• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.43-47
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• 2011

Purpose: Apraxia is characterized by loss of the ability to execute learned, skilled, sequential purposeful movements which cannot be accounted for by elementary disturbances of strength, coordination, sensory, lack of comprehension, attention, and willingness etc. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients with apraxia, an understanding of the prevalence rate and clinical characteristics of apraxia is necessary. The purpose of this study was to estimate the apraxia prevalence rate. Methods: The apraxia prevalence rate was investigated via an apraxia assessment tool in 137 stroke patients, and the clinical characteristics of general stroke patients and stroke patients with apraxia were compared. Results: 14 (1 left hemiplegia, 8 right hemiplegia, 5 quadri hemiplegia) of a total of 137 stroke patients were diagnosed with apraxia. The group of stroke patients with apraxia showed lower values of mmt, mbc and fac than those of general stroke patients. Conclusion: The apraxia prevalence rate of stroke patients was approximately 10%, while the clinical function of stroke patients with apraxia was generally inferior to that of general stroke patients.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2017

Many stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy require a quantitative indicator for the evaluation of body composition in paretic and non-paretic regions. In this study, the body fluid alteration in the paretic and non-paretic regions of stroke patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction was analyzed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Alterations in body fluids were investigated to assess the physical status of the paretic and non-paretic regions of 20 stroke patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebral hemorrhage (7 patients) and cerebral infarction (13 patients). Extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), ICW/ECW, total body water (TBW), ECW/TBW, and TBW/fat-free mass were utilized to evaluate the functional status of the paretic and non-paretic regions. Compared with the non-paretic region, the paretic region had high ECW and low ICW. Due to the loss of motor function and nutritional imbalance caused by the stroke, the amount of fat increased while the muscle quantity and quality significantly decreased in the paretic region. Thus, BIA can be a useful tool for quantitatively assessing paretic and non-paretic regions in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2021

Purpose: This study used a mixed methods research design in an attempt to verify the effects of robot-assisted rehabilitation on the gait ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia, and thereby further understand the benefits and challenges of stroke patients' experiences relying on robot-assisted rehabilitation. Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed methods study design was used in order to combine both quantitative and qualitative data. For the quantitative data collection, a total of 30 stroke patients with hemiplegia were recruited from one rehabilitation hospital. Qualitative data were collected through individual interviews using semi-structured questionnaires for a group of 15 patients who were currently undergoing robot-assisted rehabilitation. The data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis. Results: As a result of the quantitative analysis, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of daily living activity patterns, total number of steps, and average walking speed. As a result of the qualitative analysis, the four main themes derived consisted of, 'curiosity about the usage of robot-assisted rehabilitation,' 'pleasure experienced while using the robots,' 'insufficient information about robots,' and 'a lack of education about robot-assisted rehabilitation.' Conclusions: Robot-assisted rehabilitation had a significant effect on the walking ability of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Additionally, stroke patients with hemiplegia experienced difficulty during the course of their robot-assisted rehabilitation, due to a lack of sufficient information on correct usage techniques. These quantitative and qualitative findings could provide the basic foundation for the development of an educational program on robot-assisted rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) balance exercise on the ability to balance and walk in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Following baseline measurements, patients (n=24) with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups: the PNF balance group (n=12) that received PNF balance exercise and the balance group (n=12) that received general balance exercise. Each group joined the intervention for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, as well as the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for walking. The data were collected both before and after the intervention. The paired t-test was used to compare the post-intervention changes compared with pre-intervention data. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the 6-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) parameters (p<0.05). The patients in the PNF balance group showed greater improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) than those in the balance group (p<0.05). Conclusions: PNF balance exercise shows improvements in balance and walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.502-508
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• 2022

Objective: Contralateral seventh cervical nerve transfer (contralateral C7 transfer) is a newly attempted method to restore upper extremity motor function in the patients with spastic arm paralysis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of contralateral C7 transfer on upper extremity motor function in the patients with spastic hemiplegia after stroke. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: Thirty-four patients with spastic hemiplegia after stroke was investigated. All patients registered between January 2020 and February 2021. The subjects were assessed on upper extremity motor function, cognition, and spasticity before and after contralateral C7 transfer. The upper extremity motor function was measured using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scale and box & block test. The cognition and spasticity were assessed by Korean version mini mental state examination (K-MMSE) and modified Ashworth scale from baseline to 8 weeks after the surgery. Results: The Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scale and modified Ashworth scale were significantly improved after contralateral C7 transfer (p<0.05). However, box & block test and K-MMSE were no significant changes after the surgery (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study suggested that the contralateral C7 transfer was a feasible and practical approach to improve upper extremity motor function in the patients with spastic hemiplegia after stroke, but further study is required to identify the long-term effects after the contralateral C7 transfer.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of balance training using a newly developed elastic band orthosis (aider) for improvement of mobility and balance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten patients with chronic hemiplegia participated in this study. There were six males and four females; two patients had right hemiplegia and eight had left hemiplegia. This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance and gait ability compared with bare foot condition. Gait parameters were measured using the opto-gait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. In addition, balance ability in stroke patients was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance compared with bare foot condition. The TUG and BBS showed significant improvement with use of the elastic band orthosis (p<0.05). Use of the Elastic band orthosis resulted in significantly improved velocity, cadence, less-affected step length, less-affected stride length, and less-affected single limb support in stroke patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant improvement in dynamic balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients using the elastic band orthosis. This orthosis may aid in prevention of spastic foot drop, leading to improvement of walking ability.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.178-186
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was to investigate the effect of moxibustion on peripheral blood flow by Doppler ultrasound in post-stroke hemiplegia patients. Methods: Moxibustion was applied on the points of LI4, TE3, TE5 and LI11 on the affected side, and blood flow of the radial artery was measured using the Minimax-Doppler-K device. Blood flow velocity and pulsation index were analyzed before, during, and after moxibustion. Results: The mean value of blood flow velocity in 13 patients showed a tendency of increase during moxibustion, but there was no significant difference in blood flow velocity before and after moxibustion, or pulsation index during and after moxibustion. In addition, among the five patients who showed marked increase tendency on the blood velocity graph, there was significant increase in blood velocity during, and after moxibustion compared with before moxibustion. Conclusions: This study suggests that moxibustion has an effect on peripheral blood flow in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Further validity tests with a larger scale sample are needed for the evidence of its practical use.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.1065-1075
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• 2006

Purpose: A structural equation model was analyzed to explore the determinants of health-promoting behaviors in patients living at home in Korea who had post stroke hemiplegia. Method: Demographic characteristics, activities of daily living, religiosity, family support, self-efficacy, acceptance of disability, perceived barriers to health-promoting activities, depression, and health-promoting behavioral data was collected from 239 patients using self-report questionnaires. Result: Variables that have a direct effect on health-promoting behaviors were self-efficacy and family support. Depression, acceptance of disability, perceived barriers, activities of daily living and religiosity also influenced health-promoting behaviors in an indirect way. Conclusion: It is imperative to explore strategies for patients with post stroke hemiplegia to identify and maximize their resources, develop their self-efficacy, improve their emotional state, and enhance their physical activity and spiritual growth, which would maximize health-promoting behaviors.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.641-647
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the mood disorder, especially depression and anxiety which have an effect on rehabilitation in stroke patients. Methods : Subjects were 32 stroke patients who were inpatients and outpatients at Woosuk University oriental hospital. The degree of depression and anxiety was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI, State Anxiety Inventory : SAI, Trait Anxiety Inventory: TAI). Other questionnaire included sex, age, onset of stroke, degree of education, econommic class, religion, relationship with family, expectancy on treatment, side of hemiplegia, weakness grade of hemiplegia. Results : Results were as follows. 1. The average scores of SAI, TAI and BDI were 45.7, 46.7 and 19.9. The percentages of patients who had relatively high SAI, TAI and BDI scores were 75%(>36 point), 87.5%(>36 point) and 56.2%(>16 point). 2. SAI was correlated with onset of stroke(p<0.05), religion and relationship with family(p<0.1 ), TAI with religion and BDI with weakness grade of hemiplegia(P

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2007

Purpose: An objective analysis and observations were to be done on hemiplegia patients that are wearing a walking support device, Stroke shoes. Their improvements in walking pace, the reduction of distance between the two knee joint, the increase of curve angle of the knee joint and their steps and the reduction of ankle joint upon swing phase were analyzed using a 20 walking analyzer. Methods: An examination was carried out to see the patients' communication skill and independent walking and then let them walk with the Stroke shoes on to get results before and after wearing it. Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH (Germany, 2007) was used to analyze the results regarding knee joint and ankle joint angle changes of sagitta plane and coronal plane, stepping distances, distances between the knees and walking pace. Results: 1. The articulation angle of ankle joint during swing phase decreased and knee joint has shown a statistically significant increase in such value(p<0.05). 2. Only knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during heel strike(p<0.05). 3. Knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during toe off(p<0.05). 4. The distance between the two knees as well as their foot steps significantly decreased compared with when Stroke shoes were not worn(p<0.05). 5. Stroke shoes with FES have shown positive effects on the patients in improving their walking styles overall. (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was an improvement in rotation walking pattern by a reduction in the distance between the knees after wearing Stroke shoes with FES. Plantar flexion reduced that occurred in ankle joint during walking and flexion angle increased in knee joint, both of which improved foot drop which was a major problem in hemiplegia patients. Also it is believed that the device will have some positive influences on knee joint stiffening paralysis to aid in improving inefficient walking phases.