• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-task training with cognitive effort on the walking and balance functions of chronic stroke patients. The study included 14 chronic stroke patients, who were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), each with 7 patients. The EG performed the dual-task training with cognitive effort 3 times a week, 30 minutes for 4 weeks, where as the CG performed single-task training three times a week, for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. Outcome assessments were made with 10 m walk test, timed up and go test, 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale. In within-group comparison, subjects from the EG showed significant differences in all variables (p<.05), while subjects from the CG showed only significant differences in 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale (p<.05). Further, there was significant difference in the improvement rate of 10 m walk test. The findings suggest that the dual-task with cognitive effort may be beneficial for improving walking and balance functions of patients with chronic stroke.

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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.205-214
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training and respiratory muscle endurance training on pulmonary function and activity in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 25 chronic stroke patients. They were assigned to two groups: a PNF and respiratory muscle training group (experimental group; n = 12) and a conservative training group (control group; n = 13). The experimental group completed 50 minutes (30 minutes of conventional physical therapy, 10 minutes of PNF training, and 10 minutes of respiratory muscle endurance training). The control group also completed 50 minutes (30 minutes of conventional physical therapy and 20 minutes on a full-body workout machine). Pulmonary function and activity were measured before and after the intervention, using Cosmed to analyze pulmonary function and 6MWT as clinical evaluation indicators. Results: Both groups showed significant within-group differences on all tests before and after the intervention; the experimental group showed greater improvement on all tests. Conclusion: The findings confirm that PNF training and respiratory muscle endurance training have a positive effect on pulmonary function and activity index in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of treadmill training applied simultaneously with gait related action observation on walking ability in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into either the treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation training group (TAG) or treadmill applied simultaneously with landscape observation training group (TLG). The participants in both group underwent treadmill training for four weeks (a total of twelve minute, once a day, three times weekly for a four week period). All participants were measured to gait speed (10 m walking test, 10 MWT), gait endurance (6 minute walk distance, 6 MWD), dynamic gait index (DGI). In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, we used for SPSS 15.0 for windows. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare pre-test and post-test result, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was employed for comparison between groups. Results: The 10 MWT, 6 MWD, DGI was significantly different between the TAG and the TLG group. Conclusion: According the results of this study, treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation (TAG) is effective intervention for improvement of walking ability in chronic stroke patient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the relationships among stress response inventory, hospital anxiety and depression, muscle tone and stiffness, and hand strength in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 14 chronic stroke patients voluntarily agreed to this experiment and were included in this study. All measurements were performed in one day and in a room without noise. The tests conducted in this study were as follows: muscle tone and stiffness of the upper trapezius hand grip measurement. Subjects were also asked to complete surveys describing the following: stress response inventory and hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS: There were significant correlations among stress response inventory and hospital anxiety and depression, stress response inventory and hand strength, and hospital anxiety and depression and hand strength (P<.05). There were high positive correlations between stress response inventory and hospital anxiety and depression (r=.979), while there were moderate negative correlations between stress response inventory and hand strength (r=-.415) and between hospital anxiety and depression and hand strength (r=-.420). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that there is a relationship among stress response inventory, hospital anxiety and depression, and hand strength in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.167-175
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the effects of passive exercise on upper extremities muscle spasticity, finger edema, and depression for chronic stroke patients. Methods: A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was employed for this study. The subjects were 30 elderly patients who were hospitalized to treat chronic stroke. 15 patients were assigned to the experimental and control groups respectively. Passive exercise for 20 minutes per day, five days a week for 8 weeks (total 40 times) was provided for the experimental group. Outcome measurements included manual spasticity test to measure upper extremities' muscle spasticity, the ring measurement method for finger edema and the Korean version of Short-form Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) for depression. Results: The upper extremities' muscle spasticity (Z=-2.52 p=.012) and the degree of depression (F=5.56, p=.006) in the experimental group were significantly reduced compared to those of the control group. But the degree of finger edema did not significantly differ between the two groups (F=1.46, p=.240). Conclusion: Passive exercise for upper extremities should be encouraged for elderly patients with chronic stroke to enhance the upper extremities' functional capacity as well as depression.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2013

Purpose : The aim of this study was to compare the effect of task-oriented training using the PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) and task-oriented training with chronic stroke patients. Methods : Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the control and experimental group( 8 experimental, 8 control). All of participants were in-patients at local hospital and had been received training appropriate to the purpose of each group program. Experimental period was carried out 30 minutes/day, five days/week, during four weeks. The experimental group trained the task-oriented training using the PNF and control group trained the task-oriented training. Fugl-meyer assessment scale and Modified Barthel Index was measured to compare the upper arm function and activities of daily living. We were measured before and after the training. Results : The results of the study were as follow: Fugl-meyer assessment scale was significantly increased both groups(p<.05), and significant between groups(p<.05). Modified Barthel index was significantly increased both groups(p<.05) and between groups(p<.05). Conclusion : PNF can be effective in improving upper arm function and ability to perform daily life of chronic stroke patients.

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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.173-182
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of underwater and ground-based diagonal pattern exercises on the balance confidence and respiratory functions of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients were assigned randomly to an experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group performed an underwater diagonal pattern exercise. The control group performed a ground-based diagonal pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six weeks. Balance confidence was measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale-Korea version. Respiratory function was measured using a spirometer. Results: In a comparison within groups, the experimental and control groups showed significant differences in balance confidence after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant difference in balance confidence than the control group (p < 0.05). In a comparison within groups, the experimental group showed a significant difference in respiratory functions after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant difference in respiratory functions than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, underwater diagonal pattern exercises effectively improved the balance confidence and respiratory functions of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training and robot rehabilitation training on trunk stability and standing balance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: There were 30 patients with chronic stroke, divided into two groups: 15 subjects who received PNF and robot training (the experimental group) and 15 subjects who received standard conservative training (the control group), that participated. The experimental group received treatment for 60 min: 30 min of conventional physical therapy, 15 min of PNF training, and 15 min of robot training. The control group received conventional physical therapy for 60 min. Trunk stabilization (trunk impairment scale) and standing balance (center of pressure, limit of stability, modified functional reach test, and Berg balance scale) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Within each group, both the experimental and control groups significantly improved after the intervention in all tests; however, the experimental group showed greater improvement in scores on the trunk impairment scale, the center of pressure, the limit of stability, the modified functional reach test, and the Berg balance scale. Conclusion: The study verified that PNF training and robot training had a positive influence on trunk stability and standing balance indices in patients with chronic stroke.