ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to first to evaluate the function of the involved upper extremity of adult hemiplegia in relation to the hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand by using Manual Function Test(MFT) to measure the function of the involved upper extremity and Grooved Peg Board Test to assessment the hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand. Second to evaluate the hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand of adult hemiplegia in relation to activities of daily living(ADL) by using Functional Independence Measure(FIM) to measure the ADL. The subjects in this study were 21 stroke patients who were admitted for intensive treatment at Department of Rehabilitation in Asan Medical Center from September to November, 1998. Data were analyze for wilcoxon signed ranks test and Spearman correlation coefficients using SPSS/PC+ program.The results of this study are :1) Statistically MFT score at admission showed significant correlation with MFT score at discharge(p < 0.01).2) Statistically the hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand at admission showed si-gnificant correlation with the hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand at discharge(p< 0.01).3) The function of the involved upper extremity and the hand dexterity with the un-involved hand are poorly related variables in stroke patients(p < 0.01).4) The function of the involved upper extremity and independence in ADL are poorly related variables in stroke patients(p < 0.01).5) The hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand and independence in ADL are poorly related variables in stroke patients(p < 0.01).6) In the relationships between FIM score at admission and FIM score at discharge; there were no significant differences(p < 0.01).It was difficult to compare the measured hand dexterity with the uninvolved hand in stroke patients as well as to assess the hand dexterity with the same side hand in normal, for it is in the variation between the current data used for this study and the standard data obtained from Lafayatte Instrument Company. The activities of daily liv-ing of the hemiplegic patient are largely dependent on their uninvolved hand which is thought to be vital for the rehabilitation of the hemiplegic patients. Therefore, occupa- tional therapy program in stroke patients should include improving skills of uninvolved hand.