Mirror box therapy helps stroke patients get better faster
Beaumont Health System physical and occupational therapists are
using a rehabilitation tool called mirror box therapy to help
stroke patients retrain their brain, regain function and improve
their overall quality of life.  According to Erika Gray, PT
supervisor at Beaumont, Royal Oak, "Mirror box therapy is part
of the new Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) therapies resulting from
research on brain activity and brain remapping. After a stroke
or any kind of brain damage, the brain begins to remap itself,
sometimes incorrectly. If incorrect brain mapping can be
prevented, the patient has a much better chance of recovery."
Patient Robert Sopo uses mirror box therapy during rehab with
Beaumont occupational therapist Maribeth Yingling  When a stroke
patient puts his weakened hand in the mirror box, and moves his
strong hand, the mirror box gives the illusion movement is
occurring in the hand affected by the stroke. This is done
through activation of mirror ne