Background: Many studies regarding task-oriented training have recently demonstrated functional improvement in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The task-oriented approach is very diverse, and chronic stroke patients must have access to a sustained systematic treatment program to enhance their walking ability. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of the task-oriented circuit training and treadmill training on walking function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a task-oriented circuit training group and a treadmill training group with 7 patients in each. Each training regimen was performed for 30 min a day and 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), 10-m Walk Test, 6-min Walk Test (6MWT), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Results: The change in results of the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS measured prior to and following the training regimens appeared to be significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). In addition, after the intervention, significant differences were found for all parameters in the task-oriented circuit training group and for the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS in the treadmill training group (p<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that task-related circuit training and treadmill training may be helpful to improve walking function and quality of life of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Additionally, a task-related circuit training program may achieve more favorable outcomes than a treadmill program.

목적 : 본 연구는 수동 휠체어를 사용하는 편마비 환자를 대상으로 휠체어의 바른 자세 교육을 제공하여 휠체어에 앉았을 때 압력 분포, 휠체어 사이즈의 적합성과 사용자의 만족도를 조사하였다. 연구방법 : 부산 D의료원에서 치료 중이며, 현재 수동 휠체어를 사용하고 있는 편마비인 뇌졸중 환자 38명을 대상으로 하였다. 연구 설계는‘한 그룹 사전평가–사후평가’를 사용하였다. 중재로 사용된 휠체어 자세 교육은 자세 교육 및 상담, 발 받침대 조절과 시트쿠션 및 삽입물 제공에 대한 내용이 포함되었다. 연구도구는 엉덩이 압력 측정을 위한 CONFORMat, 신체계측을 위한 줄자, 사용자의 만족도 측정을 위한 QUEST 2.0을 사용하였다. 결과 : 엉덩이 압력은 비마비측과 마비측의 최대압력 차이가 감소하였으며, 뒤쪽에 치우쳤던 최대압력이 앞쪽으로 분산되었다(p＜.05). 휠체어 표준치와 대상자 실측치의 오차가 좌석의 넓이와 깊이, 발판, 등받이와 팔걸이 높이의 모든 항목에서 유의한 차이로 감소하였다(p＜.01). 휠체어 기기와 서비스의 모든 항목에서 중재 후 만족도가 유의하게 증가하였다(p＜.01). 결론 : 휠체어 자세 교육이 엉덩이 압력, 휠체어 사이즈의 적합성과 사용자의 만족도에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 이와 같은 휠체어 자세 교육은 환자들의 욕창을 예방하며, 휠체어 사용 시 안전성을 제공하여 자세 유지에 도움이 될 것이다. 앞으로 임상에서는 휠체어를 사용하는 사람들에게 사용 초기에 앉기 자세 교육과 휠체어에 대한 맞춤 서비스를 제공해야 할 것이다.

The purposes of this study were to develop a new orthosis controlling ankle and knee joint motion during the gait cycle and to identify the effects of the newly designed orthosis on gait kinematics and tempospatial parameters, including coordination of the extremities in stroke patients. Fifteen individuals who had sustained a stroke, onset was 16 months, participated in this study. Before application of the measurement equipment the subjects were accustomed to walking on the ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) or stance control knee with knee flexion assisted-oil damper ankle-foot orthosis (SCKAFO) for 5 minutes. Fifteen patients were investigated for 45 days with a 3-day interval between sessions. Measurements were walking in fifteen stroke with hemiparesis on the 3D motion analysis system. Comparison of AFO and SCKAFO are gait pattern. The difference between the AFO and SCKAFO conditions was significant in the gait velocity, step length of the right affected side, stance time of both legs, step-length asymmetry ratio, single-support-time asymmetry ratio, -thigh angle and -shank angle in the mid swing (p<.001). Using a SCKAFO in stroke patients has shown similar to normal walking speeds can be attained for walking efficiency and is therefore desirable. In this study, the support time of the affected leg with the SCKAFO was longer than with the AFO and the asymmetry ratio of single support time decreased by more than with the AFO. This indicates that the SCKAFO was effective for improving gait symmetry, single-support-time symmetry. This may be due to the decrease of gait asymmetry. Thus, the newly designed SCKAFO may be useful for promoting gait performance by improving the coordination of the extremity and decreasing gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients.

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.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of task-oriented arm training for chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. The experimental design in this study was the pre-test and post-test with control group for 4-week intervention. Thirty patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke were recruited from 2 rehabilitation units. The subjects were divided randomly into experimental and control groups. The experimental group conducted task-oriented approach, involving 3 subparts of upper extremity activities, and the control group involved in the general upper extremity exercises. Functional movements of the upper extremities were assessed using clinical measures, including the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Section, Box and Block Test, and Action Research Arm Test. The score of Fugl-Meyer Assessment showed greater increases in the experimental group than in the control group after training. The improvement in Box and Block Test between pre-test and post-test measurements was significantly greater after task-oriented arm training compared to general upper extremity exercises. Action Research Arm Test scores also improved after task-oriented arm training compared to exercises in the control group. The task-oriented arm training improves the gross and fine motor activities and encouraging the use of the paretic arm through activity dependent intervention expedites the recovery of functional activities in the upper extremities for chronic hemiparetic stroke.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of submerged relaxation therapy for the spasticity on the affected side in three subjects with post-stroke hemiparesis. A single-subject alternating design with multiple baselines across individuals was employed in this study. Each subject alternately participated in a range of motion exercises on the mat and in the pool, and relaxation exercises in the pool. The muscle tone of the affected side was measured using the tone assessment scale (TAS). Measurements were made immediately and one hour following the intervention. The findings showed a therapeutic effect of submerged relaxation exercise on reducing spasticity for all subjects. The effect of submerged relaxation exercise on decreasing muscle tone was maintained for one hour measurements after the submerged relaxation exercise, although the mean TAS score assessed one hour after intervention was higher than that assessed immediately. The results of this study suggest that submerged relaxation exercise has a positive effect on decreasing spasticity on the affected side in persons suffering from post-stroke hemiparesis. Future research on submerged relaxation exercise should focus on objective evaluation and functional the aspects relevant to activities of daily living.

목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 편측 무시를 보이는 뇌졸중환자들을 대상으로 시각적 단서(visual cue)를 이용한 조건화된 방법이 편측 무시 감소에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인해 좌측 편마비 진단을 받은 3명을 대상으로 약 3주 동안 실시하였으며 조건화된 학습을 위한 시각적 단서로는 대상자들이 일상생활에서 자주 사용하는 수건을 선정하였다. 연구 디자인은 개별실험 연구방법 중에서 ABA 연구 설계 방법을 이용하였다. 조건화된 학습 훈련 전, 후의 편측 무시 정도의 변화를 객관적으로 측정하기 위해 Albert Test, Baking Tray Task를 사용하였고, 치료 후에 일상생활에도 편측 무시 치료의 향상이일반화가 되는지를 확인하기 위하여 일상생활 과제들을 실시하였다. 결과 : 대상자 모두 기초 선 보다 치료 기간 동안에 편측 무시 감소와 일상생활 과제 수행 성공률이 향상되었다. 이러한 결과는 치료 중지 후에도 지속되었으며 시각적 단서가 없는 경우보다 시각적 단서를 제공한 경우에 더 효과적이었다. 결론 : 시각적 단서를 이용한 조건화된 학습은 편마비 환자의 편측 무시 감소에 긍정적 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 앞으로 편측 무시 치료에 있어서 기존의 시각적 단서에 조건화된 학습을 적절히 활용한다면, 이러한 연구의 효과를 일반화시키는데 적합한 방법이 될 것으로 사료된다.

Muscle weakness in the hemiplegia following stroke is an important factor which determines the quality of life in the future. Therefore, muscle strengthening exercise is essential for functional recovery in hemiplegic patients. Even though the popular conception is that muscle strengthening exercise causes spasticity and associated reaction that hemiplegia patients don't want, and that it disturbs functional recovery, recently there have been many new reports against that opinion. Therefore, the effects of strengthening exercise programs on functional recovery in hemiplegic patients are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of strengthening exercise programs for the knee joint using isokinetic exercise on the associated reaction of the upper extremities. Comparing the muscle activities of biceps brachii and triceps brachii during, before, and immediately after 2 and 5 minute intervals of isokinetic exercise, we examined the increase and decrease of associated reaction. Twenty stroke inpatients participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to get muscle activity data from biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The major findings of this study were as follows: 1. The flexor and extensor peak torque were significantly higher on the sound side than the affected side (p<.05). 2. Before and after strengthening exercise, there was no significant difference in muscle activities (surface electromyographic root mean square values) between the sound and affected side. 3. Muscle activities were examined during, before, and immediately after 2 and 5 minute intervals of isokinetic exercise. There were significant differences in muscle activities between, before and during the exercises, during exercise and 5 minutes after exercise in the biceps brachii (p<.05), and during exercise and 5 minutes after exercise in the triceps brachii (p<.05). In conclusion, there was no relation between strengthening exercise and associated reaction in the upper extremities. Rather, muscle activities after exercise had a tendency to decrease relative to before the exercise. Thus, it is considered that intensive strengthening exercise contributes to improvement of functional recovery without increase in associated reaction in hemiparetic patients.

목적 : 본 연구를 통하여 뇌손상으로 인한 편마비 아동들에게 10주 동안 적용된 수정된 강제유도 운동치료가 환측 상지의 운동․감각능력 및 일상생활에서의 환측 상지 사용 빈도에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 개별사례 실험 연구 방법 중 반전연구(reversal design or ABA design)로 설계되었으며, 서울장애인종합복지관에서 뇌병변으로 인한 편마비 진단을 받고 재활치료 중인 4명의 아동을 대상으로 17주간 실시되었다. 총 17주의 연구기간은 3주간의 기초선 1기간, 10주간의 치료 적용기간, 4주간의 기초선 2기간(치료후 관찰기간)으로 이루어져 있다. 치료 기간 동안 대상 아동들에게 주 5회, 하루 5시간동안 강제유도 운동치료를 적용하였다. 치료 전․후의 환측 상지의 기능을 평가하기 위해 두점 인식능력과 모노필라멘트를 사용한 촉각 검사, 멜버른 검사를 실시하였고, Motor Activity Log(MAL) 중 아동에게 적용 가능한 20항목을 발췌한 부모작성일지를 사용하여 환측 상지 사용빈도를 측정하였다. 결과 분석을 위하여 대상자별로 측정된 상지의 운동 및 감각기능과 일상생활에서 환측 상지 사용 빈도의 평균값을 기술 통계적으로 제시하고 시각적 그래프를 통하여 기초선, 치료기간과 치료 후의 차이를 비교하였다. 결과 : 수정된 강제유도 운동치료 후 편마비 아동의 상지 운동 및 감각기능과 일상생활에서의 환측 상지 사용 빈도가 치료 전에 비해 향상되었고, 이러한 치료 효과는 치료종료 후 1개월까지 유지되었다. 결론 : 본 연구 결과는 장시간의 건측 상지 운동 제한에 따른 거부감으로 인해 아동에게 적용하기 어려웠던 기존 강제유도 운동치료의 문제점을 개선한 수정된 강제유도 운동치료는 적용시간을 각 아동의 특성에 맞게 조절하여 활용한다면 임상 재활치료에서 편마비 아동의 기능회복에 효과적으로 적용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy (MCIT) on the effected upper extremity of children with hemiparesis. Four children with hemiparetic upper extremity caused by brain injuries were trained by MCIT for ten weeks. During the same period, all of the subjects were also involved in thirty-minute regular physical therapy and occupational therapy. During the treatment period, the unaffected upper extremities of the subjects were restrained by a specially designed hand splint or a mitten for five hours a day, five days per week. For two hours out of the five-hour restraint period, the affected upper extremities were intensively trained by performing various functional tasks, which were individually structured to emphasize use of the affected arm. A single-subject design with A-B-A reversal was employed in this study. The affected limb motor ability was evaluated by Melbourne Assessment, measuring the time to grasp and release nine pegs, and measuring grasping power. As a consequence of this study, the affected limb motor test scores of all four subjects in the baseline period were improved during the treatment period. Furthermore, the treatment effect was maintained during a one-month follow-up period. The results of this study support the assumption that MCIT is an effective therapeutic method to improve the sensory and motor abilities of hemiparetic children. It also increases the frequency of functional use of the hemiparetic hands of brain-injured children. Based on the results of this study, it can also be assumed that the modified CIT method is especially beneficial to these children by reducing the negative emotional effects of forceful restraint of the unaffected upper extremity. To optimize the functional recovery of the paretic upper extremity by CIT, the restriction period per day should be decided individually, according to the characteristics of the individual.

In most of the medical literature that discusses the common problem of movement in patients with cerebral lesions. This critical problem is ascribed to a mechanism involving uninhibited neural activity. The goals of neurological physical therapy are focus on reduce of muscle hypertonicity, facilitates muscle activities, and improve of performance in living environment. A variety of studies suggest that spasticity is a distinct problem and separate from the muscle weakness. It has become increasingly recognized that the major functional deficits following brain damage are largely due to negative features such as muscle weakness and loss of performance rather than spasticity. Adequate recruitment of prime mover, not release was able to carry out the movement tasks well. The strengthening exercise of spastic limbs on changes in muscle properties and performance skill, the repeated motor practice has been identified as crucial for motor recovery. This article support the concept that strengthening is an appropriate intervention to improve the quality of physical function in patients with central nervous system lesions. Further studies and therapeutic approaches should be efforts at improving motor neuron recruitment in agonist rather than reducing activity in antagonists while retraining muscle strengthening.

뇌 손상 후 급성기에 기능의 자발적인 회복이 일어나지만 환자들은 환측의 상지를 잘 사용하지 못하게 된다. 그 결과 원하는 움직임을 억제하는 상황을 발생시키는데 이것을 학습 무사용 증후군(learned nonu se syndrome)이라 한다. 이러한 학습 무사용 증후군을 치료하기 위해 억제-유도 치료(constraint-induced therapy)가 고안되었다. 억제-유도 치료는 연속되는 몇 주간에 걸쳐 매일 많은 시간 동안 건측의 상지를 묶어두고 환

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of head and neck(HN) position in the transverse plane on the static production of elbow extension force in the involved(paretic) upper extremity of patients with hemiparesis. On this study, thirty patients who had experienced a cerebrovascular accident were matched with neurologically intact subjects. Force of static elbow extension was tested with a hand-held dynamometer, twice with the HN rotated toward the paretic side and twice with the HN rotated toward the non-paretic side. Elbow extension force differed significantly with the HN in the two position in patients with hemiparesis but not in normal persons(=0.05). Results of this study support the conclusion that HN position in the transverse plane influences the production of static elbow extension force on the paretic side in patients with hemiparesis.

This paper reviews physiological changes in the nervous system of patients with hemiparesis that may contribute to muscle weakness. The discussion includes the important role that alterations in the physiology of motor units, notably changes in firing rates and muscle fiber atrophy, play in the manifestation of muscle weakeness. This role is compared with the lesser role that spasticity of the antagonist muscle group appears to play in determining the weakness of agonist muscles. The contribution of other factors that result in mechanical restraint of the agonist by the antagonist is discussed relative to muscle weakness in patients with hemiparesis. More studies on patients with hemiparesis are required to assess what role muscle strength training should play in rehabiliting patients after a stroke.