The effects of action observation gait training on the static balance and walking ability of stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of action observationtraining on the static balance and walking ability of patients who had suffered a stroke.[Subjects] Forty patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke were divided into anaction observation gait training group (AOGT group, n=20) and a general gait traininggroup (GGT group, n=20). [Methods] The AOGT group watched a training video on flatlandgait, slope gait, and stair gait. The GGT group watched a video on nature. Both groupswatched their respective video for 10 minutes and then had gait training for 20 minutesper day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] The static balance and gaitability of both groups significantly improved. Although there were significant differencesbetween the groups, the AOTG group showed greater improvements in sway speed, limit ofstability, and gait ability. [Conclusion] We recommend action observation training overgeneral gait training for patients with hemiplegia. Action observational training had apositive effect on static balance and gait ability in stroke patients’ static balance andgait ability. Further research is needed to generalize the results of this study.Key words: Hemiplegia, Action observation training, Gait