Mirror, mirror, in the hand: could a simple trick boost stroke recovery?

This study tested whether using a mirror to create the illusion of movement in a paralyzed arm can improve function in people who had a stroke within the past month. 49 participants were split into three groups: one did mirror therapy with only the good arm moving, another moved both arms, and a third received standard occupational therapy. All groups had 20 sessions over 4 weeks, and researchers measured arm movement, strength, and daily activity before and after treatment.