Efectividad de la terapia espejo en la rehabilitación neurológica pediátrica: Una revisión sistemática

Lorena del Pilar Rodriguez-Toapanta; Dayana Anahí Tisalema-Villagómez; Carmen Gissela Cisa-Castro

Autores/as

Rodriguez-Toapanta Lorena del Pilar Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5798-6978
Tisalema-Villagómez Dayana Anahí Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5798-6978
Cisa-Castro Carmen Gissela Docente del Instituto Superior Tecnológico España. Ambato, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6401-1735

Palabras clave:

terapia espejo, parálisis cerebral, rehabilitación neurológica pediátrica, destreza manual, retroalimentación visual

Resumen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18edespsep.0440

Resumen

La terapia espejo constituye una estrategia de retroalimentación visual utilizada para favorecer la recuperación motora mediante la observación del movimiento reflejado de la extremidad menos afectada. El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue analizar la efectividad de la terapia espejo en la rehabilitación neurológica pediátrica de niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PEDro y Web of Science, complementada con Google Scholar, incluyendo estudios publicados entre 2019 y 2025. De 100 registros inicialmente identificados, 10 estudios cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad y fueron incluidos en una síntesis narrativa. Los resultados mostraron una tendencia favorable principalmente en la destreza manual, función del miembro superior, control motor selectivo y algunos componentes del equilibrio, mientras que los efectos sobre la fuerza fueron variables. En comparaciones directas, intervenciones como la terapia de movimiento inducido por restricción modificada y la realidad virtual obtuvieron resultados superiores en determinados desenlaces. Se concluye que la terapia espejo es una estrategia prometedora y complementaria, aunque la heterogeneidad metodológica limita establecer su superioridad frente a otras intervenciones.

Palabras claves: terapia espejo, parálisis cerebral, rehabilitación neurológica pediátrica, destreza manual, retroalimentación visual.

Abstract

Mirror therapy is a visual feedback strategy used to support motor recovery through observation of the reflected movement of the less affected limb. This systematic review aimed to analyze the effectiveness of mirror therapy in the pediatric neurological rehabilitation of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PEDro, and Web of Science, complemented by Google Scholar, including studies published between 2019 and 2025. Of 100 records initially identified, 10 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in a narrative synthesis. The findings showed a generally favorable trend, particularly for manual dexterity, upper-limb function, selective motor control, and some aspects of balance, whereas effects on strength were variable. In direct comparisons, interventions such as modified constraint-induced movement therapy and virtual reality produced superior results for certain outcomes. Mirror therapy may therefore be considered a promising complementary strategy in pediatric neurorehabilitation; however, methodological heterogeneity limits conclusions regarding its superiority over other rehabilitation approaches.

Keywords: mirror therapy, cerebral palsy, pediatric neurological rehabilitation, manual dexterity, visual feedback.

Información del manuscrito:
Fecha de recepción: 23 de junio de 2026.
Fecha de aceptación: 15 de agosto de 2026.
Fecha de publicación: 21 de septiembre de 2026.

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