Effects of Action Observation Therapy and Mirror Therapy in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Effects of Action Observation Therapy and Mirror Therapy on Upper Extremity Functions in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Study With 1 Month Follow-Up

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of action observation therapy and mirror therapy on upper extremity functions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. In the study, the 1st group is the Action Observation Therapy group and will receive 18 sessions of practice. The second group is the mirror therapy group and will receive a total of 18 practice sessions. To evaluate the outcome measures of children's upper extremity functions; Canadian Occupational Performance Mesure (COPM), Goal Achievement Scale (GAS), Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Function Scale (SHUEE), Melbourne Unilateral Upper Extremity Function Evaluation Test and ABILHAND Questionnaire will be used. The satisfaction of the families with the therapy process will be evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of action observation therapy and mirror therapy on upper extremity functions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. In the study, the 1st group is the Action Observation Therapy group and will receive 18 sessions of practice. The second group is the mirror therapy group and will receive a total of 18 practice sessions. To evaluate the outcome measures of children's upper extremity functions; Canadian Occupational Performance Mesure (COPM), Goal Achievement Scale (GAS), Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Function Scale (SHUEE), Melbourne Unilateral Upper Extremity Function Evaluation Test and ABILHAND Questionnaire will be used. The satisfaction of the families with the therapy process will be evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between the ages of 5 and 15
• Being diagnosed with unilateral cerebral palsy
• Be in one of the levels 1,2 and 3 according to the MACS dexterity classification
• Upper extremity Modified Ashworth Scale score less than or equal to 2 attending primary school

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a visual impairment recorded in the health report
• To have any neurological, orthopedic, and psychiatric diagnosis in addition to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy
• Difficulty understanding and applying verbal and visual commands
• To have undergone any surgical intervention or botox in the last 3 months