Action Observation Training for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients

Neuro-rehabilitation of Upper Limb Stroke Patients Through Motor Resonance and Mirror Neurons

The purpose of this study is to assess the changes in physiological parameters and clinical scales resulting from treatment with AOT (action observation training) in subjects with subacute stroke. Furthermore, this study assess the perception of applicability and satisfaction degree for this kind of treatments.

After being informed about the study, all patients give written informed consent and will undergo a 1-week screening period to determine eligibility for study entry. Patient who meet the eligibility requirements will be given clinical and instrumental assessments before the start of treatment (T0) after 3 weeks (T1), at the end of the treatment (T2) and after 6 months (T3). A training program of 4 weeks including 250 videos of every day actions has been developed. Videos includes transitive and intransitive actions. Each week has a five day program, each day is divided in three sessions, in each session there are observation and imitation and attentional questions. AOT is always performed in conjunction with the conventional rehabilitation program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Should had experienced first ever ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke
• Fugl-Meyer Assessment < 55
• normal or corrected to normal visual acuity

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of severe neuropsychological disorders
• medical conditions likely to interfere with the ability to safely complete the study protocol
• pain in the upper limb assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)> 7
• intracranial metal implants
• history of seizures or epilepsy
• severe cardiopulmonary, renal, and hepatic diseases
• pregnancy