Statistical analysis
All data analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL). Mean and standard deviation (SD) and count and proportion were used to describe continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Data were assessed for outliers, normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and homogeneity of variance. Between-group differences for baseline characteristics were explored using a Student t-test (continuous variables) or a non-parametric equivalent (e.g.Mann-Whitney test), and using a Chi-square for nominal variables. A general linear model of repeated measures (ANCOVA of two factors) was used to assess the impact of the intervention on the outcome measures (i.e. VAS, TSK, FABQ-PA, FABQ-W, tactile acuity, and muscle strength). The within-subject factor was time (baseline vs. post-intervention), the between-subject factor was the intervention (AO vs. control), and covariates were sex, age, and baseline values of FABQ-PA. Partial eta squared was used as an indicator of effect size and interpreted as small (0.01), medium (0.0.06), and large (0.14) effect size [