RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07631169

The Effect of Action Observation Therapy Including Unimanual and Bimanual Activities in Chronic Stroke

Investigation of the Effects of Action Observation Therapy Including Unimanual and Bimanual Activities on Upper Extremity Functions, Activities of Daily Living, and Quality of Life in Chronic Stroke

Sponsor

Karabuk University

Enrollment

45 participants

Start Date

May 18, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

chronic stroke

Summary

Functional impairments in the upper extremities following a stroke significantly restrict individuals' activities of daily living and overall quality of life; in this context, Action Observation Training (AOT) has emerged in recent years as an effective rehabilitation method that promotes motor learning processes and cortical activity by activating the mirror neuron system. Although the literature acknowledges the positive effects on neural mechanisms of both unimanuel approaches, which focus on the paretic hand alone, and bimanual approaches, which involve the simultaneous use of both hands, there remains a gap regarding which method yields superior outcomes. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of AOT interventions consisting of exclusively unimanual versus exclusively bimanual activities on upper extremity functions, activities of daily living, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients, while investigating the potential differences between the outcomes of these two distinct approaches.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

Being over 18 years of age,
Diagnosis of left hemiparetic stroke,
Having passed between 6 months since the onset of stroke,
Being in stage 4 or 5 of the hand and stage 4, 5 or 6 of the upper extremity --according to Brunnstrom staging,
Being able to sit on a chair for 30 minutes without support (patients who scored 20 or more points in total from the Trunk Impairment Scale),
Scoring 24 or more points from the Mini Mental Test

Exclusion Criteria8

Unwillingness to participate in the study,
Having spasticity that prevents grasping and releasing an object (levels 3 and 4 on the Modified Ashworth Scale),
Having a contracture in any of the affected upper extremity joints,
Having severe neglect disorder (scoring 21 or higher on the Catherine Bergego Scale),
Having impaired cooperation, compliance, and behavior during the administration of tests used to obtain data,
Having a mental impairment that prevents communication and following basic commands (scoring less than 24 on the Mini-Mental Test),
Having additional neurological and/or orthopedic problems that may affect motor performance and sitting balance,
Having severe visual and hearing problems (if any, these problems not corrected with assistive devices such as glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, etc.)

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Interventions

OTHERAction Observation Therapy(unimanuel activities)

Participants will receive 30 minutes of unimanual-only activities in each session AOT (at home via telerahabilitation) in addition to 45 minutes of conventional physiotherapy (stretching, strengthening, core mobility, balance, electrotherapy, and endurance exercises in the clinic). They will receive 3 sessions per week for 5 weeks.

OTHERAction Observation Therapy(bimanuel activities)

Participants will receive 30 minutes of bimanual-only activities in each session AOT(at home via telerahabilitation) in addition to 45 minutes of conventional physiotherapy (stretching, strengthening, core mobility, balance, electrotherapy, and endurance exercises in the clinic). They will receive 3 sessions per week for 5 weeks.

OTHERconventional physiotherapy

Participants will receive 45 minutes of conventional physiotherapy (stretching, strengthening, core mobility, balance, electrotherapy, and endurance exercises in the clinic). They will receive 3 sessions per week for 5 weeks.