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

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

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2012

This meta-analysis investigated the effects on arm motor impairment, arm motor function and disability, and psychological aspects of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) for upper extremity hemiparesis following stroke, based on Korean studies. A comprehensive search of the complete Korean studies information service system (KISS), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), Korea National Library, and the Korean Medical Database to September 2011 was conducted. Eleven eligible controlled clinical trials compared CIMT to a control group or an alternative treatment. All outcome measures of arm motor impairment, arm motor function and disability, and psychological aspects were pooled for calculating effect size. The overall effect size of CIMT was .700 (95% confidence interval=.482~.918). The CIMT programs showed large effect on the aspect of arm motor function and disability (the effect size is .920) and the psychological aspect (the effect size is .946). The effect of CIMT on arm motor impairment was moderate (the effect size is .588). These results show that CIMT may improve upper extremity motor impairment, function and disability, and psychological aspects following stroke. However, these results were based on a small number of studies, and not all of them were randomized control trials. Additional research is needed to include larger well-designed trials to resolve these uncertainties.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study is was to find ouetermine whether training to applying vibration stimulation to the biceps brachii of children in the late stages of spasticity hemiplegic cerebral palsy can helps to improve the function of the upper extremity. Methods : This The study was conducted on with three children with cerebral palsy, all between the ages of 13 and 15 years. Among the experimental research methods of used with individual subjects, an AB research design using multiple basic baseline individual experimental studies was used, and vibration stimulation was provided to the paralyzed hand during the intervention period. The An evaluation was conducted before and after each session used to measure the function of the upper extremity using was conducted after each session of the Rapael Smart Board and The Jebsen-Tayler hand function test and the Motor Activity Log (MAL) were conducted before and after the experiment. Results : As a result of measuring the smooth The average score and total scores of for using the Rapael Smart Board to measure the upper extremity function in following each therapeutic session using the Rafale smart pegboard showed that, Subject 3 did not showevidenced a no significant change in the average value, and but Subjects 1 and 2 did showed a significant changes in their average values. All three subjects showed significant changes in the Jepson-Taylor hand function test and in the Motor Activity Log test, as evaluated before and after the intervention. Conclusion : Training The using use of vibration stimulation showed a positive effect on in improving upper limb function and exercise in hemiplegia hemiplegic children with who had little experience on using their hemiplegic side.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of present study was to determine effects of task oriented action observation training on dexterity of upper limb function after stroke. Training was progressed to imitation and intensive training after observation to required action in ADL. Method : 15 stroke patients were selected and one group pretest-posttest design was applied. Targets observed performance actions of task orientated task through a video and limitated action repeatedly, Training was performed 3 times a week and 20~30 minutes for each round for 3 weeks. Manual function test and 10-second test and Box and block test were performed for a dexterity of upper extremity motor function, Modified Barthel index and Motor activity log were performed for ADL. Result : After the training, a dexterity of affected upper extremity motor function of the target showed significant difference between before and after intervention, ADL showed significant improvement between before and after intervention. Conclusion : Task orientated Action observation lead a positive effect of recovering a dexterity of upper extremity motor function and ADL. Therefore, this study suggest a action observation training as one strategy of an intervention type of th e occupational therapy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the upper limb strength, active joint range of motion (AROM), and upper limb function in persons with chronic stroke using virtual reality training in combination with upper limb sensory stimulation. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: 20 subjects were divided into two groups of 10, the sensory motor stimulation and virtual reality training (SMVR) and virtual reality training (VR) groups. The training was conducted for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for 8 weeks.The participants' upper limb strength was measured via the hand-held dynamometer, joint angle AROM was measured via dual inclinometer, function was measured using the Jebson-Taylor hand function test and the manual function test. Results: Significant differences were observed in all groups before and after the training for upper extremity strength, AROM, and function (p<0.05). Between the two groups, the SMVR group showed significant improvement in muscle strength, AROM, and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test scores compared with the VR groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, we confirmed that sensory stimulation and VR had positive effects on upper extremity strength, AROM, and function of persons with chronic stroke. The results suggest that in the future, VR in combination with sensory stimulation of the upper limb is likely to become an effective method (a rehabilitation training program) to improve the upper limb function of persons with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-45
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• 2014

Objective : We tested the effect of mirror treatment on patients with and without unilateral neglect over a period of 4 weeks. We also wanted to know the effect of mirror treatment with regards to improving upper extremity function and dealing with activities of daily living. Methods : Subjects were 10 hemiplegia patients with unilateral neglect and 10 hemiplegia patients without unilateral neglect. They visited the department of occupational therapy. We performed mirror treatment for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. We used Albert Test to compare our results from before and after the treatment, Fugl-Meyer motor function Assessment(FMA) and Box & Block Test(BBT) for upper extremity function, and Functional Independence Measure(FIM) for activities of daily living. Results : The results showed that mirror treatment had an effect on stroke patients with unilateral neglect. The treatment also had an effect on upper extremity function and activities of daily living regardless of unilateral neglect. Conclusion : The mirror treatment showed improvements on upper extremity function and activities of daily life as well as a reduction in the unilateral neglect after a stroke. In conclusion, the mirror treatment is useful for recovering function and improvement and for helping the patients complete activities of daily living.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.2005-2011
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• 2020

Background: Motor imagery is the mental representation of an action without overt movement or muscle activation. However, few previous studies have demonstrated motor imagery training effects as an objective assessment tool in patients with early stroke. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) and upper limb function of stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four patients with stroke were enrolled in this study. All subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group. All participants received traditional occupational therapy for 30 minutes, 5 times a week. The experimental group performed an additional task of motor imagery training (MIT) 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Both groups were assessed using the SSEP amplitude, Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA UE) and Wolf motor function test. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SSEP amplitude and FMA UE than did the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the MIT effectively improve the SSEP and upper limb function of stroke patients.