• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.453-463
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Probody Massage Program on the physical characteristics, gross motor function and ROM (Range Of Motion) of children with cerebral palsy. Method : The subjects of this study were two children who have been diagnosed with first grade cerebral palsy that utilized T development support center located in B Metropolitan city for 8 weeks, twice a week, to carry out the Probody Massage Program for 30 minutes. Physiological reactions (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure (an index of inflammation), pulse rate) and large operating functions (sitting, crawling and the joints' range of motion as an angle of the shoulders' upper limb articulation) were measured pretest, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks. Results : The Probody Massage Program showed positive changes in physical characteristics (blood pressure, sitting, and crawling), gross motor function (upper limb shoulder movement), joint range of motion, height, body weight, metabolic activation and blood circulation of children with cerebral palsy. Conclusion : We believe making a practical impact on the growth and development, functional recovery of daily life, and improvement of quality of life of children with cerebral palsy by utilizing Probody Massage Program improves blood pressure (an index of inflammation), pulse, sitting, crawling, and the joints' range of motion as an angle of the shoulder joints' upper limb movement of children with cerebral palsy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.189-196
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper and lower limb coordinated exercises on balance in elderly women. Methods: The study was conducted with 27 elderly women who were at least 65-year-old. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise group consisting of 14 subjects and an aero step balance exercise group consisting of 13 subjects, and the exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times per week, for eight weeks. One Leg Stance Tests (OLST), Functional Reaching Tests (FRT), Four Square Step Tests (FSST), and Timed Up and Go (TUB) tests were conducted before and after the exercises to evaluate the subjects' static balance ability and dynamic balance ability. Among the collected data, the subjects' general characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the intra-group differences of the test results before and after the intervention were compared using paired sample t-tests, and the inter-group differences in the results before and after the intervention were evaluated using independent sample t-tests. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: Among the OLST, FRT, FSST, and TUG tests, the experimental group showed positive FSST results that were statistically significantly greater than the control group; the results of the other tests were also more positive for this group, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The magnitude of the effects for both groups was clinically significant. Conclusion: Since inter-limb coordinated exercises for PNF applied to elderly women were found to produce good results for both static balance ability and dynamic balance ability, these exercises can be used in exercise programs to improve balance in elderly women.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 2013

Upper extremity dysfunction is a common consequence following stroke. Spontaneous recovery during the first six months post-stroke is rigorous and considered as a significant indicator of potential long-term progress. Various approaches have been utilized to regain functional upper limb movement necessary for independent living; however, conventional therapy approaches have failed to prove consistency, especially for subacute stroke patients. There is, thus, a need for innovative therapeutic strategies that motivate stroke survivors to facilitate neural and functional recovery during the critical window immediately following stroke. The effect of music on physical enhancement has been frequently reported in the field of medicine as well as neurorehabilitation. The efficacy of rhythm on lower extremity deficits has been well established. Yet, the rationale for using instrumental music making enhancing subacute upper extremities rehabilitation is not clearly described to date. Based on the key mechanism of music as sensori-motor movement facilitator, this paper reviews previous empirical research that utilized music-based interventions for upper extremity rehabilitation for stroke patients, either in the form of receptive or expressive activity. This paper, further, focuses on the current research trends in subacute stroke upper limb rehabilitation and provides applicable rationale of using instrumental music playing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Anticipatory postural adjustments is an example of the ability of the central nervous system to predict the consequence of the mechanical effect of movement on posture and helps minimize a forth coming disturbance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sequence of activation of the trunk muscles during the performance of hip and shoulder movement and to determine the relationship between anticipatory activity and subjects' motor and functional status in subjects with hemiplegia post stroke. Twenty-four poststroke hemiparetic patients enrolled in this study. Electromyographic activity of the lumbar erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, and of the obliquus internus muscles was recorded bilaterally during flexion of both arm and from the rectus abdominis, obliquus externus, and obliquus internus muscles during flexion of both hip. Onset latencies of trunk muscles were partially delayed in the subjects with hemiplegia post stroke (p<.05). With upper limb flexion, the onset of erector spinae muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle activity preceded the onset of deltoid on both side respectively (p<.05). A similar sequence of activation occurred with lower limb flexion. Also the onset of external oblique muscle and rectus abdominis muscle activity preceded the onset of rectus femoris muscle on both side (p<.05). Major impairments in the activity of trunk muscles in hemiparetic subjects were manifested in delayed onset between activation of pertinent muscular pairs. These problems were associated with motor and functional deficits and warrant specific consideration during physical rehabilitation of post stroke hemiparetic patients.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2016

The brain and muscles both of which are composed of top-down structure occur the connectivity with the change of Electroencephalogram(EEG) and Electromyogram(EMG). In this paper, we studied the difference of functional connectivity between brain and muscles that by applying coherence method to EEG and EMG signals when users exercised upper limb with and without the movement intention. The changes in the EEG and EMG signals were inspected using coherence method. During the upper limb exercise, the mu (8~14 Hz) and beta (15~30 Hz) rhythms of the EEG signal at the motor cortex area are activated. And then the beta and piper (30~60 Hz) rhythms of the EMG signal are activated as well. The result of coherence analysis between EEG and EMG showed the coefficient of active exercise including movement intention is significantly higher than passive exercise. The coherence relations between cognitive response and muscle movement could interpret that the connectivity between the brain and muscle appear during active exercise with movement intention. The feature of coherence between brain and muscles by the status of movement intention will be useful in designing the rehabilitation system requiring feedback depending on the users' movement intention status.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.409-413
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• 2012

Purpose: Rehabilitative devices are used to enhance sensorimotor training protocols, for improvement of motor function in the hemiplegic limb of patients who have suffered a stroke. Sensorimotor integration feedback systems, included with these devices, are very good therapeutic frameworks. We applied this approach using electrical stimulation in stroke patients and examined whether a functional electric stimulation-assisted biofeedback therapy system could improve function of the upper extremity in chronic hemiplegia. Methods: A prototype biofeedback system was used by six subjects to perform a set of tasks with their affected upper extremity during a 30-minute session for 20 consecutive working days. When needed for a grasping or releasing movement of objects, the functional electrical stimulation (FES) stimulated the wrist and finger flexor or extensor and assisted the patients in grasping or releasing the objects. Kinematic data provided by the biofeedback system were acquired. In addition, clinical performance scales and activity of daily living skills were evaluated before and after application of a prototype biofeedback system. Results: Our findings revealed statistically significant gradual improvement in patients with stroke, in terms of kinematic and clinical performance during the treatment sessions, in terms of manual function test and the Purdue pegboard. However, no significant difference of the motor activity log was found. Conclusion: Hemiplegic upper extremity function of a small group of patients with chronic hemiparesis was improved through two weeks of training using the FES-assisted biofeedback system. Further research into the use of biofeedback systems for long-term clinical improvement will be needed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.139-147
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of short-tenn repetitive-bilateral excercise on the activation of motor network using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The training program was performed at 1 hr/day, 5 days/week during 6 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessments (FMA) were performed every two weeks during the training. We compared cerebral and cerebellar cortical activations in two different tasks before and after the training program: (1) the only unaffected hand movement (Task 1); and (2) passive movements of affected hand by the active movement of unaffected hand (Task 2). fMRI was performed at 3T with wrist flexion-extension movement at 1 Hz during the motor tasks. All patients showed significant improvements of FMA scores in their paretic limbs after training. fMRI studies in Task 1 showed that cortical activations decreased in ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex but increased in contralateral sensorimotor cortex and ipsilateral cerebellum. Task 2 showed cortical reorganizations in bilateral sensorimotor cortex, premotor area, supplemetary motor area and cerebellum. Therefore, this study demonstrated that plastic changes of motor network occurred as a neural basis of the improvement subsequent to repetitive-bilateral excercise using the symmetrical upper-limb ann motion trainer.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a community based group exercise intervention on motor functional capacity. To evaluate the immediate(post-treatment) effects after 6-weeks exercise program on the group exercise intervention(PNF and Circuit exercise). Methods : Subjects-Included persons with stroke who were living in the community. Thirty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to the PNF, Circuit exercise and control group participated in a repeated measures design that evaluated the subjects with pre-treatment, post-treatment(6 weeks). Functional ability outcome measures assessed the motor assessment scale(MAS) and EMG. Both treatment groups participated in exercise cJass three times a week for 6 weeks. Group programs focused on balance, functional motor capacity and walking ability. The PNF program was modified PNF pattem and techniques with emphasis on functional tasks when possible, as well as stretching of the more affected limb particularly in the more affected shoulder. The Circuit program with subjects completing practice at a selies of work station as well as participating in walking races and relay with other members of the group. Results : Compared with the control group, the treatment group had larger improvements in the motor function ability after 6 weeks treatment and Post-treatment test scores were more significant than the pre-treatment score. 1. Motor function were assessed by using MAS, sit to stand, walking and upper function were assessed pre-treatment versus post-treatment measures revealed a statically significant(p<.05). There were significant differences between the groups. Compared with the control group, the treatment group had larger improvements. 2. In the treatment groups, demonstrated difference in the electromyographic activation of biceps, triceps, quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles on the paretic side in the response to the reaching arm movement and stepping motion in stance. The difference in muscle activation improvement were not statically significant. Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the PNF and Circuit group exercise intervention can improve motor functional ability. This study suggests that the PNF and Circuit exercise programs is appropriate for community-based group exercise principles. It leads to gain and maintain potential function for disabled persons after stroke in the community.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.459-467
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• 2011

Rehabilitation exercises must maintain a patient's interest and permit a quantitative evaluation of the rehabilitation. We have developed a haptic-device system. When users move a grip, the haptic device provides a virtual force that either assists the movement of their arm or working against it. To investigate the functional effect of this system in a rehabilitation program, we used for five subjects with motor-function disorders and measured the grip position, velocity, force exerted on the grip, and EMG activities during a reaching task of one subject. The accuracy of the grip position, velocity and trajectories patterns were similar for all the subjects. The results suggested that the EMG activities were improved by applying the virtual force to the grip. These results can be used for the development of rehabilitation programs and evaluation methods.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2014

Purpose: The discovery of mirror neuron system may positively affect functional recovery; therefore, rehabilitation is needed that is practical for use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of action observation training on upper motor function in people who had suffered strokes. Methods: Three elderly patients with stroke, aged to years, were recruited from a stroke rehabilitation center. A nonconcurrent, multiple baseline subject approach was taken, with an A-B-A treatment single-subject experimental design, and the experiment was conducted for 3 weeks. The action observation training was repeated 5 times in 5 days during the intervention period. The arm function, including WMFT, BBT, and grip and pinch strength, was evaluated in each subject 5 times during the baseline period, the intervention period, and the baseline regression period. Results: The results of the evaluation for each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The WMFT scores of 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and this improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. The BBT and the grip and pinch strength were not improved. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that the action observation training for 5 sessions was effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients but was not effective in improving hand dexterity or grip and pinch strength.