• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of VR training with FES on improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper limb joints in patients with chronic stroke. Methods : The present study makes use of a pre-post control group design. Thirty patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups according to treatment method - the VRFES group and the control group. The VRFES group received 15 minutes of VR training and 15 minutes of FES treatment. The control group received 15 minutes of conservative physical therapy and 15 minutes of VR training. All subjects received 30 minutes of treatment, three times a week, for eight weeks, which amounted to 24 sessions of training. The muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities were measured before the training and eight weeks after. Upper limb muscle strength was tested using the Digital Manual Muscle Tester while AROM was measured using the Digital Dual Inclinometer. The clinical assessment tools for upper extremity function included the use of the Manual Function Test and the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test. Results : Both groups exhibited great improvements in muscle strength and upper extremity function during the intervention period. The VRFES group exhibited a significant difference in muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in comparison with the control group(p<.05). Our results reveal that VRFES is more effective for the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : VRFES treatment will be used as an important intervention for improving the muscle strength, AROM, and function of the upper extremities in patients with chronic stroke and achieving the functional recovery of the upper extremities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the use of the lower extremity supporter to ground reaction force(GRF) & EMG in women. Five women participated in the experiment conducted in the study(age: $46.7{\pm}3.5$ yrs, weight: $52.3{\pm}2.2$ kg, lower extremity height: $74.1{\pm}0.9$ cm, knee height: $40.7{\pm}1.4$ cm). The Ground reaction force was measured by AMTI ORG-6 and the Muscle activity of the lower extremity was measured by an 8-channel surface EMG system(Noraxon Myoresearch, USA, 1000Hz). We statistically compared muscle activity and ground reaction force with and without the lower-extremity supporter by one-way repeated ANOVA. The results were as follows. First, the use of the lower extremity supporter affects the ground reaction force along the anterior-posterior axis(Y). Second, the vertical(Z-axis) reaction force on the upper part of the lower extremity supporter increase because of the difference between the interval of vertical movement. Third, the muscle activity of the lateral gastrocnemius and rectus femoris was higher in the upper part of the lower extremity supporter. Further research for example, on a comparative analysis of joint moments, the effects of direct stressor on joints. and the relationship between muscle activity and joint movement, is necessary for a better understanding of the effects of the lower-extremity supporter.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2016

Inclusive design is increasingly gaining attention, as some people find using products difficult after becoming physically impaired, despite daily use. However, making inclusive products is a challenge for designers or companies, as a lack of knowledge and tools stems their low involvement in it. Developing inclusive design tools is thus needed. This study developed criteria to assess upper extremity capabilities corresponding to specific daily activities. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 58 physiatrists and orthopedists. Non-parametric statistics were employed and medians were adopted as representative scores in the assessment criteria based on normality and reliability test results, non-normal data, and strong reliability of respondents in ranking. Consequently, an assessment tool was developed with 14 criteria (divided into range of motion and strength) and capability scores between 0 and 100, which discerned the moderately impaired from the severely disabled and fully capable. Since the doctors agreed to adopt the criteria but assign numeric values, especially for mild impairments, their capability assessment perception was likely influenced by dichotomy. To compensate for these deficits, qualitative or ergonomic approaches are considered simultaneously.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2020

Purpose: To explore the effects of action observation combined with modified constraint-induced movement therapy on upper-extremity function and the activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-four subacute stroke patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group or the control group (n = 12 each). Both groups received therapy based on motor learning concepts, including repetitive and task-specific practice. The experimental group watched video clips for 10 minutes related to tasks performed during modified constraint-induced movement therapy while the control group watched videos unrelated to upper-extremity movement. These programs were performed for 40 minutes a day five times a week for four weeks. Their scores on the Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremities (FMA-UE), the action research arm test (ARAT), a motor activity log (amount of use [AOU] and quality of movement [QOM]), and the modified Barthel index (MBI) were recorded. Results: In both groups, all variables were significantly different between the pre-test and post-test periods (p < 0.05). The post-test variables were significantly different within each group (p < 0.05). In the experimental group, the changes between pre-test and post-test scores in the FMA-UE (14.39 ± 4.31 versus 6.31 ± 4.63), the ARAT (16.00 ± 4.73 versus 11.46 ± 3.73), MAL-AOU (1.57 ± 0.15 versus 1.18 ± 0.28), and MBI (27.54 ± 4.65 versus 18.08 ± 8.52) were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that action observation combined with modified constraint-induced movement therapy may be a beneficial rehabilitation option to improve upper-extremity function in subacute stroke patients with moderate impairment.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study were to investigate perception of occupational therapist and the current conditions about bilateral upper extremity training for patients with stroke. Methods : A survey was conducted on 10 occupational therapists for a month from June, 2016. The questionnaire was consisted total 17 items including 5 area related to characteristics of occupational therapist and patient, bilateral activities with difficulty to perform, bilateral activities used in bilateral training, and bilateral activities which are wanted for therapist to apply in bilateral training. Results : Drive a nail was bilateral activity with difficulty to perform for stroke patient, and unscrew lid of jar was bilateral activity used in bilateral training by occupational therapists. Also, wash one's face was bilateral activity wanted for therapists to use for bilateral training. Conclusions : This study will be used as basic data to select the bilateral upper extremity activities for bilateral upper extremity training.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.285-290
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• 2016

To identify virtual reality (VR) interventions used for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients. The Medline database was searched up to February 11, 2015. Randomized controlled and clinical trials that included a VR intervention for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients were included. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. In total, 8 studies were included. PEDro scores varied from 5 to 8/10. All studies showed significant improvement in outcomes in favor of the VR group. This review suggests that VR applications used for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients predominantly mediate learning through providing task-oriented and graduated learning with variable and unpredictable practice.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2019

Background Hand injuries caused by chain saws, electric saws, and hand grinders range from simple lacerations to tendon injuries, fractures, and even amputations. This study aimed to understand the distribution of various types of hand and upper extremity injuries caused by power tools, in order to help prevent them, by investigating the incidence and cause of power tool injuries treated over a 4-year period at a single institution in Korea. Methods We reviewed the medical records of patients who visited a single institution for power tool-induced injuries from 2011 to 2014. The distribution of sex, age, injured body part, type of injury, and mechanism of injury sustained by patients who received hand and upper extremity injuries from using an engine saw, electric saw, or hand grinder was evaluated. Results Among 594 subjects who were injured by power tools, 261 cases were hand and upper extremity injuries. The average age was 53.2 years. Tendon injury was the most common type of injury. An electric saw was the most common type of power tool used. More injuries occurred in non-occupational settings than in occupational settings. Conclusions In this study, power tool-induced hand and upper extremity injuries were mostly caused by direct contact with electric saw blades. More injuries occurred due to non-occupational use of these tools, but the ratios of amputations and structural injuries were similar in the non-occupational and occupational groups.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.10
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• pp.365-375
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• 2012

This study aimed to survey the impact of smartphone overuse on upper extremity pain, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationships among college students. Subjects completed a structured questionnaire consisting of the Smartphone Addiction Inventory, the Musculoskeletal Symptom Checklist, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Relationship Change Scale from May to June 2012. We analyzed the survey data from 525 responses, excluding unreturned or incomplete surveys. Data were analyzed using the $x^2$ test and t-test to determine the differences in smartphone overuse and its impact on upper extremity pain, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationships between two groups: the overuse and normal use groups. Moreover, Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation between smartphone overuse and upper extremity pain, anxiety, depression, and interpersonal relationships. The results placed 62 people (11.8%) in the smartphone overuse group. The extent of smartphone overuse was more severe among female than male college students, and longer time spent using smartphones per day was directly related to smartphone overuse. The smartphone overuse group evidenced higher shoulder pain than the normal use group did, but no differences were found in other sites of the upper extremities. State anxiety, trait anxiety, and depression were higher in the smartphone overuse group than in the normal use group. Subjects with a higher extent of smartphone overuse experienced increased state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, and depression. Moreover, subjects with higher state-anxiety, trait-anxiety, and depression scores were more likely to have poor interpersonal relationships. Therefore, early screening for smartphone overuse should be evaluated, because it can be useful in developing addiction prevention programs to improve posture, stress coping, positive mental health, and effective interpersonal relationships.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2017

This study was to identify the correlation between dry eye syndrome, upper extremity pain, depression and addictive smart phone use among college students. Data were collected from 286 college students using a self-report questionnaire. 15.0% of participants have an addictive smart phone use. There were significant differences by dry eye syndrome(t=-4.38, p<.001), neck pain(t=-2.60, p<.05) and depression(t=-4.15, p<.001) according to the addictive smart phone use. Dry eye syndrome(r=.332, p<.001), neck pain(r=.143, p<.05), hand pain(r=.138, p<.05) and depression(r=.402, p<.001) were positively related to addictive smart phone use. Strategies to diminish depression, and to prevent dry eye syndrome and neck pain in college students will be an important intervention component to prevent addictive smart phone use and health problems in future studies.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy (MCIT) on the effected upper extremity of children with hemiparesis. Four children with hemiparetic upper extremity caused by brain injuries were trained by MCIT for ten weeks. During the same period, all of the subjects were also involved in thirty-minute regular physical therapy and occupational therapy. During the treatment period, the unaffected upper extremities of the subjects were restrained by a specially designed hand splint or a mitten for five hours a day, five days per week. For two hours out of the five-hour restraint period, the affected upper extremities were intensively trained by performing various functional tasks, which were individually structured to emphasize use of the affected arm. A single-subject design with A-B-A reversal was employed in this study. The affected limb motor ability was evaluated by Melbourne Assessment, measuring the time to grasp and release nine pegs, and measuring grasping power. As a consequence of this study, the affected limb motor test scores of all four subjects in the baseline period were improved during the treatment period. Furthermore, the treatment effect was maintained during a one-month follow-up period. The results of this study support the assumption that MCIT is an effective therapeutic method to improve the sensory and motor abilities of hemiparetic children. It also increases the frequency of functional use of the hemiparetic hands of brain-injured children. Based on the results of this study, it can also be assumed that the modified CIT method is especially beneficial to these children by reducing the negative emotional effects of forceful restraint of the unaffected upper extremity. To optimize the functional recovery of the paretic upper extremity by CIT, the restriction period per day should be decided individually, according to the characteristics of the individual.