NCT04194281

Feasibility of Action Observation Training [AOT] in Infants After Unilateral Brain Lesion

Action Observation Training [AOT] to Improve Upper Limb Function in Infants After Unilateral Brain Lesion - a Feasibility Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 8 (actual)
• Sponsor: Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 9 Months – 12 Months
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The study examines whether infants with a perinatal unilateral brain lesion can perform an "Action Observation Training" \[AOT\] at the age of 9-12 months . AOT is the targeted and concentrated observation of movements and actions to learn new motor skills. In adults with hemiplegia after a stroke and in older children with hemiplegia, AOT can lead to an improvement in the functions of the affected hand/arm. Infants with early unilateral brain damage are at increased risk of developing a hemiplegia and thus impaired upper limb function. There is little known about treatment options to promote arm and hand skills in early childhood and their effectiveness. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge whether AOT could also be used in infants. It is known that even in infants at an early age brain activity can be measured while they are observing movements and infants learn a lot about observing and imitating. Knowledge about the measurement of manual skills is also reduced. So far, tests have been used to observe and evaluate how infants use their hands when playing (e.g. Mini-Assisting Hand Assessment). The aim of this study is to investigate whether measurements with motion sensors can also be used in infants. In the pre-post study, about 5 to 10 toddlers will be examined. During four weeks, the parents should give the child 20 minutes of AOT per day at home. A therapy diary will be completed for this purpose. During six weeks, the parents will use movement sensors on two days a week for the upper limb of the infants. Finally, three questionnaires about the AOT and the motion sensors will be completed by the parents.

Conditions

• Perinatal Brain Injury

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Action Observation Training [AOT]	Parents are instructed to show their child repetitive arm, hand and finger movements in a playful and age-appropriate way for about 20 minutes a day, divided into several short sequences. AOT is to be carried out for four weeks at home by the parents and, if necessary, other caregivers. The parents receive instructions which contain background information on the possible importance of AOT for improving the functions of the upper limb, information about positions, promoting motivation, attention and interest as well as tips for promoting movement observation in everyday life.

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-05-30
• Primary completion: 2021-07-30
• Completion: 2021-07-30
• First posted: 2019-12-11
• Last updated: 2021-10-06

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Switzerland