Action Observation Treatment on Motor Function in Upper Limb of Patients With Chronic Stroke

Effects of Action Observation Treatment on Motor Function in Upper Limb of Patients With Chronic Stroke

To determine the effects of action observation treatment on motor functions in upper limb of patients with chronic stroke

Stroke is one of the major cause of death in Pakistan and also a prime source of disability in older adults.Mirror neuron system depends on motor regions, and its dominant aspect is that,it is activated for implementation of motor activity and also for its observation. This "dual activation" characteristic of mirror neuron helps in improving the observation and execution of different actions.

aim of this study is to determine the effects of action observation treatment on motor function in upper limb of patients with chronic stroke.

An RCT will be conducted on 14 chronic stroke patients from Omar Hospital and Riphah Rehabilitation Centre Lahore. Patients will be randomly allocated into control group (n=7) and Experimental group (n=7) by lottery method. Control group will be given only conventional treatment that included stretching, strengthening, pinching, gripping, reaching and grasping exercises, while Experimental group received conventional treatment and action observation treatment 3 days/ week for 4 weeks. Treatment outcomes will be assessed on Modified Barthel Index and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic Stroke patients (with more than 6 months- 4 years) illness
• Patients that were able to communicate and comprehend oral instructions
• Patients with Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score more than 24

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients having psychiatric histories.
• Visual and hearing impaired patients
• Patients with speech impairment
• Patients with arthritic deformities in upper limb (with or without using assistive device)
• Patients with diagnosed mental illness.