Effect of Action Observation Physical Training for Chronic Stroke Patients on the Stairs Walking Ability and Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#This study examined the impacts of action observational physical training related to stair walking on the stair walking ability and self-efficacy of chronic stroke patients. @*Methods@#This study was conducted on 24 chronic stroke patients, who were assigned randomly to an action observational physical training group (12 persons) and a landscape observation physical training group (12 persons). To the action-observational physical training group, five videos related to stair walking were presented, and after observing them, physical training was carried out. The landscape observation physical training group observed the videos consisting of landscape, where there were no humans and animals, and then underwent physical training. This study measured the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius to examine the muscle activity of the lower limb. A timed up and go and step test was performed to examine the balance ability, and a timed stair test was conducted to examine their stair walking ability. A self-efficacy scale was measured to examine the degree of their confidence of performing stair walking. The assessment was conducted three times in total pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys. @*Results@#As a result of this study, the action observational physical training group significant improvement after the intervention than in the landscape observation physical training group. Moreover, the follow-up study four weeks after the intervention showed significant improvements in the action observational physical training group (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#These results show that the action observational physical training had a positive impact on the stair walking ability and self-efficacy of chronic stroke patients.