Effect of Action Observation Therapy on Upper Limb Motor Function for Severe Hemiplegics / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effects of action observation therapy on upper limb severe hemiplegia. Methods:From January to June, 2019, 40 patients with severe hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n = 20) and observation group (n = 20). Before routine rehabilitation training, the observation group watched the videos about activities and movements of arms and hands, and then were asked to imagine their affected arms and hands to complete these movements. The control group watched the videos of orderly geometric figures, letters and others without body and animals. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Motor Assessment Scale-Upper Extremities (MAS-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and four weeks after treatment. Results:The scores of FMA-UE, MAS-UE and MBI improved after treatment (t > 2.854, P < 0.05), and improved more in the observation group than in the control group (F > 4.395, P < 0.05). Conclusion:action observation therapy can further improve upper limb motor function and activities of daily living in patients with severe hemiplegia after stroke.