OBJECTIVE To study the effects on the hemiplegic upper limb of repetitive facilitation exercises (RFEs) using a novel facilitation technique, in which the patient's intention to move the hemiplegic upper limb or finger was followed by realization of the movement using multiple sensory stimulations. METHODS Twenty-three stroke patients were enrolled in a cross-over study in which 2-week RFE se...

To test the reliability of the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) and the Gait Abnormality Rating Scale (GARS) for hemiplegic Chinese subjects, as well as to establish the concurrent validity of these two scales with clinical measurements. [Subjects] Twenty hemiplegic stroke subjects were recruited for this study. [Methods] The subjects walked along a 10-meter walkway and their gait was videotaped from...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS To investigate whether there were changes in the sympathetic skin responses (SSR) in the limbs with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I in hemiplegic patients. SETTING A physical medicine and rehabilitation center in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sympathetic skin responses were evaluated in 69 stroke patients (41 with CRPS and 28 without CRPS) and 20 healthy vol...

OBJECTIVE To compare an objective assessment scale for "come-to-sit" in stroke patients with the previously established subjective assessment scales of "performance-based assessment" and the "ability for basic movement scale". METHOD A specifically designed jacket was used to determine the objective degree of assistance needed for patients to perform the task. While patients were sitting up, ...

BACKGROUND Reflex excitability is increased in hemiplegic patients compared to healthy controls. One challenge of stroke rehabilitation is to decrease the effects of hyperreflexia, which may be possible with water immersion. Methods/Aims: The present study examined the effects of acute water immersion on electrically-evoked Hmax:Mmax ratios (a measure of reflex excitability) in 7 hyperreflexive...

Cycling is known to be an effective rehabilitation exercise for hemiplegic patients who face difficulty during walking because of stroke or other brain disorders. A cycling wheelchair (CWC) is a useful tool to provide exercise for these patients and improve their quality of life. In previous studies, our group developed a system that allows patients to safely practice driving a CWC in a virtual...

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is used in stroke rehabilitation to promote recovery of upper limb motor function. However, its efficacy in improving functional outcomes in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy has not been clearly determined in clinical or experimental research. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of a new experimental model of CIMT, evaluated in terms...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the delayed effects of balance training program on hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS A total of 41 ambulatory hemiplegic stroke patients were recruited into this study and randomly assigned into two groups, the control group and trained group. Visual feedback balance training with the SMART Balance Master was used in the trained group. Br...

[Purpose] This study aimed to improve the asymmetrical weight-bearing ratio by applying repetitive sit-to-stand training methods that feature a step-foot position to the paretic-side foot of hemiplegic patients; it sought also to provide the information needed to apply weight-bearing and balance training to hemiplegic patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were divided into two groups: a...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine if aromatherapy acupressure, compared to acupressure alone, was effective in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain and improving motor power in stroke patients. DESIGN This work was a randomized, controlled trial. SUBJECTS Thirty (30) stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain participated in this study. INTERVENTION Subjects were randomly ...