ABSTRACT

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vibratory stimulation on upper function forpatients with stroke. Methods : The subjects of this study included 13 stroke patients. They were divided into 2 groups; 7 experimentalsubjects and 6 control subjects. Vibratory stimulation was applied to experimental group five times a week fortwo-week period. To evaluate the changes in upper motor function, spasticity, hand dexterity, and sensoryfunction, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale, Box and Block Test, two point discrimination, andmonofilament was used. Motion data was collected during reaching task of hemiside using 3D motion analysissystem. Results : In experimental group, the dexterity of elbow joint and static two point discrimination sensitivity werestatistically improved (p<.05), whereas upper motor function, hand dexterity, and spasticity were not significantlyrecovered (p>.05). In between-comparison, while there was no big difference between experimental and controlgroup in pre-test, dexterity of elbow joint and static two point discrimination sensitivity were significantlydifferent in post-test (p>.05). Conclusion : After the intervention, experimental group who received vibratory stimulation showed improvement indexterity of elbow joint and static two point discrimination sensitivity than control group who wasn’t givenvibration.