ABSTRACT

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EMG biofeedback training on the handfunctions of stroke patients. Methods : Ten patients who had suffered from the effects of a stroke for at least six months participated inthis study. Five of the subjects were randomly given EMG biofeedback training, while the others wereassigned as a control group. One session of EMG biofeedback tracking tasks consists of resting and activitystages. During the activity stage, the subjects performed tracking tasks forty times. The experimental groupperformed one session of tracking tasks per day and received the training five days per week for sixconsecutive weeks. Their hand functions were measured before and after training using Modified AshworthScale, Fugl-Mayer assessment scale, Box & Block test, and Manual Function Test. Results : Except for the Modified Ashworth Scale, all other post-test scores for hand functionality after sixweeks of training showed a statistically significant difference compared with the pre-test scores beforetraining (p<.05). However, the control group failed to show a significant difference between the pre- andpost-test scores in all tests. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in hand functionalitymeasured by all tests, compared with the control group (p<.05).Conclusion : This study suggests that EMG biofeedback training can be an effective therapeutic tool in theimprovement of hand functions of stroke patients.