Background and Purpose. The remediation of postural control problems is a common feature of many physiotherapy interventions. Provision of augmented visual feedback through use of mirror-reflected body image is one means by which therapists can purportedly facilitate patients' postural correction abilities. Despite the historic place of this treatment modality within the physiotherapist's armamentarium, the strategy has however received very limited investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which availability of reflected body image influences the normal subjects' postural control abilities when in a sitting position. Method. A pilot investigation was undertaken, utilizing a sample of convenience comprising 18 healthy female subjects (mean age 20.8 years). All subjects underwent testing of their sitting postural control abilities in two separate conditions: with and without mirror feedback. A full length therapy mirror, as typically found in many rehabilitation departments, was used where appropriate to provide the reflected body image. Testing was carried out three times for each condition (six tests in total), obtaining average performance across three tests for each condition. Test order for each subject for the six tests was varied using a Latin square procedure to control for learning effect. Measurement of the subjects' postural control abilities was achieved by Balance Performance Monitor using a seat plate monitor and evaluating body sway path (mm). Postural control was challenged during testing by asking the subjects to maintain a standardized complex sitting position. Results. Group mean sway path with mirror feedback was lower than without: means 165.72 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 40.52 mm) versus 244.74 mm (SD = 68.48 mm). This suggested improved postural control ability when the subjects were able to view their reflected body image during testing. A related t test (t = 4.873, n = 18) showed differences between the two conditions to be statistically significant (p < 0.001), 95% confidence interval = 44.80 mm-113.23 mm. Conclusion. This relatively unsophisticated evaluation of mirror feedback nonetheless suggested a potential intervention effect. The precise mechanism(s) by which this strategy might effect changes in postural control ability, as well as the likely carryover of the effect and its replication in individuals with movement control problems, are all issues requiring further investigation. Nonetheless, these results provide provisional support for the notion that mirror feedback is a potentially useful strategy in the training of postural control. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Physiotherapy Research International)
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Physiotherapy Research International