• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.25-36
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) and resistive exercise using elastic band with pressure belt on improving upper extremity function in stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen patients with stroke were randomly assigned to a control group that received mCIMT and resistive exercise using elastic band (n=8) and an experimental group that received mCIMT and resistive exercise using elastic band with pressure belt (n=8). Over the course of four weeks, mCIMT were conducted 60 minute three times per week and resistive exercise using elastic band (with pressure belt) were conducted twice daily, three times per week. The function of the upper extremities were evaluated before, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks using the grip strength test (GST), the box and block test (BBT), and motor activity log (MAL). Results: The values for the GST, the BBT, and MAL increased in both groups as the treatment period progressed. The values for the GST (p<.01), the BBT (p<.001), and MAL (p<.001) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 4 weeks after initiating the treatment. Conclusion: We found that mCIMT and wearing a pressure belt during resistive exercise was very useful in improving the function of the upper extremities in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of action observational physical training (AOPT) on manual dexterity and corticomotor facilitation in stroke patients. Ten hemiparetic patients participated in this study. Each subject was asked to participate the three conditions; base condition (Base), physical training (PT), AOPT. Participants were asked to observe the action in the video that a therapist moved the blocks during the AOPT conditions. Corticomotor facilitation was determined in three conditions by monitoring changes in the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited in hand muscles by transcranial magnetic stimulation. MEP responses were measured from the first dorsal interosseous after participants attended to three conditions. For the manual dexterity, Box and Block test (BBT) was used. The results of present study were summarized as follows: MEPs amplitude significantly tended to be larger than PT and Base condition. The scores of BBT in the AOPT condition were also significantly larger than other conditions. In conclusion, this finding of present study indicates that physical training for observation of an action is beneficial for enhancing a dexterity of paretic arm in stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program on range of motion and dexterity in the upper extremities of stroke patients. Methods: Fifteen patients with hemiparesis after stroke participated in this study. The participants participated in Rapael Semart GloveTM, an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program, performed for 30 minutes-, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The Rapael Smart GloveTM program and a Box and Block Test (BBT) were used to measure range of motion and to assess dexterity, respectively, pre-and post-intervention. Results: Range of motion in pronation and supination of the forearm and flexion, extension, and ulnar deviation of the wrist improved after the intervention. Dexterity measured by BBT also improved. However, range of motion in flexion and extension of the fingers and radial deviation of the wrist did not improve. Conclusion: This study presents the effects of an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program on hand function. In the future, a study comparing an immersive, virtual reality- based exercise program to other upper-extremity interventions for stroke patients should be conducted. A study about the effects of an immersive virtual reality program on activities of daily living is also needed.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2024

This meta-analysis systematically reviewed studies on mirror therapy focused on arm and hand function in stroke patients, aiming to comprehensively assess the efficacy of mirror therapy interventions and furnish empirical support for its potential application and future development in the context of stroke rehabilitation. A rigorous search for articles published in international journals up to the year 2022 was conducted. Various assessment tools were employed to calculate effect sizes, evaluating the impact of mirror therapy on arm and hand function in stroke patients. Utilizing a random-effects model, mean effect sizes were determined, yielding a total effect size of 0.545. The effect sizes for the Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS), Box and Block Test (BBT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and grip strength test were 0.957, 0.596, 0.490, 0.488, and 0.417, respectively. In summary, we suggest that mirror therapy engenders positive changes in functional recovery among stroke patients, establishing a foundation for its tailored clinical application based on individual subject characteristics.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a virtual upper extremity training program using the RAPAEL Smart Glove on upper extremity function in stroke survivors with chronic hemiparesis and to focus the training program development using the Smart Glove as a feasibility study. Methods: This study was conducted using a single group and pre-post test research design in the outpatient departments of local rehabilitation units. Ten chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors with a diagnosis of first stroke received therapeutic rehabilitation at the rehabilitation units. All the participants used a virtual reality program with the RAPAEL Smart Glove for 30 minutes per session 3 days a week over 8 weeks. They also received conventional occupational therapy with functional electrical stimulation for 40 minutes per session 3 days a week for 8 weeks as an additional therapy. To analyze the effects of this therapeutic intervention, four clinical measures, including the box-block test (BBT), the Wolf motor function test (WMFT), the trail-making score, the Jebsen Taylor hand function test (JTHFT), and grip strength, were used. Results: Upon completion of the intervention in week 8, all the participants demonstrated significant WMFT, JTT, BBT, grip strength, and trail-making score gains compared to the respective baselines at week 0. Conclusion: This study suggests that virtual upper extremity training using the RAPAEL Smart Glove has a reasonable and beneficial effects on upper extremity function in chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.245-252
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy(mCIMT) on upper function and activities of daily living in people with subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen participants, with subacute stroke that were randomly assigned to either the experimental group(n=9) or the control group(n=9). For subjects from the experimental group modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy was performed. exercise program, the patient trained in affected side upper extremity with restricted non-affected side for 1 hour and using in activity daily living for 4 hours for five times per week, during 4 weeks. For subjects from the control group, conventional upper extremity training was performed. Outcomes such as the box and block test(BBT), Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment(FMA), and modified Barthel index(MBI) were measured before and after training. Between-group and within-group comparisons were analyzed by using Independent t-test and Paired t-test respectively. RESULTS: These finding suggest that experimental group was significant increase in BBT, FMA, MBI(p<.05). In comparison of two group, experimental group was high upper function and activity daily living than control group. CONCLUSION: This study showed experimental group can be used to improve upper function and activity daily living than control group. Thus it indicates that mCIMT will be more improved through the continued upper extremity exercise program.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2014

Objective : We tested the effect of mirror treatment on patients with and without unilateral neglect over a period of 4 weeks. We also wanted to know the effect of mirror treatment with regards to improving upper extremity function and dealing with activities of daily living. Methods : Subjects were 10 hemiplegia patients with unilateral neglect and 10 hemiplegia patients without unilateral neglect. They visited the department of occupational therapy. We performed mirror treatment for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. We used Albert Test to compare our results from before and after the treatment, Fugl-Meyer motor function Assessment(FMA) and Box & Block Test(BBT) for upper extremity function, and Functional Independence Measure(FIM) for activities of daily living. Results : The results showed that mirror treatment had an effect on stroke patients with unilateral neglect. The treatment also had an effect on upper extremity function and activities of daily living regardless of unilateral neglect. Conclusion : The mirror treatment showed improvements on upper extremity function and activities of daily life as well as a reduction in the unilateral neglect after a stroke. In conclusion, the mirror treatment is useful for recovering function and improvement and for helping the patients complete activities of daily living.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2023

Background: Despite the fact that aquatic exercise is one of the most popular alternative treatment methods for children with cerebral palsy (CP), there are few research regarding its effectiveness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic exercise on upper extremity function and postural control during reaching in children with CP. Methods: Ten participants (eight males and two females; 4-10 years; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II-IV) with spastic diplegia were recruited to this study. The aquatic exercise program consisted of four modified movements that were selected from the Halliwick 10-point program to enhance upper extremity and trunk movements. The participants attended treatment two times a week for 6 weeks, averaging 35 minutes each session. The Box and Block Test (BBT), transferring pennies in the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT), and pediatric reaching test (PRT) scores were used as clinical measures. Three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to collect and analyze kinematic data. Differences in BBT and BOT values among pre-treatment, post-treatment, and retention (after 3 weeks) were analyzed using a Friedman test. In addition, the PRT scores and variables (movement time, hand velocity, straightness ratio, and number of movement units) from the three-dimensional motion analysis were tested using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The significance level was established at p < 0.05. When the results appeared to be statistically significant, a post-hoc test for multiple comparisons was performed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: All clinical measures, which included BBT, transferring pennies of BOT, and PRT, were significantly increased between pre-intervention and post-intervention scores and between pre-intervention and retention scores after treatment (p = 0.001). Three-dimensional motion analysis mostly were significantly improved after treatment (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Aquatic exercise may help to improve body function, activity, and participation in children with varying types of physical disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.485-492
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the pain, range of motion (ROM), upper extremity task performance, and functional levels of patients after rotator cuff repair according to the timing of a closed chain exercise thereby presenting basic data for an effective rehabilitation program. METHODS: The intervention was applied three times per week, one hour per day, for four weeks to 40 participants, 78 of whom had undergone rotator cuff repair. The participants were divided into four groups and assigned to usual general physical therapy and an open chain exercise. Group I consisted of the open chain exercise only. The closed chain exercise was applied to group II after the 4 times, group III after the 7 times, group IV after the 10 times. Measurement were used ROM, visual analogue scale (VAS), box and block test (BBT), and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to test differences. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the internal/external rotation between group I and group II. The VAS significantly differed between group II and group I, group III, and group IV. The BBT results of group II and group I were significantly different compared to those of group IV. The SPADI significantly differed between group II and group I and between group II and group IV. CONCLUSION: The closed chain exercise was effective for patients following rotator cuff repair from the second week after active exercise was prescribed, verifying its applicability in rehabilitation programs.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based core stabilization exercise on upper extremity function, postural control, and depression among persons with stroke with hemiplegia. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was conducted with the inclusion of 24 participants and were randomly assigned to either the VR-based trunk stability exercise group (n=12) or control group (n=12). The VR-based trunk stability exercise group performed core stabilization exercises in a VR environment for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the control group conducted general core stabilization exercises for 30 minutes. The participants trained 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The manual functional test (MFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used to assess all participants before and after the intervention. Results: The VR-based core stabilization exercise group had a significant improvement in upper extremity function (MFT, BBT) and postural control (BBS) compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VR-based core stabilization exercise showed a significant difference after intervention in the TIS and GDS scores (p<0.05), but they did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: The result showed that VR-based core stabilization exercise can be effective in improving upper extremity function and postural control among patients with stroke more than the sole application of general physical therapy.