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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07143500

Comparative Study of Action Observation Training Versus Task Oriented Training on Reaching in Patients With Stroke

Stroke is characterized by a sudden onset of localized or generalized brain dysfunction, with symptoms persisting for at least 24 hours or resulting in death. In the chronic phase following a stroke, hand dysfunction is commonly observed, often characterized by reduced finger strength and abnormal hand flexion patterns. Reaching is a crucial aspect of daily tasks, including activities like drinking, interacting with a touch screen, or pressing elevator buttons.

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Key information

Conditions

Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Nervous System Diseases Vascular Diseases

Age range

50 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Al Ryada University for Science and Technology

Sadat, Menoufia, 32897, Egypt

About this study

Thirty Nine male chronic stroke patients, aged from 50 to 65 years were included in the study. They were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Group "A" was the control group, Group "B" was the study group I and Group "C" was the study group II). Patients in the control group received a selected physical therapy program for upper limb for 60 minutes, patients in group B received Task Oriented Training for upper limb for 30 minutes and the same selected physical Therapy program for upper limb for 30 minutes, while patients in group C received Action Observation Training for upper limb for 30 minutes and the same selected Physical Therapy Program for upper limb for 30 minutes. The intervention was administered three times weekly over a period of four consecutive weeks. Reaching measurements were done using Reaching Performance Scale for stroke (RPSS) and WolF Motor Function Test (WMFT) pre- and post-treatment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with Chronic stroke diagnosed and referred by a neurologist.
  • Patient's ages ranged from 50-65 years old, Duration of stroke was between six to 12 months, Spasticity grade of the upper limb was from 1 to 1+ according to the modified Ashworth scale (MAS).
  • Patients with sufficient cognitive abilities that enabled them to understand and follow instructions (Mini-Mental Scale>24), Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale for upper limb scored between 38 and 63.
  • Patients with normal vision and hearing, Medically stable patients.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with Upper limb dysfunction due to neurological disorders other than Stroke (e.g, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsonism...etc).
  • Patients with Severe sensory deficits in the paretic upper limb, Psychological or severe cognitive disorders, Severe cardiovascular disease that can preclude intervention.

Treatment and study plan

selected physical therapy program

Other

Passive stretching, active range of motion exercises, isometric strengthening, and functional gripping practice for the hand

Task Oriented Training for Upper limb

Other

Seated in chair with arm and back support, with forearms resting on a table 73 cm high. Functional movements were trained through task-oriented exercises involving simple activities of daily living(ADL), such as eating (using a plate and spoon), personal hygiene (combing hair, brushing teeth), and tasks using household items (e.g., handling a cup and spoon, or opening a bottle and cap). Each task was repeated five times. Patients were allowed rest periods of five minutes as needed during the exercise sessions.

Action Observation Training Program

Other

sat comfortably in a chair or wheelchair with both arms resting on a table (73 cm high) positioned 50 cm from a 15.6-inch colored laptop screen. They were instructed to attentively observe action videos displayed on the screen and then imitate the observed movements using their affected upper limb. A total of 30 action videos were used, each lasting approximately 50 seconds and demonstrating specific upper limb movements, such as wrist flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, pronation/supination, ulnar/radial deviation, and various grasping and manipulation tasks (e.g., handling coins, pens, a computer mouse, jar lids, bottle caps, typewriting, dialing a phone, and feeding).

Primary outcomes

  1. Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke (RPSS)

    Time frame: 4 Weeks

    Evaluates the performance of two reaching and grasping tasks

  2. Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT)

    Time frame: 4 Weeks

    Designed to assess upper limb motor function following stroke or traumatic brain injury

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ahmed Alshimy

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 27, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 27, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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