REFERENCE · RECOVERY TECHNIQUE

Visual and Mirror Feedback for Altered Body Sensation

Most likely fit: Watching an affected area helps locate it or perform a safe task without increasing visual discomfort or disconnection. [Clinical rehabilitation adaptation; direct FND sensory-specific mirror evidence is uncertain]

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For the Person With FND

What this approach is for

Looking at the actual hand or foot may be enough. A therapist can also explore a mirror when the view it provides helps an activity. There is no need to create a convincing illusion or persist with a view that feels disturbing.

Visual feedback can be an aid for living with unreliable sensation. Its usefulness does not prove that sensation has been repaired.

Terms in everyday language

The brain combines visual information with somatosensory information, meaning information from skin, muscles and joints. Body position sense helps locate a limb without looking. When these experiences do not agree, adding visual information may help some people and feel uncomfortable for others.

A practical example and flare adaptations

An example is placing a hand beside a visible mark on a table and moving a cloth toward that mark. Start with a direct view and supported posture. If a mirror is trialled, position it without glare and choose one simple action.

Stop if the view increases dizziness, headache, dissociation or sensory distress. Looking away may be a useful pause. Reducing reliance on vision is optional and only appropriate when safety permits; never cover vision during walking to test sensory recovery.

These are choices to discuss with your care team, not a required exercise schedule. Helpful activity, comfort and access matter even when sensation remains altered. The evidence and its limits are explained below. (Sources: 1, 2)

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Ask whether the person wants a mirror or simply a clear view. Keep lighting comfortable and avoid introducing a bright screen as a substitute without checking tolerance.

Describe the task outcome rather than demanding that the limb feel normal. During a flare, remove the mirror if it adds discomfort and help restore a safe position.

For the Person With FND
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Selection and assessment

Screen visual and vestibular symptoms, migraine, attention, limb position sense and dissociative responses. Distinguish direct visual compensation, ordinary mirror feedback and a mirror-illusion protocol; they are not interchangeable interventions or evidence bases.

Explicit procedure

Identify a safe task for which an additional view has a plausible practical benefit.
Establish baseline performance with direct vision and appropriate limb support.
If needed, introduce a stable, glare-free mirror and explain exactly what it shows.
Use one brief task cue and monitor visual comfort and orientation.
Remove the feedback if it worsens function or symptoms.
Retain useful visual compensation; consider a small reduction only if real-world safety is preserved.

Review, progression and stopping

Measure task success, assistance and tolerability. Do not infer normal protective sensation from accurate visually guided movement. A person who still needs to look at a numb hand may need continued adaptations; this is not treatment failure.

The procedures are educational implementation examples requiring clinical adaptation, not validated standalone protocols. (Sources: 1, 2)

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Research and Sources

Clinical rehabilitation sources describe visual feedback, largely in motor presentations. Applying it to altered body sensation is an individualized adaptation. Evidence for mirror therapy in stroke or phantom-limb pain cannot be relabelled as FND sensory-treatment evidence.

Citation	Full citation
[1]	Nicholson C, Edwards MJ, Carson AJ, et al. Occupational therapy consensus recommendations for functional neurological disorder. JNNP. 2020;91:1037–1045. FND-CIT-0011. Source
[2]	Nielsen G, Stone J, Matthews A, et al. Physiotherapy for functional motor disorders: a consensus recommendation. JNNP. 2015;86:1113–1119. FND-CIT-0028. Source

Source check: September 15, 2026 · Occupational-therapy, physiotherapy, neurology, pain, equipment, lived-experience, supporter and accessibility review pending.

For the Person With FND
For Family, Friends, and Other Supporters
For Clinicians and the Care Team
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