• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.106-113
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of action observation training (AOT) and mirror therapy in improving the electroencephalograms (EEG) of stroke patients. Methods: Patients were allocated randomly to three groups: an action observation training with activity (AOTA) group (n=12), a mirror therapy with activity (MTA) group (n=11), and an AOT-only group (n=12). All groups received conventional physiotherapy in five 60-minute sessions over six weeks. The AOTA, MTA, and AOT groups practiced AOTA, MTA, and AOT, respectively, in three 30-minute sessions over six weeks. The differences between the pre- and post-treatment EEGs were assessed using a paired t-test. Comparisons between the groups were performed using one-way ANOVA. Results: The participants in the AOTA and MTA groups showed significant improvement in the EEG. AOTA improved the alpha waves of the prefrontal, temporal, and parietal lobes significantly (p<0.05). MTA improved the alpha waves of the temporal lobe significantly (p<0.05). AOT did not result in significant improvement Conclusion: AOTA and MTA improve stroke patients' EEGs. Mirror neuron activation combined with conventional stroke physiotherapy promotes motor recovery and functioning. The effect is enhanced when the actions are executed after observation. Further research into mirror neuron activation will be needed to develop methods to improve the EEGs of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.413-418
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the effect of action observation training on sit to-walk times in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve stroke patients were randomly allocated to two groups, as follows: an action observation training (AOT) group and a scenery picture observation (SPO) group. The AOT group was engaged in video observation for 2 minutes 30 seconds with 12 ADL functional activities related to the sit-to-walk task: physical training was carried out in two repetitions lasting 2 minutes 30 seconds. The landscape imagery control group observed landscape picture for 2 minutes 30 seconds and then carried out the same physical training. The intervention involved a total of 12 sessions over 4 weeks, and each session lasted 30 minutes. The pre and post-tests measured the timed up and go test (TUG), Sit to stand test (STS), and Dynamic gait index (DGI). The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare pre-test and post-test result, and the Mann-Whitney U test was employed for comparison between groups. Results: The TUG time was significantly different between the AOT group and the SPO group. According to the findings, the experimental group's TUG was significantly decreased (p<0.05). In comparison of the two groups, there was no significant in STS or DGI between the AOT group and SPO group. Conclusion: This study showed that the intervention can be used to decrease TUG time. Our research suggests that action observation training has a positive effect on sit-to-walk times in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.98-103
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• 2022

Purpose: New therapeutic approaches have emerged to improve gait ability in patients with brain damage, such as action observation learning (AOT), auditory cueing, motor imagery etc. We attempted to investigate the effects of AOT with auditory cueing (AOTAC) on gait function in patients with stroke. Methods: The eighteen stroke patients with a unilateral hemiparesis were randomly divided into three groups; the AOTAC, AOT, and control groups. The AOTAC group (n=8) received training via observing a video that showed normal gait with sound of footsteps as an auditory cue; the AOT group (n=6) receive action observation without auditory stimulation; the control group (n=5) observed the landscape video image. Intervention time of three groups was 30 minutes per day, five times a week, for four weeks. Gait parameters, such as cadence, velocity, stride length, stance phase, and swing phase were collected in all patients before and after each training session. Results: Significant differences were observed among the three groups with respect to the parameters, such as cadence, velocity, stride length, and stance/swing phase. Post-hoc analysis indicated that the AOTAC group had a greater significant change in all of parameters, compared with the AOT and control groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that AOTAC may be an effective therapeutic approach to improve gait symmetry and function in patients with stroke. We believe that this effect is attributable to the change of cortical excitability on motor related to cortical areas.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제7권4호
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• pp.45-53
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this article was to review the literature on mirror neuron system with reference to its functional diversity in stroke rehabilitation.. Method : This review outlines scientific findings regarding different neurophysiological properties in mirror neurons, and discusses their involvement in process of stroke rehabilitation. Result & Conclusions : Mirror neurons were first discovered in macaque monkey. These neurons, like most neurons in F5 areas in premotor cortex, fired when an individual performs an action, as well as when he/she observes a similar action done by another individual, although originally fired only during action execution. Mirror neurons form a network for motor planning and initiating of motor action. Thus, in stroke rehabilitation based on the mirror neuron-action observation, motor imagery, observation with intent to imitate and imitation-may help activate mirror neuron system for improved outcome of physical therapy. These studies provide a scientific theoretical basis and discuss for the use of mirror neuron system as a complement to clinical physical therapy in stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of action observational training to improve the gait function for patients with stroke. Methods: The participants were divided into two groups: right hemiplegia group (n=12) and left hemiplegia group (n=12). All groups received conventional therapy for five sessions for 30 minutes, each for three weeks. Left and right hemiplegia group practiced additional action observational training for five sessions for 20 minutes each for three weeks. They participated in three weeks of action observational training coupled with immediate physical practice (intervention), followed by a final assessment. The duration of each action observation video sequence was 10 minutes, followed immediately by practice of the observed motor skill (10 minutes). The gait velocity, cadence, swing time, step length, and BOS (base of support) were examined using the GAITRite system. Results: The results of this study showed significant improvement in the gait function. The outcomes of the gait abilities from gait velocity, cadence, swing time, step length of the affected side, and BOS (base of support) were improved significantly in the right hemiplegia group (p<0.05). In the left hemiplegia group, there was no significant improvement in the gait velocity, cadence, and BOS except for the swing time and step length of the affected side. The left and right group comparisons between the groups were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Action observation training improves the gait function. These results suggest that action observational training is feasible and suitable for stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.398-407
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) coherence and brain wave activity for first-person perspective action observation (1AO) and third-person perspective action observation (3AO) of healthy subjects. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects participated in this study. EEG was simultaneously recorded during the Relax period, the 1AO, and the 3AO, with event-related desynchronization (ERD) and coherence connectivity process calculations for brain wave (alpha, beta and mu) rhythms in relation to the baseline. Results: Participants showed increased coherence in beta wave activity in the frontal and central areas (p<0.05), during the 1AO using right-hand activity. Conversely, the coherence of the alpha wave decreased statistically significantly decreased in the frontocentral and parieto-occipital networks during the observation of the 1AO and the 3AO. The ERD values were larger than 40% for both central regions but were slightly higher for the C4 central region. The high relative power of the alpha wave during 1AO and 3AO was statistically significantly decreased in the frontal, central, parietal, and occipital regions. However, the relative power of the beta wave during 1AO and 3AO was statistically significantly increased in the parietal and occipital regions. Especially during 1AO, the relative power of the beta wave in the C3 area was statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that 1AO and 3AO action observations are relevant to modifications of specific brain wave coherence and ERD values. EEG cortical activity during action observation may contribute to neural reorganization and to adaptive neuroplasticity in clinical intervention.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Action-observational training program on gait and balance of patients with hemiplegia. Method : The subjects of this study are patients with hemiplegia; 10 patients who agreed with this research, were picked up. Participants were divided randomly into equal groups: experimental group that applied to action-observation training for at least 30 minutes/day for 6 weeks and control group that underwent general task-oriented training. Gait and balance were measured 10 meter walk test(10MWT), gait speed, berg balance scale(BBS) and timed up and go(TUG). The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. Result : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the gait and balance test of those who practiced with the Action-observational training program, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, Action-observational training program is effective in improvement of to improve the gait and balance in patients with hemiplegia.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.45-57
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• 2018

Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an task oriented training program combined with action-observation on balance and gait ability of patients with chronic stroke. Method : The subjects of this study were 30 patients with hemiplegia who agreed to participate and were picked up. Participants were randomly divided into equal groups; namely, an experimental group that underwent task oriented training combined with action-observation for at least 30 minutes/day for 6 weeks and a control group that underwent general task-oriented training. Patients' balance was assessed using the Sway Length, Sway Area and Limit of Stability test. In addition, gait ability was assessed using the 10 Meter Walking Test to measure the taken to walk 10 meters. Gait time and speed taken to walk 10 meters were used to examine gait ability. Results : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the balance and gait ability test of those who participated in the action-observational training program, while the control group showed only significant changes in the evaluation items of the sway length in eyes opened condition and gait time. Conclusion : Therefore, Action-observational training program effectively improved the balance and gait ability in patients with stroke.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to effect of action observation with deep neck flexors strengthening exercise on pain and function in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic neck pain were randomly action observation with deep neck flexors strengthening exercise group (AOT group; n=15) and deep neck flexors strengthening exercise group (FSE group; n=15). The intervention was applied for 50 minutes a day, 5 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. The intervention effect were evaluated before and after the intervention. visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and Korea neck disability index (KNDI). Results: As a result of comparing within group, AOT group showed pre and post test, VAS (p<.01), PPT (p<.01), KNDI (p<.01) and FSE group VAS (p<.01), PPT (p<.05), KNDI (p<.01) significantly. In the comparison between the two groups, AOT group than FSE group in VAS, PPT and KNDI significantly (p<.05). Conclusion: Action observation with deep neck flexors strengthening exercise were founded to effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with chronic neck pain. It is suggested as basic data of clinical intervention.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.123-132
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• 2014

Purpose: The discovery of mirror neuron system may positively affect functional recovery; therefore, rehabilitation is needed that is practical for use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of action observation training on upper motor function in people who had suffered strokes. Methods: Three elderly patients with stroke, aged to years, were recruited from a stroke rehabilitation center. A nonconcurrent, multiple baseline subject approach was taken, with an A-B-A treatment single-subject experimental design, and the experiment was conducted for 3 weeks. The action observation training was repeated 5 times in 5 days during the intervention period. The arm function, including WMFT, BBT, and grip and pinch strength, was evaluated in each subject 5 times during the baseline period, the intervention period, and the baseline regression period. Results: The results of the evaluation for each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The WMFT scores of 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and this improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. The BBT and the grip and pinch strength were not improved. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that the action observation training for 5 sessions was effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients but was not effective in improving hand dexterity or grip and pinch strength.