| Objective: To explore the efficacy of action observation therapy for hand motor function after stroke, and to compare the differences between the effects of action observation therapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Methods: Totally 52 stroke survivors were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group (n=16), the action observation therapy group (n=19), and the rTMS group (n=17). The control group received conventional occupational therapy only, the action observation therapy group received conventional occupational therapy and action observation therapy, and the rTMS group received rTMS and conventional occupational therapy. The treatment lasted for 2 courses of treatment. The curative effectiveness was assessed by motor status scale (MSS), Carroll and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after the treatment. Results: After 2 courses of treatment, all of the results in the three groups were significantly better than those before treatment (all P<0.05). The results in both the action observation therapy group and the rTMS group were significantly improved as compared with those in the control group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores between the action observation therapy group and the rTMS group. Conclusion: Conventional occupational therapy combined with the action observation therapy or the rTMS could improve the hand function after stroke. There was no significant difference in the improvements between the action observation therapy and the rTMS. |
