Abstract
Background and objectiveAction observation training (AOT) has been used as a new intervention for improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of AOT on improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke.MethodsWe searched ten electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effects of AOT on upper limb motor functions in stroke survivors. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed by the Risk of Bias Tool in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed by pooling the standardized mean difference (SMD) of upper limb motor outcomes.ResultsSeven studies of 276 participants with stroke were included. Meta-analysis showed a significant effect favoring AOT on improving upper limb motor functions in patients with stroke [SMD = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10 to 0.61, I2 = 10.14%, p = 0.007].ConclusionsAOT appears to be an effective intervention for improving the upper limb motor functions in people after stroke. Further studies need to investigate the neural mechanism underlying the effects of AOT.
Highlights
Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability [1]
Meta-analysis showed a significant effect favoring Action observation training (AOT) on improving upper limb motor functions in patients with stroke [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10 to 0.61, I2 = 10.14%, p = 0.007]
Further studies need to investigate the neural mechanism underlying the effects of AOT
Summary
Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability [1]. Up to 80% of stroke survivors experience upper limb hemiplegia after stroke, and the motor dysfunction could maintain months to years among more than 50% of survivors [2]. Numerous upper limb motor rehabilitative strategies have been employed to induce positive neuroplasticity in patients with stroke, such as constraint-induced movement therapy [4], virtual reality-based training [5] and task-oriented training [6]. Studies have demonstrated that cortical reorganization of the lesioned cortical motor system could be induced by these rehabilitative trainings [7, 8] These trainings rely on active movement execution, which is unavailable for those stroke survivors with severe upper limb motor deficits. Action observation training (AOT) has been used as a new intervention for improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of AOT on improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke
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