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(1) Background: This study investigated the effect of 3-dimensional robotic therapy (RT) combined with electromyography-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (RT–ENMES) on stroke patients' upper-limb function and cerebral cortex activation. (2) Methods: Sixty-one stroke patients were assigned randomly to one of three groups. The stroke patients were in the subacute stage between 2 and 6 months after onset. The three groups received 20 min of RT and 20 min of electromyography-triggered neuromuscular electrical stimulation (ENMES) in the RT–ENMES group (n = 21), 40 min of RT in the RT group (n = 20), and 40 min of ENMES in the ENMES group (n = 20). The treatments were for 40 min, 5 days per week, and for 8 weeks. Upper-extremity function was evaluated using the Fugl–Meyer assessment for upper extremity (FMA-UE), Wolf motor function test, and action research arm test (ARAT); cerebral cortex activation and motor-evoked potential (MEP) amplitude were evaluated before and after the study. (3) Results: The analysis showed significant changes in all evaluation items for all three groups in the before-and-after comparisons. Significant changes were observed in the FMA-UE, ARAT, and MEP; in the posttest, the RT–ENMES group showed more significant changes in the FMA-UE, ARAT, and MEP than the other two groups. (4) Conclusions: The study analysis suggests that RT–ENMES effectively improves upper-limb function and cerebral cortex activation in patients with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of virtual-reality-based hand motion training (VRT) in parallel with the Kinesio Taping (KT) technique on upper extremity function in stroke patients and to present a more effective therapeutic basis for virtual reality training intervention. (2) Methods: First, 43 stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups: 21 experimental subjects and 22 controls. The experimental group performed Kinesio Taping (KT) on the dorsal part of the hand along with virtual-reality-based hand motion training, and the control group performed only virtual-reality-based hand motion training. The intervention was conducted for a total of 30 sessions over 6 weeks. To evaluate changes in upper extremity function, the Fugl–Meyer Assessment of the Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and the Motor Activity Log (MAL) (including amount of use (AOU) and quality of movement (QOM)) were evaluated. In addition, the Self-Efficacy Scale (SEF) was evaluated to examine the change in the self-esteem of the study subjects. (3) Results: The experimental group who participated in the virtual reality training in parallel with the KT technique showed statistically significant improvement (** p < 0.01) in the FMA-UE, WMFT, and MAL evaluations that investigate changes in upper extremity function. SEF evaluation also showed a statistically significant improvement (** p < 0.01). A statistically significant difference between the two groups was observed in the evaluation of FMA-UE, WMFT, MAL-QOM, and SEF († p < 0.05), showing that that combined intervention was more effective at improving upper extremity function than the existing VRT intervention. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the MAL-AOU item, which is an evaluation of upper extremity function (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the amount of change in upper limb function (†† p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: It was confirmed that virtual-reality-based hand motion training performed in parallel with the KT technique had a positive effect on the recovery of upper extremity function of stroke patients. The fact that the KT technique provided stability to the wrist by assisting the wrist extensor muscles appears to have improved the upper extremity function more effectively than VRT alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lingual strength training (LST) has been reported to positively affect the activation of submental muscles, as well as to increase lingual muscle strength. However, there is little evidence to support its effectiveness. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of LST on the strength and thickness of oropharyngeal muscles in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 30 subjects who were assigned to the experimental (n = 15) and the control groups (n = 15). The experimental group performed LST based on tongue‐to‐palate resistance exercise method. LST was categorised as isometric and isotonic exercise. The intervention was performed five times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. The lingual strength was measured using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument. Changes in the thickness of the mylohyoid and the digastric muscles and the lingual were assessed ultrasonographically. Results: After the intervention, the thickness of the mylohyoid and the digastric muscles in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P = 0.037 and 0.042). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that LST increases the thickness and the strength of oropharyngeal muscles. Therefore, LST is a useful option in patients with dysphagia or in elderly patients prone to swallowing dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Game-based exercise is effective for improving strength and motor function in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation, and it creates fun and motivation for exercise. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of game-based exercise on hand strength, motor function, and compliance in stroke patients. METHODS: Fifty stroke patients were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed a game-based hand resistance exercise. This exercise was divided into isotonic and isometric types and was performed 30 min/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks with 70% of the 1-repetition maximum. In contrast, the control group was given a traditional manual exercise by the occupational therapist, and the type of exercise and time involved were the same as those in the experimental group. The primary outcome measure was hand strength test measured using a dynamometer. Secondary outcome measures were manual function tests (MFT) and hand function tests using box and block test (BBT). Subject-based reports of motivation, fun, pain/fatigue evaluated on 0 to 10 numeric rating scales were compared between groups. RESULTS: After training, hand strength, MFT and BBT was improved in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.001, both). Subject-based reports of motivation and fun was significantly greater in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.001, both), except to pain/fatigue (P = 0.728). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we demonstrated that game-based exercise is more effective than manual exercise in improving muscle strength, motor function, and compliance in stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]