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.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 뇌졸중 환자의 얕은손가락굽힘근에 진동자극을 적용하는 것이 손의 기민성을 향상시키고 얕은손가락굽힘근의 개시와 종료 시간을 단축시키는데 도움이 되는지를 알아보는 것이었다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 개별실험연구방법 중 ABA 연구 설계를 이용하였다. 총 실험회기는 24회로 기초선 과정, 중재 과정, 기초선 회기 과정으로 나누어 각 8회기씩 진행하였다. 중재기간 동안 진동자극은 환측의 얕은손가락굽힘근에 적용되었다. 상자와 블록 검사(Box and Block Test; BBT), 그리고 컵을 쥐기 및 놓기 과제를 수행하는 동안 얕은손가락굽힘근의 개시시간과 종료시간을 측정하였다. 결과 : BBT 점수는 기초선 과정에 비교하였을 때 중재기간 동안 유의하게 증가되었으며(p<.05), 과제 수행 동안 얕은손가락굽힘근의 개시시간과 종료시간은 중재 기간 동안 유의하게 단축되었다(p<.05). 이 러한 경향은 회귀 과정 동안에도 긍정적으로 유지되었다. 결론 : 이러한 결과는 진동자극이 이환된 손의 기민성을 향상시키고 물건을 쥐고 놓는 동안 손과 얕은손가락굽힘근의 활성 형태를 향상시키는데 긍정적으로 사용될 수 있다는 것을 의미한다.

This study aimed to investigate whether isometric lower limb exercise can activate contralateral trunk muscles and whether the magnitude of muscle activation is related to lower limb movement in sitting. This study included 25 healthy young subjects (20 males and 5 females). The magnitude of trunk muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography (EMG) during hip flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction, and a significant difference was observed in the activation levels of trunk muscles among the tests (p<.01). The EMG activity of the multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES) muscles on the contralateral side were significantly greater during hip extension. However, the activation levels of the contralateral internal oblique (IO) and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles were greatest during hip flexion. The MF : ES EMG ratio was significantly greater during hip isometric during hip isometric flexion and abduction compared to hip extension and adduction. There was no significantly difference in the IO : RA ratio during the isometric contractions toward different directions. These findings indicate that isometric lower limb exercise can elicit trunk muscle contraction on the contralateral side and may therefore be helped for developing contralateral trunk muscle strength in individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

This study aimed to identify the asymmetry observed in the electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of selected trunk and thigh muscles between the affected and unaffected sides during the sit-to-stand movement in ambulatory patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 20 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The differences between stroke fast walkers (, 11 subjects) and stroke slow walkers (<8 m/s, 9 subjects) were compared. The activation magnitude and onset time of the multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, hamstrings, and quadriceps during the sit-to-stand movement were recorded through surface EMG. Moreover, the EMG activation magnitude and onset time ratios of each bilateral corresponding muscle from the trunk and leg were measured by dividing the relevant values of the unaffected side by those of the affected side. In all the subjects, the activation magnitudes of the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps on the affected side significantly decreased compared to those on the unaffected side (p<.05). The onset time of muscle activity in the affected side was markedly delayed for the multifidus and quadriceps during the task (p<.05). The activation magnitude ratios of the quadriceps were markedly decreased in the stroke slow walkers as compared to those in the stroke fast walkers. These findings indicate that the asymmetry in the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activation patterns in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis may be due to the excessive muscle activation in the unaffected side to compensate for the weakened muscle activity in the affected side. Our findings may provide researchers and clinicians with information that can be useful in rehabilitation therapy.