Mirror Therapy for Recovery from Stroke

Written by Ana Espinoza, M.S., OTR/L and originally posted on aewellness-recovery.com.

One of my patients, her name is Lorene, is having difficulties with simple tasks after a stroke on the left side of her brain that affected the right side of her body. She is having difficulties with simple tasks like holding utensils to feed herself, buttoning her shirt, writing, and using her computer, among other things. Occupational therapy offers solutions to people to regain their independence. One innovative approach I am using with her is mirror therapy, which shows remarkable results in improving motor function. Let’s explore how it works.

What is Mirror Therapy, aka Mirror Visual Feedback?

Mirror Therapy (MT), or Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF), was proposed as a potential therapeutic intervention by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran and Roger in 1996 to help people with phantom limb pain after amputation by resolving visual-proprioceptive dissociation in the brain, but now some clinical studies have combined MT with conventional rehabilitation, achieving positive outcomes after stroke.

MIRROR therapy is a way to help your brain “see” the affected side of your body moving. You place a mirror next to your unaffected limb, so the mirror reflects its movements. It looks like the weaker or paralyzed limb is moving just fine to your brain, like tricking your brain or training your brain to send the correct messages to your affected arm.

This trick helps wake up the brain’s motor areas and encourages healing. Over time, this can lead to better mobility, less pain, and more control.

Why Does It Work?

MIRROR therapy taps into your brain’s natural ability to adapt, called neuroplasticity. By practicing movements in front of a mirror, you’re “showing” your brain what it wants to see, which helps repair damaged pathways.

What Does Research Say?

There’s a lot of evidence supporting MIRROR therapy:

Studies show it helps improve arm and hand strength after a stroke.

Many patients report less pain and better coordination.

It’s also been shown to help people get back to everyday activities, like eating or writing.

How Do You Get Started?

You don’t need much to try MIRROR therapy, just a mirror and a little time each day. Here’s how:

Sit at a table with a mirror placed vertically in front of you.

Hide your affected hand behind the mirror and position your unaffected hand in front of it.

Start with simple movements, like opening and closing your fingers. The reflection will make it look like your weaker hand is moving.

Repeat for about 15–30 minutes a day, and try to stay consistent!

Why I Recommend MIRROR Therapy

In my practice, I’ve seen how this therapy helps stroke survivors. My patient started with small hand movements and, over time, progressed to picking objects, feeding herself, and getting dressed using both arms simultaneously. Watching her progress was amazing.

MIRROR therapy isn’t a quick fix, but with patience and regular practice, it could make a big difference in your life. 

Want to Learn More?

If you’re curious about MIRROR therapy or want help getting started, reach out to me at www.aewellness-recovery.com.

It’s simple, effective, and worth trying!