• International Journal of Contents
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.20-31
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• 2021

This study aimed to pilot test a newly developed bilateral upper limb rehabilitation training program for improving the upper limb function of individuals with chronic stroke using a visual feedback method. The double-group pretest-posttest design pilot study included 10 individuals with chronic stroke (age >50 years). The intervention (four weekly meetings) consisted of five upper limb training protocols (wrist extension; forearm supination and pronation; elbow extension and shoulder flexion; weight-bearing shift; and shoulder, elbow, and wrist complex movements). Upper limb movement function recovery was assessed with the FuglMeyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity, the Wolf Motor Function Test, the Trunk Control Test, the modified Ashworth Scale, and the visual analog scale at baseline, immediately after, and four weeks after the intervention. The Fatigue Severity Scale was also employed. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity and Wolf Motor Function Test showed significant improvement in upper limb motor function. The Trunk Control Test results increased slightly, and the modified Ashworth Scale decreased slightly, without statistical significance. The visual analog scale scores showed a significant decrease and the Fatigue Severity Scale scores were moderate or low. The bilateral upper limb training program using the visual feedback method could result in slight upper limb function improvements in individuals with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.85-98
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• 2006

This study was performed to examine the influences of the mental practice to the hemiplegic upper limb motor function improvement. 20 minute neurologic treatment based on the neurophysiological theory, 10 minute activities of daily living training, and 10 minute mental practice 5 times a week were given in turn to the experimental group(N=11). On the other hand 20 minute neurologic treatment, and 10 minute activities of daily living training 5 times a week were given in turn to the control group(N=11). Both Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale and Manual Function Test were used to evaluate upper limb motor recovery, upper limb motor function and movement ability. And the Motor Activity Log; Amount of Use and Motor Activity Log; Quality of Movement before training, 2 weeks after training, and 4 weeks after training were measured to assess the upper limb motor quantitatively and qualitatively each. The results are as follows. 1) Considering the interactions of the rate of change on the upper limb motor recovery, motor function, movement ability improvement, and qualitative motor improvement in ADL of experimental group and control group, the change rates of experimental group were found to be greater than those of the control group. 2) In experimental group, the higher the achievements were, the better upper motor recovery was.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.2005-2011
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• 2020

Background: Motor imagery is the mental representation of an action without overt movement or muscle activation. However, few previous studies have demonstrated motor imagery training effects as an objective assessment tool in patients with early stroke. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training on Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP) and upper limb function of stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Twenty-four patients with stroke were enrolled in this study. All subjects were assigned to the experimental or control group. All participants received traditional occupational therapy for 30 minutes, 5 times a week. The experimental group performed an additional task of motor imagery training (MIT) 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Both groups were assessed using the SSEP amplitude, Fugl-Meyer assessment of upper extremity (FMA UE) and Wolf motor function test. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SSEP amplitude and FMA UE than did the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the MIT effectively improve the SSEP and upper limb function of stroke patients.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the upper limb strength, active joint range of motion (AROM), and upper limb function in persons with chronic stroke using virtual reality training in combination with upper limb sensory stimulation. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: 20 subjects were divided into two groups of 10, the sensory motor stimulation and virtual reality training (SMVR) and virtual reality training (VR) groups. The training was conducted for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for 8 weeks.The participants' upper limb strength was measured via the hand-held dynamometer, joint angle AROM was measured via dual inclinometer, function was measured using the Jebson-Taylor hand function test and the manual function test. Results: Significant differences were observed in all groups before and after the training for upper extremity strength, AROM, and function (p<0.05). Between the two groups, the SMVR group showed significant improvement in muscle strength, AROM, and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test scores compared with the VR groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, we confirmed that sensory stimulation and VR had positive effects on upper extremity strength, AROM, and function of persons with chronic stroke. The results suggest that in the future, VR in combination with sensory stimulation of the upper limb is likely to become an effective method (a rehabilitation training program) to improve the upper limb function of persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.295-303
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• 2016

Rehabilitation of upper limb motor function of hemiplegic patient must maintain interest and demand a device for a quantitative evaluation of rehabilitation training. In this paper, we developed the device that is composed of arm cradle, handle, and balance ball for rehabilitation exercise. We have performed experiment for validity as to whether to use the rehabilitation device when tilting the upper extremity training device developed to measure changes in the EMG signal to the main upper limb muscles for 7 healthy volunteers. We have analyzed muscle activation signals on agonist and antagonist as a reference in the muscle contraction and relaxation in the upper limb extension and flexion when the balance-handle device is tilted to front-rear and left-right. The experimental results showed that a tendency of muscle activation of biceps, triceps, and deltoid used in upper limb motor function of hemiplegic patients from extension and flexion evaluation items of Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA). These results may be helpful for rehabilitation training for upper limb motor function of hemiplegic patients by utilizing a developed unit.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2005

We assessed whether the use of a symmetrical upper limb motion trainer in daily repetitive training for a 6-week period reduced spasticity and improved motor function in three chronic hemiparetic patients. Upper limb motor impairment and disability were measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Manual Muscle Test (MMT), respectively. The electromyography (EMG) of the affected hand was recorded during isometric wrist flexion and extension. In all patients, FMA and MMT scores were significantly improved after the 6-week training. However, MAS scores of the affected wrist spasticity did not change considerably. Onset and Offset delays in muscle contraction significantly decreased in the affected wrist. The co-contraction ratio of flexor and extensor muscles significantly increased after the 6-week training. Onset and offset delays of the muscle contraction and co-contraction ratio correlated significantly with the patients' FMA. This study showed that repetitive, symmetric movement training can improve upper limb motor functions and abilities in chronic hemiparetic patients. Also, the EMG assessment of motor response is likely to provide insights into mechanisms and treatment strategies for motor recovery in chronic hemiparetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2009

Purpose：This study was conducted to investigate whether modified CIMT with Kinesio-Taping on paretic upper limb effects upper limb function in stroke patients in comparison to those receiving only modified CIMT. Methods：20 out-patients with hemiplegia were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Both groups received modified CIMT during a 10-week period. Additionally, an experimental group received modified CIMT with Kinesio-Taping on paretic upper limb and trunk. Results：In Manual function test, Grip strength, Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, MAL(Motor Activity Log) and Functional independence measure (FIM) were significantly different at all intervals of the study period(0, 3, 6, 10-week) in the experimental and control groups(p<.05). Exceptionally there was no significant difference in Jebsen-Taylor hand function test between the experimental and control groups. Conclusion：These results suggest that modified CIMT with Kinesio-taping improve the upper limb function. And also increase usage of affected upper limb and assist in daily living activity more than only modified CIMT.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2021

Purpose : In this study, we applied a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) for children with cerebral palsy. Research was conducted to investigate the impact of upper limb function, sensory function, and activities of daily living. Methods : The study period lasted 10 weeks from October 2019 to December 2019. The study subjects were 12 subjects according to the selection criteria, and a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) was conducted twice a week for 30 minutes before and after the application of basic occupational therapy. Results : As a result of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program, scores of upper limb function (QUEST), sensory function (SSP-2), and daily life activity (WeeFIM) were significantly improved (p>.05). From the result of examining the motor area, improvement in fine-motor function and protective extension through touch pad or controller operation was found. It also showed improvement in activities of daily living including motor and activities of daily living including social cognition. In the sensory function evaluation, it was not significant in movement sensitivity. Significant differences were shown in the items excluding olfactory/taste sensitivity. Conclusion : The application of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) showed significant results in upper limb function, sensory function, and daily life activities of children with brain lesions. Based on these results, future studies need to generalize the study by expanding the age or population of children with brain lesions, or by expanding the diversity of diseases and environments.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.520-530
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training and transcranial direct current stimulation on upper limb function in stroke patients. The study group was divided into 13 experimental groups with occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training and transcranial direct current stimulation, and 13 controls with only occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training. A total of 4 weeks, 50 minutes, 5 times a week conducted, the patients were tested with Canadian Occupational Performance Measure(COPM), Accelerometer, Fugle-Meyer Assessment(FMA), and Motor Activity Log(MAL). As a result of the study, the experimental group and the control group showed significant improvement in both occupation satisfaction and performance, usage of the affected side and the tendon side, recovery of upper limb function, and quality of movement, In particular, the experimental group showed a significant difference in the amount of the affected side than the control group. Therefore, it was found that the combination of occupation-based bilateral upper extremity training and transcranial direct current stimulation had a positive effect on the recovery of upper limb function in stroke patients.