• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of robot arm reach training on upper extremity functional movement in chronic stroke survivors. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirteen chronic stroke survivors participated in this study. Robot arm reach training was performed with a Whole Arm Manipulator (WAM) and a 120-inch projective display to provide visual and auditory feedback. During the robotic arm reach training, WAM provided gravity compensation and assist-as-needed (AAN) force according to the robot control mode. When a participant could not move the arm toward the target for more than 2 seconds, WAM provided AAN force to reach the desired targets. All patients participated in the training for 40 minutes per day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) to assess upper extremity functional movement. Results: After 4 weeks, significant improvement was observed in upper extremity functional movement (FMA: 42.15 to 46.23, BBT: 12.23 to 14.00, p<0.05). In the subscore analysis of the FMA upper extremity motor function domains, significant improvement was observed in upper extremity and coordination/speed units (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the ARAT. Conclusions: This study showed the positive effects of robot arm reach training on upper extremity functional movement in chronic stroke survivors. In particular, we confirmed that robot arm reach training could have a positive influence by leading to improvement of motor recovery of the proximal upper extremity.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.445-452
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of task-oriented occupational therapy without action observation training and action observation on hemiplegic patients' upper extremity functions and activities of daily living. The stroke patients were randomly and equally assigned to an experimental group (action observation) and a control group (task-oriented occupational therapy). They received the intervention five times per week, 30 minutes per each time, for five weeks. In order to look at upper extremity functions of the paretic side before and after the intervention, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) and Box and Bock Test (BBT) were conducted and in order to compare activities of daily living, Korean-Version of Modified Barthel index (K-MBI) was examined. According to the results, upper extremity functions and activities of daily living in both groups increased and there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, action observation and task-oriented occupational therapy had positive effects on stroke patients' upper extremity functions and activities of daily living.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on Pal-sa (EX-UE9) for unilateral motor disturbance of the hand after cerebral infarction. Methods: One patient with unilateral motor disturbance of the hand following cerebral infarction (right basal ganglion and corona radiata) was treated with acupuncture, herbal medication, and electroacupuncture on Pal-sa (EX-UE9) once daily from June 30, 2016 to July 4, 2016. We evaluated improvement using the Box and Block Test (BTT) and 10-seconds Test, including the Finger Individual Movement Test (FIMT), the Hand Pronation and Supination Test (HPST), and the Finger Tapping Test (FTT). Results: After five days of treatment, increase of FIMT and FTT scores was observed after electroacupuncture on Pal-sa (EX-UE9). However, no increase was observed in BBT or HPST scores. Conclusions: This study suggests that electroacupuncture on Pal-sa (EX-UE9) can help treat motor disturbance of the hand after cerebral infarction.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-31
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• 2014

The aim of the present study was to examine whether mirror therapy, in conjunction with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), can improve the upper extremity function of stroke patient. This study was conducted with 35 subjects, who were diagnosed as a hemiparesis by stroke. The Mirror plus rTMS group was of 12 members who undertook mirror therapy in conjunction with rTMS, the Mirror group was of 11 members who undertook mirror therapy, and the control group was of 12 members who undertook sham therapy. A motor cortex excitability was performed by motor evoked potential, and upper limb function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Box and Block Test. Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in terms of latency, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and control group, and between the Mirror group and control group, respectively. Significant difference was shown after the experiment in comparison of the groups in amplitude, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and Mirror group, and between the Mirror plus rTMS group and control group. Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in FMA and BBT, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and Mirror group, and between the Mirror group and control group. The study showed that mirror therapy in conjunction with rTMS is more effective to improve upper extremity function, than mirror therapy and sham therapy.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of occupational therapy intervention using a fully immersive virtual reality device on the upper extremity function of patients with chronic stroke. Methods : This study used a single subject (ABA) design. The study subjects was a chronic stroke patient with left lateral deviation. Four baseline periods, 12 intervention periods, and 4 baseline regression periods were performed for a total of 20 sessions for 10 weeks. OT intervention with a fully immersive virtual reality device was used every 30 minutes. BBT and WMFT evaluations were performed at each session and the results were displayed in a line graph. Results : The patient's upper limb function has improved. During baseline recurrence, efficacy of treatment was confirmed after removal of intervention, but no significant changes were observed. Conclusion : It has been found that OT intervention with a fully immersive virtual reality device for upper limb function in chronic stroke patients is an effective intervention. However, the effectiveness of maintaining treatment is not important, so we need to develop an easy-to-use home intervention program.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.59-78
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of robot-assisted therapy on upper extremity function. Methods : This study used a single-subject experimental A-B-A' design. Three Parkinson's disease patients took part. Each subject received a robot-assisted therapy intervention (45 min/session, 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks). Upper extremity movement was evaluated with the Reo Assessment tool in Reogo. The Jebsen-Taylor hand motor function test, Fugle-Mayer Assessment score, Box and Block Test, and Nine-hole pegboard test were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results : After intervention, all subjects underwent 3D motion analysis of reaching function. There was overall improvement in resistance, smoothness, direction accuracy, path efficiency, initiation time, and time to moving target with robot-assisted therapy. Robot-assisted therapy may have a positive effect on upper extremity movement in Parkinson's disease. Conclusion : Robot-assisted therapy is considered an alternative in clinical occupational therapy to improve upper extremity function in Parkinson's disease.