• The Journal of the Institute of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.115-120
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• 2019

Hemiplegic patients who suffered from a stroke struggle with a deterioration in upper limb functions, which can both be psychologically and physically discomforting; this can also limit patients' daily tasks involving any upper limb motions. In this study, we developed an assistive device for hemiplegic patients to improve their upper limb functions. It was manufactured to train patients by using their grip strength and the range of motion of the arm. Furthermore, we produced game contents in virtual reality to induce users' immersion and interaction. It was configured as a multi-player game to help ease the mental burden of receiving the training alone, hence allowing the patient and the caregiver to join the rehabilitation training simultaneously. The assistive device and game contents developed in this study enables patients and caregivers to easily check the degree of improvements in upper limb function by viewing quantitative analysis and visualized results.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.2114-2117
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• 2014

Joint pain is generally a common disorder not only for the old aged people but also for the immunocompromised patients. The present proposed study reveals the presence of inflammatory diseases in joint generally diagnosed by removing synovial fluid and changes in the volume and composition are examined for the presence of WBC and crystals. This study implement a non-invasive approach to identify the changes in joint fluid by measuring the changes in electrical property of the synovial tissue under the influence of electrical current signal with frequency range between 100 kHz to 300 kHz. The response of tissue for the current signal was measured in terms of potential drop across the tissue. The hardware system design consists of input and output sections. The input section which applies current signal to upper limb joint region is made of ICL8038 function generator IC with amplifier and voltage to current converter. The output section picks voltage variation using metal surface electrode, amplifier, ADC, PIC microcontroller and LCD interface. 100 patient inclusive of normal and disease affected patients where examined for upper limb synovial fluid variation and inflammatory diseases were identified.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

Purpose: There is a need to apply the Tai Chi program to help early mastectomy patients improve their upper limb functions and for the emotional state as well. Method: Participants were recruited at breast cancer centers of two general hospitals from February 17 to April 25, 2005. Twenty-five subjects in the experimental group and 23 subjects in the control group participated for 12 weeks. The Tai chi program consisted of breast cancer self management education and a Tai Chi exercise program. Range of motion of the shoulder joint was determined by the Uni-level inclinometer, and functional assessment of the shoulder was evaluated with the tool. Data was analyzed by SPSS 11. Results: The experimental group had significantly increased shoulder range of motion, especially in external rotation, upper limb function and emotional state compared with the control group after program for 12 weeks. Conclusion: This program makes it possible to be independent and have a positive everyday life. In addition, it can help keep a healthy lifestyle in mastectomy women.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2010

The present study examined the effects of functional electrical stimulus(group 1), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(group 2) and combined training of functional electrical stimulus and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(group 3) with scapula adductor muscles on scapula movement, upper limb function and gait in fifteen subjects stroke patients. The training was thirty minutes a day, five times a week for six weeks, obtained result as follow, upper limb function was significant difference in the group 2(p<.05) but no significant difference in other groups. The change of weight bearing were significant difference in all the groups(p<.05), and increase of gait velocity were significant difference in all the group(p<.05). In conclusion, when applied with functional electrical stimulus, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and combined training to the scapular adductor muscles, it was oberved in the course of the experiment that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was the most effective treatment among the three methods applied to the scapula adductors.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality combined with balance training on upper limb function, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) in persons with acute stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fourteen acute stroke survivors were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups: the experimental group (n=7) and the control group (n=7). Both groups performed the conventional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, the experimental group conducted the virtual reality training for 30 minutes on an unstable surface during each session, whereas the control group performed balance training for 30 minutes on a stable surface. All measurements were performed before and one day after intervention. Upper limb function, balance, and ADL were assessed using the Manual Function Test (MFT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), respectively. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in MFT, BBS, K-MBI after intervention (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups with respect to MFT, BBS, and K-MBI after intervention. The experimental group showed a greater decrease in fall risk (BBS<45) after intervention than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that virtual reality combined with balance training has a better effect on balance improvement than virtual reality training alone in persons with acute stroke.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.37-50
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the use of electromyography (EMG) to evaluate upper limb movement or function in stroke patients. Methods : We reviewed papers published in journals between January 2018 and December 2021 using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, RISS, and KISS. The main keywords of databases were ('stroke' OR 'hemiplegia') AND ('EMG' OR 'electromyography' OR 'electromyogram' OR 'muscle activity') AND ('Upper limb' OR 'Hand'). Results : Fifteen studies were selected, most of which evaluated muscle activity. Interventions performing tasks related to activities of daily living (ADLs), using assistive technology, and interventions that provide repetitive training were most frequently applied. Conclusions : When evaluating upper limb functions using electromyography, it is meaningful to present an evaluation that can be used according to the purpose of the study and to provide a basis for setting up interventions that can utilize electromyography during evaluation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on stroke patients' recovery of their balancing and walking abilities. Methods: This study was conducted with 30 patients aged at least 60 years and diagnosed with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to either a PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise group of 15 patients or an aero-step balance exercise group of 15 patients. To test the subjects' balancing and walking abilities, balancing ability tests and 10-m walking speed tests were conducted before and after the interventions. The patients performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks. The PNF exercise group performed six stages of exercise consisting of a combination of PNF patterns such as sprinting, skating, and striking. The six stages (right striking, right skating, right sprinting, left striking, left skating, and left sprinting) were performed continuously with a rest period of 1 min. after training for 4 min. The exercises for the aero-step balance group consisted of balancing in a two-leg standing position, weight shifting in a two-leg standing position, one-leg standing, squat exercises, marching in place, and squatting on an aero step. Results: The PNF exercise group showed significant improvements in their balancing ability evaluations compared to the aero-step balance group and also showed significant improvements in their 10-m walking speed tests. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise resulted in clinical improvements of stroke patients' balancing and walking abilities. Therefore, this type of exercise is recommended as a clinical intervention for the recovery of stroke patients' lower-limb function. Future studies should be conducted with longer intervention periods and more subjects to generalize the study results.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.269-277
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the recovery of sensation and the restoration of upper limb function according to transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex in patients with chronic stroke with sensory deficit. 20 patients with chronic stroke divided into 10 experimental groups and 10 control groups. Patients received transcranial direct current stimulations over the primary somatosensory cortex on the side of the stroke lesion, and The control group applied sham tDCS to the same location. Intervention was conducted 5 times a week, 20 minutes per session for a total of 2 weeks. Assessment was performed using the Erasmus MC modifications to the Nottingham Sensory Assessment(EmNSA), Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination(SWME) for somatosensory, and Fugle-Meyer Assessment(FMA), Motor Activity Log(MAL), and accelerometer for upper extremity function. Assessment was conducted before and after the intervention. As a result of the study, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the overall tactile sense, proprioception, cortical sense, and perception sensitivity than the control group, and showed a statistically significant difference in the usage amount of the upper limb. Based on the results of this study, it is thought that the possibility of effective clinical application of transcranial direct current stimulation for recovery of somatosensory and upper extremity function is thought to be increased.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the applicability of audio-visual modeling for improving the efficiency of rehabilitative programs by analyzing the effects of observing these various models on the capacity of stroke patients to perform upper limb activities. Twenty-one stroke patients participated in the experiment and were randomly assigned to either task modeling, sport modeling, or control group. During 2 weeks of intervention, subjects in all groups participated in the physical practice of experimental tasks. These tasks comprised of a Nine Hole Peg Test, the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function tests, and locomotion. These tasks were performed 5 days a week, 30 min per day. In addition to the physical practice, the task modeling group observed a model performing experimental tasks and locomotive activities for 20 min, while the sport modeling group observed a model performing various sport activities for 20 min. Subjects' ability to perform the experimental tasks was measured 3 times, before, immediately after, and 1 week after the intervention. Analyses of the capacity to perform upper extremity activities displayed significant improvement from the pre-test to immediate and delayed post-tests in all groups. However, the amount of improvement was the highest in the task modeling group. The task modeling group was superior to the control group in the post-test of all experimental tasks, whereas the sport modeling group did not display significant differences from the control group. These results suggest that audio-visual modeling can be used as an effective cognitive intervention for facilitating the rehabilitation of stroke patients, and its rehabilitative effect can be maximized when the program is comprised of performance scenes directly related to the target task.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of Patterned Sensory Enhancement (PSE) technique on the motor function of the affected upper limb in hemiplegic stroke patients by comparing the use of PSE and simple rhythmic cue. A total of 16 stroke patients were recruited from rehabilitative hospitals. The participants were assigned to the experimental group (n = 8) and control group (n = 8). While performing six different upper limb motions, musical stimuli applying the PSE technique was presented for the experimental group and simple rhythmic cue using the metronome was applied for the control group. The results showed that while the significantly increased range of motion (ROM) was found in the experimental group with the immediate use of PSE (p < .05), the control group did not show no significant change. This study implies that the use of musical elements in cueing for upper limb motion immediately leads to significant improvement in ROM by providing sufficient temporal, spatial, and dynamic information for expected motor performance.