AIM: Several therapeutic choices are possible for patients who have poor voluntary movement especially in early stages of stroke, for example the use of robotic devices, motor imagery or observation training and sensory illusion induced through the use of a mirror in mirror therapy (MT). The purpose of this review is to summarise the effectiveness of mirror therapy (MT) for treatment of upper extremities paresis after stroke. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MT with other rehabilitative techniques or sham treatment in adults after stroke. The primary and secondary outcomes were reduction of arm motor impairment and improvement of arm motor function assessed immediately after treatment. RESULTS: Four RCTs of moderate methodological quality are included in this review. Treatment protocol among studies was heterogeneous in type of exercise and time elapsed since stroke. Three studies on 116 patients showed a reduction in arm motor impairment. Three studies showed an improvement of motor function. CONCLUSION: MT seems to reduce the motor impairment and improve the motor function of the paretic arm, thus could be useful in patients exhibit poor motor capacity.

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