Can Action Observation Therapy be an Alternative to Robotic Rehabilitation to Improve Upper Extremity Functions in Stroke Patients?: A Protocol of Randomized Controlled Study

Aim: Approximately two-thirds of stroke patients have upper extremity involvement after the disease. Traditional and innovative rehabilitation programs are needed to restore of the upper extremity motor movements. This clinical trial aims to investigate and compare treatment effects robotic rehabilitation (RR) and action observation therapy (AOT) on upper-limb motor function, independence and quality of life in subacute stroke. Method: The estimated sample of the study is 30 subacute stroke patients. Participants will be randomized into two groups (RR and AOT). All participants will receive conventional treatment for 60x3x8 minutes/day/week. In addition to conventional methods, robotic rehabilitation will be applied to the RR group, and the AOT protocol will be applied to the other group for the same duration. Assessments will be repeated at the baseline, end of the 4th and 8th weeks. Conclusion: This paper will be the first study that compares the effects of AOT and RR on upper extremity motor functions on stroke. In addition, this study will be a reference source for systematic review or meta-analysis studies that investigate the effectiveness of AOT.