COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ACTION OBSERVATION THERAPY AND MIRROR BOX THERAPY WITH FUNCTIONAL MOTOR TRAINING IN POST STROKE SUBJECTS
Authors: S Pavani Thummala , kumar Dr. S. Senthil 
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to find out the effectiveness of Action observation therapy and mirror therapy versus bilateral functional motor arm training which are two rehabilitation strategies, which enhances the motor learning and motor improvements of stroke patients by visual feedback and observation. The primary motor cortex's excitability, the encoding of motor engrams, and motor learning are all improved by action observation. Based on the existence of the mirror neuron system (MNS), action observation treatment (AOT) is a growing neuro rehabilitative technique that is activated not only during the execution of an action but also during the observation of the same activity. The AOT suggests that by seeing and imitating various behaviours, motor symptoms of various neurological illnesses can improve in light of this "dual" activation. In the realm of neurophysiology, it is now commonly accepted that the same brain areas that are active during the actual execution of actions are also active during action observation and execution. Regions with this action observation-action execution matching mechanism are known as the "mirror neuron system." The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Action Observation therapy and Mirror Box therapy with bilateral functional motor training in order to assess the efficacy of these treatments in improving functional motor capacity in patients with subacute strokes and chronic stroke subjects. Thirty people with subacute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were reportedly recruited for this study. Each participant was given a random assignment to receive bilateral functional motor training for 3 months, 5 days a week, along with AOT and MBT. Results were measured at three different times: baseline, right away following therapy, and three months later. The Fore Arm Bisection Task, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Motor Assessment Scale were the major and secondary results, respectively, of the experiment. Patients embraced the video instruction that was used to provide it. In comparison to the bilateral functional arm training provided to group B, the experimental group's subjects underwent 3 months of AOT and MBT, or the forearm bisection task, which suggests improvements in the motor functioning of the hand and a distal shift in the pointing of the middle of the forearm. Video-therapy also appears to be promising. The video lesson that was used to provide it was well received by the patients. The experimental group's subjects underwent 3 months of AOT and MBT, or the forearm bisection task, as opposed to the bilateral functional arm training given to group B. This suggests improvements in the motor functioning of the hand and a distal shift in the pointing of the middle of the forearm. Additionally promising seems to be videotherapy. According to preliminary findings, individuals receiving action observation treatment and MBT had significant gains in task completion compared to those receiving functional motor training. However, additional large-scale research including at least 30 patients in each group is necessary to confirm these findings. Video training seems to be a promising addition to neurorehabilitation because it is simple to offer, well-liked by patients, and appears to be effective. Improvement in hand function, as determined by the Motor Assessment Scale, may have occurred after six weeks of intervention. This study will offer empirical support for the effects of AOT and MT on motor, functional, and brain activity mechanisms in patients with subacute stroke. Rehabilitation via online or video teaching may be a further application and use of AOT and MT.