Komethagapandian D¹* and Yamuna C²

¹Clinical Occupational Therapist, KMCH Coimbatore-, India
²Professor, KMCH College of Occupational Therapy -The Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai, India

*Corresponding Author: Komethagapandian D, Clinical Occupational Therapist, KMCH Coimbatore, India.

Received: September 20, 2024; Published: October 30, 2024

Abstract

Upper extremity hemiparesis following a stroke significantly impacts a person's independence, affecting Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and functional mobility. Traditional compensatory approaches often emphasize using the unaffected arm and hand to compensate for deficits in the affected limb, rather than seeking to restore function to the impaired side. However, research supports the idea that involving the affected arm and hand in functional activities can lead to greater functional improvements and increased independence. Combining Action Observation Therapy (AOT) and the Motor Relearning Program (MRP) is designed to encourage the use of the impaired limb in functional tasks, emphasizing task-oriented training and active patient participation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of AOT and MRP on upper extremity (UE) function and ADL in patients with hemiparesis. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 34 participants aged 35 to 65 years, all of whom had experienced a hemiparetic stroke. These participants were randomly assigned to two groups: 17 in the experimental group, which received a combination of AOT and MRP, and 17 in the control group, which received conventional therapy (including the Biomechanical Frame of Reference and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation). Pre- and post-test scores were assessed using the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), the Motor Activity Log (MAL), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) to measure UE function and ADL in both groups. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test.

Post-test p-values for MAS, MAL, and MBI between the experimental and control groups were 0.016, 0.048, and 0.001, respectively, suggesting that the combination of AOT and MRP significantly improved UE function and ADL. These findings support the hypothesis that integrating AOT and MRP enhances UE function and ADL in hemiparetic stroke patients. Occupational therapists play a vital role in developing comprehensive, effective interventions for stroke rehabilitation, ultimately helping patients regain independence and improve their quality of life.

Keywords: Stroke; Hemiparesis; Action Observation Therapy; Motor Relearning Program; Upper Extremity Function; Activities of Daily Living

References

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Citation

Citation: Komethagapandian D and Yamuna C. “Combined Effect of Action Observation Therapy and Motor Relearning Program on Upper Extremity Recovery and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Hemiparesis”. Acta Scientific Neurology 7.11 (2024): 31-38.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Komethagapandian D and Yamuna C. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.