Comparative Study of Action Observation Training Versus Task Oriented Training on Reaching in Patients With Stroke

Passive stretching, active range of motion exercises, isometric strengthening, and functional gripping practice for the hand

Seated in chair with arm and back support, with forearms resting on a table 73 cm high. Functional movements were trained through task-oriented exercises involving simple activities of daily living(ADL), such as eating (using a plate and spoon), personal hygiene (combing hair, brushing teeth), and tasks using household items (e.g., handling a cup and spoon, or opening a bottle and cap). Each task was repeated five times. Patients were allowed rest periods of five minutes as needed during the exercise sessions.

sat comfortably in a chair or wheelchair with both arms resting on a table (73 cm high) positioned 50 cm from a 15.6-inch colored laptop screen. They were instructed to attentively observe action videos displayed on the screen and then imitate the observed movements using their affected upper limb. A total of 30 action videos were used, each lasting approximately 50 seconds and demonstrating specific upper limb movements, such as wrist flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, pronation/supination, ulnar/radial deviation, and various grasping and manipulation tasks (e.g., handling coins, pens, a computer mouse, jar lids, bottle caps, typewriting, dialing a phone, and feeding).