title: Effects of mental practice with action observation training on occupational performance after stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on whether mental practice (MP) in patients with stroke using action observation training (AOT) is effective in improving physical performance are still insufficient. To examine the effects of MP on both occupational performance and motor function to complement studies relevant to MP with AOT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects of this study were 3 individuals who were diagnosed with stroke. We used an A-B-A study design with follow-up evaluation, which is a type of reversal single experimental research design. A total of 20 experimental sessions were conducted. To assess the long-term effect of MP with AOT, follow-up baseline measurements were made after 2 weeks without MP. Three-dimensional motion analysis and electromyography were conducted during each of the 20 sessions. The Motor Activity Log and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills were measured 3 times: in the pre-MP phase, the post-MP phase, and the 2-week follow-up phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Occupational performance improved after intervention in all 3 subjects when applying an MP task using AOT. All subjects showed improvement of motor functions, including smoothness of movement, agonistic muscle activation, and co-ordination. The treatment effect continued after 2 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MP using AOT in patients with stroke is an effective treatment protocol to improve occupational performance and motor function. Thus, MP using AOT may be applicable for treating stroke patients with stroke not only while they are in the hospital but also at home or in the community.
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, Jecheon, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yu-Jin
authors: YJ
authors: Cha
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: splash@yonsei.ac.kr.
authors: Eun-Young
authors: EY
authors: Yoo
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Min-Ye
authors: MY
authors: Jung
authors: Department of Psychology, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Soo-Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Park
authors: Department of Occupational Therapy, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
authors: Ji-Hyuk
authors: JH
authors: Park
authors: Department of Control and Instrumentation Engineering, Kangwon National University, Samcheok, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Action observation training; mental practice; motor function; occupational performance; stroke