons-Based Rehabilitation Techniques in Hand Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Marco Tofani, Luigino Santecchia, Antonella Conte, Anna Berardi, Giovanni Galeoto, Carla Sogos, Maurizio Petrarca, Francescaroberta Panuccio and Enrico Castelli
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Marco Tofani: Professional Development, Continuous Education and Research Service, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy
Luigino Santecchia: Orthopedic Unit, Department of Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy
Antonella Conte: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Anna Berardi: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Giovanni Galeoto: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Carla Sogos: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maurizio Petrarca: Department of Intensive Neurorehabilitation and Robotics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy
Francescaroberta Panuccio: Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Enrico Castelli: Department of Intensive Neurorehabilitation and Robotics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00100 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Hand trauma requires specific rehabilitation protocol depending on the different structures involved. According to type of surgical intervention, and for monitoring pain and edema, post-operative rehabilitation of a hand that has experienced trauma involves different timings for immobilization. Several protocols have been used to reduce immobilization time, and various techniques and methods are adopted, depending on the structures involved. Objective: To measure the effects of mirror neurons-based rehabilitation techniques in hand injuries throughout a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: The protocol was accepted in PROSPERO database. A literature search was conducted in Cinahl, Scopus, Medline, PEDro, OTseeker. Two authors independently identified eligible studies, based on predefined inclusion criteria, and extracted the data. RCT quality was assessed using the JADAD scale. Results: Seventy-nine suitable studies were screened, and only eleven were included for qualitative synthesis, while four studies were selected for quantitative analysis. Four studies were case reports/series, and seven were RCTs. Nine investigate the effect of Mirror Therapy and two the effect of Motor Imagery. Quantitative analyses revealed Mirror Therapy as effective for hand function recovery (mean difference = −14.80 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = −17.22, −12.38) ( p < 0.00001) in the short term, as well as in long follow-up groups (mean difference = −13.11 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = −17.53, −8.69) ( p < 0.00001). Clinical, but not statistical, efficacy was found for manual dexterity ( p = 0.15), while no benefit was reported for range of motion. Conclusions: Mirror neurons-based rehabilitation techniques, combined with conventional occupational and physical therapy, can be a useful approach in hand trauma. Mirror therapy seems to be effective for hand function recovery, but, for motor imagery and action observation, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend its use. Further research on the efficacy of the mirror neurons-based technique in hand injury is recommended.

Keywords: hand injuries; mirror neurons; mirror therapy; motor imagery; rehabilitation; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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