NCT06166862

Action Observation and Motor Imagery Therapy in Stroke

Effect of Action Observation and Motor Imagery Therapy on Balance, Functional Status and Quality of Life in Stroke, Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

In recent years, motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) therapy strategies have been used in rehabilitation programs to increase motor learning in stroke. Visuomotor training strategies such as AO and MI therapy rely on the activity of the mirror neuron system to facilitate motor re-learning. Mirror neurons are activated during the performance of goal-directed actions, also when observing the same action and visualizing the action in the mind. This clinical trial aims to test whether the application of AO and MI treatment in stroke in addition to conventional rehabilitation programs has an additional effect on motor recovery, activities of daily living, and quality of life.

Detailed description

Stroke is one of the most common neurological disorders that causes chronic disability in adulthood. Stroke-related neurological dysfunction causes impairment in motor and sensory skills and limitation in the ability to perform daily living activities, resulting in decreased independence of patients. This process causes significant impairment in the quality of life of stroke patients. In recent years, motor imagery (MI) and action observation (AO) therapy strategies have been used in rehabilitation programs to increase motor learning in stroke. Visuomotor training strategies such as AO and MI therapy rely on the activity of the mirror neuron system to facilitate motor re-learning. Mirror neurons are activated during the performance of goal-directed actions, also when observing the same action and visualizing the action in the mind. This clinical trial aims to test whether the application of AO and MI treatment in stroke in addition to conventional rehabilitation programs has an additional effect on motor recovery, activities of daily living, and quality of life.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitation	Action observation; Patients will watch some exercises accompanied by music from a previously prepared video for 10 minutes. Exercises include 8-10 repetitions of abduction-adduction, horizontal abduction-adduction, flexion-extension and supination-pronation movements for the upper extremity, and stepping, forward-backward stepping, side stepping and ankle dorsiflexion movements for the lower extremity. Motor imagery training; Patients will be asked to visualize the actions they watched in their minds for 10 minutes. Then the patients will watch the video again and will be asked to perform the exercises while watching.
OTHER	Sham action observation and motor imagery therapy for rehabilitation	Sham action observation; Patients will watch a video consisting of static nature photographs for 10 minutes with the same music. Sham motor imaginary; Patients will think about the video they watched for 10 minutes. Then, they will watch another video in which the exercises are performed only once, and they will be asked to do the exercises. They will be given enough time to do 8-10 repetitions.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-12-12
• Primary completion: 2026-06-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2023-12-12
• Last updated: 2025-12-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)