Effectiveness of action observation therapy on upper extremity function in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Action observation therapy is a novel rehabilitation tool. It is a top-down approach based on mirror neuron system recruitment.

Objectives

To evaluate action observation therapy’s effectiveness in improving upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy and perform a meta-analysis to synthesize data across statistically similar studies.

Methods

Data Sources: Included The Web of Science, Science Direct, OVID, PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database PEDro, and the Cochrane Library. Study selection: The authors included randomized controlled trials that studied the effect of action observation therapy alone or associated with other treatment methods on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Study appraisal: Two authors extracted data independently and assessed the risk of bias using The Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials.

Results

Of the five studies chosen for review, we included three in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between action observation therapy with repeated action versus repeated action alone in the hand assessment (AHA) scale, the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb (MUUL), and ABILHAND- Kids (P-values 0.53, 0.26, 0.89, respectively).

Conclusions

Action observation therapy has no advantage over traditional functional motor training in improving upper limb function in rehabilitating children with cerebral palsy.

Keywords:

• Therapeutics
• cerebral palsy
• upper extremity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Systematic review registration number

Prospero CDR42020154645.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Mai Elsayed Abbass

Mai Elsayed Abbass is a paediatric physical therapy lecturer at Cairo University’s Faculty of Physical Therapy, where she teaches paediatric rehabilitation as well as growth and development in children. She holds a Master’s degree in paediatric rehabilitation as well as a Ph.D. Her current research interests include paediatric rehabilitation, assessment and management of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders in children, and systematic review studies.

Nahla M. Ibrahim

Nahla M. Ibrahim is a paediatric physical therapy lecturer at Cairo University’s Faculty of Physical Therapy, where she teaches paediatric rehabilitation as well as growth and development in children. She holds a Master’s degree in paediatric rehabilitation as well as a Ph.D. Paediatric rehabilitation, gait and balance evaluation and management, and kinesiotaping in musculoskeletal disorders in children are among her current research interests.