• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.64-71
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Test (BBS), Timed -UP & Go Test, Fugl Meyer-L/E, Balance, Sensory (FM-L/E, B, S), Motor Assessment Scale-Gait (MAS-G), Comfortable maximal Gait Speed (C MGS), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). The subjects were 40 stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. Main outcome measures were Balance control (BBS, FM-B), Gait (TUG, C MGS, MAS-G), ADL (MBI) and Motor Function of Lower Extremities (FM-L/E, S). The data were analyzed using Pearson product correlation. FM scales between other clinical and instrumental indexes and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for Balance, Gait and ADL Motor Function of Lower Extremity inclinations. The results of this study were as follows: The BBS, FM-L/E, balance, sensory and MBI showed positive correlation relations, but TUG and C MGS showed negative correlations. The sensory factor of the FM-scale showed the strongest variance in predicting BBS. However the FM-balance showed the strongest variance in predicting TUG, MAS-G and C MGS. The use of both quantitative and qualitative scales was shown to be a good measuring instrument for the classification of the general clinical performance of the patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor recovery in 4 chronic hemiparetic patients with Fugl-Meyer (FM) and EMG characteristics before and after the training program. The training was performed at 1hr/day, 5days/week during 6 weeks in 4 chronic stroke patients. Electromyographic activities of the affected hand were recorded during isometric wrist flexion/ extension movements. In all patients, FM was significantly improved after the 6-week training. Onset/offset delay of muscle contraction significantly decreased in the affected wrist after the training. The co-contraction ratio of flexor/extensor muscles decreased significantly. Also, onset/offset delay of muscle contraction and co-contraction ratio correlates significantly with upper limb motor impairment and motor recovery. This EMG technique allows an objective evaluation of changes in muscle activity in post-stroke patients, providing easily measurable, quantitative indices of muscle characteristics.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2008

Within 2 to 5 months after stroke, patients recover variable degrees of function, depending on the initial deficit. An impaired hand function is one of the most serious disability in chronic stroke patients. Therefore, to evaluate the extent of motor dysfunction in the hemiplegic hand is important in stroke rehabilitation. In this paper, motor recoveries in 8 chronic stroke patients with Fugl-Meyer (FM) and white matter changes before and after the training program with a designed bilateral symmetrical arm trainer (BSAT) system were examined. The training was performed at 1 hr/day, 5 days/week during 6weeks. In all patients, FM was significantly improved after the 6-week training. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) results showed that tractional anisotropy ratio (FAR) and fiber tracking ratio (FTR) in the posterior internal capsule were significantly increased after the training. It seemed that the cortical reorganization was induced by the 6 week training with the BSAT. In all parameters proposed this study, a significant correlation was found between these parameters (FAR and FTR) and motor recoveries. This study demonstrated that DTI technique could be useful in predicting motor recovery in chronic hemiparetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to propose clinical criteria to differentiate patients who are able to perform the step-through-step gait pattern in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic stroke patients participated this study. To differentiate patients who could perform the step-through-step gait pattern, age, gender, and causes of stroke were noted, a Chedoke-McMaster (CM) damage list, Fugl-Meyer (FM) assessment scales and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were determined. A 10 meter gait test and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test were conducted to determine the differences in gait speed and dynamic balance between patients walking with or without canes in the step-through-step gait pattern group. RESULTS: There was no significant statistical difference in age, gender, and stroke type between all subjects. There were significant differences in the CM scale for postural and lower extremities, and FM scale for lower extremities and BBS. The dynamic balance ability and gait speed showed significant differences between the subjects in the step-through-step gait pattern with or without a cane during gait. CONCLUSION: CM and FM scales for the lower extremities and postural control, as well as BBS scales, can be used as criteria to differentiate patients who are able to perform the step-through-step gait pattern. These results can also be used to provide beneficial information to patients that are walking with canes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine reliability and validity of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 43 stroke patients, who had a stroke more than 6 months previously, participated in the study. Reliability was determined by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC$_{3,1}$), Bland and Altman method and Cronbach's alpha by internal consistency. Validity was examined by correlation the PASS scores to the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Control Test (TCT), and Fugl-Meyer Balance (FM-B) score. Results: The intra-rater reliability and the Absolute reliability of the PASS was good ICC$_{3,1}$=0.97 (95%CI 0.95$\sim$0.99) and excellent SEM=1.01 respectively. Cronbach's alpha value for PASS was found to be 0.94. There were significant correlations between the PASS and BBS, TCT, FM-B (r=0.65－0.96, p<0.01). Conclusion: The PASS provide reliable and valid instrument of the postural control assessment for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.549-558
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study is designed as a retrospective study, and identified the clinical usability of Sit to Stand (STS) test for predicting of fall incidence in stroke patients who experienced a fall within 1 year. METHODS: Between July 2011 and November 2012, 69 inpatients with stroke in K rehabilitation hospital were participated under voluntarily signing the informed consent form. STS test and 10m walk test (10MWT) were used to assess the muscle strength of lower-extremity and walking velocity, respectively. Also, we tested dynamic balance and motor function of lower-extremity in affected-side using with the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FM-L/E). METHODS: There were significant differences between subjects with fall-experienced group and without subjects without fall-experienced group in STS test, 10MWT, BBS scores and FM-L/E. STS test significantly showed a negative correlation between 10MWT (r=-.657), BBS (r=-.512), and FM-L/E (r=-.563). And, 10MWT have a influence on the performance of STS test (the capacity of explanation = 20%). The cut-off value of STS performance predicting falls experience is ${\geq}14.36$ seconds (sensitivity=76%; specificity=79%, area under curve=.785). According to logistic regression analysis of falls experience, subjects ${\geq}14.36$ s showed that 4.164 times (odd ratio) increased in falls than subjects < 14.36 s in STS test. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that STS test may be a useful tool predicting and measuring falls in patients with stroke. Further study will be needed to elucidate the kinematic analysis of STS test and the relationship between physical activity level and falls in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-189
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• 2002

Background and Purpose : The hemiplegic upper extremity is affected in many stroke patients, and recovery is often poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in enhancing the upper extremity motor and functional recovery of ischemic stroke patients. Subjects and Methods : Forty ischemic stroke patients (the upper extremity Fugl-Meyer motor scale (FM) score lower than 46, lesion location within middle cerebral artery territory) within 2 weeks of stroke onset were randomly allocated to either an EA group that received EA treatment or a control group that received only routine ward care. The EA was applied at Quchi-Shousanli (LI11-LI10), Waiguan-Hegu (TE5-LI4) points on the hemiparetic side six times per week for 4 weeks. The frequency of stimulation was 25-50Hz and the intensity was set at a level sufficient to induce muscle contraction. EA treatment was given for 30 minutes and all patients of both groups received standard rehabilitation program. Outcomes were assessed, in a blind manner, before treatment began and at 4 weeks after treatment, with the FM, the Motor Power score (MP) for shoulder/elbow, and the subsection of the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming. Results : These 2 groups had comparable clinical characteristics, lesion location, lesion size, and pretreatment impairment scores. By the end of treatment, the EA group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in the subsection of the FM for shoulder/elbow/coordination (6.4 vs. 3.7; P=0.047) and the MP for shoulder/elbow (5.3 vs. 3.3; P=0.008). The subsection scores of the MBI for drinking/feeding/dressing upper body/grooming were not significantly different between two groups. No adverse effects due to treatment were found Conclusion : These results suggest that EA enhances the upper extremity motor recovery of acute stroke patients. However, this study failed to demonstrate any significant functional benefit related with upper extremity. Future study should be carried out in a larger sample size and use the functional outcome measure that is more specific and sensitive to the upper extremity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.257-266
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• 2011

Purpose : To assess the relationship between post-stroke shoulder pain, motor function, and pain-related quality of life(QOL) Methods : Volunteer sample of 62 chronic stroke survivors with post-stroke shoulder pain and glenohumeral subluxation. The patients answered the question in shoulder pain with the Brief Pain Inventory question 12 (BP1-12), Pain-related Quality of life(BPI-23). Therapists measured the performance of combined upper-limb movement including the hand-behind-neck(HBN), hand-behind-beck(HBB) maneuver, added passive pain-free shoulder external rotation range of motion, and Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) score of the elbow flexors. Physical performance assessments were used to measure basic activity daily living(Modified Barthel Index-self care, MBI-S/C), motor function of upper limb(Fugl-Meyer Upper/Lower Extremity, FM-U/E). Results : Stepwise regression analyses indicated that post-stroke shoulder pain is associated with the BPI 23, but not with the FM-U/E, MBI-S/C. Thus, the presence of shoulder pain is more important predicting pain-related QOL than its degree in predicting motor function of upper limb and basic activity daily living. Conclusion : Post-stroke shoulder pain was associated with reduced quality of life related to pain. The pain was not associated with the motor function of upper limb and basic activity daily living. The result imply that management of shoulder pain & anatomical position of shoulder joint after stroke should be emphasized. This provides a further incentive to develop effective rehabilitation prevention and treatment strategies for post-stroke shoulder pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.655-666
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• 2010

Purpose : The examine the reliability and validity of the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile(mEFAP) for assessing gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods : A total of 45 stroke patients, who had a stroke more than 6 months, participated in the study. Reliability was determined by Intra-class Correlation Coefficient($ICC_{3,1}$), including Bland and Altman method (Standard Error of Measurement: SEM, Small Real Differences: SRD). Validity was examined by correlating results to the gait ability(mEFAP, Modified Motor Assessment Scale-Gait(MMAS-G), Scandinavian Stroke Scale-Gait(SSS-G), Functional Ambulation Category(FAC), 10m Waking Test(10m WT)), and Fugl Meyer-Lower/Extremity(FM-L/E), Berg Balance Scale(BBS). Results : Inter-rater reliability for the total mEFAP was High($ICC_{2,1}$=.998), and absolute reliability were excellent (SEM: 1.75, SRD: 4.85). Subjects without assistance factor performed better on all tests than did subjects who had stroke. There were significant correlations between the mEFAP and MMAS-G, SSS-G, FAC(r=-.66~-.79), 10 m WT(r=-.86), and FM-L/E, BBS(r=-.72~-.78), indicating good validity. Increased times on the mEFAP correlated with poor performance on the gait ability, motor function of lower extremity, BBS and slow gait speeds on the 10 m WT in stroke patients. Conclusion : The mEFAP can be administered easily and comprehensively. It is a reliable gait assessment tool for patients with stroke and correlated with known of function, the mEFAP may be a clinically useful measure of ambulation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Objective: The present study was to investigate the discrimination capacity of the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment-Gait Scale (POMA-GS), for predicting falls in stroke survivors. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data including the characteristics and number of falls of 52 chronic stroke patients from a rehabilitation center were collected. The number of falls each subject had experienced in the previous year were investigated through interviews. The subjects were divided into two groups depending on the number of falls: if falls occurred twice or more on the basis of the time of study after stroke, they were defined as the falls group and if there was no fall experience or one fall, they were defined as the non-falls group. The subjects were examined with the POMA-GS, and physical functions were examined using by the One Leg Stand Test (OLST), Sit to Stand Test (SST), 10-m Walk Test, Lower Extremity in Fugl-Meyer assessment (FM-LE), and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS). The validity of POMA-GS for falls prediction was analyzed. Results: In the POMA-GS, which predicts falls in stroke survivors, the cut-off value was 8.5 (sensitivity 72%; specificity 65%) and the area under the curve was 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.60-0.90, p<0.007). There was a significant difference in the OLST, SST, FM-LE, and TIS between the subjects with POMA-GS >8.5 and the subjects with POMA-GS ${\leq}8.5$. Conclusions: The POMA-GS could be a useful tool in predicting falls in stroke survivors, as its discrimination capacity and predictive validity is proven satisfactory.