• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Purpose: This pilot case series study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of continuous radiofrequency (CRF) application on dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to reduce spasticity of spinal cord lesion (SCL) patients. Methods: We performed CRF procedures on DRG in 8 subjects (7 males; mean age 39 years, range 31-53 years) with intractable spasticity that impeded activities of daily living and caregiving, although they had maximal tolerable doses of anti-spastic medications and active rehabilitative treatment. All subjects underwent CRF (90 seconds at $90^{\circ}C$) at multiple lumbosacral and/or cervical DRG. Muscle tone of the extremities was measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) before and one month after procedures. Functional goals were established at baseline, and subjects' satisfaction levels were categorized one month after procedures. Results: A total of 54 CRF treatments were performed in 8 patients. In all patients, we found some improvement in muscle tone measured by the MAS. Six patients reported themselves satisfied with their current status at one month's post-treatment, and 2 patients were fairly satisfied with their gait pattern. In 3 patients, neuropathic pain was present after CRF on DRG. In 1 lumbar case, the pain subsided after several days, and the other 2 cervical cases suffered from tolerable neuropathic pain treated with anti-convulsant medication. Conclusion: CRF on DRG might be a promising alternative treatment to reduce spasticity in SCL patients. Further well-designed clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CRF application on DRG are needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.29-39
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the upper limb nerve mobilization (ULNM) on functional recovery of upper extremity in hemiplegic patients following stroke. Twenty patients who had functional impairment on upper extremity were participated. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Control group (n=10) received traditional physical therapy only for 4 weeks; Experimental group (n=10) received ULNM treatment along with traditional physical therapy for the same period. Upper extremity functions were assessed by manual muscle test (MMT), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) before and after the treatment. In both experimental and control group, upper extremity functions were significantly improved in MMT (p<.01) and FMA (p<.01), however only experimental group showed significant improvement in FMA after the treatment (p<.05). Moreover, experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than control group in MMT (p<.05), MAS (p<.05), and FMA (p<.05). We conclude that the upper extremity functions is a useful additional therapeutic technique for the effective treatment of upper extremity deficits in hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2003

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to test the effects of the Muscles Along Meridians Release Therapy on the function of upper limb as a means of nursing intervention. Method: The design used for this study was quasi - experimental with a nonequivalent control group pretest - post test design. The subjects were 40 stroke patients who were admitted in K oriental medical center of K University. This study was carried out from 6, May to 18, October, 2003. The experimental group (21) and the control group (19) were assigned by means of Participation order. The experimental group took Muscles Along Meridians Release Therapy on affected upper limb for 3 minutes daily for 2 weeks. Outcome were assessed by Modified Ashworth Scale, VAS, Fugl - Meyer score and goniometer. Data were analysed by SPSS PC. Result: After 2 weeks of treatment, function of affected upper limb, elbow joint spasticity were significantly better than control group, but, there was no significant difference in pain between experimental group and control group. Conclusion: The above results state that the Muscles Along Meridians Released Therapy could be an effective intervention for improving upper limb function and elbow joint spasticity of stroke patients.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2002

This study was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design to investigate the effect of aerobic walking exercise program on the physical & psychological functions of home stayed stroke patients. The data were collected during the period of May 20th to August 15th, 2001. The subjects for this study were 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with the experimental group consisting of 19 patients and the control group being composed of 21 patients. The patients selected for this study were: (a)living in J city who had been diagnosed with stroke and at home after being discharged from the hospital, (b)suffering from stroke for 6 months to 5 years, (c)without recognition disorder with the MMSE-K score above 25, (d)below 2 on the modified Ashworth scale, (e)free from heart and pulmonary disease (f)able to walk beyond 15 minutes for themselves. The aerobic walking exercise program for the experimental group was aerobic exercise and education and supportive care. The aerobic exercise was 8 weeks' period, three times a week, 35 to 50 minutes a day. And the education and supportive care was consisted of one home visiting and 2 times telephoning a week. The data were analysed by $X^2$-test, paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows: 1. There was insignificant difference in the gait length experimental and control group. There was significant difference in the gait speed between the two groups. 2. There was significant difference in the dynamic valance between the two groups. 3. There was significant difference in ADL score between the two groups. 4. There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups. As shown above, the results of 8 weeks' the aerobic walking exercise program for home stayed stroke patients produced positive effects on gait speed, dynamic valance, ADL score. And this program was expected that it was more effective in different intervention period, verified program. Also it was needed follow study.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.317-332
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• 2018

Purpose: Patients with tibial fractures can have functional problems with balance and gait, as well as lower extremity muscle weakness. This case report aimed to describe the effect of hip joint strengthening exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on balance and gait and lower limb function in a patient with tibia fracture. Methods: One patient diagnosed with tibial fracture was treated for seven weeks with the basic procedure, pattern, and technique of PNF for a hip joint strengthening exercise. Results: The results of pre- and post-intervention treatment showed improvements in physical function and structure in the clinical tests, including the manual strength test; the modified Ashworth scale; sensory evaluation; balance, sit-to-stand, and gait performance; and evaluation of lower limb function. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that the use of theory-based proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation for hip joint strengthening exercises positively affects patients' functional improvement in tibial fracture patients, and this may be used as a therapeutic exercise method for those with orthopedic problems in the lower extremities. One limitation of this study was that it was performed on only one tibia fracture patient, which makes it difficult to extend the treatment effects to all patients with this condition.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2017

■ Objectives The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate the effect of Low-frequency Electroacupuncture on a patient with spasticity due to cerebral infarction. ■ Methods A patient with spasticity with cerebral infarction was treated with herbal medication, acupuncture, electroacupuncture. Then we evaluated the improvement by modified Ashworth scale(MAS). ■ Results Decrease of MAS was observed after low-frequency electroacupuncture for 3 weeks. ■ Conclusion This study proved the effect of Low-frequency electroacupuncture on spasticity due to cerebral infarction.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.8-18
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• 2015

Objectives: There have been several studies evaluated effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on spasticity but most studies could not assess spasticity quantitatively because they used clinical rating scales for assessment spasticity. The objective of this study is to evaluate effect of EA on poststroke spasticity quantitatively using tendon reflex (T-reflex). Methods: 29 stroke patients with upper extremity spasticity were randomized to EA group and control group. The EA group received combined EA and rehabilitation therapy 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Acupuncture treatment was given at Jian Yu (LI 15), Qu Chi (LI 11), Shao Hai (HT 3), Wai Guan (TE 5), He Gu (LI 4), Lie Que (LU 7), Hou Xi (SI 3) of the affected side, 30 minutes of electrical stimulation with a frequency of 40/13 Hz was applied at Qu Chi (LI 11), He Gu (LI 4). The control group received only rehabilitation therapy. The efficacy of treatment was assessed using T-reflex latency and amplitude, modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of biceps brachii, brachioradialis and triceps brachii. Fugl-Meyer motor function assessment (FMA) and functional independence measure (FIM) were also measured to assess motor function and functional independence. All outcomes were measured before treatment, immediately after 3 weeks of treatment and 1 week after 3 weeks of treatment. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in outcomes including T-reflex between the study groups except for FIM values immediately after 3 weeks of treatment (p=0.037). Conclusions: These results suggest that 3 weeks of EA does not reduce poststroke upper extremity spasticity electrophysiologically and clinically. However, small sample sizes and contradictory tendency between results from T-reflex and those from MAS require cautious judgement on interpretation of the results. A larger, well-designed clinical trials for quantitative evaluation of effect of EA on poststroke spasticity will be needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1740-1748
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the long-term high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on the spasticity and the balance in chronic stroke patients. Twenty-six subjects with spasticity over lower limbs were allocated randomly into two groups under standard rehabilitation: (1) TENS group, (2) placebo-TENS group. TENS stimulation was applied on the both the gastrocnemius for 30 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks(100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 2 times sensory threshold). The Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) and Hand-held manual muscle tester were used to assess the ankle plantarflexor spasticity. Balance function under three conditions was measured by using force-plate and the amount of postural sway was assessed; in (1) the condition of standing with eyes opened, (2) with eyes closed and (3) the condition of standing on unstable surface with eyes opened. Both groups showed significant improvement in spasticity and balance function after treatment for 4 weeks(p<.05). Especially, TENS group showed a significant reduction of spasticity compared to placebo-TENS group(p<.05). These results suggested that additional stimulation of a long-term high-frequency TENS to standard rehabilitation induced an improved balance function and a spasticity reduction. The long-term application of high-frequency TENS will be an effective intervention for reducing spasticity and increasing balance ability in the chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.77-94
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• 2002

This study was a quasi-experimental study of nonequivalent control group pretest- posttest design to investigate the effect of home rehabilitation exercise program on the physical and psychological functions of home stayed chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. The data were collected during the period of May 20th to August 15th, 200l. The subjects for this study were 40 hemiplegic stroke patients with the experimental group consisting of 19 patients and the control group being composed of 21 patients. The patients selected for this study were: (a)living in J city who had been diagnosed with stroke and at home after being discharged from the hospital, (b) suffering from stroke for 6 months to 5 years, (c) without recognition disorder with the MMSE-K(Mini-Mental State Examination-K)score above 25, (d) below 2 on the modified Ashworth scale, (e)free from heart and pulmonary disease, (f)able to walk beyond 15 minutes for themselves, (g) not taking regular exercises. The program for the experimental group provided 8 weeks' home rehabilitation exercise, two times of group education during the first week and individual education and supportive care after the second week through home visiting and telephoning more than once a week. The amount of time spent on rehabilitation exercise by the experimental group was 35 to 50 minutes a day, three times a week. In order to understand the effects of experiment the two groups were compared and verified by measuring the physical and psychological functions of both groups. The data were analysed by $\chi^{2}-test$, paired t-test and unpaired t-test and ANCOVA through SAS/PC program. The results of the study were as follows: 1. In terms of physical variables: grip strength. lower extremity muscle strength, walking time, ADL and serum lipid levels 1) There was no significant difference in the unaffected and affected grip strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected and affected grip strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. 2) There was no significant difference in the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the unaffected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. There was no significant difference either in the affected lower extremity muscle strength between the two groups, even though the affected lower extremity muscle strength was more improved in the experimental group than in the control group. 3) There was significant difference in walking time between the two groups. Walking time was significantly reduced in the experimental group whereas it increased in the control group. 4) There was significant difference in ADL score between the two groups. ADL score was significantly increased in the experimental group, but it significantly decreased in the control group. 5) There was significant difference in serum total cholesterol level between the two groups. After experiment the serum T-C level became lower in the experimental group whereas it became sigficantly higher in the control group. 2. In terms of psychological variables: depression and self-esteem 1) There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups, even though the depression showed constant in the experimental group, but it showed a significant increase in the control group. 2) There was no significant difference in the self-esteem between the two groups, even though the self-esteem showed some increase in the experimental group, but it significant decrease in the control group. As shown above, the results of 8 weeks' home rehabilitation exercise program for chronic hemiplegic stroke patients produced positive effects on walking time, ADL score and serum T-C level, shortening walking time, improving activities of daily living(ADL) and lowering serum total cholesterol level.