Comparison of the effect of Action Observational training and Task-oriented training on Upper Limb Function and activities of daily living in People with Chronic stroke

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of action-observational training and task-oriented training on upper limb function and activities of daily living in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 12 voluntary participants with post-stroke hemiparesis. Subjects were randomly assigned to either group 1 or group 2, with 6 in each group. Each subject completed the crossover experiment that comprised of action-observational training (A) and task-oriented training (B). The intervention sequence was A-B for the group 1 and B-A for the group 2. Each training was performed for 30 min a day, 5 times a week for 2 weeks (total experimental period of 4 weeks). Assessments were made using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) thrice: at baseline, after 2 weeks of intervention, and after 4 weeks of intervention. The results showed that the WMFT and MBI scores significantly improved after the completion of each training (p<.05). Therefore, a determination of the superior training method was difficult. The effect sizes of both groups were greater when performed the action-observational training. The findings suggest that both the action-observational training and task-oriented training may be helpful in improving the upper limb function and activities of daily living for patients with post-stroke hemiparesis, and support the clinical feasibility of the action-observational training.