Effects of mental practice with action observation training on occupational performance after stroke.

Background: Studies on whether mental practice (MP) in patients with stroke using action observation training (AOT) is effective in improving physical performance are still insufficient. To examine the effects of MP on both occupational performance and motor function to complement studies relevant to MP with AOT.

Methods: Subjects of this study were 3 individuals who were diagnosed with stroke. We used an A-B-A study design with follow-up evaluation, which is a type of reversal single experimental research design. A total of 20 experimental sessions were conducted. To assess the long-term effect of MP with AOT, follow-up baseline measurements were made after 2 weeks without MP. Three-dimensional motion analysis and electromyography were conducted during each of the 20 sessions. The Motor Activity Log and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills were measured 3 times: in the pre-MP phase, the post-MP phase, and the 2-week follow-up phase.

Results: Occupational performance improved after intervention in all 3 subjects when applying an MP task using AOT. All subjects showed improvement of motor functions, including smoothness of movement, agonistic muscle activation, and co-ordination. The treatment effect continued after 2 weeks.

Conclusions: MP using AOT in patients with stroke is an effective treatment protocol to improve occupational performance and motor function. Thus, MP using AOT may be applicable for treating stroke patients with stroke not only while they are in the hospital but also at home or in the community.