The effect of action observation training on gait and balance of patients with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Various treatment approaches are being applied for recovery of gait after different medical conditions. Action observation is a new motor learning approach, which is considered as a complementary training to the conventional rehabilitation programs such as occupational therapy for this purpose. Objective To find out which patients benefit more from action observation training. Methods Electronic databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and PEDro were searched. Prospective studies published in peer-reviewed journals with full text available in English, which investigated the effect of action observation on gait and balance of patients with neurologic or musculoskeletal disorders, were included. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed by the Downs and Black checklist, and the information was presented based on the PICO style. Results Nineteen studies recruiting post-orthopedic patients (4 studies), patients with stroke (11 studies), and Parkinson’s disease (4 studies) fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Quality scores ranged from 51.85% to 81.48%. Balance and walking ability were the most reported primary outcomes. Conclusion Patients in the chronic phase of stroke might benefit more from action observation training plus occupational therapy in different aspects of gait than orthopedic patients and those with Parkinson’s disease.