• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2022

Background: Although various conventional approaches have been employed to reduce spasticity in neurological rehabilitation, only a few studies have shown scientific evidence for its effectiveness. Thus, we introduced a different concept (Ueda method) of rehabilitation therapy that can complement the limitations of conventional therapy. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of the application of the Ueda method on patients with spasticity after stroke via an electrophysiological study. Methods: We conducted a randomized double-blind pilot study in two rehabilitation hospitals involving 30 stroke patients who were randomly allocated to the Ueda (n = 15) and convention (n = 15) groups. Electromyographic data of six examined muscles in both upper extremities of all patients were recorded. The A-ApA index and activation ratios of upper extremity muscles were evaluated and compared between the groups to confirm post-intervention changes in upper-extremity flexor spasticity and flexion synergies. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to confirm the therapeutic effect (2 × 2) as a function of group (Ueda vs. convention) and time (pre-/post-intervention) on all outcome measures (p < 0.05). Results: In the Ueda group, the mean A-ApA index values differed significantly before and after the intervention (p = 0.041), indicating a weak evidence level; however, the effect size was medium (d = -0.503). The interaction effects of the A-ApA index between the Ueda and convention groups and between pre-intervention and post-intervention stages were significant (p = 0.012). The effect size was large (n_p² = 0.220). In the Ueda group, the activation ratios of the anterior deltoid fiber significantly decreased after the intervention in all reaching tasks. Conclusion: The Ueda method reduces upper-extremity flexor spasticity and changes its synergy in stroke patients and should be considered a rehabilitation therapy for spastic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effect of EMG-stim related to the functional recovery of the upper extremity in chronic stroke patients with an intensive massed practice protocol. Methods: The subjects were assigned randomly to either the EMG-stim group (n=10) or sham treatment group (n=10). Both groups received conventional physical therapy, occupational therapy and FES, five times per week over a four week period. In the EMG-stim group, EMG-stim was applied to the hemiplegic wrist and finger extensors for 2 sessions for 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week over a 4 week period. As the pre- and the post-test, the following four motor tests were assessed as the function of the upper extremity clinical functional test: extensor digitorum strength test, Box and Block test, Fugl-Mayer Assessment, and Jebson-Taylor Hand Function Test. Results: In the Box and Block test and Fugl-Mayer Assessment, there were statistically significant differences between both groups as well as between pre- and post-test. The extensor digitorum and wrist extensor strength were similar in both groups. In the Jebson-Taylor Hand Function Test, there was a significant difference in simulated page turning but not in the other subtests. Conclusion: Intensive massed practice with EMG-stim intervention applied to the hemiplegic upper extremity is an effective therapeutic method for chronic stroke patients. However, a variety of intervention methods designed for stroke patients in clinical settings are needed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate tactile sense perception of the lower extremities according to physical function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. Physical function measurement items included dynamic balance ability, gross motor function level, and lower extremity ankle spasticity. The lower extremity tactile sensation uses a monofilament to measure the sole of the first metatarsal head, the sole of the fifth metatarsal head, the heel, the anterior part of the shin midway between the patella and the ankle joint, the kneecap, the upper anterior iliac spine, and the knee. A total of six measurements were taken in the mid-femoral region of the bone. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the degree of body function and lower extremity tactile perception. Results: As the physical function of children with spastic cerebral palsy deteriorated, there was a decrease in tactile sensation in the thigh area corresponding to the proximal lower extremity. (p <.05). Conclusion: Children with spastic cerebral palsy and poor physical function have sensory loss not only in the distal part but also in the proximal part, so a treatment approach that recognizes and improves it is necessary.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of simultaneous application of focal vibration stimulation and task-oriented training on the improvement in upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : The study period was from January to April 2019; 23 patients who fulfilled the study eligibility criteria were enrolled. The participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group with vibration stimulation and task-oriented training and the control group with only task-oriented training. Training was conducted in a total of 20 sessions, 5 times a week for 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks. The amount of use of the affected and unaffected side by accelerometers, and Box and Block test (BBT), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) was measured with a pre-test, a post-test. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Analysis of Covariance were used to compare and analyze the changes within and between the groups. Results : Both the groups showed statistically significant changes in the results of the BBT and the ARAT, as well as the amount of use of the affected and unaffected side. Regarding the use of the affected side, BBT results, and the grasp and gross movement item of the ARAT showed significant changes in the experimental group compared with the control group. Conclusion : We found that simultaneous application of focal vibration stimulation and task-oriented training was more effective than task-oriented training alone. A large-scale comparative study involving a group that is only given vibration stimulation should be conducted for more generalizable results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3109-3116
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• 2011

We studied the effects of vibration stimulation method on upper limbs spasticity in patients with brain lesion. 21 patients with spasticity of the upper limbs selected and divided randomly 3 groups. And then vibratory stimulation was applied to the triceps brachii muscle in group I(n=7), to biceps brachii muscle in group II (n=7), and to both muscles in group III (n=7). Using Neuro-EMG_Micro to investigate the changes in spinal neuronal excitability, F-waves were measured at before and directly after stimulation, and 10 minutes later and 20 minutes later after stimulation especially. MAS(Modified Ashworth Scale) test for muscle tone and MFT(Manual Function Test) for the upper extremity motor function were performed before stimulation and 20 minutes later after stimulation for the purpose of clinical evaluation. In our study, MAS was significant decreased in all groups, F wave and F/M ratio parameters were decreased in all groups and more decreased specially in group III. MFT was increased in group II and III, and more increased specially in group III. Vibration stimulation reduced the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and also muscle tone, and improved the motor function of the upper extremity. These results suggested that vibration stimulation giving to both muscles(triceps and biceps brachii muscle) at the same time was more efficiency in reducing the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and improving the motor function of the upper limbs.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2013

Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy(CIMT) is considered as one of the most interesting upper extremity rehabilitation in the field of neurorehabilitation. CIMT is an intensive training provided in the affected upper limb for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for 2 weeks, while unaffected arm is restrained for 90% of waking hours. Recently, instead of CIMT, modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy(mCIMT) has been applied because of the clinical limitations of CIMT. CIMT or mCIMT studies have used various outcome instruments to measure different aspects of upper limb function after intervention. There are various kinds of evaluation tools to measure different aspects of upper limb function after CIMT intervention. It has been proven that Pediatric Motor Activity Log(PMAL), Quality of Upper Extremities Skills Test(QUEST), Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function(MAULF), Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) are effective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cortical change in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy after CIMT. As a result, use-dependent cortical reorganization was revealed. Also, increased activity of the contralateral motor cortex and decreased activity of the ipsilateral cortex were found. It supports the mechanism of cortical reorganization, the principles of neural plasticity and specifically activation of the contralateral cortex, for improving upper limb function after CIMT.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.7-20
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• 2020

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the effect of simultaneous application of peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training on the improvement of upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : This study included 29 patients with hemiplegia. The 14 subjects were in the peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training group for 4 weeks (30 min/d, 5 d/wk), while the 15 control group subjects underwent only task-oriented training for the same duration. The outcome measures were the percentage of voluntary baseline muscle contractions of the wrist and shoulder and Box and Block Test, grip and pinch strength, and Action Research Arm Test. Results : After 4 weeks, muscle activity of extensor carpi radialis, flexor carpi radialis and grip strength and Action Research Arm Test were significantly higher in the experimental group. Conclusion : Simultaneous application of the peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training was found to be superior to task-oriented training for improving upper extremity motor function of adults with stroke.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.59-78
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of robot-assisted therapy on upper extremity function. Methods : This study used a single-subject experimental A-B-A' design. Three Parkinson's disease patients took part. Each subject received a robot-assisted therapy intervention (45 min/session, 5 sessions/week for 4 weeks). Upper extremity movement was evaluated with the Reo Assessment tool in Reogo. The Jebsen-Taylor hand motor function test, Fugle-Mayer Assessment score, Box and Block Test, and Nine-hole pegboard test were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results : After intervention, all subjects underwent 3D motion analysis of reaching function. There was overall improvement in resistance, smoothness, direction accuracy, path efficiency, initiation time, and time to moving target with robot-assisted therapy. Robot-assisted therapy may have a positive effect on upper extremity movement in Parkinson's disease. Conclusion : Robot-assisted therapy is considered an alternative in clinical occupational therapy to improve upper extremity function in Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

In the paper, we developed the mobile based rehabilitation system for patients with upper extremity hemiplegia after stroke and evaluated clinical usefulness and effectiveness of the system. The sensors built in the smartphone were used to track patients' upper limb motion and the movements was transferred to the tablet PC through bluetooth connection so that the game contents could be interact with the movements. The rehabilitation game contents was based on Brunnstrom stage(B-stage), and was designed to lead accurate movement of upper limb. For the clinical evaluation of the effectiveness, 11 patients were recruited and make them perform an exercise of their wrist, shoulder, and forearm using the system for two weeks. The change of upper limb motor function was measured using fugl-meyer assessment(FMA), Brunnstrom stage(B-stage). And the change of quality of life was measured using EuroQoL-5 Dimension(EQ-5D), Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). The results showed significant improvement in upper limb function but not in quality of life. We verified mobile based rehabilitation program could be useful and effective for the clinical use.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to research the effects of dual-hemisphere transcranial direct current stimulation (dual tDCS) and modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) to improve upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : The study period was from August 2019 to November 2019, and included 24 patients who met the selection criteria. Participants were divided into 2 groups: dual tDCS and mCIMT, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group. Dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying dual tDCS for 20 minutes, and sham dual tDCS and mCIMT group performed mCIMT immediately after applying sham tDCS for 20 minutes without turning on the power source. Total interventions were conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, and mCIMT was conducted for 30 minutes per session for both experimental and control groups. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and Motor Activity Log scale (MAL) were analyzed before and after 4 weeks of intervention. Results : Both experimental and control groups showed significant changes in FMA, Amount of Use (AOU), and Quality of Movement (QOM) of MAL. When the differences between groups was compared using ANCOVA, the experimental group showed a greater improvement in FMA and AOU of MAL than the control group. Conclusion : In order to enhance the effect of improving upper limb function of stroke patients, dual tDCS could be applied to provide more effective treatment in the clinical setting. Further studies will be needed in larger groups of stroke patients, including long-term follow-up, and multi-group comparisons through the establishment of anodal tDCS and mCIMT, cathodal tDCS, and mCIMT groups to clarify the effects of dual tDCS. In addition, research is needed to establish a protocol for tDCS, and this evidence-based intervention protocol is expected to be used in the clinical setting as an interventional method for various purposes.