ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the hypothesis that proprioceptive stimulation may be effective in the visuoperception of cerebrovascular accident patients, using visuoperceptual measures.Methods : The data was obtained from 25 patients who had suffered stroke and who were treated in a university hospital from April 1st to August 31th, 2004. Subjects were examined with the Motor Free Visual Perception Test(MVPT). There were experimental runs with and without vibratory stimuli applied to the hemiplegic forearm serving as proprioceptive stimulation.Results : Muscle vibration sped up the visuoperception speed during applying it, but did not increase visuoperception itself. The more delayed visuoperception speed, the more vibration shortened processing time.Conclusion : In conclusion, vibration sped up the visuoperception speed in stroke patients. Therefore, applying vibration to cognitive rehabilitation on the stroke patients may improve their perceptual function.