PURPOSE: This study find out the effect of improved two point discrimination (TPD), hand function and activities of daily living (ADL) performance through tactile stimulus of upper limb (U/L) in impaired characteristics of stroke METHODS: We selected 26 stroke patients in BMH who has problems with neglect, sensory and motor deficits.
Patients were divided into 3 group with neglect group (NG),sensorimotor deficits group (SMG) and motor deficit group (MG). To compare each group we used assessment tools such as two point discrimination on affected side (TPDas) and unaffected side (TPDus), Manual functional test on affected side (MFTas) and unaffected side (MFTus) and Korean version modified barthel index (K-MBI).
RESULTS: 1) In the NG, tactile stimulus on U/L was statistically important for TPDas (forearm, index finger tip)also SMG and MDG was statistically important for TPDas.
2) In the NG, SMG, there was statistically important for MFTas, MFTus and in the MG. K-MBI also was statistically importance. Among three group, there was an statistically important difference for TPTus (forearm, thenar, hypothenar),MFTas and MFTus. We analyzed the relationship among TPD, MFT and K-MBI and There was negative relationship between TPD, MFT and There was positive relationship between TPD and K-MBI CONCLUSION: In impaired characteristics of stroke patients, tactile stimulus on U/L influenced on two point discrimination, hand function and ADL‘s. And we also found relationship among somatosensory, hand function, and ADL performance.