Riya Skariah¹*, S Cathrine², MK Franklin Shaju³, Githia Susan Varghese⁴ and Sajeevan T⁵

¹Department of Neurology, RVS College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India
²Associate Professor, RVS College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India
³Professor and Principal, RVS College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India
⁴Consultant Physiotherapist, JDT College of Physiotherapy, Calicut, Kerala, India
⁵Professor, Principle, JDT College of Physiotherapy, Calicut, Kerala, India

*Corresponding Author: Riya Skariah, Department of Neurology, RVS College of Physiotherapy, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R Medical University, India.

Received: May 22, 2026; Published: June 25, 2026

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, often resulting in impaired upper limb function. Rehabilitation strategies such as mirror therapy, bilateral arm training, and task-oriented training aim to enhance motor recovery through neuroplasticity.

Methodology: In this experimental comparative study, 30 sub-acute stroke patients were recruited using convenience sampling and randomly allocated into two groups. Group A received mirror therapy combined with task-oriented training, while Group B received bilateral arm training combined with task-oriented training. Interventions were administered for 30 minutes per session, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT).

Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in upper limb motor function. Group A showed significantly greater improvement than Group B, with a mean FMA-UE improvement of 10.33 ± 1.58 compared to 6.53 ± 1.24 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Both interventions are effective in improving upper limb function in sub-acute stroke patients, but mirror therapy combined with task-oriented training is more effective than bilateral arm training combined with task-oriented training.

Keywords: Stroke; Task-Oriented Training; Mirror Therapy; Bilateral Arm Training; Upper Limb Function; Fugl-Meyer Assessment; Wolf Motor Function Test

References

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Citation

Citation: Riya Skariah., et al. “Mirror Therapy Versus Bilateral Arm Training Combined with Task-Oriented Training on Upper Limb Recovery in Sub- Acute Stroke Patients". Acta Scientific Neurology 9.7 (2026): 01-05.

Copyright

Copyright: ©2026 Riya Skariah., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.