Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 18 and up

Action Observation Therapy for Chronic Stroke via Telerehabilitation

Official title: Investigation of the Effect of Action Observation Therapy Via Telerehabilitation Method on Upper Extremity Functions, Daily Living Activities and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke Patients

Run by Karabuk University · NCT07631182 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether watching and then imitating simple daily actions through a home-based telerehabilitation program improves hand function and quality of life for adults with chronic stroke.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment30 (estimated)
SponsorKarabuk University
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Karabük, Merkez and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJune 15, 2026
Main results expectedJuly 1, 2026
Study endsOctober 1, 2026
Registry record updatedJune 9, 2026
Trial IDNCT07631182 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults over 18 with left hemiparetic stroke, at least 6 months post-stroke, with adequate hand/upper-extremity motor function and cognitive capacity, able to participate in seated therapy sessions.

Probably not a fit

Individuals with severe spasticity, contractures, neglect, or cognitive/behavioral barriers that prevent participation may not experience benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The trial investigates whether combining Action Observation Therapy with telerehabilitation, in addition to conventional physiotherapy, improves upper-extremity function and daily living abilities in adults with left-sided chronic stroke. Participants observe and imitate actions delivered remotely, aiming to engage the mirror neuron system to support motor recovery. The study targets individuals at least 6 months post-stroke, with specific Brunnstrom stages for the hand and upper extremity, and adequate cognitive and trunk function. Conventional physiotherapy remains the baseline treatment, while the telerehabilitation modality provides accessible, low-cost delivery. Safety and eligibility are assessed through standard clinical criteria and standardized motor and cognitive scales.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience improved hand dexterity and independence in daily activities through an accessible home-based therapy approach.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work supports neural and functional gains from action observation and telerehabilitation separately; combining them for chronic stroke is a novel approach with potential for meaningful improvement.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being over 18 years of age,
* Diagnosis of left hemiparetic stroke,
* Having passed between 6 months since the onset of stroke,
* Being in stage 4 or 5 of the hand and stage 4, 5 or 6 of the upper extremity according to Brunnstrom staging,
* Being able to sit on a chair for 30 minutes without support (patients who scored 20 or more points in total from the Trunk Impairment Scale),
* Scoring 24 or more points from the Mini Mental Test

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unwillingness to participate in the study,
* Having spasticity that prevents grasping and releasing an object (levels 3 and 4 on the Modified Ashworth Scale),
* Having a contracture in any of the affected upper extremity joints,
* Having severe neglect disorder (scoring 21 or higher on the Catherine Bergego Scale),
* Having impaired cooperation, compliance, and behavior during the administration of tests used to obtain data,
* Having a mental impairment that prevents communication and following basic commands (scoring less than 24 on the Mini-Mental Test),
* Having additional neurological and/or orthopedic problems that may affect motor performance and sitting balance,
* Having severe visual and hearing problems (if any, these problems not corrected with assistive devices such as glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, etc.)

Where it's running

  • Karabuk University
    Karabük, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting
  • Mustafa KAVAK
    Karabük, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.