Effects of action observation on physical training after stroke.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In healthy humans, observation of another individual performing a motor training task (action observation [AO]) facilitates, in the observer, the effects of physical training (PT) on motor memory formation. It is not known whether this facilitatory process, of potential value for neurorehabilitation, occurs after stroke. METHODS: Eight chronic stroke patients completed this crossover-randomized investigation. A transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol that tests formation of motor memories was used to determine the effects of PT alone and in combination with AO in 2 different forms: congruent (PT+AO(congruent)) and incongruent (PT+AO(incongruent)) to the practiced task. RESULTS: The magnitude of motor memory formation was larger with PT+AO(congruent) than with PT alone or PT+AO(incongruent). This effect was associated with a differential corticomotor excitability change in the muscles acting as agonist and antagonist of the trained/observed movements. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that congruent AO in association with physical training can enhance the effects of motor training after stroke.

Author information

Author/s: Celnik, Pablo (P); Webster, Brian (B); Glasser, Davis M (DM); Cohen, Leonardo G (LG);

Affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. pcelnik(-atsign-)jhmi.edu

Grants: 5K12HD001097 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; R01HD053793-01A1 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Stroke; a journal of cerebral circulation (Stroke), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 39 (issue 6) : pp 1814-20

Dates: Created 2008/05/28; Completed 2008/07/03;

PMID: 18403746, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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