Research article summary (published 6 Jun 2009):

The use of visual feedback, in particular mirror visual feedback, in restoring brain function.

Full Abstract

This article reviews the potential use of visual feedback, focusing on mirror visual feedback, introduced over 15 years ago, for the treatment of many chronic neurological disorders that have long been regarded as intractable such as phantom pain, hemiparesis from stroke and complex regional pain syndrome. Apart from its clinical importance, mirror visual feedback paves the way for a paradigm shift in the way we approach neurological disorders. Instead of resulting entirely from irreversible damage to specialized brain modules, some of them may arise from short-term functional shifts that are potentially reversible. If so, relatively simple therapies can be devised--of which mirror visual feedback is an example--to restore function.

Author information

Author/s: Ramachandran, V S (VS); Altschuler, Eric L (EL);

Affiliation: Center for Brain and Cognition, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, 0109, La Jolla, California 92093-0109, USA. vramacha(-atsign-)ucsd.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: Brain : a journal of neurology (Brain), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 132 (issue Pt 7) : pp 1693-710

Dates: Created 2009/06/25; Completed 2009/09/09;

PMID: 19506071, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/9/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Brain - physiopathology Complex Regional Pain Syndromes - therapy Feedback, Psychological Humans Imagery (Psychotherapy) - methods

Neuronal Plasticity Paresis - therapy Phantom Limb - therapy Photic Stimulation - methods Stroke - rehabilitation

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