ABSTRACT

Objective : This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively synthesize the effects of Action Observation Training (AOT) on Activities of Daily Living (ADL) across diverse clinical populations. Methods : Randomized controlled trials investigating AOT were identified through searches of PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated to estimate pooled effects, with ADL as the primary outcome and upper limb function as the secondary outcome. Results : A total of 325 participants with neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, mild cognitive impairment, developmental coordination disorder, and total knee arthroplasty, were included. The meta-analysis showed that AOT significantly improved ADL compared with control interventions (SMD = 0.32, 95% CI [0.10, 0.55], p < 0.05). A significant positive effect was also observed on upper limb function (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI [0.26, 0.81], p < 0.05). Conclusion : AOT has beneficial effects on ADL and upper limb function and may represent a function-oriented rehabilitation intervention across diverse clinical populations.