• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.171-181
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curl-up and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercises on stroke patients' trunk muscle activity, ability to control the trunk, and balance by comparing two exercise methods. Methods : The study involved patients who had been diagnosed with stroke based on the results of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at O Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, between January and July 2020. In total, 30 subjects were selected and by flipping a coin, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) that performed PNF neck flexion exercises and a control group (n=15) that performed curl-up exercises. Both groups received traditional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day five times a week for a six-week period. In addition, the experimental group performed PNF neck flexion exercises and the control group curl-up exercises for 15 minutes a day five times a week over the same period. The subjects' muscle activity in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) were measured before and after the experiment. The subjects' trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were also assessed. Paired t test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change before and after intervention in both groups. An independent sample T test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change between the two groups. Results : Both groups experienced statistically significant increases in their RA, IO and EO muscle activity, total TIS scores, and total BBS scores after the intervention. No statistically significant differences in the changes before and after the intervention were found for any of the resulting values between the two groups. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of the study's results suggested that neck flexion exercises using the PNF irradiation concept and curl-up exercise are effective in increasing stroke patients' abdominal muscle activity and improving trunk control ability and balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the effects of task exercise on an unstable surface on the involuntary arm and leg movement and balance in stroke patients. METHODS: 20 stroke patients were clinically sampled and randomly assigned to two groups of 10 patients each. Experimental group I received task exercise intervention on an unstable surface and experimental group II received task exercise intervention. The interventions were carried out 3 times a week for 4 weeks (30 minutes per session). The global synkinesis (GS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) of the patients were evaluated as pre-tests prior to intervention, and then the post-tests were re-measured in the same manner as the pre-tests after a 4-week intervention period. RESULTS: In the experimental group I, there were statistically significant differences in the changes in the arm and leg GS (p < .01) and in the BBS (p < .05). On the other hand, in the experimental group II, there were statistically significant differences in the changes only in the arm GS (p < .01) and in the BBS (p < .05). Also, in the comparison of the changes between the two groups, there was a statistically significant difference in the changes in the leg GS only (p < .05). CONCLUSION: In the experimental group I, the arm and leg GS were statistically significantly reduced, but the balance ability was statistically significantly improved. The reason was that in the experimental group I, similar movements of the paralyzed arm were promoted due to the double-task exercise on the unstable surface, and sensory feedback and posture strategies were well utilized in the legs, which was found to be effective in reducing the GS and improving the balance ability. Therefore, based on these results, the double-task exercise on an unstable surface should be fully utilized for the rapid rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2022

PURPOSE: The present research examined the effects of progressive robot-assisted step training on the strength of the lower extremity and gait speed of an individual with stroke through changes between the baseline and the intervention stage (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). METHODS: A single-subject (A-B) design was performed for a chronic stroke patient aged 70 years old. The robot-assisted step training was conducted three times a week during 12 months (40 minutes/session), and the assessment was conducted a total of seven times between the baseline and the intervention (No. 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) to determine the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: As a result of the intervention, the muscle strength at the lower extremity of the paralysis side increased by the greatest extent 12 months after the intervention compared to the baseline, and the gait speed via the 10-meter walk test was increased as well. CONCLUSION: Long-term robot-assisted step training might be an effective intervention for improving the strength of the paretic lower extremity muscles and gait speed in stroke patients with difficulty walking independently. Further studies with sufficient sample sizes and a randomized control group will be needed to evaluate the long-term effects of robotic stepping rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Background: This study examined the effects of adding fibular repositioning taping (FRT) to ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on the ankle range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: The participants were randomized into the control (n=15) and AMT+FRT groups (n=15). The control groups applied only non-elastic taping on the affected ankle, and the AMT+FRT groups also applied non-elastic taping to the inferior tibiofibular joint. Both groups performed treadmill walking for 10 minutes. The ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention in the dorsiflexion ROM (p<.01), balance (p<.01), and gait performance (p<.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion: AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence in patients with chronic stroke, but there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, the addition of FRT to AMT does not influence the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of functional group cooking activities on the depression and interpersonal relationships of stroke patients with psychological impairments. METHODS: Ten stroke patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group and participated in this study from October 2015 to January 2016. The experimental group and control group each comprised five stroke patients. Traditional occupational therapy was given to the control group and the experimental group undertook the cooking activity. Depression changes were measured using the Beck depression inventory (BDI), and the interpersonal relationships were evaluated using the relationship change scale. RESULTS: The findings indicate that, first, there was a significant difference in the depression changes in both groups before and after the intervention. Second, after the intervention, the interpersonal relationships of the experimental group showed a higher mean change value and were significantly higher than the control (experimental: 22.4, control: 4, p < .05). In contrast, there was no change in the depression status between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Functional group cooking activities appear to be more effective in improving interpersonal relationships than traditional occupational therapy. However, to establish that functional group cooking activities are linked to improvements in the depression status and interpersonal relationships of the participants, further studies would be needed with more extensive group activities and larger sample sizes.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.573-581
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• 2019

This study was to investigate the effects of group program on interactions and activity performance and among chronic stroke patients living in the community. This study was performed on 8 chronic stroke patients living in the community for 40 weeks for group program once a week for 60 minutes. group programs consisted of gross motor, fine motor, and cognitive activities that led to interactions among group members. Results were assessed by using the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale(SIAS) and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure(COPM), and evaluation of the task performance and social interaction was conducted. There was statistically significant decrease in social interaction anxiety level of subjects after group program intervention and statistically significant improvement in task performance. In addition, all of the subjects showed positive satisfaction with the program after the intervention. group program provided by the to chronic stroke patients living in the community is a approach that enhances the interacts with the members, task performance of the subjects and helps them design a meaningful life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of combined conventional exercise therapy plus respiratory exercise program with combined conventional exercise therapy plus aqua exercise program in the pulmonary function of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: The respiratory exercise program group underwent inspiration and expiration training using the Threshold IMT and Threshold PEP three days per week for four weeks. The aquatic exercise program group had aquatic aerobics, halliwick, and bad ragaz ring training three days per week for four weeks. Before and after the experiment, Pony fx was used to examine the FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found after the experiment in the FVC. FEV1, VC, MVV, excepting FEV1/FVC, of the pulmonary function in the aquatic exercise program group. After the experiment, significant improvement was found in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV of pulmonary function in the respiratory rehabilitation therapy group. No significant difference in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV of pulmonary function was observed in the inter-group comparison. CONCLUSION: Significant improvement was found after the experiment in both the aquatic exercise program group and the respiratory exercise program group. No difference in pulmonary function was noted in the inter-group comparison. Therefore, combining general exercise therapy and an aquatic or respiratory exercise program is expected to be effective for the pulmonary function of acute stroke patients. These results are expected to provide basic data to help research intervention of aquatic and respiratory exercise programs for subacute stroke patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.246-258
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• 2024

This case report describes a patient diagnosed with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and hemiparesis due to anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery infarction. The patient was treated with Korean medicines, including moxibustion, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, Western medicine, and rehabilitation therapy for 67 days. CPSP improved based on scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (from 8 to 0), paresthesia NRS (7 to 0), Manual Muscle Test (4/1 to 4+/4-),4+/4-), Korean version of the modified Barthel Index (24 to 73), National Institute of Health's Stroke Scale (7 to 0), Global Deterioration Scale (1 to 1), and Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (27 to 29). No seizures, shocks, recurrent ischemic stroke, and liver dysfunction were recorded during the treatment. A moxibustion-induced burn healed within 7 days. This case suggests that moxibustion, combined with other treatments, has the potential to improve CPSP, without severe side effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.351-360
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of observed action gait training on stroke patients. METHODS: 22 subjects were randomized into two groups. The observed action gait training performed that watched a video of normal gait before gait training and the general gait training without watching it. The experimental group(n=11) performed observed action gait training and the control group(n=11) performed general gait training. Both group received gait training for 3 times per week during 8 weeks. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant differences in the cadence, gait velocity, stride, step, single limb support, double limb support, stride length and step length(p<.05). The control group showed significant differences only in the stride(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The observed action gait training affected coordination and weight shift, as well as symmetry of the body. Plasticity of the brain was facilitated by repetitive visual and sensory stimulation. The observed action gait training promoted the normal gait by watching the normal gait pattern. In conclusion, motor learning through the sensory stimulation promotes brain plasticity that could improve motor function, and observed action gait training indirectly identified stimulated brain activities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.202-222
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• 2003

Chronic upper extremity hemiparesis is a leading cause of functional disability after stroke. The purpose of this study were to identify effects of a 6weeks repetitive bilateral arm training on upper motor function and the reorganization of motor network. Four chronic stroke patients participated in this study. They performed for 6 consecutive weeks, 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day. In the single group study, four 5-minute periods per session of bilateral arm training were performed with the use of a custom-designed arm training machine. The results of this study was as follows. 1. Following the 6weeks period of RBAT, patient exhibited a improvement in FMA and BBT. 2. Following the 6weeks period of RBAT, it showed improvement in reaching time, symbol digit substitution and finger tapping speed of KCNT. 3. fMRI activation after RBAT showed a focal map in lesional cortical area and perilesional motor areas. These fMRI data suggest that hemodynamics response to RBAT reflect sensorimotor reorganization in contralateral hemisphere. In conclusion, these date suggest that improved upper extremity function induced by repetitive bilateral arm training after stroke is associated with reorganization of motor network as a neural basis for the improvement of paratic upper extremity function.