Purpose This study aims to examine the effects of the muscle strengthening exercises combined with action observational physical therapy (AOPT) as a treatment for muscle weakness, a major damage in stroke patients. Methods A total of 18 chronic stroke patients consisted of nine patients with right hemiplegia and nine patients with left hemiplegia, who had passed at least 12 months from the onset, were selected as the subjects of this study among the patients admitted to the B rehabilitation hospital located in Gyeonggido. The subjects of this study were randomly divided into the test action observational grip and pinch strengthening (AOGPS) group and Imaginary grip and pinch strengthening (IGPS) group. Each group performed grip and pinch strengthening through different interventions. In order to evaluate the improvement in hand muscle strength, the hand grip and pinch strengthening was measured with the JAMAR Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer, Jamar Hydraulic Pinch Gauge in this study. Results As for the comparison of the changes in the grip and pinch strength before and after intervention between the two groups, the change in hand grip was the AOGPS group and the IGPS group, indicating a statistical significance(**p<0.01). The change in the lateral pinch also demonstrated a statistical significance (***p<0.001) between the AOGPS group and the IGPS group. Conclusion This study aimed to examine whether the AOGPS training was effective in improving muscle strength, and the AOGPS training was found to be effective in improving the hand grip and pinch strength.