• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of mirror-neuron-system-based action observation physical training on improvements in upper extremity functions and daily living activities in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients were randomly selected. As a therapeutic intervention, along with conventional occupational therapy, the patients engaged in action observation physical training through repeated imitation practices after they viewed a video. The therapeutic intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, three times each week for eight weeks. A Manual Function Test (MFT) was conducted to compare upper extremity functions before and after the therapeutic intervention, and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was used to compare the ability to perform daily living activities. Results: Significant improvements in upper extremity motor functions and the ability to perform daily living activities were shown after the intervention. The subjects' left upper extremity motor functions and ability to perform daily living activities showed significant improvement after the intervention. Conclusion: The study's results indicate that action observation physical training based on the mirror neuron system improves chronic stroke patients' upper extremity motor functions and their ability to perform daily living activities. Therefore, action observation training has positive effects on the functional recovery of chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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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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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.246-254
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• 2017

Purpose: Previous studies have reported that action observation training has beneficial effects on enhancing the motor task, such as balance and gait functions. On the other hand, there have been few studies combined with action observation training and auditory feedback. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of action observation training with auditory feedback on the gait function in stroke patients with hemiparesis Methods: A total of 24 inpatients with post-stroke hemiparesis were assigned randomly to either an experimental group 1 (EG 1, n=8), experiment group 2 (EG 2, n=8), control group (CG, n=8, EG 1). The EG 2 and CG watched video clip demonstrating three functional walking tasks with auditory feedback, without auditory feedback, and showing a landscape image, respectively. The exercise program consisted of 30 minutes, five times a week, for four weeks. The participants were measured to 10MWT (10 m walk test), 6MWT (6 minutes walking distance test), TUG (timed up and go test), DGI (dynamic gait index), time and steps of F8WT (figure-of-8 walk test). Results: In the intra-group comparison after the intervention, EG 1 and EG 2 showed a significantly different gait function (10MWT, 6MWT, DGI, TUG, F8WT) (p<0.05). In the inter-group comparison after intervention, EG 1 showed significant improvements in the entire gait parameters and EG 2 only showed significant improvement in DGI and TUG compared to CG (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that action observation training with auditory feedback may be used beneficially for improving the gait function of stroke patients with hemiparesis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of action observational training with acoustic stimulation (AOTA) on the balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: Forty-five chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups. The AOTA group (n = 15) received training via a video that showed a normal gait with the sound of footsteps. The action observation training (AOT) group (n = 15) received AOT without acoustic stimulation. The control group (n = 15) received physical training. Each intervention was applied once per day, three times per week for six weeks. The participants in the AOTA and AOT groups had five minutes of AOT. The participants in the all group had 20 minutes of physical training. All participants were measured using the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Functional Reaching Test, 10 Meter Walk Test, six Minute Walk Test, and Dynamic Gait Index. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. The between- and within-group comparisons were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and a paired t-test, respectively. For all statistical analyses, the significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: The one-way ANOVA test identified significant differences among the measurement results of the three groups (p < .05). Post hoc analyses indicated the AOTA group to undergo more significant balance and gait changes than the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The gait and balance abilities could be improved effectively for patients with stroke when action observation training and acoustic stimulation were applied simultaneously.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of action observation training (AOT) on the balance and cognition of the elderly with dementia. Methods: Twenty-four participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (12 participants each). The 5-week intervention involved 45 minutes sessions, three times a week. Both groups did 30 minutes of general physical exercises, followed by the experimental group watching a 5 minutes video featuring functional movements and imitating them for 10 minutes. The control group watched a scenic video and did functional training for 10 minutes, mimicking the experimental group. All participants were evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Functional Reaching Test (FRT), Berg's Balance Scale (BBS), and Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) before and after the intervention. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to p=0.05 for all variables. Results: The experimental group showed significant within-group changes in the TUG test, FRT, BBS, and K-MMSE (p<0.05). The control group showed a significant change in FRT and K-MMSE (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control group regarding the change in the TUG test, BBS, and K-MMSE after the interventions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the AOT and repetition of actual movements, led to more significant improvements in balance and cognitive abilities compared to the control group that observed scenic landscapes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Purpose : To find out how action observation training for chronic stroke patients affects their balance and body control abilities in the posture seated in the rehabilitation of stroke. Methods : This study was conducted on 30 subjects who were diagnosed with stroke. The group conducted motion observation training through video clips, while the control group only conducted physical training, and the general physical therapy was performed equally by both counties. The static balance was measured using Biorescue and the dynamic balance was measured using Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Results : Static balance showed statistically significant difference in foot pressure (p<.05) as a result of comparison between pre and post exercise training. Dynamic balance was statistically significant (p>.05) as a result of comparing pre and post differences using modified functional reach test. The trunk control ability was statistically significant (p>.001). Comparison between the results of before and after motion observation training showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: This study confirmed that exercise training in sitting position was effective for static, dynamic balance ability and trunk control ability of hemiplegic patients due to stroke. These results suggest that the use of motion monitoring in stroke patients may have a positive impact on the diversity and function of rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.271-280
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in chronic hemiplegic patients to examine the effect of the training of the ipsilateral arm that is identical to the model performing movements and the training of the contralateral arm on the function of the arm. METHODS: The subjects were participated total 2 patients(the subject 1 with left hemiplegia and the subject 2 with right hemiplegia). The study was conducted for 4 weeks. The action observation training were repeated 10 times in 10 days during intervention period. The evaluation of the arm function such as BBT, MFT and MAL in the each subject were examined 5 times in the baseline period, 10 times during the intervention period and 5 times during the baseline regression period. RESULTS: The results of the evaluation in each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The arm function of the 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and the improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. In addition, there were large variation ratio of BBT and MAL (AOU, QOM) in comparison with subject 1. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the action observation training was more effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients who imitate the performed behavior of paralyed parts on the same side.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.180-186
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• 2022

This study is a pilot study to confirm the effectiveness of training after applying emergency simulation training for inactive nurses and to present a new model of simulation training operation method. In this study, the control group is a group that directly participates in the simulation activity, and the experimental group is the group that observes the control group's simulation activity. Experimental group and control group were matched 1:1 to experience all the roles of the resuscitation team. The study participants were 5 inactive nurses in the experimental group and 5 inactive nurses in the control group, and the total training time was 5 hours. The emergency simulation operation composition consists of theory education, skill education, and simulation. The interview was conducted. The educational satisfaction of the participants was 4.65 points for theory education and 4.70 points for practical education based on 5 points. Participants' performance confidence improved from 3.60 points before operation to 7.20 points after operation. Emergency simulation operation consisted of pre-test, theory education, skill education, simulation implementation, debriefing, and post-test. Participants expressed that the choice of group greatly reduced the burden and anxiety about performing the role of the resuscitation team. However, difficulties and inexperience in the operation of the defibrillator were reported in the experimental group. The control group reported that the simulation activity of the experimental group was not significantly different from theirs. Through the results of this study, it was confirmed that emergency simulation education not only reduced the burden and anxiety of inactive nurses, but also had an effect of education. Based on the research results, it is proposed to expand the participants and verify the effectiveness of education through specific variables such as learning commitment, learner confidence, simulation satisfaction, and team effectiveness.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.1
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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.