• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 1996

Manual dextrity is frequently evaluated in rehabilitation to estimate hand function. The Box and Block Test(BBT) mearsures gross manual dextrity. The first goal of this study was to verify the test-retest reliability of the BBT for 4, 5 years old children. The second goal of this reserch was to develop normative data from 35 convenient sample of normal children. The results showed the test-retest reliability was high (Pearson product moment correlation coefficients of 0.71 to 0.82).

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1734-1738
• /
• 2019

Background: Stroke patients usually have arm weakness, which affects trunks and arms. Objective: To investigate the effects of paretic side and non-paretic side arm training on trunk control and upper limb functions. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind). Methods: Twenty patients with stroke in hospital were enrolled in the study. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to paretic side arm training group (PATG, n = 10) or non-paretic side arm training group (NATG, n = 10). Trunk impairment scale (TIS) was used for trunk control, and box and block test (BBT) was used for upper limb function. Training was conducted for 4 weeks. Results: PATG showed significant difference in TIS (static balance, dynamic balance, coordination, total score) and BBT. NATG showed significant differences in static balance, and dynamic balance and total score except for coordination and BBT. PATG also showed a more significant difference in BBT and coordination and total score than NATG. Conclusions: The arm training performed on the paretic side are more effective than those performed on the non-paretic side in improving both upper limb function and trunk control in stroke patients.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.81-103
• /
• 2022

The effects of therapeutic instrumental music performance (TIMP) using a ukulele were examined in adults with central nervous system damage and impaired hand functions. The participants were three adults with neurological damage who participated in 30-min sessions twice a week over 6 weeks. Changes in hand function was measured by the Box and Block Test (BBT), the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Following the intervention, all three participants showed increases in the BBT and 9-HPT scores, indicating positive changes in fine motor coordination and dexterity. In terms of the JTHFT, all three participants showed increases in the "writing" and "card flipping" subtask scores, indicating that the intervention was effective in improving more coordinated finger movements. All participants reported the satisfaction with the intervention. They also pointed out that they were motivated to play the ukulele and that following the intervention used their affected hand more frequently in daily activities. These findings suggest that TIMP with a ukulele for patients with central nervous system damage can have positive effects on their functional hand movements and motivate these patients to practice their rehabilitation exercises.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.353-356
• /
• 2014

The aim of the present study was to examine whether mental practice (MP) in conjunction with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve the upper limb function of sub-acute stroke patients. This study was conducted with 32 subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparesis by stroke. The experimental group consisted of 16 members upon each of whom was performed MP in conjunction with rTMS, whreas the control group consisted of 16 members upon each of whom was performed MP and sham rTMS. Both groups received traditional physical therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks; additionally, they received mental practice for 15 minutes a day. The experimental group was instructed to perform rTMS, and the control group was instructed to apply sham rTMS for 15 minutes. A motor cortex excitability analysis was performed by motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and upper limb function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the Box and Block test (BBT). Results showed that the amplitude, latency, FMA, and BBT of the experimental group and the latency, FMA, and BBT of the control group were significantly improved after the experiment (p<0.05). Significant differences were found between the groups in amplitude and latency after the experiment (p<0.05). The results showed that MP in conjunction with rTMS is more effective in improving upper limb function than MP alone.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.445-452
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analysis of the association between upper extremity function and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) for chronic hemiparetic stroke patients and investigate the evidence of the WMFT as a clinical tool of upper extremity function in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods: This study applied an observational, cross-sectional design in outpatients at three local rehabilitation units in Seoul. Forty-nine individuals who had a diagnosis of first stroke participated in this study. All participants were analyzed for four clinical measures, including the Box and Block Test (BBT), the WMFT, grip strength, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Results: Upon analysis, a significant relationship was found between the WMFT scores and BBT scores as well as the grip strength. The WMFT score was statistically and positively associated with the COPM satisfaction score; however, it was not related to the COPM performance score. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the WMFT is positively related to simple tasks, such as hand muscle strength and manual dexterity. However, the WMFT does not have a relationship with complex tasks, which are measured by COPM performance abilities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.99-103
• /
• 2013

Objective: Clinical measures that quantify upper extremity function are needed for the accurate evaluation of patients and to plan an intervention strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-Motor Exam and upper extremity performance as a quantifying clinical tool of upper extremity function in persons with Parkinson's disease. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-two idiopathic Parkinson's Disease persons participated in this study. To investigate the relationship between the UPDRS-motor exam, Box and Block test (BBT), and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) by two physical therapists. The examination took up to 1 hour, and the participants were invited to rest between each clinical measure in order to minimize the effects of fatigue. Clinical measures were assessed while the subjects were in the "on" phase of their medication cycle, generally 1-3 hour after taking their anti-Parkinson's medications. Results: In more affected side, the UPDRS-motor exam was significantly negative correlated with the BBT (p<0.05) but it was not significantly correlated with the ARAT. In less affected side, only positively correlation was significantly shown between BBT and ARAT (p<0.05). On the other hand, between BBT and ARAT were not significantly correlated with the UPDRS-motor exam. Conclusions: The UPDRS-motor exam is effective tool which was significantly correlated with manual dexterity in more affected upper extremity. But The UPDRS-motor exam is not effective tool in less affected upper extremity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of simultaneous application of focal vibration stimulation and task-oriented training on the improvement in upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : The study period was from January to April 2019; 23 patients who fulfilled the study eligibility criteria were enrolled. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group with vibration stimulation and task-oriented training and the control group with only task-oriented training. Training was conducted in a total of 20 sessions, 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks. The amount of use of the affected and unaffected side by accelerometers, and Box and Block test (BBT), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was measured with a pre-test, a post-test. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Analysis of Covariance were used to compare and analyze the changes within and between the groups. Results : Both the groups showed statistically significant changes in the results of the BBT and the ARAT, as well as the amount of use of the affected and unaffected side. Regarding the use of the affected side, BBT results, and the grasp and gross movement item of the ARAT showed significant changes in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion : We found that simultaneous application of focal vibration stimulation and task-oriented training was more effective than task-oriented training alone. A large-scale comparative study involving a group that is only given vibration stimulation should be conducted for more generalizable results.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.33-42
• /
• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess effects of Robot-assisted therapy on function of upper extremity in stroke patients. Method : A total of 11 patients suffered from stroke participated in this study. Inpatients of 4 people and outpatients of 7 people divided by 12 months conducted Robot-assisted therapy for 5~6 weeks. Therapists selected appropriate exercise mode to patients, and patients Patients performed the reaching exercise was repeated with looking monitor provided 3-dimensional feedback. Before and after treatment of upper extremity functions was compare by Wolf Motor Function(K-WMFT), Box & Block Test(BBT), Dynamometer, average execution time. Result : Grip power, K-WMFT, BBT, average performance times were promoting in all subjects, and only showed statistically significant changes in outpatients. But outpatients did not show statistically significant changes in inpatients. Conclusion : Robotic-assisted therapy in stroke patients have a positive impact on upper extremity function that could confirm that. In the future, Robots-assisted therapy is expected to be useful for stroke patients in the area of occupational therapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.69-78
• /
• 2015

This study evaluated and compared the effectiveness on upper motor extremity function between proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation which has been frequently used in clinical practice, and action observation training in terms of improving upper motor extremity function. A study with a single-subject design (A-B-C-A') was conducted with a patient who was diagnosed with left hemiplegia. A repeated-measure analysis was conducted to assess results of the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and grip and pinch strength test performed daily in the study for 4 weeks. The results of the analysis indicated that the WMFT score, BBT score, grip strength, and pinch strength were improved from 29.60 to 39 (24.10%), from 1.67 to 4.93 each (EA) (66.22%), from 2.06 to 2.66 libras (lbs) (22.61%), and from 1.57 to 1.93 lbs (18.94%), respectively, from the baseline period to treatment period B. The values were improved from 29.60 to 42.20 (29.86%), from 1.67 to 7 EA (76.21%), from 2.06 to 3.47 lbs (40.57%), and from 1.57 to 1.67 lbs (6.12%), respectively, from the baseline period to treatment period C. From treatment period B to treatment period C, the WMFT score, BBT score, and grip strength were improved from 39 to 42.20 (7.58%), from 4.93 to 7 EA (29.56%), and from 2.66 to 3.47 lbs (23.20%), respectively, but pinch strength was decreased from 1.93 to 1.67 lbs (15.83%). In conclusion, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and action observation training both have positive effects on upper extremity motor function. However, we suggest that the posttreatment effect of action observation training was better than that of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.12 no.12
• /
• pp.323-330
• /
• 2021

In this study, we intended to examine the difference in brain activation due to dominant and non-dominant hands using functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) in 10 healthy adults. Box & Block Test(BBT) was conducted under two conditions: dominant hand and non-dominant hand. During the experiment, brain activity was measured using fNIRS and signals were analyzed using nirsLAB v2019.04 software after the experiment was completed. As a result, 6 out of 10 people showed activation of the cerebral hemisphere related to the dominant hand, and only 3 out of 10 people showed activation of the cerebral hemisphere related to the non-dominant hand. In other words, both dominant and non-dominant hand cconfirmed that the cerebral hemispheres related to dominant hands were more active. Therefore, it is believed that fNIRS can be used as a fundamental data applicable to children with sensory processing disorders that are difficult to identify dominant hand.