Research Article
Feasibility Testing of Context-Specific Home-Based
Action-Observation-Therapy on Upper Limb Functions Among Nigerian Stroke Survivors
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, June 2026
Pages:
29-36
Received:
20 May 2026
Accepted:
8 June 2026
Published:
26 June 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.rs.20261102.11
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Abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of chronic neurological disability resulting in dysfunction of upper limbs and limitation in activity performance among survivors. Substantial constraint in accessing rehabilitation resources necessitate the need to provide alternative scalable home-based treatment options that can complement or where necessary, substitute hospital-based rehabilitation. The study reports findings from the feasibility testing of a context-specific home-based Action Observation Therapy (AOT) programme developed to improve upper limb functions among Nigerian stroke survivors (SSVs). Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted with ten SSVs recruited from the Medical Rehabilitation Department at the Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife. The SSVs participated in a six-week home-based AOT programme, consisting of five sessions per week, which included observation and imitation of goal-directed activities involving the upper limbs. Evaluations of motor and sensory function, hand dexterity and basic activities of daily living (BADL) were conducted using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Box and Block Test (BBT) and Barthel Index (BI) respectively at baseline, 3rd, and 6th weeks. A repeated-measures ANOVA was applied to analyze the data, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Findings: The results showed a significant improvement in upper extremity motor function (F=58.22; p=0.001), indicating progressive motor gains during the six-week intervention. However, no significant differences were identified in upper limb sensation, hand dexterity and BADL (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The context-specific home-based AOT programme significantly improved UE motor function among Nigerian SSVs with no significant recovery of sensory function, hand dexterity and BADL. Future study involving larger sample that employ a randomized control trial design is suggested to determine the functional and clinical relevance of this motor recovery.
Abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of chronic neurological disability resulting in dysfunction of upper limbs and limitation in activity performance among survivors. Substantial constraint in accessing rehabilitation resources necessitate the need to provide alternative scalable home-based treatment options that can complement or where necessary...
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,
Marufat Oluyemisi Odetunde
