• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.103-116
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects on the upper extremity function, muscle strength, and hand function of a task-oriented training approach using a percussion instrument for patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients accompanied with upper extremity hemiplegia were selected for research and were classified randomly into 12 experimental groups and 12 control groups. The experimental group performed a task-oriented approach, and the control group performed upper extremity occupational therapy. Stroke upper extremity test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test, upper extremity muscle strength test, and hand muscle strength test were measured before and after training in the evaluation process. RESULTS: In the upper extremity test and Jebsen-Taylor test, there were no significant differences between the groups. In the upper extremity muscle strength test, there were significant differences in shoulder flexion, internal rotation, and elbow flexion in the experimental group. In the hand muscle strength test, there were significant differences in the grip, tip Pinch, lateral Pinch, and 3-jaw chuck in the experimental group and significant differences in only grip, tip pinch, and lateral pinch in the control group. In addition, there were significant differences in the lateral pinch compared to the amount of change. CONCLUSION: Task-oriented approach using percussion instruments for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients is effective in the upper extremity function and strength, hand function, and strength.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.31-37
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation convergence task-oriented training combined with vibration stimulation on hand dexterity and upper limb function in stroke patients. One time 30 minutes 5 times a week for 4 weeks. experimental group of transcranial direct current stimulation convergence task-oriented training combined with vibration stimulation and control group of the task-oriented training combined with vibration stimulation were divided into 10 members. Hand dexterity and upper limb recovery were measured. The experimental group and the control group showed significant improvement in hand dexterity and grasping(p<.05), grasping, and gross movement(p<.05). The experimental group showed a significant improvement in hand dexterity and grasp and grip than the control group. Effect size showed more than small effect in all evaluation items. Based on the results of this study, it is considered that more effective and efficient rehabilitation treatment can be performed in the clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.325-331
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• 2015

Purpose: This study attempts to understand the effect of stabilization exercise of biofeedback scapular on muscle activity and functional evaluation of the upper extremity in stroke patients. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups; a biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise group comprised of 8 patients and a task-oriented training group including another 8 patients, and 30-minute exercise was performed 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Electromyogram was used to measure muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior. Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Manual Function Test were used to evaluate functions of the muscles mentioned. Results: Significant difference was observed in the comparison group before and after exercise in muscular activity of lower trapezius, deltoid middle, and serratus anterior, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Manual Function Test. Conclusion: Therefore, we could see that biofeedback scapular stabilization exercise is more effective than task-oriented training in facilitating muscle activation and functional capacity of upper limb.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aims to investigate the effect of somatosensory stimulation on the upper limb sensory and function and self-esteem of stroke patients. Methods : This study period was march 4 to april 4 (5 weeks). The subject were 20 stroke patients with somatosensory impairment in B hospital, seongnam, gyeonggi province. They were devided into two group-experimental and control-with 10 members each. The members of the experimental group underwent somatosensory stimulation, whereas the members of the control group underwent an occupation-based intervention for 5 weeks. Thirty-minute therapy was provided 3 times per week for 5 weeks. Before and after the intervention, both groups were evaluated via light touch, static two-point discrimination, stereognosis, Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and self-esteem scale Results : In this study, light touch was not significant in both groups. Static two-point discrimination was significant among the experimental group member's index fingers. Among the control group members, it was significant in the ring finger. The comparison between the two groups was significant in the index finger. The stereognosis results were significant in the experimental group but not in the control group. The comparison between the groups after the intervention was not significant. FMA was significant in the shoulder/ elbow/ forearm (SEF), hand and coordination among the experimental group. Among the control group, it was significant in the SEF and hand. The comparison between the groups was significant in the SEF, hand and coordination. The self-esteem scale results were significant among both groups, and the comparison between the group's score was likewise significant. Conclusion : In conclusion, somatosensory stimulation therapy increases the static two-point discrimination, stereognosis, upper extremity function, and self-esteem of patients with stroke. Therefore, while somatosensory stimulation therapy is not the best therapy, it is one of the best occupational therapies for stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to research the effects of dual-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation (dual tDCS) and modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) to improve upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : The study period was from August 2019 to November 2019, and included 24 patients who met the selection criteria. Participants were divided into 2 groups: dual tDCS and mCIMT, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group. Dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying dual tDCS for 20 minutes, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying sham tDCS for 20 minutes without turning on the power source. Total interventions were conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, and mCIMT was conducted for 30 minutes per session for both experimental and control groups. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Motor Activity Log scale (MAL) were analyzed before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Results : Both experimental and control groups showed significant changes in FMA, Amount of Use (AOU), and Quality of Movement (QOM) of MAL. When the differences between groups was compared using ANCOVA, the experimental group showed a greater improvement in FMA and AOU of MAL than the control group. Conclusion : In order to enhance the effect of improving upper limb function of stroke patients, dual tDCS could be applied to provide more effective treatment in the clinical setting. Further studies will be needed in larger groups of stroke patients, including long-term follow-up, and multi-group comparisons through the establishment of anodal tDCS and mCIMT, cathodal tDCS, and mCIMT groups to clarify the effects of dual tDCS. In addition, research is needed to establish a protocol for tDCS, and this evidence-based intervention protocol is expected to be used in the clinical setting as an interventional method for various purposes.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.431-442
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• 2020

This study examined the effect of the theratainment swiss ball exercise on the upper limb function, pain, and daily activities of a patient with axillary nerve injury. The research duration was from November 5^th, 2019 to February 25^th, 2020. The research subject was a 23-year-old female patient living in the metropolitan city of G in South Korea, and the A-B-A' type of single-subject experimental research design was used. In this study, repeated training was provided to the patient in the form of exercises employing different directions and gradually increased weights. The training increased the structural stability and mobility of the shoulder and was effective for pain relief as it strengthened shoulder function. The training helped the subject improve her posture change adaptability and reaction ability in different environments and ultimately enabled her to increase and maximize her performance of independent daily activities. This study thus demonstrated the positive effect of the Swiss ball exercise on the upper limb function, pain and disability, daily activities of a patient with axillary nerve injury and confirmed the potential of the exercise as an intervention method. Continued investigation to develop and test the effect of the Swiss ball exercise will be required for it to be used professionally as a therapeutic approach by occupational therapists in treating a variety of patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.64-74
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of therapeutic interventions on upper extremity function of children with cerebral palsy using systematic review methods and to suggest intervention trends in Korea. Methods : The subjects of the study were the researches published in the Korean Journal since 2008. Total 12 studies were selected through Korean research database engine such as DBpia, Scholar, KSDC, KISS and RISS for the systematic review. Key words were 'cerebral palsy', 'upper extremity function' and 'hand function'. The results of this study were analyzed by qualitative level and methodological quality level of evidence, and the results of each study were analyzed according to the PICO approach, that is Patient, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome. Results : For the level of evidence, Grade IV and V were most frequent. In terms of methodological quality, majority of the studies showed 'Fair' level. The subjects were the children with hemiplegia, and Single-subjects designs and case studies were frequent experimental design. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) was most frequently conducted among the intervention studies, and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test was most frequently used evaluation tool. Eleven studies showed that the upper limb functions were significantly improved or were positively effective. Conclusion : Various intervention methods have been implemented to improve the upper limb functions of children with cerebral palsy. In the future, studies on intervention methods based on the type of paralysis and studies with high quality of evidence should be conducted in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trigger finger on pain, muscle strength and function in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients. METHODS: A total of 60 subjects (30 carpal tunnel syndrome with trigger finger and 30 carpal tunnel syndrome without trigger finger) were assessment for pain, muscle strength (power grip, key pinch , tip to tip pinch, three jaw pinch) and function. The effect sizes of the two groups were compared, and the correlation between the trigger finger and each variable was analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that there were significantly difference in the pain, muscle strength excluding three jaw pinch and function (p < .05). The results also showed correlation between trigger finger and pain (r = .552), muscle strength excluding three jaw pinch (power grip r = -.296, key pinch r = -.260, tip to tip pinch r = -.285), and function (r = .375). The function of carpal tunnel syndrome patients was related to pain (r = .550) and power grips (r = -.324) of muscle strength. CONCLUSION: In carpal tunnel syndrome patients with trigger finger compared to carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle weakness, pain increase, and function reduction were shown. In addition, trigger finger are correlated with muscle strength, pain and function, and muscle weakness and increased pain affect the daily living of carpal tunnel syndrome patients with triggers finger. Therefore, physical therapy interventions of carpal tunnel syndrome patients with trigger finger should be combined with treatment for muscle strength enhancement as well as pain reduction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.75-101
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• 2021

Objectives: ncluding stroke. The aim of this study was to systematically review the clinical evidence of CT for stroke. Methods: To identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the effectiveness and/or safety of CT, seven databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published from January 2000 to February 2021 without language restrictions. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software and the results were presented as mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables and odds ratio (OR) for diverse variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Assessment of the methodological quality of the eligible trials was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for risk of bias in RCTs. Results: Twenty-two RCTs with 1653 participants were included in the final analysis. CT provided additional benefit in improving upper limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper limb motor function, MD 6.91, 95% CI 4.64 to 1.67, P<0.00001) and spasticity (response rate, OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.31 to 8.22, P=0.08) in stroke survivors receiving conventional medical treatment. These findings were supported with a moderate level of evidence. CT did not significantly increase the occurrence of adverse events. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the potential of CT to be beneficial in managing a variety of complications in stroke survivors. However, to compensate for the shortcomings of the existing evidence, rigorously designed large-scale RCTs are warranted in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.134-141
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• 2009

Recently, many researchers have tried to develop wearable robots for various fields such as medical and military purposes. We have been studying robotic exoskeletons to assist the motion of persons who have problems with their muscle function in daily activities and rehabilitation. The upper-limb motions (shoulder, elbow and wrist motion) are especially important for such persons to perform daily activities. Generally for shoulder motion 300F is needed to describe its motion(extension/flexion, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation) but we have used a redundant actuator thus making a 4 DOF system. In this paper, we proposed the mechanism design of the exoskeleton which consists of 4-DOF for shoulder and 1-DOF for elbow robotic exoskeleton to assist upper-limb motion. Then we compared the new mechanism design and prototype mechanism design. Here we also analyze the proposed system kinematically to find out and to avoid the singular point. This research will ensure that the proposed wearable robot system make human's motion more powerfully and more easily.