• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study is to ob serve effects of CPM(Continuous Passive Motion) on hand functional and upper-extremity muscular strength rehabilitation for stroke patients. Method: Objects of this study, three patients have the symptoms of hemiplegia due to stroke. These are acute patients, within a 18 months after treatment and correspond in Brunnstrom stage 4~6. This study used single subject (A-B) design for three patients with a stroke and the effect of CPM was measured using Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, Purdue Pegboard test, hand muscular strength test. They received CPM for 3 weeks, 2 per day, 30 minutes for each, total 30 times. Results: Two patients' results of fingertip grip test in hand strength measurements did not change. Results of Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, Purdue Pegboard test and other hand muscular strength test were improved. To validate statistical results nonparametric statistical method, Wilcoxon signed ranks test was performed. P-Values are greater than 0.05 so difference between be fore and after treatment is not statistically significant result. Conclusion: Despite of limitation of short program period and fewer participants, CPM which has been conducted for stroke patients showed the effect on improvement of hand function and muscle strength. This study shows that CPM which is mainly used to treate lower-extremity rehabilitation can be use to improve performance of hand function and strength for patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2022

Background: It is known that hand strength and fingertip force are used as an indicator of muscle strength and are also highly related to the various chronic symptoms and even lifespan. To use the individual fingertip force (IFF) as a quantitative index for clinical evaluation, the IFF should be measured and analyzed with various variables from various subjects, such as the normal range of fingertip force and the difference in its distribution by disease. Objects: We tried to measure and analyze the mean maximum IFF distribution during grasping a cylindrical object in healthy adults and patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Five Force-sensitive resistor (FSR) sensors were attached to the fingertips of 24 healthy people and 13 patients with SCI. They were asked to grip the object three times for five seconds with their maximum effort. Results: The mean maximum IFF of the healthy adult group's thumb, index, and middle finger was similar statistically and showed relatively larger than IFF of the ring and small finger. It is a 3-point pinch grip pattern. All fingertip forces of patients with SCI decreased by more than 50% to the healthy group, and their IFF of the middle finger was relatively the largest among the five fingertip forces. The cervical level injured SCI patients showed significantly decreased IFFs compared to thoracic level injured SCI patients. Conclusion: We expect that this study results would be helpful for rehabilitation diagnosis and therapy goal decision with robust further study.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.451-459
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• 2020

Background For volar soft tissue defects of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, free flaps are technically challenging, but have more esthetic and functional advantages than local or distant flaps. In this study, we compared the long-term surgical outcomes of arterial (hypothenar, thenar, or second toe plantar) and venous free flaps for volar defects of the PIP joint. Methods This was a single-center retrospective review of free flap coverage of volar defects between the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joint from July 2010 to August 2019. Patients with severe crush injuries (degloving, tendon or bone defects, or comminuted/intra-articular fractures), thumb injuries, multiple-joint and finger injuries, dorsal soft tissue defects, and defects >6 cm in length were excluded from the study, as were those lost to follow-up within 6 months. Thirteen patients received arterial (hypothenar, thenar, or second toe plantar) free flaps and 12 received venous free flaps. Patients' age, follow-up period, PIP joint active range of motion (ROM), extension lag, grip-strength ratio of the injured to the uninjured hand, and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder & Hand (QuickDASH) score were compared between the groups. Results Arterial free flaps showed significantly higher PIP joint active ROM (P=0.043) and lower extension lag (P =0.035) than venous free flaps. The differences in flexion, grip strength, and QuickDASH scores were not statistically significant. Conclusions The surgical outcomes of arterial free flaps were superior to those of venous free flaps for volar defects of the PIP joint.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE) from PASE and to evaluate the validity and reliability of the K-PASE. This scale was originally developed by Washburn et al. (1993). A valid and reliable physical activity scale for the elderly is needed to assess accurately physical activity of the elderly, because there has been no valid and reliable physical activity scale for the elderly in Korea. Methods: The K-PASE was developed from PASE through linguistic validation and cultural adaptation for use with this population. Convenient sampling was used to recruit participants. Reliability was evaluated by conducting the test-retest and convergent validity was evaluated by Pearson correlation. Results: Test-retest reliability, assessed over a 2 week interval, was r=.94. Convergent validity was established by correlating the KPASE scores between related variables which were the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC) and hand-grip strength. Scores of the K-PASE had a low significant correlation with TMIG-IC (r=.246, p<.001), and hand-grip strength (r=.251, p<.001). The mean score of physical activity of Korean elderly assessed by the K-PASE was 96.5. Conclusion: We conclude that the K-PASE is a reliable and valid instrument to assess physical activity for Korean elderly.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.227-229
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• 2017

Fibrosis of skeletal muscle following acupuncture is an iatrogenic disorder. The present case illustrates a patient with a unilateral fibrotic formation on a thumb muscle after acupuncture injection therapy with red sage. The patient in the present case was a counter-terrorism police officer with right-handedness; he noted a palpable nodule three months after injection therapy at his left first dorsal interosseous in which the acupuncture point LI4 (He Gu) is located. He also found a reduction in the strength of his left pinch grip that noticeably affected his left handgun marksmanship. However, being ambidextrous in single-hand pistol shooting is an essential requirement for counter-terrorism police officers. Based on the patient's medical history and claims, no underlying disease or trauma was found to be associated with his current complaint. During physical examination, a fibrotic formation in his left first dorsal interosseous muscle was visualized by using diagnostic ultrasound; also, as confirmed with dynamometry, the strength of his left pinch grip was significantly lower than that of the right counterpart. Because acupuncture injection therapy has three components, antiseptic practices, the mechanical action of syringe insertion, and the pharmacological effect of the sterile herb extract, any one of the components may have contributed to the present adverse event. The first dorsal interosseous muscle is small in dimension and rather vascular; thus, it is not an ideal site for intramuscular injection. When a clinician needs to treat a patient by performing acupuncture at the LI4 acupoint and injecting a herbal extract simultaneously, the clinician should only mechanically stimulate the LI4 acupoint while injecting the herbal medicine into the LI14 (Bi Noe) acupoint on the same meridian, the LI14 acupoint being located in the distal portion of the deltoid muscle and being fairly close to the universally agreed upon site on the upper arm for safe administration of an injection.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the tidal volumes and airway pressures of 3 mask-sealing methods (one hand C-E, two hands C-E, and one hand O-E) for ventilation treatment. Methods: The study subjects were 45 paramedic students. Tidal volume was measured for the three sealing methods by setting a ventilator, connecting it to the masks for 2 minutes, and using Respi-trainer software. Results: Regarding general characteristics, the group of men, in upper grades, and with practical training experience and experience and experience in the implementation of bag-valve-mask ventilation provided higher tidal volumes. Regarding physical characteristics, larger hands and greater grip strength correlated with higher tidal volume. Two hands C-E generated the highest tidal volume of $483.78{\pm}34.14mL$, one hand O-E generated $449.59{\pm}51.09mL$ and one hand C-E generated $394.31{\pm}68.95mL$. Conclusion: Means of tidal volumes were statistically significantly different based on mask sealing methods (p<.001). Two hand C-E was performed by the two-persons task and was suggested as the most effective method. For the one-person task, one hand O-E was the more effective method compared to the previous one hand C-E.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2019

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with a high morbidity and healthcare-related costs. Currently there is no consensus about the best treatment option. The purpose of this prospective cohort study conducted at a single institution was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following a mini-open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic CTS. Methods A total of 72 patients (53 female and 19 male patients; mean age, $57.8{\pm}15.3$ years; range, 24-94 years) had a mini-open carpal tunnel release performed by a single senior surgeon between June 2015 and June 2016. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. At every follow-up, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were completed. Digital sensibility (using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) was assessed and pinch and grip strengths were measured. Results Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in terms of digital sensibility, grip and pinch strength (except for 2-point pinch), BCTSQ scores and pain scores. The complication rate was minimal, and no major complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrence. The availability of follow-up records (including patient-reported outcomes, BCTSQ and VAS scores, and the complication rate) at 1-year post-intervention varied between 69% and 74% (50-53 patients) depending on which parameter was assessed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean, $80.9{\pm}26.0$; range, 0-100). Conclusions This study demonstrates that mini-incision carpal tunnel release is clinically effective in the short and long term.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.6.1-6.3
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• 2023

Objective: Malunion of distal radial fracture can result in pain, stiffness, and decreased function of the affected limb. Occupational therapy intervention can improve outcomes in these patients, but there is limited research on the effectiveness of such interventions. Case Description: This case report describes the occupational therapy intervention and outcomes for a 44-year-old female patient with malunion of left distal radial fracture. The patient received 8 weeks of occupational therapy intervention consisting of therapeutic exercises, joint mobilization, and fine motor activities. The patient demonstrated significant improvements in range of motion, grip strength, and activities of daily living (ADL) in her left hand. The patient also reported less pain and greater ease in performing activities of daily living. Conclusion: Occupational therapy intervention can be effective in improving outcomes for patients with malunion of distal radial fracture. This case report highlights the importance of early intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for patients with malunion of distal radial fracture.

• 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 muscle and joint health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2005

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic degenerative joint disease in elderly. Osteoarthritis is a widespread, slowly developing disease, with a high prevalence increasing with age in women. The large joints mostly involved by the disease are the knees. But there are no treatments available that cure the underlying process of osteoarthritis diseases. Physical exercise helps in increasing cartilage nutrition and remodeling, increases the synovial blood flow, decrease swelling, and improves muscle strength. Thus, exercise has been suggested as an important nursing strategy in osteoarthritis. Purpose: The purpose of this study were to compare muscle strength between Tai-Chi exercise and aquatic exercise for women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest measures was used. The study subjects were those who had been enrolled in a community health center, and agreed to participate in the study for eight weeks, signed the consent form, and obtained the physicians approval. The study dropout rates were 13.2% with the final study subjects of 17 on Tai-Chi exercise, 16 on aquatic exercise program. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS for Window (version 12.0). Independent sample t-test and paired t-test was performed to compare of muscle strength for women with osteoarthritis after 8-week Tai-Chi exercise and aquatic Exercise. Results: The homogeneity tests of demographic characteristics and study variables at the pretest data revealed no significant differences between two groups. After 8-week Tai-Chi and aquatic exercise, there was significant result in pre-post test comparison on muscle strength on Tai-Chi group, but no significant in aquatic group. There were no significant differences of knee extensor (p=.078), and hand grip(p=.118) in group comparisons on muscle strengths. But there were significant differences of knee flexor(p=.024). Conclusion: Tai-chi exercise was effective in improving knee flexor. So, it seems that Tai-chi exercise may be more suitable for aquatic exercise in osteoarthritis exercise programs. Further studies with other comparisons in physical and psycho social outcomes are necessary to confirm the more effects of exercise.