Effects of a single session action observation training on hand function in healthy young adults: a randomised controlled assessor and participants-blinded trial

PurposeThe aim was to investigate the effects of a single session action observation training (AOT) on hand function and evaluate whether observing self-actions would be more effective than observing someone else.Materials and MethodsA total of 60 right-handed healthy young adults, (32 female, 28 males and the mean age was 21.32 +/- 1.07 years) were included in the study. The participants were randomly divided into five groups, self-action observation (sAO), observation of a third person (AO), action practice (AP), non-action observation (nAO), and control. A single session was performed for all participants. The primary outcome was the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) assessed by a masked assessor.ResultsSignificant differences were observed between the sAO and control group in total left side JTHFT performance (p < 0.001). Additionally, there were significant differences between the AO and control group (p < 0.001), and AP and nAO group (p = 0.003) and AP and control group (p < 0.001) in total JTHFT performance change of the left side. Significant differences were found between the sAO and nAO (p = 0.001) and control groups (p < 0.001) in dominant side total JTHFT performance change. No difference between sAO and AP groups were observed (p > 0.05).ConclusionIt was observed that a single session of action observation training improved hand function in healthy adults. The better performance achieved in the group watching the self-video may suggest that watching the self-image activates more mirror neurons.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the effects of a single session action observation training on hand function and whether observing self-actions would be more effective than observing someone else. The results showed that the group watching self-actions had significantly better performance in the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test compared to the control group. There were also significant differences between the group watching someone else's actions and the control group, as well as between the action practice group and the non-action observation and control groups, suggesting that action observation training can improve hand function in healthy adults and watching self-actions may activate more mirror neurons.