KJC Korea
Journal Central

Objective : This study examines how CIMT and FU therapy affect the upper extremity function and activities of daily living of hemiplegic stroke patients under a home environment. Methods : The study adopted a multiple baseline design among experiment groups. Six hemiplegic stroke patients were divided into three groups (two for each group). CIMT restricted the use of the healthy side of the upper limb (5 hours), while focusing on training of the stroke-affected upper limb (3 hours). In regard to FU, the patients had to wear gloves on the healthy side of the upper limbs to limit their use for five hours during the most active time of day. The function of the upper limbs was measured based on a Box and Block Test (BBT) during the therapy period, and on an Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) and Motor Activity Log (MAL) both before and after the therapy. A visual analysis was conducted using a graph, and changes in values were analyzed before and after the therapy to analyze the experimental results. Results : MFT and BBT demonstrated that all patients showed improved functionality. The performance indicator of AMPS and frequency of using the stroke-affected limbs and quality of movement in MAL also showed improvement in all patients. In all groups, patients who went through CIMT showed more improvement than those who followed FU therapy. Conclusion : Both CIMT and FU conducted in a home environment had a positive impact on the upper extremity function of hemiplegic stroke patients, and the effect of CIMT was better than FU.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of life for handicapped students, and to identify the correlation between quality of life and the ability to perform daily routines. Methods : The study examined 102 handicapped students attending special schools in the Kyounggi-do, Incheon, Daejeon, and Cholla-do areas, who are in the ages between 15 and 22, with a disability level between 1 to 3. For the survey, a tool that measures the quality of life of handicapped people and a Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were used. Results : In regard to quality of life, the students showed the highest scores in emotional well-being and satisfaction. For the sub-items, age and settlement type resulted in a significant difference in quality of life; sex and disability level did not. The FIM showed a positive correlation with quality of life. Conclusion : The study revealed that age and settlement type results in a significant difference in quality of life for handicapped students, and that quality of life is positively related to the ability to perform daily routines. Thus, to improve the quality of life, it is critical to enhance the ability to perform daily routines.

Objective : This study examines the correlations between asymmetrical weight bearing and activities of daily living (ADL) in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods : The degree of asymmetrical weight bearing was measured for 63 hemiplegic stroke patients who went through rehabilitation treatment at Samyook Rehabilitation Hospital between December 2007 and February 2008. Tetrax was used to measure the weight load on the affected lower extremity, and an MBI was used to measure the level of ADL performance. Results : The analysis of the correlation between weight load on the affected lower extremity and performance of ADL yielded a statistically significant value (r=.539). The MBI showed a high correlation with movement, personal hygiene, and ambulation. Conclusion : The study demonstrated that asymmetrical weight bearing and performance of daily activities are related for hemiplegic stroke patients. For a more effective rehabilitation of patients, asymmetrical weight bearing on the lower extremity needs to be taken into consideration during treatment.

Objective : The study examines the validity and reliability of LOTCA-G translated into Korean, with a modification of phrases to reflect a Korean cultural context, and suggests a foundation to apply the test to elderly people aged between 65 and 90. Methods : Professional therapists with more than three years of clinical experience in the adult treatment field were requested to examine the content validity of the modified LOTCA-G. Concerning the reliability, a test-retest method was employed for 40 people in a normal control group, and for another 40 people made up of clinical patients. Results : The content validity turned out satisfactorily, as did the test-retest reliability for both the control and experimental (clinical patients) groups, reliability among the examiners, internal consistency of items, and reliability by age group. In terms of reliability, the modified LOTCA-G not only satisfied the initial age target, but also people between the ages of 65 and 70. Conclusion : The modified LOTCA-G, which reflects the characteristics of Korean culture, is an effective cognition assessment tool with robust validity and reliability, and is expected to facilitate researches on cognition assessment, establishment of treatment planning, and geriatric cognition for elderly people between the ages of 65 and 90.

Objective : This study examines how the performance of implicit memory is different between older and younger people, its implication, and the difference in memory task performance due to perceptual processing. Methods : The study examined the variance of analysis after conducting a word-stem completion task (implicit memory test) and word recall task (explicit memory test) for two groups composed of young and elderly people respectively. Tasks for semantic processing and perceptual processing were divided into learning and test stages. Implicit memory was tested first, followed by explicit memory. Results : First, performance of memory tasks showed significant difference between older and younger people. Second, the memory task outcomes of younger people varied significantly, but those of older people did not. Finally, the interaction between memory task and level of processing was statistically significant. Conclusion : Memory ability deteriorates with aging, but implicit memory can be sustained relatively well with little damage. Thus, by applying this finding to occupational therapy, the memory ability of older people can be enhanced, and negative perception about the deterioration of memory with aging can be changed in order to improve the quality of older people's lives.

Objective : This study examines the factors that affect the sensory processing ability for normal children and children with developmental disorders aged between 3 and 6. Methods : A survey was conducted for the main caregivers of 111 children with developmental disorders and 135 normal children. The questionnaire consisted of 95 items that included internal and external factors that affect children's sensory processing ability, and a short sensory profile. SPSS was used to analyze the data statistically. The study employed descriptive statistics for analysis of the internal and external factors, an independent sample T-test for sensory processing ability by group, and step-by-step multiple regression to analyze the factors that affect the sensory processing ability. Results : The average score in sensory processing performance was 135.37±21.7 for children with a developmental disorder, and 165.02±16.69 for normal children. The difference was statistically significant. For children with a developmental disorder, emotionality of temperament and peer relationship had an influence on sensory processing ability. For normal children, the important factors were identified as emotionality of temperament and birth weight. Conclusion : To improve the sensory processing ability of normal children and children with developmental disorders, therapists and teachers should carry out early treatment and education in consideration of each child's temperament, peer relationship, and birth weight.

Objective : This study examines the general characteristics and health-related aspects of quality of life among patients with occupational injuries and illnesses and ordinary medical patients who have received occupational therapeutic services using SF-36. The purpose is to figure out the quality of life for the two groups, and identify the factors that affect their quality of life. Methods : To survey the general characteristics and quality of life among patients with occupational injuries and illnesses and ordinary medical patients, the study requested an investigation from the occupational therapy division at three hospitals under the Workers Accident Medical Corporation and four general hospitals located in the Seoul, Incheon and Seosan areas. A total of 121 patients with occupational injuries and illnesses and 74 ordinary medical patients were selected, each of whom had no congenital deformity, had career experience, and had a cognitive capability to comprehend the survey items and provide appropriate answers. Results : The SF-36 scores showed that the quality of life among patients with occupational injuries and illnesses was significantly lower than ordinary medical patients. Among 8 categories of SF-36, the difference in quality of life was prominent in physical function and mental health categories. In terms of the general characteristics of the patients, patients with occupational injuries and illnesses indicated age and possibility of returning to work as factors that affected their quality of life. Ordinary medical patients responded that duration of treatment affected their quality of life. Conclusion : In general, patients with occupational injuries and illnesses were less happy about their quality of life compared to ordinary medical patients. They were more optimistic if they had the possibility to return to work. Therapists will be able to provide a more effective occupational therapy service if, at the time of the initial evaluation of a patient, they take into account the patient's perceived quality of life, former occupation, and expectation about returning to work.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to develop a more effective vocational rehabilitation process by examining the issues and current status of the existing vocational rehabilitation process in facilities for the handicapped in terms of vocational evaluation, vocational training, job placement, and follow-up guidance. Methods : To collect data, a questionnaire was mailed to vocational rehabilitation specialists in 81 facilities for the handicapped that operate a vocational rehabilitation process. Results : The following lists identified problems in the vocational rehabilitation process: lack of job evaluation tools, unsystematic evaluation method, shortage of trained staff, insufficient job opportunities for the handicapped due to a fact that the a large number of handicapped in the examined facilities are severely disabled, and a lack of follow-up guidance. To revitalize vocational rehabilitation process for the handicapped, it is urgent to identify suitable jobs for training, and to develop an education program to prepare the potential employees for the job. In regard to job replacement, it is important to improve the perception concerning the ability of the handicapped, change the employers' attitude, devise a protection policy of the government and companies for the severely disabled people, and supplement professional staffs in charge of follow-up guidance. Conclusions : The study identified problems of the vocational rehabilitation process in facilities for the handicapped and provided suggestions to redress the problems. The results are expected to be used as basic data for the government and facilities for the handicapped in order to seek solutions and develop better vocational rehabilitation service programs.