The effects of action observation training on improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bingbing Zhang, Laidi Kan, Anqin Dong, Jiaqi Zhang, Zhongfei Bai, Yi Xie, Qianhao Liu, Yuzhong Peng, Bingbing Zhang, Laidi Kan, Anqin Dong, Jiaqi Zhang, Zhongfei Bai, Yi Xie, Qianhao Liu, Yuzhong Peng

Abstract

Background and objective: Action observation training (AOT) has been used as a new intervention for improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects of AOT on improving upper limb motor functions in people with stroke.

Methods: We searched ten electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the effects of AOT on upper limb motor functions in stroke survivors. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed by the Risk of Bias Tool in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed by pooling the standardized mean difference (SMD) of upper limb motor outcomes.

Results: Seven studies of 276 participants with stroke were included. Meta-analysis showed a significant effect favoring AOT on improving upper limb motor functions in patients with stroke [SMD = 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10 to 0.61, I2 = 10.14%, p = 0.007].

Conclusions: AOT appears to be an effective intervention for improving the upper limb motor functions in people after stroke. Further studies need to investigate the neural mechanism underlying the effects of AOT.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1. Flow diagram of literature search…
Fig 1. Flow diagram of literature search and recruitment process.
Fig 2. Effects of AOT on upper…
Fig 2. Effects of AOT on upper limb motor functions in patients with stroke.
Fig 3. Subgroup analysis of task-based AOT…
Fig 3. Subgroup analysis of task-based AOT and movement-based AOT.
Fig 4. Subgroup analysis of characteristics of…
Fig 4. Subgroup analysis of characteristics of stroke.
Fig 5. Publication bias.
Fig 5. Publication bias.
Fig 6. Sensitivity analysis.
Fig 6. Sensitivity analysis.
Fig 7. Assessment methodological quality of RCTs.
Fig 7. Assessment methodological quality of RCTs.

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