• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.133-144
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of task-oriented treadmill training on the gait and balance ability and functional activity in 20 patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: The study subjects were twenty stroke patients, ten randomly placed in the experimental group and ten in the control group. Both the experimental and control groups received 30 minutes of traditional physical therapy and an additional 15 minutes of functional electrical stimulation therapy. The experimental group was given task-oriented treadmill training, while the control group received general treadmill training. Each session lasted for 25 minutes, three times a week, over four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in the 10-metre walk test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Modified Barthel index (MBI). However, statistically significant differences in the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were seen only in the experimental group. There were statistically significant differences in the between-group differences value comparisons in the 10MWT, BBS, TUG, FMA, and MBI. CONCLUSION: Task-oriented treadmill training positively impacts gait, balance, and daily function in subacute stroke patients. This study highlights the benefits of training on unstable surfaces and offers valuable insights for stroke rehabilitation and gait training.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.31-54
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study assessed the effectiveness of Hwanggigyejiomul-tang for postoperative breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) by a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A search was conducted using keywords such as "breast cancer", "lymphedema", "edema", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction", "Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu tang", and "Hwanggigyejiomul tang" in 10 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect, CNKI, CiNii, RISS, KISS, ScienceON, OASIS, DBpia) on February 11, 2024. There were no limits on the publication period and language, and the quality of the studies was evaluated using Cochrane's risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis was performed based on the outcome measurements, such as total effective rate (TER), increase in shoulder joint mobility (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and visual analog scale (VAS) using Review Manager Web. Results: Eleven RCTs were selected. The treatment group (Hwanggigyejiomul-tang-gagambang or hapbang with control group intervention) showed a more statistically significant effect compared with the control group (physical therapy or western medicine) in TER (upper limb circumference change), TER (upper limb edema grade change), increase in flexion angle, increase in extension angle, increase in adduction angle, FMA, and VAS. Conclusions: Hwanggigyejiomul-tang is effective in treating postoperative BCRL. However, because of the low quality of the included studies, more clinical studies are required to increase the possibility of clinical use.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.646-662
• /
• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) with transcranial direct current electrical stimulation (tDCS) on motor function improvement in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with stroke more than 2 weeks but within 12 months of onset. A total of 22 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received EA and tDCS treatment, while the control group received sham EA and sham tDCS treatment. Assessments were conducted using the Korean version of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (K-FMA) scores, grip and pinch strength tests, Box and Block test (BBT), Nine-hole peg test (9HPT), Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Korean version the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) scores. Adverse events were recorded at each intervention. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in general characteristics between the two groups. The K-FMA, BBS, and K-MBI scores of both groups increased significantly after the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Although hand strength and dexterity improved after intervention in both groups, the changes were not statistically significant. In the experimental group, the lateral pinch score increased significantly after the intervention, but this increase was not significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. All nine reported adverse reactions were minor, with no moderate or severe adverse reactions reported. Conclusion: This study confirmed the potential effectiveness and safety of EA with tDCS in improving motor function in stroke patients.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.515-524
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study was investigated the effect of self-exercise based on health care application on upper extremity function and daily living, satisfaction in patients with stroke. This experiments were participated in thirty patients with stroke. All subjects allocated that randomized each fifteen patients in experimental and control groups. Subjects of both group received the conventional rehabilitation therapy during 30 min/day, 5 for week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, experimental group performed that self-exercise based on health care application, supervised under caregivers, during 30 min/day. Additionally, control group conducted only self-exercise supervised under caregivers, during 30 min/day. The outcome measures were the JHFT(: Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test), FMA(: Fugl-Meyer Assessment), K-MBI(: Korean Modified Barthel Index), VASS(: Visual Analog Satisfaction Scale). In results of study. Two groups showed significant improvements after intervention in all tests(p<.05). In comparison of change score between both group, experimental group showed greater significant improvements than control group in JHFT(p<.05). The experimental group was significant higher than control group in VASS(p<.05). We suggested that self-exercise based on health care application can have a positive effects of the improvements of hand function and satisfaction than usual self-exercise in patients with stroke.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.2012-2020
• /
• 2020

Background: Multifaceted approaches will be needed, such as global synkinesis (GS) achieve functional improvements in the arms of stroke patients from involuntary movements during exercise. Objective: To identify changes in arm GS and muscle activity, functional evaluation and the correlation with variables through action observation training, combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES), thereby verifying the effect on stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 stroke patients who were divided into two groups: Control group (n=10) and experimental group (n=10). Before the intervention, arm GS and muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography (EMG), and arm function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. At the end of the intervention, which lasted 4-wk, arm GS and muscle activity were measured again using the same scale. Results: There was a decrease statistically significant difference in GS during the bending action in experimental group (P<.01). Both groups showed a significant difference increased only in the activity of the anterior deltoid (AD) and biceps brachii (BB) (P<.05). The results of the arm functional assessment revealed a significant difference increase in both groups (P<.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference decrease in GS during the bending action (P<.05). Only the muscle activity of the AD and BB were significantly increase different (P<.05). There was a significant between-group difference increase in the arm functional assessment (P<.05). There was a positive correlation between GS and muscle activity on the FMA in the control group (r=.678, P<.05). In experimental group, GS during the bending arm action exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.749, P<.05), and the muscle activity of the AD and BB showed a positive correlation (r=.701, P<.05). Furthermore, in experimental group, the activity of the extensor carpi radialis increased, and the activity of the flexor carpi radialis decreased, which exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.708, P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that brain plasticity could be more efficiently stimulated by combining surface stimulation in the affected arm of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.189-199
• /
• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC), and the effect of turning direction on the time and number of steps taken during the 180 ° turn test in subacute stroke patients. Additionally, it examined the concurrent validity of the 180 ° turn test. Methods : The study included 28 subacute stroke patients. The test-retest reliability of the 180 ° turn test according to the direction of rotation (paretic and non-paretic sides) by comparing the consistency between the initial assessment and a reassessment conducted 7 days later. Concurrent validity was examined by assessing the correlation of the 180 ° turn test with the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FMA-L/E), Berg balance scale (BBS), 10-meter walk test (10 mWT), and timed up and go test (TUG). Results : The ICC for the time taken to turn 180 ° to the affected and unaffected sides were 0.971 and 0.918, respectively, indicating excellent reliability. The ICC for the number of steps were 0.944 and 0.932, respectively. The MDC for the time taken were 0.33 seconds (affected side) and 0.67 seconds (unaffected side). The MDC for the number of steps were 0.49 (affected side) and 0.63 (unaffected side). The paired t-test showed the limited community ambulator group took significantly longer to turn to the unaffected side (p<.048). Significant correlations were found between the 180 ° turn test and FMA-L/E (r= -0.395 to -0.416), BBS (r= -0.622 to -0.684), 10 mWT (r= 0.720 to 0.730), and TUG (r= 0.684 to 0.790) (p<.05 to .01). Conclusion : The 180 ° turn test demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and high validity when correlated with other functional measures in subacute stroke patients. MDC values indicated high reliability. Faster walking speeds (≥0.95 m/s) were unaffected by turning direction, while slower speeds (<0.58 m/s) showed significant effects. The 180 ° turn test is a simple, sensitive, and reliable tool for evaluating turning ability in subacute stroke patients.

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

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2015

In the paper, we developed the mobile based rehabilitation system for patients with upper extremity hemiplegia after stroke and evaluated clinical usefulness and effectiveness of the system. The sensors built in the smartphone were used to track patients' upper limb motion and the movements was transferred to the tablet PC through bluetooth connection so that the game contents could be interact with the movements. The rehabilitation game contents was based on Brunnstrom stage(B-stage), and was designed to lead accurate movement of upper limb. For the clinical evaluation of the effectiveness, 11 patients were recruited and make them perform an exercise of their wrist, shoulder, and forearm using the system for two weeks. The change of upper limb motor function was measured using fugl-meyer assessment(FMA), Brunnstrom stage(B-stage). And the change of quality of life was measured using EuroQoL-5 Dimension(EQ-5D), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). The results showed significant improvement in upper limb function but not in quality of life. We verified mobile based rehabilitation program could be useful and effective for the clinical use.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE : The purpose of this study was to identify whether 3D motion input device based mirror therapy could improve on upper extremity function, quality of life and depression in chronic stroke patients METHOD : Thirty six patients with chronic stroke were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups: 3D leapmotion mirror therapy group, mirror therapy group, and sham therapy group. 3D leapmotion mirror therapy group performed 3D motion input device based mirror therapy, mirror therapy group performed general mirror therapy, control group performed sham therapy. All patients received a total of 15 exercise session over a 5 week period (three times per week). Fugl-Meyer Assessment-upper extremity(FMA-UE), Stroke Specific-Quality of Life(SS-QOL), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) were performed prior to and five weeks after the treatment RESULT : Subjects in the 3D leapmotion mirror therapy group showed significant improvements in upper extremity function, quality of life and depression following training. The changes of upper extremity function, quality of life and depression in the 3D leapmotion mirror therapy group were significantly more than them of the control group. CONCLUSION : The result of this study suggest that 3D motion input device based mirror therapy is an intervention to improve on upper extremity function, quality of life and depression in chronic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.38-46
• /
• 2006

The purposes of this study were to investigate the median frequency (MDF) between initiation and termination of muscle contraction through surface electromyographic (sEMG) analysis and to propose the basis of clinical treatment for movement problems in early hemiparetic upper limbs. Thirteen patients who had stroke with onset less than 3 months prior to the study and seven control subjects participated in the study. The median frequency in initiation and termination of muscle contraction was recorded from wrist flexor and extensor muscles using the sEMG, with 3 second beeper signals, during maximal isometric wrist flexion and extension. Flexion and extension must be done as quickly and forcefully as possible. The results of the study were as follows: 1. The MDF of the onset and offset sections were significantly lower on the paretic than the nonparetic and control sides. 2. The MDF of the offset section significantly decreased on the paretic and nonparetic sides. Consequently, this study showed that the lowering of the MDF was due to the hemiparetic wrist motor impairment and muscle weakness. These results are also related to Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scores in hemiparetic upper limbs. This study also suggests that since muscle weakness of early stroke patients affects the functional decrease of upper limbs, further studies must focus on the treatment to improve muscle agility and muscle fiber recruitment efficiency that can induce the functional recovery correlated to motor control.