What Is Mirror Hand Syndrome?
This neurological disorder is very rare, and is characterized by both hands moving involuntarily and uniformly. One hand mimics the motion of the other. Medical professionals also refer to this syndrome as congenital mirror movement
It can appear early in life as a result of improper functioning of the motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for controlling movements of the body. In a person suffering from MHS, this part of the brain is unable to function properly, causing them to mimic movements by both hands.
Symptoms Of Mirror Hand Syndrome
The symptoms of the disorder may vary from trim to significant level.
1. Movement Without Awareness
A person with this condition will move their hand without being aware of it. The movement of their practical hand will be identical to the movement of their unaffected hand.
2. Feeling Weakness In Hands:
It is common for people with MHS to feel that their affected hand is too weak to accomplish any simple task. Even daily activities like writing may be difficult for them.
Causes Of MHS
Due to the disorder’s rarity, medical professionals are not well-versed in it. Research on the disorder is continuous. Therefore, more causes must be discovered. These are some of the possible causes.
1. Gene Mutation:
The one cause of the disorder may be gene mutation. The disorder may follow the inherited pattern and arise through the autosomal process. The offspring of the affected parent may also be affected by the disorder. Some of the genes associated with MHS disorder include DCC, ROBO3, and RAD51.
2. The development of the brain is different for everyone:
There are also many factors involved in the abnormal development of neurological paths of the brain, such as the unusual and different development of pathways of the brain. It is possible for these causes to be attributed to severe brain injuries or the use of some toxic medicines.
3. Brain Injury:
As a result of brain injuries, MHS can also develop. These injuries affect the motor pathways of your brain, regardless of how old you are.
How To Diagnose The MHS Disorder?
Besides a complete physical exam, the professional doctor will also ask about the person’s family health history. If any of the affected parents have the disorder, then a gene mutation may be responsible.
With the help of a physical examination, he will try to get all information about coordination and motor pathways. They will then be able to determine the strength and reflexes of the muscles.
The use of neuroimaging techniques, such as MRIs and CT scans, can be used to diagnose MHS disorder. These tests will allow professionals to examine the condition of the nervous system and the brain. Professionals will use genetic tests to determine if inheritance mutations or genetic abnormalities are involved in the disorder. MHS disorder can be diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, diagnostic tests, and medical history.
Is There Any Treatment For MHS Disorder?
These are some given treatments professionals recommend to the effective individual.
Physical Therapy:
MHS disorder is treated primarily with physical therapy, which includes exercises and stretches that improve brain control. By controlling the coordination of the defective side, these therapies attempt to reduce involuntary movements on the undefective side.
Medications:
Almost all kinds of patients have significant disorders. The medicines will keep the symptoms to a minimum. For example, baclofen (muscle relaxant) can be used to minimize unusual movements of muscles. Injections, such as botulinum toxin, may temporarily paralyze a particular part of your body.
Surgery:
To treat MHS disorder, surgery is not recommended by any professional. Tendon transfer and nerve transfer are some well-known surgeries that can be used.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy:
By immobilizing unaffected fingers and using the affected fingers for daily activities, your mind receives signals to use the affected fingers independently.
Neurofeedback:
Through this technique, a person is able to train their mind in order to control their body movements. It is a useful way to cure mirror hand syndrome by taking control of motor function.
After all these treatments, there are also some therapies to do treatment of MHS disorder. Some occupational therapies will use some new modern techniques to cure the problem. In addition to changing our daily routines, these therapies introduce new activities that help to improve our brain and motor function.
Conclusion
In the case of Mirror Hand Syndrome, genetic mutations and brain injuries may contribute to the condition. The disorder may make a person feel very uncomfortable doing daily activities. A few therapies and surgeries can cure the condition. Further, some of the symptoms are given above. If you experience any of them, you should visit a doctor. You will be able to eliminate the problem at an early stage in the disorder if you do so.