• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2024

This meta-analysis systematically reviewed studies on mirror therapy focused on arm and hand function in stroke patients, aiming to comprehensively assess the efficacy of mirror therapy interventions and furnish empirical support for its potential application and future development in the context of stroke rehabilitation. A rigorous search for articles published in international journals up to the year 2022 was conducted. Various assessment tools were employed to calculate effect sizes, evaluating the impact of mirror therapy on arm and hand function in stroke patients. Utilizing a random-effects model, mean effect sizes were determined, yielding a total effect size of 0.545. The effect sizes for the Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS), Box and Block Test (BBT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and grip strength test were 0.957, 0.596, 0.490, 0.488, and 0.417, respectively. In summary, we suggest that mirror therapy engenders positive changes in functional recovery among stroke patients, establishing a foundation for its tailored clinical application based on individual subject characteristics.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1950-1953
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• 2020

Background: Ankle instability usually occurs after stroke, and contributes to unsafe walking and associated risk of falling in the affected patients. Objective: To investigate the effects of kinesiology taping (KT) on gait and balance ability (center of pressure, CoP) in patients with ankle instability after stroke. Design: One group, pre-post design. Methods: A total of 11 patients with ankle instability after stroke were enrolled. In all subjects, the gait and balance ability were assessed under 2 conditions: KT and barefoot. Gait and balance ability was assessed using GAITRite system and FDM-S platform. Results: Comparison between KT and barefoot condition, KT condition was significantly higher in velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length than barefoot condition (P<.05). KT condition was significantly lower in CoP path length and sway speed than barefoot condition (P<.05). Conclusion: KT indicated potential as a helpful method for walking and balancing ability in patients with ankle instability after stroke. Therefore, this study recommends KT as an option applicable to the stroke with ankle instability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1873-1878
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• 2019

Background: Walking is a complex activity. The main components of walking include balance, coordination, and symmetrical posture. The characteristics of walking patterns of stroke patients include slow walking, measured by gait cycle and walking speed. This is an important factor that reflects post-stroke quality of life and walking ability. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise on the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients. Design: Quasi-experial study Methods: The experiment was conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, with 30 minutes per session, on 10 subjects in the experimental group who performed the deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise and 10 subjects in the control group who performed a regular exercise. Variables that represent the spatiotemporal walking ability (step length, stride length, step rate, and walking speed) were measured using GAITRrite before and after the experiment and were analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise spatiotemporal walking ability between the two groups (p<.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the step rate and walking speed between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise is effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients. Therefore, its application will help improve the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct balance training through vision control to improve the balance, postural control, and balance confidence and to decrease the visual and sensory dependence of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-eight chronic stroke patients volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned to the eyes-closed and the eyes-open training groups. Three times a week for four weeks each group performed an unstable-support session and a balance training session for thirty minutes per set. Their balance, postural control, and balance confidence were assessed using BIO Rescue (BR), the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and the Korean activity-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC), respectively. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical methods before and after working around the average value of each dataset were independent T-test. The significance level for statistical analyses was set at 0.05. Results: Comparison between the groups showed statistically significant effects on all variables before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study reflected that balance-training programs involving vision control improve the balance, postural control, and balance confidence of chronic stroke patients. Thus, stroke patients should undergo training programs that increase the use of their other senses with vision control in clinical practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early ankle exercise with functional electrical stimulation(FES) on spasticity, strength and active range of motion of ankle in patients with stroke. Methods: This study included 21 patients with stroke, who were performed early ankle exercise combined FES. The exercise program comprised 5 sessions of 30 minutes per week for 4 weeks. The spasticity, strength and active range of motion of ankle were evaluated before and after training. The spasticity was measured by modified ashworth scale(MAS), strength of ankle was measured by hand-held dynamometer and active range of motion of ankle dorsi-flexion was measured by goniometer. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results: Significant differences were observed the subjects for strength of ankle and active range of motion. The results of the study were as follow: strength of ankle was significantly increased subjects(p<.001) and active range of motion was significantly increased subjects(p<.001). Conclusion: Ankle is very important part of body in stroke patients. early ankle exercise with FES is effective for improvement of strength of ankle and active range of motion in patients with stroke. ealry ankle exercise with FES about stroke patient is very useful and effective. It is effective in clinical practice.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify factors associated with stroke patients' quality of life (QOL) and examine the mediating effects of interpersonal relations in the relationships of activities of daily living (ADL) and body image with QOL. Methods: In this study, 160 stroke patients were recruited from an outpatient clinic of a university hospital and rehabilitation clinic of a long-term care hospital. Participants completed a questionnaire which included sociodemographic characteristics, ADL, body image, interpersonal relation, and QOL. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, multiple regression analysis, and process macro mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS. Results: The mean scores were 91.01 (range 6~100) for ADL, 61.19 (range 40~79) for body image, 87.53 (range 29~123) for interpersonal relations, and 186.67 (range 71~243) for QOL. Multiple regression analyses showed that ADL, body image, interpersonal relations, and participation in group activities after stroke were significantly associated with QOL among stroke patients (p<.05). There were no mediating effects of interpersonal relations in the relationships of ADL and body image with QOL (p>.05). Conclusion: This study showed that there is a need for physical, psychological, and social recovery to improve the QOL of stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effects of obstacle walking training combined with cognitive tasks on balance, gait, and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Methods: A single-subject design was used, where one stroke patient participated. Obstacle walking training combined with cognitive tasks was performed for 1 hour per day for a total of 10 times during the intervention phase. The subjects were measured five times in the baseline phase, 10 times in the intervention phase, and five times in the follow-up phase. The outcome measurements included the Berg balance scale (BBS), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the Korean modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Results: In this study, the results showed that the 10 MWT scores during the intervention period improved and that this improvement remained, even during the post-period. In addition, BBS and K-MBI values for stroke patients increased significantly after training. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that obstacle walking training combined with cognitive task training may be helpful to improve balance, gait, and activities of daily living in stroke patients. Therefore, obstacle walking training combined with cognitive tasks is recommended for stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.500-508
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of heat stroke in a bath facility and investigate predictive factors of multiple major complications in heat stroke patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study on heat stroke patients who visited an urban emergency center from January 2010 to March 2018. We compared clinical characteristics, complication, and outcomes of heat stroke patients in bath and non-bath facilities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify independent predictors of multiple major complications in heat stroke patients. Results: A total of 67 heat stroke patients with heat stroke were enrolled, of which 42 (62.6%) were in a bath facility and 25 (37.3%) were in a non-bath facility. Patients with heat stroke in the bath facility were characterized by old age, past medical history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and high incidence of hypotension compared with those in the non-bath facility but also low incidence of acute renal failure, seizure, and multiple major complications. In the multivariate analysis, predictive factors of multiple major complications in heat stroke patients were non-bath facility (odds ratio [OR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-29.9), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)${\leq}8$ (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 1.3-49.4), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), body temperature above $40.5^{\circ}C$ (OR, 8.1; 95% CI, 1.1-58.8) <60 mmHg (OR, 14.8; 95% CI, 1.8-122.9). Conclusion: Heat stroke in the bath facility resulted in less major complications, and high body temperature, GCS ${\leq}8$, and MAP <60 mmHg were independent predictive factors of multiple major complications in heat stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.493-504
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of constraint-induced movement therapy on the involved hand function and ADL in stroke patients. Five subjects with fixing unaffected arms by CIMT were assigned to the experimental patient group and the other five patients to control group without fixing unaffected arms. The function of hand for both groups were evaluated by using Jebsen-Taylor hand function test and ADL for both groups were evaluated by FIM(Functional Independence Measure) before and after task practice. In conclusion, results of this study showed that improved hand function and ADL by CIMT in stroke patients. We concluded that CIMT can improved the involved hand function and ADL in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

Purpose: Myofascial release (MFR) is an effective treatment for improving muscle stiffness and balance in neurological patients. This study examined long-term effects of MFR on the balance ability of stroke patients. Methods: MFR using a tennis ball was applied to the lower extremity and sacroiliac joint of the affected side of four stroke patients. The four subjects performed the Berg balance scale (BBS) and Timed up and go (TUG) test at the beginning of an 8-week intervention, directly after the intervention, and 2 years later. Results: The BBS scores indicated a trend toward maintenance of balance (p=0.05), but there was no difference in the TUG time (p=0.47). Conclusion: MFR may be a clinically meaningful intervention to maintain balance in stroke patients over a long period. However, the sample size in this study was too small to draw general conclusions. A larger study with more participants is needed.