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

Abstract

The rate of cerebrovascular accident is keep on increasing in Pakistan which cause major disability in affected person. In developed countries it has been reported that an action observation treatment for rehabilitation, promotes motor function of upper limb in stroke population.Objective: To find out effects of action observation treatment on upper limb motor functions of chronic stroke patients.Study Design: A randomized control trial with registered number NCT05084820.Place and Duration of study:Fourteen chronic stroke patients were taken from Umer hospital and Riphah rehab center Lahore. Total duration of study was 6 months.Materials and method:A randomized control trial was done containing total 14 chronic stroke patients. Patients in experimental group were given action observationtreatment three days per week for one month along with conventional physiotherapy treatment. Patients in conventional group, received strengthening exercises, reach and grasp of hand, stretch of hand muscles. Modified Barthel Index was used to measure function of upper limb and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE) for assessment of motor function. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 21.Results: There were significant difference in MBI and FMA-UE score, P value was <0.05, but sensation and joint pain from FMA-UE tool P value was >0.05 which was non-significant.Conclusion:Action observation treatment together with conventional treatment was an effective treatment approach on improving motor function of upper limb in chronic stroke patients.

Normative Data of Fugl Meyer Assessment on Upper Extremity in Post Stroke Population

“…Current study supported the evidence by concluding mean score of sensation (8.61 ±3.9) having moderate association with tool efficacy. The joint motion and pain domains also gave moderate to good cut off scores than previous study10 . The mean value of upper extremity (including reflexes) showed moderate association with tool and supported the study of Rietschel et al who computed mean FMA-UE score to be 26.9±15.7 by using 33item (including reflexes) and 22.1±15.3 by using 30-item (without reflexes)(21).…”

“…A standardized globally usage of FMA-UE for comparison of hemiplegic or paraplegic recovery results in improving standards of treatment 9 . Team of Hira Rehman in 2022 conducted a randomized control trial to ascertain the results of cortical mapping in chronic stoke and observed combining action observation therapy with standard therapy an effective strategy for rehabilitating upper trunk or limb movement in patients 10 . In 2021, Yuta Tauchi et al investigated different aspects of movement and problematic usage of items for stroke exercises in Japanese and proved FMA-UE a multidimensional and reliable tool for assessing stroke-related damage to upper extremities 11 .…”