Effects of Action Observation Training on Motor Function of Upper Extremities after Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effects of action observation training based on mirror neuron system on motor function of upper extremities in stroke patients. Methods:From June, 2016 to June, 2017, 61 stroke patients were randomly assigned to control group (n = 30) and observation group (n = 31). They all accepted routine rehabilitation, and the observation group received action observation therapy in addition, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities, modified Ashworth Scale and modified Barthel Index before and after treatment. Results:All the indexes improved in both groups after treatment (|t| > 2.651, P < 0.05), and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (|t| > 2.048, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The action observation training may further improve the upper extremity motor function in stroke patients.

Flickering exercise video produces mirror neuron system (MNS) activation and steady state visually evoked potentials (SSVEPs)

The action of observing can be used as an effective rehabilitation paradigm, because it activates the mirror neuron system. However, it is difficult to fully use this paradigm because it is difficult to get patients to engage in watching video clips of exercise. In this study, we proposed a steady state visually evoked potential (SSVEP) based paradigm that could be used in a Brain Computer Interface, and examined its feasibility by investigating whether flickering video could activate the mirror neuron system and evoke SSVEPs at the same time. Twenty subjects were recruited and asked to watch the flickering videos at a rate of 20 Hz of upper limb motion and visual white noise, while an EEG signal was recorded. The mu rhythm (8–13 Hz) suppression and the SSVEP (19–21 Hz) evocation were analyzed from recorded EEG. The results showed that SSVEPs, evoked by the flickering stimulus, was observed in both conditions on O1 and O2, but the mu rhythm suppression on C3 and C4 was observed only in the exercise video condition. These results could signify that the flickering video is applicable for the BCI rehabilitation game, activating the mirror neuron system at the same time.

Effect of Action Observation Training with Auditory Feedback for Gait Function of Stroke Patients with Hemiparesis

PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported that action observation training has beneficial effects on enhancing the motor task, such as balance and gait functions. On the other hand, there have been few studies combined with action observation training and auditory feedback. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of action observation training with auditory feedback on the gait function in stroke patients with hemiparesis. METHODS: A total of 24 inpatients with post-stroke hemiparesis were assigned randomly to either an experimental group 1 (EG 1, n=8), experiment group 2 (EG 2, n=8), control group (CG, n=8, EG 1). The EG 2 and CG watched video clip demonstrating three functional walking tasks with auditory feedback, without auditory feedback, and showing a landscape image, respectively. The exercise program consisted of 30 minutes, five times a week, for four weeks. The participants were measured to 10MWT (10 m walk test), 6MWT (6 minutes walking distance test), TUG (timed up and go test), DGI (dynamic gait index), time and steps of F8WT (figure-of-8 walk test). RESULTS: In the intra-group comparison after the intervention, EG 1 and EG 2 showed a significantly different gait function (10MWT, 6MWT, DGI, TUG, F8WT) (p < 0.05). In the inter-group comparison after intervention, EG 1 showed significant improvements in the entire gait parameters and EG 2 only showed significant improvement in DGI and TUG compared to CG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings show that action observation training with auditory feedback may be used beneficially for improving the gait function of stroke patients with hemiparesis.