• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.86-93
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of task-oriented arm training for chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. The experimental design in this study was the pre-test and post-test with control group for 4-week intervention. Thirty patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke were recruited from 2 rehabilitation units. The subjects were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group conducted task-oriented approach, involving 3 subparts of upper extremity activities, and the control group involved in the general upper extremity exercises. Functional movements of the upper extremities were assessed using clinical measures, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Section, Box and Block Test, and Action Research Arm Test. The score of Fugl-Meyer Assessment showed greater increases in the experimental group than in the control group after training. The improvement in Box and Block Test between pre-test and post-test measurements was significantly greater after task-oriented arm training compared to general upper extremity exercises. Action Research Arm Test scores also improved after task-oriented arm training compared to exercises in the control group. The task-oriented arm training improves the gross and fine motor activities and encouraging the use of the paretic arm through activity dependent intervention expedites the recovery of functional activities in the upper extremities for chronic hemiparetic stroke.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1734-1738
• /
• 2019

Background: Stroke patients usually have arm weakness, which affects trunks and arms. Objective: To investigate the effects of paretic side and non-paretic side arm training on trunk control and upper limb functions. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind). Methods: Twenty patients with stroke in hospital were enrolled in the study. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to paretic side arm training group (PATG, n = 10) or non-paretic side arm training group (NATG, n = 10). Trunk impairment scale (TIS) was used for trunk control, and box and block test (BBT) was used for upper limb function. Training was conducted for 4 weeks. Results: PATG showed significant difference in TIS (static balance, dynamic balance, coordination, total score) and BBT. NATG showed significant differences in static balance, and dynamic balance and total score except for coordination and BBT. PATG also showed a more significant difference in BBT and coordination and total score than NATG. Conclusions: The arm training performed on the paretic side are more effective than those performed on the non-paretic side in improving both upper limb function and trunk control in stroke patients.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.672-678
• /
• 2008

This paper proposes a new rehabilitation robot with upper and lower limb connections for gait training. As humans change a walking speed, their nervous systems adapt muscle activation patterns to modify arm swing for the appropriate frequency. By analyzing this property, we can find a relation between arm swinging and lower limb motions. Thus, the lower limb motion can be controlled by the arm swing for walking speed adaptation according to a patent's intension. This paper deals with the design aspects of the suggested gait rehabilitation robot, including a trajectory planning and a control strategy. The suggested robot is mainly composed of upper limb and lower limb devices, a body support system. The lower limb device consists of a slider device and two 2-dof footpads to allow walking training at uneven and various terrains. The upper limb device consists of an arm swing handle and switches to use as a user input device for walking. The body support system will partially support a patient's weight to allow the upper limb motions. Finally, we showed simulation results for the designed trajectory and controller using a dynamic simulation tool.

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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2013

Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare the effect of task-oriented training using the PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and task-oriented training with chronic stroke patients. Methods : Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the control and experimental group( 8 experimental, 8 control). All of participants were in-patients at local hospital and had been received training appropriate to the purpose of each group program. Experimental period was carried out 30 minutes/day, five days/week, during four weeks. The experimental group trained the task-oriented training using the PNF and control group trained the task-oriented training. Fugl-meyer assessment scale and Modified Barthel Index was measured to compare the upper arm function and activities of daily living. We were measured before and after the training. Results : The results of the study were as follow: Fugl-meyer assessment scale was significantly increased both groups(p<.05), and significant between groups(p<.05). Modified Barthel index was significantly increased both groups(p<.05) and between groups(p<.05). Conclusion : PNF can be effective in improving upper arm function and ability to perform daily life of chronic stroke patients.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.190-196
• /
• 2009

This study proposes a structural design method for the upper control arm installed at the rear side of a SUV. The weight of control arm can be reduced by applying the design and material technologies. In this research, the former includes optimization technology, and the latter the technologies for selecting aluminum as a steel-substitute material. Strength assessment is the most important design criterion in the structural design of a control arm. At the proto design stage of a new control arm, FE (finite element) analysis is often utilized to predict its strength. This study considers the static strength in the optimization process. The inertia relief method for FE analysis is utilized to simulate the static loading conditions. According to the classification of structural optimization, the structural design of a control arm is included in the category of shape optimization. In this study, the kriging interpolation method is adopted to obtain the minimum weight satisfying the strength constraint. Optimum designs are obtained by ANSYS WORKBENCH and the in-house program, EXCEL-kriging program. The optimum results determined from the in-house program are compared with those of ANSYS WORKBENCH.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.421-429
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the relationship between pelvic pressure and irradiation of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper arm pattern exercises with an elastic band while in a sitting position. Methods: Fourteen subjects with asymptomatic pelvic pressure participated in this study. Pelvic pressure was measured using a Gaitview® system while sitting and performing PNF bilateral upper arm patterns. Resistance strength was provided by the blue elastic band. The statistical significance of the results was evaluated using a repeated one-way ANOVA and the independent t-test. The Bonferroni method was used for the post-hoc test. Results: The results revealed a significant change in the pelvic pressure when performing the PNF arm pattern. The average resistance pressure on the pelvis, with the elastic band, significantly increased after the initial sitting position (F=3.91, 3.92; p<0.05). No significant pelvic pressure changes were noted for each PNF upper arm pattern (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a positive relationship between pelvic pressure and the irradiation of PNF upper arm pattern exercises with resistance in the sitting position.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2015

In this paper, we propose the robotic arm control method based on upper extremity electromyogram for lower upper extremity amputation patient. The muscle activity of the forearm flexor, forearm extensor and biceps was analyzed to utilize distribution of muscle activity to a specific position in order to the control input. This control input is converted into a control command for controlling the robotic arm through the algorithm. For the experiment and verify the proposed method, 5DoF robotic arm control system was constructed with 1 channel EMG Module and PC applications through the interworking with each module to perform a three-channel EMG analysis. For accuracy and performance evaluation of control, Experiments were performed with robotic arms moving objects. As a result of experiments which after training for 10 hours by middle 20's man, Validity of the proposed method was evaluated based an average accuracy of 92.5%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.168-172
• /
• 2012

Control arm is the structural component that pivots on two places. One end of the control arm is attached to the body frame and the other end is attached to the steering knuckle. The former research proposed the structural design by applying optimization technique with aluminum alloy. This study suggests a durability test method on the developed upper control arm to validate the analysis results. The durability analysis results of the developed control arm by using MSC Fatigue is confirmed to be close to infinite life. The weak model of developed control arm which occurs to finite life is made to perform the durability test and the zig design is developed in this process.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.425-432
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between foot pressure and upper arm PNF exercise conducted with elastic bands while standing. Methods: Eighteen asymptomatic patients consented to participate in the study. Foot pressure was measured in the standing position using the Gaitview system for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNF) using a right upper arm pattern. Resistance strength was varied based on the type of elastic band used (red=medium, green=heavy, and blue=extra heavy). Statistical significance of the results was evaluated using a repeated one-way ANOVA, and the Bonferroni method was used for the ad hoc test (SPSS ver. 18. for Windows). Results: A significant difference was observed in fore-foot, rear-foot, and everage pressure after upper arm PNF exercise. However, there was no significant difference according to the type of elastic band. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, an upper arm PNF exercise with and without resistance may affect foot pressure in the standing position.