ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study was to find out effects that a action observation training has purposeful activity task related to upper extremity motor function of a chronic stroke patient. Methods : 13 chronic stroke patients were randomly selected into an experimental group and a control group. An experimental group observed performance actions of purposeful activity task through a video and imitated actions repeatedly, and a control group conducted the traditional occupational therapy. Training was performed 3 times a week and 30 minutes for each round for 3 weeks. The Wolf motor function test and Grip strength test and Prehension test were performed for an upper extremity motor function evaluation. Results : After the training, an upper extremity motor function of the target showed significant difference between two groups and especially an experimental group showed significant improvement. grip strength and lateral pinch of an experimental group showed significant improvement after the training (p<.05). Conclusion : Action observation through a video lead a positive effect of recovering an upper extremity motor function than a traditional occupational therapy approach of practicing the same action intensively and repeatedly. Therefore, this study suggests a action observation training as one strategy of an intervention type of the occupational therapy.