PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to explain the effects of upper extremity exercise program on hemiplegic stroke patients. METHOD: The research was designed by a non-equivalent pretest-posttest way. The data were collected from February to August 2003 at a community health center located in Seoul. The study subjects were a conveniently selected group of 27 hemiplegic patients. The subjects were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. 14 subjects were assigned to the experimental group in which the subjects did the upper extremity exercise training for 2 hours once a week during four weeks, while 13 subjects were assigned to the control group. The outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the upper extremity motor ability(hand power, pinch power, upper extremity ROMs), amount of motor use and the degree of depression. RESULT: 1. After treatment, the motor abilities of the affected upper extremity(hand power, pinch power, ROMs of wrist flexion/extension, shoulder extension) were significantly different between the two groups. However, there were no significant differences in elbow and shoulder flexion between experimental and control group. 2. After treatment, amount of motor use of affected upper extremity were significantly different between the two groups. 3. After treatment, the degree of depression were significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In considering these results, the upper extremity exercise program could be effective for hemiplegic patients by improving the function of their upper extremity. Long-term studies are needed to determine the effects of upper extremity exercise program.
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