Effectiveness of synchronous action observation and mental practice on upper extremity motor recovery after stroke

Abstract

The purpose of this quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group study was to examine the effect of group synchronous action observation/mental practice intervention compared to usual rehabilitation care on upper extremity motor recovery after stroke. The intervention group (n = 25) received usual care, consisting of a minimum of 3 hours of rehabilitation services per day, 5 days a week, plus group synchronous action observation/mental practice sessions 3 times per week and the control group (n = 26) received usual care. Outcome measures included the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire Short Version (KVIQ-10), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) of affected upper extremity motor function only and The Box and Block Test (BBT). Although there were no statistically significant differences in upper extremity motor function between the two groups, a subgroup analysis of the intervention group identified statistically significant (FMA-UE: p < .001; BBT: p = .04) and Minimally Important Clinical Differences on upper extremity motor recovery between patients with behaviors demonstrating more versus less commitment to the intervention. Group synchronous action observation/mental practice is a promising intervention for patients demonstrating commitment to actively participating in the intervention to improve outcomes on upper extremity motor recovery after stroke.

Keywords:

• Action observation
• mental practice
• occupational therapy
• stroke rehabilitation

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Select Medical & Helen M. Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital administration & staff for their support, commitment and collaboration for this study. It is with utmost gratitude that we thank Julie Ellis, MS OTR/L for her excellent work and assistance in data collection. Her attention to detail, motivation and kindness were of utmost importance to the successful completion of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.