Long Term Effects of Action Observation Therapy and Mirror Therapy on Upper Limb Functions

Primary outcomes

1. Fugel Meyer assessment of upper limb

   Time frame: 4,5,6,7,8 week

   A three-point ordinal scale is used to measure impairments of volitional movement with grades ranging from 0 (item cannot be performed) to 2 (item can be fully performed). Specific descriptions for performance accompany individual test items. Subtests exist for UE function, LE function, balance, sensation, ROM, and pain. The cumulative test score for all components is 226 with availability of specific subtest scores (e.g., UE maximum score is 66, LE score 34; balance score 14). This instrument has good construct validity and high reliability (r =0.99) for determining motor function and balance. Quantifiable outcome data allow this instrument to be accurately used for research purposes (a gold standard) and document recovery over time. The instrument requires an estimated 30 to 40 minutes to administer.

2. Functional Independence Measure

   Time frame: 4,5,6,7,8 week

   The FIM instrumentIncludes measures of independence for self-care, including sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication, and social cognition. Is an 18-item, seven-level, ordinal scale intended to be sensitive to changes over the course of a comprehensive inpatient medical rehabilitation program.

3. Short form of the Stroke Impact Scale (SF-SIS)

   Time frame: 4,5,6,7,8 week

   The eight items determined from the SIS 3.0 for the SF-SIS by MacIsaac et al.For this reason, we refrained from a renewed process of translation and intercultural adaptation of these eight questions. As with the SIS 2.0, the rating is based on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5 points). The raw sum score of the eight questions with a range from 8 to 40 points is converted into an interval-scaled total index of 0-100 points, the SF-SIS index. Higher scores indicate a better quality of life.

4. Wolf motor function test

   Time frame: 4,5,6,7,8 week

   The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) quantifies upper extremity movement ability through timed single- or multiple-joint motions and functional tasks.1 The tasks are arranged in order of complexity, progress from proximal to distal joint involvement, test total extremity movement and movement speed, and require few tools and minimal training for test execution. The present study establishes the reliability and validity of the WMFT (Assessing Wolf Motor Function Test as Outcome Measure for Research in Patients After Stroke.) The original version consisted of 21 items; the widely used version of the WMFT consists of 17 items Composed of 3 parts:

   • Time
   • Functional ability
   • Strength