Action Observation Treatment (AOT) has been shown to be effective in the functional recovery of several clinical populations. However, little is known about the neural underpinnings of the clinical efficacy of AOT in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Using electroencephalography (EEG), we recorded µ rhythm desynchronization as an index of sensorimotor cortex modulation during a passive action observation task before and after AOT. The relationship between sensorimotor modulation and clinical outcomes was also assessed. Eight children with CP entered the present randomized controlled crossover pilot study in which the experimental AOT preceded or followed a control Videogame Observation Treatment (VOT). Results provide further evidence of the clinical efficacy of AOT for improving hand motor function in CP, as assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function Scale (MUUL). The novel finding is that AOT increases µ rhythm desynchronization at scalp locations corresponding to the hand representation areas. This effect is associated to functional improvement assessed with the MUUL. These preliminary findings, although referred to as a small sample, suggest that AOT may affect upper limb motor recovery in children with CP and modulate the activation of sensorimotor areas, offering a potential neurophysiological correlate to support the clinical utility of AOT.

中文翻译：

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行动观察治疗脑瘫患儿的电生理相关性：一项初步研究。

行动观察治疗（AOT）已被证明在几种临床人群的功能恢复中有效。然而，关于脑瘫（CP）患儿AOT临床疗效的神经基础知之甚少。我们使用脑电图（EEG），在AOT之前和之后的被动动作观察任务中，将μ节律失步记录为感觉运动皮层调制的指标。还评估了感觉运动调节与临床结果之间的关系。八名患有CP的儿童参加了本随机对照交叉试验研究，在该试验中，实验性AOT在对照视频游戏观察治疗（VOT）之前或之后进行。结果为AOT改善CP的手运动功能的临床疗效提供了进一步的证据，通过辅助手评估（AHA）和墨尔本单侧上肢功能量表评估（MUUL）进行评估。新颖的发现是AOT在与手部代表区域相对应的头皮位置增加了μ节律失步。此效果与MUUL评估的功能改善有关。这些初步发现，尽管被称为小样本，但提示AOT可能会影响CP儿童的上肢运动恢复并调节感觉运动区域的激活，从而提供潜在的神经生理相关性，以支持AOT的临床应用。此效果与MUUL评估的功能改善有关。这些初步发现，尽管被称为小样本，但提示AOT可能会影响CP儿童的上肢运动恢复并调节感觉运动区域的激活，从而提供潜在的神经生理相关性，以支持AOT的临床应用。此效果与MUUL评估的功能改善有关。这些初步发现，尽管被称为小样本，但提示AOT可能会影响CP儿童的上肢运动恢复并调节感觉运动区域的激活，从而提供潜在的神经生理相关性，以支持AOT的临床应用。