Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41245334›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychology2025

Optimizing the mirror illusion during mirror therapy: evidence from unimpaired individuals.

Jin Min Kim, Freya O Challis, Carmen C Y Koo, Jade-Cheuk L Leung, Leo H Lo, Sang-Hoon Yeo, T David Punt

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jin Min KimSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Freya O ChallisSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Carmen C Y KooSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Jade-Cheuk L LeungSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Leo H LoSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Sang-Hoon YeoSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
T David PuntSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Mirror therapy has demonstrated functional benefits for patients recovering from hemiparetic stroke, with its effectiveness primarily attributed to the induction of a compelling visual illusion that engages sensorimotor networks. Although previous research has identified various intervention parameters influencing therapeutic outcomes, a comprehensive understanding of their effects on the illusory experience remains limited. This study investigated how four critical parameters-mirror size (large vs. small), object manipulation (present vs. absent), task complexity (simple vs. complex), and movement execution (unilateral vs. bilateral)-modulate the believability of the mirror illusion in neurologically unimpaired individuals. Methods: Forty healthy participants performed movements under 16 different combinations of these parameters while receiving mirror visual feedback and rated the believability of the reflected hand on an 11-point Likert scale. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that a large mirror consistently enhanced the illusory experience compared to a small mirror. Although bimanual movements generally resulted in higher believability ratings than unimanual movements, this advantage diminished when complex object manipulation tasks were introduced. Discussion: These findings suggest that the congruency of multisensory information-between visual, proprioceptive, and motor signals-is critical for maximising the strength of the illusory experience. By identifying the optimal conditions for enhancing the mirror illusion in healthy individuals, this study establishes a foundational framework for adapting and refining mirror therapy protocols in clinical populations.

Indexed as

body representationcrossmodal illusionsembodimentmirror therapymultisensorystrokeupper extremity

Identifiers

PMID41245334
PMCPMC12616857

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.