Background Action observation (AO) is a physical rehabilitation approach that facilitates the occurrence of neural plasticity through the activation of the mirror-neural system, promoting motor recovery in people with stroke. Objectives To assess whether action observation enhances motor function and upper limb motor performance and cortical activation in people with stroke.

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The complaints regarding sleep problems have not been well identified after a stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of sleep quality and insomnia complaints in patients with stroke. A total of 70 subjects, 40 patients (57 ± 7 years) and 30 healthy controls (52 ± 6 years) assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Habits Questionnaire took part in the study. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, the Student's t-test and logistic regression analysis. On average, the patients showed poor sleep quality (patients: 6.3 ± 3.5; controls: 3.9 ± 2.2; p= 0.002) and insomnia complaint was the most prevalent (patients: 37.5%; controls: 6.7%; p= 0.007). The absence of insomnia complaint (OR= 0.120; 95%CI= 0.017-0.873; p= 0.036) and the decreased latency of sleep (OR= 0.120; 95%CI= 0.017-0.873; p= 0.036) were the protective factors of sleep quality. Female sex (OR= 11.098;; p= 0.036) and fragmented sleep (OR= 32.040;; p= 0.003) were the risk factors for insomnia complaint. We suggest that complaints of poor sleep quality and insomnia should be given priority assessment during clinical diagnosis of sleep disorders in stroke.

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Este artigo foi o trabalho de conclusão de curso do fi sioterapeuta Gleyson Luiz Bezerra Lopes e parte integrante do projeto Realidade Virtual no Contexto da Reabilitação de Pacientes, do departamento de Fisioterapia/UFRN. O resumo deste artigo foi apresentado no IV Congresso Anual de Saúde da Universidade de Aveiro com o tema "do gene a degeneração", nos dias 13 e 14 de abril de 2013, em Aveiro, Portugal.