Abstract
Action observation therapy (AOT), which involves observing target motions with a monitor before physical practice, has been focused on recently as an approach for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke. The effectiveness of AOT has been shown in previous studies;however, they did not show details such as subjects’ characteristics, and the procedures were insufficient for clinical application. This paper reviews previous studies, from March 2007, focusing on clinical application of AOT. Twelve papers were extracted and the effects of AOT were proved in moderate hemiparesis in convalescent phase and mild to moderate hemiparesis in chronic phase. The common procedures of AOT in the twelve studies, were “performing graded task-oriented training every day”. However, the procedures of AOT were diverse in terms of treatment period, time structure, and so on. AOT could be a potential treatment in occupational therapy because it has a low burden on patients, and its instruments and procedures are simple. Observing videos prior to physical practice in occupational therapy could enhance the treatment effect. Further studies on the AOT protocol are necessary for more effective clinical application.
