The acute effects of action observation training on upper extremity functions, cognitive processes and reaction times: a randomized controlled trial

Emuk Y., Kahraman T., ŞENGÜL Y.

JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH, vol.11, no.13, pp.987-997, 2022 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 13
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.2217/cer-2022-0079
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.987-997
  • Keywords: action observation, neuroscience, reaction time, selective attention, upper extremity
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the acute effects of action observation training on upper extremity functions, cognitive functions and response time in healthy, young adults. Materials & methods: A total of 60 participants were randomly divided into five groups: the self-action observation group, action observation group, action practice group, non-action observation group and control group. The Jebsen-Taylor hand function test (JTHFT), nine-hole peg test, serial reaction time task and d2 test of attention were applied to the participants before and after the interventions. Results: JTHFT performance with both non-dominant and dominant hands improved significantly compared with baseline in all groups (p < 0.001). JTHFT performance with non-dominant and dominant hands differed between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Action observation training seems to enhance the performance of upper extremity-related functions. Observing self-actions resulted in statistically significant positive changes in more variables compared with other methods. However, its clinical effectiveness over the other methods should be investigated in future long-term studies.