Mirror therapy for an adult with central post-stroke pain: a case report

Authors

  • Davide Corbetta Laboratory of Analysis and Rehabilitation of Motor Function, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
  • Elisabetta Sarasso Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
  • Federica Agosta Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
  • Massimo Filippi Department of Neurology and Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
  • Roberto Gatti Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-018-0047-y

Keywords:

Stroke, Physical therapy modalities, Pain perception, Case reports

Abstract

Background : Treatment of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) after a thalamic-capsular stroke is generally based on pharmacological approach as it is low responsive to physiotherapy. In this case report, the use of mirror therapy (MT) for the reduction of CPSP in a subject after a stroke involving thalamus is presented. Case presentation: Five years after a right lenticular-capsular thalamic stroke, despite a good recovery of voluntary movement that guaranteed independence in daily life activities, a 50-year-old woman presented with mild weakness and spasticity, an important sensory loss and a burning pain in the left upper limb. MT for reducing arm pain was administered in 45-min sessions, five days a week, for two consecutive weeks. MT consisted in performing symmetrical movements of both forearms and hands while watching the image of the sound limb reflected by a parasagittal mirror superimposed to the affected limb. Pain severity was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after the intervention and at one-year follow-up. After the two weeks of MT, the patient demonstrated 4.5 points reduction in VAS pain score of the hand at rest and 3.9 points during a maximal squeeze left hand contraction. At one-year follow-up, pain reduction was maintained and also extended to the shoulder. Conclusion: This case report shows the successful application of a motor training with a sensory confounding condition (MT) in reducing CPSP in a patient with a chronic thalamic stroke.

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Published

2018-02-23

How to Cite

Corbetta, D., Sarasso, E., Agosta, F., Filippi, M., & Gatti, R. (2018). Mirror therapy for an adult with central post-stroke pain: a case report. Archives of Physiotherapy, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-018-0047-y

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