Effect of Action Observation of Meaningful Tasks on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Patients with Stroke Choi Jong-Bae1, Song Bo-Kyoung2,* 1Department of Occupational Therapy, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, 23 Gyungheedae-roDongdaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 2Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, 346 Hwangjo-gil, Dogye-eup Samcheok-si Gangwon-do Republic of Korea *Corresponding Author: Bo-Kyoung Song, Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, 346 Hwangjo-gil, Dogye-eup Samcheok-si Gangwon-do 245710, Republic of Korea. Email: bksong@kangwon.ac.kr
Online published on 2 February, 2019. Abstract Background/Objectives The purpose of this study was to survey the influence on action observation of meaningful tasks on upper extremity function in patients with stroke. Thirty stroke patients were prospectively randomized to an action observation of meaningful tasks (AOMT) group or action observation of simple joint movement (AOJM) group. Method/Statistical analysis All patients performed traditional traditional traditional occupational therapy and physical therapy. Both groups additionally performed action observation for 20 minute/day, 5 days/week, for 4 weeks. The AOMT group executed an action observation of meaningful tasks, AOJM group executed action observation of simple joint movement. To evaluate the effects of intervention, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to contrast before-and after-intervention results in each group. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to contrast changes in outcome measures between the groups. Findings The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) before-test score in the AOMT group was 24.33±10.27 and the after-test score was 27.27±10.61. The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) before-test score was 18.60±11.66and the after-test score was 22.13±12.35. Significant changes in the FMA and WMFT were observed in the AOMT group. The mean change in FMA score was 2.93±2.63 in the AOMT group and 0.93±2.40 in the AOJM group, showing a statistically significant difference. The mean change in WMFT score was 3.53±2.90 in the AOMT group and 0.80±1.78 in the AOJM group, showing a statistically significant difference. The AOMT group showed a significant increase in upper extremity function after the intervention. Improvements/Applications This study demonstrated that action observation of meaningful tasks significantly improves upper limb movement in patients with stroke. We present evidence that action observation of meaningful tasks has a beneficial effect in occupational therapy for movement disorders after stroke. Top Keywords Stroke, action observation, upper extremity motor function, meaningful tasks, mirror neuronsystem. Top |