• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of action-observation training on arm function in people with stroke. Fourteen chronic stroke patients participated in action-observation training. Initially, they were asked to watch video that illustrated arm actions used in daily activities; this was followed by repetitive practice of the observed actions for 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Each training session lasted 30 min. All subject participated 12 training session on 9 consecutive training days. For the evaluation of the clinical status of standard functional scales, Wolf motor function test was carried out at before and after the training and at 2 weeks after the training. Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze the results of the clinical test. There was a significant improvement in the upper arm functions after the 3-week action-observation training, as compared to that before training. The improvement was sustained even at two weeks after the training. This result suggest that action observation training has a positive additional impact on recovery of stroke-induced motor dysfunctions through the action observation-action execution matching system, which includes in the mirror neuron system.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2014

Purpose: The discovery of mirror neuron system may positively affect functional recovery; therefore, rehabilitation is needed that is practical for use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of action observation training on upper motor function in people who had suffered strokes. Methods: Three elderly patients with stroke, aged to years, were recruited from a stroke rehabilitation center. A nonconcurrent, multiple baseline subject approach was taken, with an A-B-A treatment single-subject experimental design, and the experiment was conducted for 3 weeks. The action observation training was repeated 5 times in 5 days during the intervention period. The arm function, including WMFT, BBT, and grip and pinch strength, was evaluated in each subject 5 times during the baseline period, the intervention period, and the baseline regression period. Results: The results of the evaluation for each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The WMFT scores of 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and this improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. The BBT and the grip and pinch strength were not improved. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that the action observation training for 5 sessions was effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients but was not effective in improving hand dexterity or grip and pinch strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.73-84
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• 1995

Spasticity has been defined as a motor disorder characterised by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks resulting in hyperexcitability of the stretch reflexes as one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome. Weakness and loss of dexterity, however, are considered to be more disabling to the patient than changes in muscle tone. The discussion includes the important role that alterations in the physiology of motor units, notably changes in firing rates and muscle fiber atrophy, play in the manifestation of muscle weakness. This paper considers both the neural and mechanical components of spasticity and discusses, in terms of clinical intervention, the implications arising from recent research. Investigations suggest that the resistance to passive movement in individuals with spasticity is due not only to neural mechanisms but also to changes in mechanical properties of muscle. The emphasis is on training the individual to gain control over the muscles required for different tasks, and on preventing secondary and adaptive soft tissue changes and ineffective adaptive motor behaviours.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2004

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons. The characteristic features of this devastating disorder are the simultaneous presence of upper and lower motor neuron (LMN) signs with progression from one region of the neuraxis to the next and eventual death, typically from respiratory compromise. Electrophysiological studies are an indispensible part of the ALS evaluation, especially serving as an extension of the clinical examination, and most useful in identifying LMN dysfunction. Not only may electrodiagnostic studies reveal characteristic changes in those regions clinically manifesting signs, but it also serves to disclose asymptomatic areas of involvement.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1991

This paper describes and discusses the employment of HMG pattern analysis to provide upper-motor-neuron paraplegics with patient-responsive control of FES ( functional electrical stimulation) for the purpose of walker-supported walking. The use of above-lesion EMG signals as a solution to the control problem is considered. The AR(autoregressive)parameters are identified by time-varying nonstationary Kalman filler algorithm using DSP chip and classified by fuzzy theory. The control and stimuli part of the below-lesion are based on micro-processor(8031). The designed stimulator is a 4-channel version. The experiments described above have only attempted to discriminate between standing function and sit-down function A further advantge of the this system Is applied for motor rehabilitation of social readaption of paralyzed humans.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2003

Backgrounds: Kennedy disease is a X-linked recessive disease characterized by bulbar symptoms, proximal muscle weakness, and gynecomastia. Methods: We analyzed clinical symptoms and performed electrodiagnostic studies on 6 patients. Results: We found following features: 1) proximal muscle weakness 2) bulbar symptoms, as dysarthria, facial and tongue atrophy 3) hyporeflexia or areflexia 4) fasciculations, predominantly on face, and proximal upper extremities 5) decreased sensory nerve action potentials(SNAPs) 6) chronic neurogenic changes in needle EMG. Conclusions: Kennedy disease is characterized by degenerative process of anterior horn cell and dorsal root ganglion without upper motor neuron dysfunction. Increased triple nucleotide CAG repeats(>38) in androgen receptor gene of Xp21 will confirm early stage of this disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.661-665
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• 2000

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis. ALS is characterized by both upper and lower motor neuron damage. Diagnostic tests include magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) electromyogram(EMG), muscle biopsy, and blood tests. In order for a definitive diagnosis of ALS to be made, damage must be evident in both upper and lower motor neurons. When three limbs are sufficiently affected, the diagnosis is ALS. There is no cure for ALS. We recently experienced one case of ALS, The patients was diagnosed as ALS by EMG and Symptoms. We diagnosed her as Wea jeung and treated by Herbal-medication based on the differentiation of symtoms. we report change of his symptoms through both western medical treatment and oriental medical treatment.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.64-71
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• 2012

Background: It is generally accepted that upper motor neuron (UMN) lesion can alter lower motor neuron (LMN) function by the plasticity of neural circuit. However there have been only few researches regarding the axonal excitability of LMN after UMN injury especially during the acute stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the nerve excitability properties of the LMNs following an acute to subacute supratentorial corticospinal tract lesion. Methods: An automated nerve excitability test (NET) using the threshold tracking technique was utilized to measure multiple excitability indices in median motor axons of 15 stroke patients and 20 controls. Testing of both paretic and non-paretic side was repeated twice, during the acute stage and subacute stage. The protocols calculated the strength-duration time constant from the duration-charge curve, parameters of threshold electrotonus (TE), the current-threshold relationship from sequential sub-threshold current, and the recovery cycle from sequential supra-threshold stimulation. Results: On the paretic side, compared with the control group, significant decline of superexcitablity and increase in the relative refractory period were observed during the subacute stage of stroke. Additionally, despite the absence of statistical significance, a mildly collapsing in ('fanning in') of the TE was found. Conclusions: Our results suggest that supratentorial brain lesions can affect peripheral axonal excitability even during the early stage. The NET pattern probably suggests background membrane depolarization of LMNs. These features could be associated with trans-synaptic regulation of UMNs to LMNs as one of the "neural plasticity" mechanisms in acute brain injury.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.290-302
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify sexual activities of males with spinal cord injury (SCI) and influential factors of sexual adjustment. Methods: A correlational survey was conducted among a total of 135 males with SCI. Results: After SCI, patients maintained low levels of sexual adjustment, and a main obstacle of sexual rehabilitation was decreased erectile function (65.2%). Sexual desires recovered in 84.4%, with 62.4% patients reporting more than once intercourse experiences. The erectile function of participants with normal, decreased or no erectile function were 13.0%, 62.6% and 24.4%, respectively. 8.1% of the participants reported no problem with ejaculation. Patients with incomplete SCI had better preserved erectile function than those with complete SCI (t=-4.627, p<.001). Patients with upper motor neuron injury had better preserved erectile function than those with lower motor neuron injury (t=2.446, p =.016). Sexual adjustment was relevant to age, job, degree of injury, post-injury period, sexual desire, intercourse experience, erection therapy, erectile function, and sexual health. Sexual adjustment was a factor of sexual health with a power of 24.2%. Conclusion: The main obstacle of sexual rehabilitation for males with SCI decreased erectile function. Erection and ejaculation are dependent on the severity and level of SCI. The major influence on sexual adjustment is sexual health.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.537-543
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• 2002

The purpose of the present study was to investigate structural stability of extensive laminectomy and the effect of subcutaneous fat autograft on restricting formation of postlaminectomy membrane (fibrous tissue). Eighteen healthy dogs of both sexes and of mixed breeding were divided into 6 groups : (1) unilateral hemilaminectomy (group H) on 3rd, 4th and 7th vertebrae ; (2) modified dorsal laminectomy (group D) on 3rd, 4th and 7th vertebrae. Hemilaminectomies were carried out incontinuously at 16 sites in 4 dogs, then subcutaneous fat autografts (group F) were applied to 8 laminectomy sites and no treatment (group C) was assigned to 8 laminectomy sites, too. Operating time of group H ($30.9{\pm}10.4$ minutes) was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than that of group D ($43.1{\pm}12.2$ minutes), but surgical hemorrhage of group H is severer than that of group D. General states, such as standing, gait, defecation and urination, were normal. Upper motor neuron/lower motor neuron signs were not found and superficial/deep pain, proprioception and anal sphincter tone were normal. Gross postmortem findings were similar in all groups. The laminectomy sites of groups H and D were filled with fibous connective tissue at 4 months after operation and histopathological abnormalities of spinal cord were not found. One of eight laminectomy sites in group F was filled with fibrous tissue at 2 months after operation, but all operating sites of group C were covered with fibrous tissue. The present study indicated that extensive laminectomy on 7 vertebrae, using unilateral hemilaminectomy and modified dorsal laminectomy technique, maintained structural stability and subcutaneous fat autograft was effective on reducing the formation of fibrous membrane in laminectomy sites.