• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mirror movements(MM) on upper extremity's function and measure the change of MM on stroke patients depending on the elapse of time. Methods : Sixteen stroke patients with MM and Sixteen stroke patients without MM were recruited for this study. Intended movements and MM were measured by two dynanometers of MP150 system(BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, U.S.A). The upper extremity's motor function was measured using manual function test(MFT), Fugl-Meyer assesment(FMA). Results : The change rates of upper extremity's motor function test showed significant group differences in FMA but not in MFT between the patients with MM and without MM from the first test to the second test. In each group motor function generally more increased. The magnitudes of MM decreased from the first test to the second test. Conclusion : These results indicate that stroke patients with MM have a significant motor deficit. But motor deficit could be recovered by spontaneous recovery or treatments and a clinical sign of MM was improved. In the future, we suggest that studies of assessments of MM after rehabilitation and treatment interventions of MM on stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2013

Objective: Clinical measures that quantify upper extremity function are needed for the accurate evaluation of patients and to plan an intervention strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-Motor Exam and upper extremity performance as a quantifying clinical tool of upper extremity function in persons with Parkinson's disease. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-two idiopathic Parkinson's Disease persons participated in this study. To investigate the relationship between the UPDRS-motor exam, Box and Block test (BBT), and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) by two physical therapists. The examination took up to 1 hour, and the participants were invited to rest between each clinical measure in order to minimize the effects of fatigue. Clinical measures were assessed while the subjects were in the "on" phase of their medication cycle, generally 1-3 hour after taking their anti-Parkinson's medications. Results: In more affected side, the UPDRS-motor exam was significantly negative correlated with the BBT (p<0.05) but it was not significantly correlated with the ARAT. In less affected side, only positively correlation was significantly shown between BBT and ARAT (p<0.05). On the other hand, between BBT and ARAT were not significantly correlated with the UPDRS-motor exam. Conclusions: The UPDRS-motor exam is effective tool which was significantly correlated with manual dexterity in more affected upper extremity. But The UPDRS-motor exam is not effective tool in less affected upper extremity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of mirror-neuron-system-based action observation physical training on improvements in upper extremity functions and daily living activities in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients were randomly selected. As a therapeutic intervention, along with conventional occupational therapy, the patients engaged in action observation physical training through repeated imitation practices after they viewed a video. The therapeutic intervention was implemented for 20 minutes, three times each week for eight weeks. A Manual Function Test (MFT) was conducted to compare upper extremity functions before and after the therapeutic intervention, and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was used to compare the ability to perform daily living activities. Results: Significant improvements in upper extremity motor functions and the ability to perform daily living activities were shown after the intervention. The subjects' left upper extremity motor functions and ability to perform daily living activities showed significant improvement after the intervention. Conclusion: The study's results indicate that action observation physical training based on the mirror neuron system improves chronic stroke patients' upper extremity motor functions and their ability to perform daily living activities. Therefore, action observation training has positive effects on the functional recovery of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.445-452
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analysis of the association between upper extremity function and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) for chronic hemiparetic stroke patients and investigate the evidence of the WMFT as a clinical tool of upper extremity function in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods: This study applied an observational, cross-sectional design in outpatients at three local rehabilitation units in Seoul. Forty-nine individuals who had a diagnosis of first stroke participated in this study. All participants were analyzed for four clinical measures, including the Box and Block Test (BBT), the WMFT, grip strength, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Results: Upon analysis, a significant relationship was found between the WMFT scores and BBT scores as well as the grip strength. The WMFT score was statistically and positively associated with the COPM satisfaction score; however, it was not related to the COPM performance score. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the WMFT is positively related to simple tasks, such as hand muscle strength and manual dexterity. However, the WMFT does not have a relationship with complex tasks, which are measured by COPM performance abilities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : To verify the interrater reliability of upper extremity function assessment among three tools(Wolf motor function test, Motor assessment scale, Fugl-meyer assessment scale). Methods : The subjects of this study 40 (20 was physical therapists and 20 was physical therapy students). For the test one patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke participated in the study. The Wolf Motor Function Test consists of 16 functional tasks. The motor assessment scale consists of 3 functional tasks. The fugl-meyer assessment scale consists of 8 functional tasks. All test sessions were videotaped and scored by 40 subjects. Analysis : The data was analysis by SPSS PC 14.0 with Cronbach alpha Coefficients, intraclass Correlation Coefficients Kendall tau-b value. Results : WMFT was highly scored in Cronbach's value, Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.819$ that means high interrater reliability among assessment. WMFT was highly scored all items in p-value except one item, that means high p-value between therapists and students. WMFT was highly scored in Intrarater correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.79, that means high interrater reliability of each examination item. WMFT was low index of coincidence from all items, MAS was low index of coincidence from a tim and FMA was low index of coincidence from 4 items. Conclusion : The interrater reliability of WMFT were compared with MAS, FMA and highly verified. WMFT can be more useful tool among upper extremity function assessment.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly. The articles were analyzed based on patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome using the P.I.C.O. principle. Methods: We systematically examined papers from January, 2000 to November, 2015 published papers through the foreign journals which were Medline & Pubmed for three months. mainly used key words were elderly, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Mild cognitive impairment, age-related, aging, cognitive, upper extremity function, hand function, hand-grip strength, grip force, complex motor function, bimanual, dexterity, UE performance, and coordination. Results: The number of discovered outcomes for association between cognitive function and upper extremity function in the elderly was 7; grip strength & sex are impact on manipulation object, 1. The results show that cognitive function is associated with upper extremity function in the elderly. Conclusion: This study is expected to help selecting intervention, assessment tools according to the individual's degree of cognitive level and upper extremity function. In future domestic research, variety assessment tools need to be used and more qualitative level experiment will be carried out.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of ipsilesional movement deficit, with segmental performance in each proximal or distal upper extremity. The visuoperceptual complex task of the ipsilesional upper extremity was investigated in patients with unilateral brain damage and a control group of healthy sex-age-matched controls. Tracking movements were tested in the proximal and distal upper extremities. Movements were measured by the accuracy index, which was normalized to each subject's own range of motion and took into account any differences between subjects in the excursion of the tracking target. The findings revealed that stroke patients experienced difficulties with tracking movement of both proximal and distal segments in the upper extremities on the so-called "non-affected side", irrespectively of the extent of patient's age, time since onset, or severity of contralateral upper extremity. Therefore, the unilateral brain damage affected ipsilateral motor function of the proximal and distal upper limbs in the performance of complex motor tasks, requiring central processing and the higher order cognitive function in the integrity of both hemispheres.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.69-80
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of core stability training on postural control and balance of hemiplegia patients who are difficult to control posture due to stroke. Methods : Subjects of the study were consisted of 25 adult hemiplegia patients(experimental 12, control 13) who were receiving rehabilitation therapy in hospital. Its group had a core stability training program by a physical therapists for 40 minutes, five times a week for nine-week period. Measurements of postural assessment scale for stroke(PASS), berg balance scale(BBS) and manual function test(MFT) were evaluated at initial presentation(pretest) and after completion of the each therapy program(posttest). Independent t-test and paired t-test was utilized to detect the mean difference between the groups. Results : Firstly, the result of PASS showed that postural control was significantly increased after the completion of core stability training(p<.01). Secondly, the result of BBS showed that balance control was significantly increased after the completion of core stability training(p<.01) and general physical therapy(p<.01). Lastly, the result of MFT showed that upper extremity's motor function was significantly increased after the completion of core stability training(p<.001). Conclusions : This study showed that core stability training is an effective treatment strategy on postural control, balance and upper extremity's motor function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a virtual upper extremity training program using the RAPAEL Smart Glove on upper extremity function in stroke survivors with chronic hemiparesis and to focus the training program development using the Smart Glove as a feasibility study. Methods: This study was conducted using a single group and pre-post test research design in the outpatient departments of local rehabilitation units. Ten chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors with a diagnosis of first stroke received therapeutic rehabilitation at the rehabilitation units. All the participants used a virtual reality program with the RAPAEL Smart Glove for 30 minutes per session 3 days a week over 8 weeks. They also received conventional occupational therapy with functional electrical stimulation for 40 minutes per session 3 days a week for 8 weeks as an additional therapy. To analyze the effects of this therapeutic intervention, four clinical measures, including the box-block test (BBT), the Wolf motor function test (WMFT), the trail-making score, the Jebsen Taylor hand function test (JTHFT), and grip strength, were used. Results: Upon completion of the intervention in week 8, all the participants demonstrated significant WMFT, JTT, BBT, grip strength, and trail-making score gains compared to the respective baselines at week 0. Conclusion: This study suggests that virtual upper extremity training using the RAPAEL Smart Glove has a reasonable and beneficial effects on upper extremity function in chronic hemiparetic stroke survivors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.451-460
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a modified constraint induced movement therapy (mCIMT) using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the upper extremity function and activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with subacute stroke. Methods: Fourteen participants with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to a group using both mCIMT and PNF or a group using mCIMT alone. Each group underwent twenty sessions (1 h/d, 5 d/wk) for 4 weeks. Patients were assessed with the action research arm test (ARAT), the Fugl-Meyer assessment for the upper extremities (FMA-UE), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), and motor activity logs (MALs; amount of use [AOU] and quality of movement [QOM]). Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in the ARAT, FMA-UE, MBI, and MAL-AOU (p<0.05). The group using both mCIMT and PNF exhibited greater improvement in the ARAT, FMA-UE, MBI, and MAL-AOU than did the group using mCIMT alone. Statistical analyses showed significant differences in the ARAT (p=0.01), FMA-UE (p=0.01), MBI (p=0.00), and MAL-AOU (p=0.01) between the groups. Conclusion: This study applied mCIMT combined with PNF for subacute stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' upper extremity function and ADLs. Therefore, mCIMT using PNF may be more effective than mCIMT alone in improving upper limb function and ADLs in patients with subacute stroke.