The effect of mirror therapy in patients with frozen shoulder

Shoulder Elbow. 2023 Apr;15(2):218-227. doi: 10.1177/17585732221089181. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Abstract

Introduction: This study was designed to compare mirror therapy and visual feedback with the control group in adhesive capsulitis patients.

Methods: Thirty-six patients, divided into three groups as mirror therapy, visual feedback and control for 15 sessions of treatment. Evaluations were made before treatment, at 6th and 10th weeks. Bilateral glenohumeral exercise was performed at the end of each session with the affected extremity behind the mirror in the mirror group, with both upper extremities in front of the mirror in the visual feedback group, and without the mirror in the control group.

Results: There were statistically significant differences between the mirror therapy and visual feedback in terms of pain severity change, and the visual feedback was superior to the change in pain severity compared to the control. Visual feedback showed significant improvement in mean change from baseline to week 10 in shoulder pain and disability index scores compared to control (p = 0.012). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of modified constant score, proprioception and shoulder range of motion.

Conclusion: It was determined that the exercises performed by seeing the affected extremity in the mirror were more effective than mirror therapy and control group.

Keywords: frozen shoulder; pain insensitivity; proprioception; shoulder pain; visual feedback.