Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Motor imagery for gait rehabilitation after stroke.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2020
Same author

Action observation for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke.

The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2018
Same author

Electroencephalographic changes using virtual reality program: technical note.

Neurological research·2018
Same author

Observational practice of incentive spirometry in stroke patients.

Brazilian journal of physical therapy·2017
Same author

Brain activity during a lower limb functional task in a real and virtual environment: A comparative study.

NeuroRehabilitation·2017
Same author

Nonparametric methods in actigraphy: An update.

Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)·2015
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
05:28

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies

Published on: October 11, 2024

682

Action observation for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke.

Lorenna Rdm Borges1, Aline Bgs Fernandes2, Jacilda Oliveira Dos Passos1

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|August 5, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Action observation (AO) therapy shows small improvements in arm function and large but not clinically significant improvements in hand function for stroke survivors. Evidence is limited, with no clear benefits for daily activities or quality of life.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
07:35

Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System

Published on: December 29, 2023

1.4K
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Robotic Technologies for Improved Motor Recovery and Functional Outcomes
04:49

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Robotic Technologies for Improved Motor Recovery and Functional Outcomes

Published on: September 6, 2024

850

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
05:28

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies

Published on: October 11, 2024

682
Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
07:35

Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System

Published on: December 29, 2023

1.4K
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Robotic Technologies for Improved Motor Recovery and Functional Outcomes
04:49

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation with Robotic Technologies for Improved Motor Recovery and Functional Outcomes

Published on: September 6, 2024

850

Area of Science:

  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Motor Recovery
  • Stroke Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Action observation (AO) leverages the mirror-neuron system to promote neural plasticity and motor recovery in stroke patients.
  • This rehabilitation technique involves observing motor actions to stimulate neural pathways involved in movement execution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of action observation (AO) in enhancing upper limb motor function in individuals who have had a stroke.
  • To assess the impact of AO on activities of daily living (ADL), motor performance, cortical activation, and quality of life.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults post-stroke.
  • Searched multiple databases including Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register, MEDLINE, and Embase up to May 2021.
  • Included 16 trials (574 participants) comparing AO (alone or with physical practice) against sham observation, physical therapy, or functional activity practice.

Main Results:

  • Action observation (AO) demonstrated a low-certainty evidence of improvement in arm function (SMD 0.39) and hand function (MD 2.76).
  • The observed effects on hand function were large but not clinically significant.
  • No significant improvements were noted for activities of daily living (ADL) or quality of life, with very low-certainty evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Action observation (AO) therapy provides small benefits for arm function and potentially larger, though not clinically significant, benefits for hand function in stroke survivors.
  • Current evidence suggests AO does not significantly impact ADL performance or quality of life, with very low certainty.
  • Further research is needed as the low certainty of evidence indicates that future studies may alter these findings.