• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.409-413
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• 2012

Purpose: Rehabilitative devices are used to enhance sensorimotor training protocols, for improvement of motor function in the hemiplegic limb of patients who have suffered a stroke. Sensorimotor integration feedback systems, included with these devices, are very good therapeutic frameworks. We applied this approach using electrical stimulation in stroke patients and examined whether a functional electric stimulation-assisted biofeedback therapy system could improve function of the upper extremity in chronic hemiplegia. Methods: A prototype biofeedback system was used by six subjects to perform a set of tasks with their affected upper extremity during a 30-minute session for 20 consecutive working days. When needed for a grasping or releasing movement of objects, the functional electrical stimulation (FES) stimulated the wrist and finger flexor or extensor and assisted the patients in grasping or releasing the objects. Kinematic data provided by the biofeedback system were acquired. In addition, clinical performance scales and activity of daily living skills were evaluated before and after application of a prototype biofeedback system. Results: Our findings revealed statistically significant gradual improvement in patients with stroke, in terms of kinematic and clinical performance during the treatment sessions, in terms of manual function test and the Purdue pegboard. However, no significant difference of the motor activity log was found. Conclusion: Hemiplegic upper extremity function of a small group of patients with chronic hemiparesis was improved through two weeks of training using the FES-assisted biofeedback system. Further research into the use of biofeedback systems for long-term clinical improvement will be needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2023

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the impact of a exercise with kinect-based mixed reality device (KMR) on physical function, upper extremity disability, fatigue, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. We hypothesized that this exercise program would improve physical function, physical activity, fatigue, and quality of life. Methods : Thirty-nine breast cancer survivors were randomized to either the KMR exercise group (KE) or the home stretch group (HS). The KE participated in 8 weeks of exercise, exercising 3 times per week, while the HS performed 8 weeks of stretching exercises, also 3 times per week. Before and after the intervention period, participants underwent assessments of physical function, including body composition, chester step test (CST), and hand grip strength (HGS). Additionally, participants completed questionnaires including the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire, and functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast (FACT-B) questionnaire to measure their physical activity levels, upper extremity disability, and quality of life, respectively. Results : Overall, significant improvements were observed in several shoulder movements, body weight, and physical activity, with no significant interaction effects between groups and time. Furthermore, there was a significant group by time interaction for body weight, left flexion, right flexion, right abduction, and left adduction, as well as for upper extremity disability (K-DASH) and quality of life (FACT-B). Conclusion : In conclusion, the KMR exercise program was found to be effective at improving physical function, upper extremity disability, quality of life, and overall well-being in breast cancer survivors. The significant improvements observed in multiple measures and the significant group by time interactions for various outcomes highlight the potential benefits of this KMR exercise program in promoting a better quality of life for breast cancer survivors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.202-222
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• 2003

Chronic upper extremity hemiparesis is a leading cause of functional disability after stroke. The purpose of this study were to identify effects of a 6weeks repetitive bilateral arm training on upper motor function and the reorganization of motor network. Four chronic stroke patients participated in this study. They performed for 6 consecutive weeks, 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day. In the single group study, four 5-minute periods per session of bilateral arm training were performed with the use of a custom-designed arm training machine. The results of this study was as follows. 1. Following the 6weeks period of RBAT, patient exhibited a improvement in FMA and BBT. 2. Following the 6weeks period of RBAT, it showed improvement in reaching time, symbol digit substitution and finger tapping speed of KCNT. 3. fMRI activation after RBAT showed a focal map in lesional cortical area and perilesional motor areas. These fMRI data suggest that hemodynamics response to RBAT reflect sensorimotor reorganization in contralateral hemisphere. In conclusion, these date suggest that improved upper extremity function induced by repetitive bilateral arm training after stroke is associated with reorganization of motor network as a neural basis for the improvement of paratic upper extremity function.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.5132-5142
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to find effect of upper extremities exercises using two different supporting surface, mobile surface and fixed surface in sitting on the function of upper extremities for the patients with stroke. The study period was between July 5, 2012 and August 1 2012. The subjects were 20 subjects who were randomly divided into two groups : (1) mobile surface group, (2) fixed surface group. The mobile surface group performed bilateral upper extremities exercise sitting on balance disc, and the fixed surface group was provided fixed surface chair. Both groups performed 30 minutes 5 times per a week for 4weeks. The Manual Functional Test(MFT) and Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment(FMA) was used to measure the differences of upper extremity functions before and after interventions. The results of this study were as follows. First, Both groups, mobile surface group and fixed surface group showed the significant increase(p<.05) in upper extremity function. Second, the improvements of the hand function in mobile surface group showed significant difference comparing with the group with fixed surface. Therefore, the results of this study showed the bilateral hand exercise program on mobile surface is more effective than the fixed surface bilateral hand exercise program for the patients with stroke.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.65-76
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to verify the validity and reliability of the Upper Extremity Performance Test for the Elderly (TEMPA) by modifying its items to exhibit cultural differences. Methods : This study included 171 healthy adults and older adults and 41 individuals with impaired upper extremity function. Content validity, discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability were analyzed. Results : The following items, exhibiting cultural differences, were modified: "open a lock and take the top off a pillbox" and "write and affix a postage stamp." The discriminant validity results indicated that participants with normal upper extremity function performed better than those with impaired in the upper extremity function (p<.001). The test-retest reliability of the execution speed (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) was .71-.94, functional rating (kappa) was 1.0, and task analysis (ICC) was 1.0. The inter-rater reliability of the speed of execution was 1.0, functional rating was .79-1.0, and task analysis was .94-1.0. Conclusion : TEMPA has moderate to high level of reliability and is an assessment tool that can clearly distinguish individuals with upper extremity impairment from those without impairment.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2021

Objective : In this study, the upper extremity use, executive function, and occupational performance effects of cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) interventions for patients with stroke were assessed. Methods : The study was designed as a single-group pre-post test with 20 sessions. The participants were five hospitalized patients with stroke who were present in a rehabilitation setting, and their onsets were more than 3 months previously. Outcomes were measured using the Canadian Occupation Performance Measure (COPM), Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS), Executive Function performance Test - Korean version (EFPT-K), and Motor Activity Log (MAL). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to determine the difference between the pre-and-post of CO-OP interventions. The statistical significance level was p<.05. Results : The upper extremity function showed significant changes and the execution function showed significant changes in preparation, sequencing, judgment and safety, and closing, except for items to be started. The performance of the task also showed significant changes. Conclusion : Through 20 sessions of CO-OP interventions, especially in patients with chronic stroke, the upper extremity function, execution function, and task performance were improved. We found that CO-OP intervention had a positive effect on the improvement of detailed task elements as well as the performance of tasks overall, in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.61-65
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• 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate sensory disturbance in cervical spondylosis using grip force and investigate the relationship between the grip force and upper extremity function. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eleven cervical spondylosis patients with paresthesia conducted grip and lift tasks using a precision grip with the tips of the thumb and index finger on either side. The sum of the grip force used during the first four seconds was calculated and defined as the total grip force. The cutaneous pressure threshold of the fingers, the pinch power, the grip power and three subtests of the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function (STEF) were also assessed. Correlations between the total grip force and cutaneous pressure threshold, pinch power, grip power, and STEF subtest times were evaluated. Results: We found that the total grip force correlated with the cutaneous pressure threshold (p<0.05). Moreover, the total grip force of the dominant thumb correlated with the results of the three STEF subtests (p<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the total grip force and pinch/grip powers. Conclusions: We found that the total grip force correlated with cutaneous pressure threshold and upper extremity function. The results suggest that the total grip force could serve as an objective index for evaluating paresthesia in cervical spondylosis patients, and that the impaired ability of the upper extremity function is related to grip force coordination.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.130-139
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was designed to present preliminary data for the development of appropriate nursing care system for the patients with ALS by analyzing their physical function. Method: The clinical data of 36 ALS patients, who visited ALS Clinic of H University Hospital in Seoul, were collected from January, 2006 to August, 2006. To determine the physical function, Norris ALS scale and Appel ALS Rating Scale were used. The data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, range, t-test, ANOVA, using SPSS PC program. Results: The mean score of physical activity, muscle strength, upper extremity function, lower extremity function was 18.08, 27.72, 25.94, 25.19 respectively. There were significant differences in physical activity, muscle strength, and upper extremity function according to sender and comorbid disease(diabetes). Although sites of symptom onset were not statistically significant with all physical function, patients with bulbar onset showed relatively severe physical disabilities. Conclusion: The preliminary data on physical function of patients with ALS would be helpful for the development of ALS nursing guideline system.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of action observational physical training on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patient. 19 hemiparetic patients participated in this study and were randomly selected into an experimental group and a control group. An experimental group observed performance actions of purposeful activity task through a video and imitated actions with the traditional occupational therapy, and a control group only observed actions with the traditional occupational therapy. Traing was performed 3 times a week and 30 min for each round for 4 weeks. WMFT were performed for an upper extremity function and MBI were performed for activities of daily living. As a result, WMFT and MBI showed significant difference between before and after in two groups but didn't show significant difference between two groups.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.711-718
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dual-task training on balance and upper extremity function with chronic stroke. For seventeen persons with chronic stroke, we executed dual-task training for 4 weeks, five times per week, and 30 minutes each time. Before and after the dual-task training, the patients were tested with Berg Balance Scale(BBS) and BTS FreeEMG 300(BTS FreeEMG 300, BTS, Italy). After the dual-task training, the subjects showed significant changes in the score of BBS(p<.05). And, the subjects' shoulder and elbow movement had negative values of change after the intervention, indicating that there was a positive change. The results of this study show that dual-task training for persons with chronic stroke is a useful therapeutic approach by enhancing the their quality of life through improving balance and upper extremity function.