The effects of action observation training and mirror therapy on gait and balance in stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of action observation training and mirror therapy to improve on balance and gait function of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: The action observation training with activity group practiced additional action observation training with activity for three 30-minute session for six weeks (n=12). The mirror therapy with activity group practiced additional mirror therapy with activity for three 30-minute sessions for six weeks (n=11). The only action observation training group practiced additional action observation training for three 30-minute sessions for weeks (n=12). All groups received conventional therapy for five 60-minute sessions over a six-week period. [Results] There were significant improvements in balance and gait function. The action observation training with activity group significantly improved subjects’ static balance. The action observation training with activity group and the mirror therapy with activity group significantly improved subjects’ gait ability. [Conclusion] The activation of mirror neurons combined with a conventional stroke physiotherapy program enhances lower-extremity motor recovery and motor functioning in stroke patients.

Treatment Effects of Upper Limb Action Observation Therapy and Mirror Therapy on Rehabilitation Outcomes after Subacute Stroke: A Pilot Study

“…We found that greater mean change scores and a higher number of patients achieving the MCID values on the motor and functional outcomes were in the action observation therapy group than in the mirror therapy group. In one previous study of lower limb stroke rehabilitation, the action observation therapy group significantly improved static balance and gait function of patients, and the mirror therapy improved gait function only [47]. One possible reason may be that the motor learning process of action observation and imitation during the action observation therapy might be more intuitive and straightforward than that during the mirror therapy.…”

The effects of mirror neuron system-based self-observation training on lower limb muscle activity and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke

“…In a comparison between the groups, the experimental group showed significantly higher rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscle activities than those of the control group. In a previous study, compared with the muscle activity of the affected lower extremities in the control group, the muscle activity in the action observation training group which was aimed at chronic stroke patients with affected lower extremities increased 11 ) , where as another study reported that normal men who watched a video of hand gripping motions had a higher level of hand muscle activity than those who did not watch the video 12 ) . Additionally, patients that experienced stroke who underwent motion observation training had greater tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activities 13 ) .…”

Combined Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy and Motor Imagery on Gait in Stroke Patients

“…Previously, studies have been done in which mirror therapy was combined with other forms of therapies such as action observation therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Lee et al suggested that action observation therapy and mirror training with conventional rehabilitation significantly improved patient's gait [12] . Xu et al demonstrated that mirror therapy combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation caused improvement in spasticity and walking ability of stroke patients [13] .…”