Improving upper limb function in chronic stroke patients through observation and imitation therapy

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

This study tests if watching and copying daily activities can help people who had a stroke improve their arm function and quality of life, comparing online therapy to in-person sessions.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Karabuk University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Karabük, Karabuk)
• Trial ID: NCT06794749 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of Action Observation Therapy (AOT) on upper extremity functions, daily living activities, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. Participants will engage in AOT by observing and imitating simple actions related to daily activities, with the study comparing the outcomes of telerehabilitation versus face-to-face therapy. The research aims to determine both short- and long-term effects of these two methods on rehabilitation outcomes. The study includes patients who are at least 6 months post-stroke and have specific functional impairments.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 years old who have experienced a left hemiparetic stroke between 6 to 36 months prior and meet specific functional criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with severe spasticity, contractures, or significant cognitive impairments may not benefit from this therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly enhance the quality of life and functional independence of chronic stroke patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific comparison of telerehabilitation and face-to-face AOT is novel, AOT has shown promise in improving motor functions in stroke rehabilitation in previous studies.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being over 18 years of age,
* Diagnosis of left hemiparetic stroke,
* Having passed between 6-36 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:

* Not volunteering to participate in the study,
* Having spasticity (level 3 and 4 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale) that prevents grasping and releasing an object,
* Having contracture in any of the upper extremity joints on the affected side,
* Having a serious neglect disorder (scoring 21 and above on the Catherine Bergego Scale),
* Having cooperation, adaptation and behavioral disorders during the application of the tests used to obtain the data,
* Having mental impairment that prevents communication and receiving 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 advanced vision and hearing problems (if any, these problems have not been corrected with assistive devices such as glasses, lenses, hearing aids, etc.)

Where this trial is running

Karabük, Karabuk

• Mustafa KAVAK — Karabük, Karabuk, Turkey (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Mustafa KAVAK, MsC — Karabuk University
• Study coordinator: Mustafa KAVAK, MsC

Conditions: Stroke