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The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mirror therapy on upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen subjects were each assigned to a mirror therapy group and a sham therapy group. The Fugl-Meyer Motor Function Assessment and the Box and Block Test were performed to compare paretic upper-extremity function and hand coordination abilities. The functional independence measurement was conducted to compare abilities to perform activities of daily living. [Results] Paretic upper-extremity function and hand coordination abilities were significantly different between the mirror therapy and sham therapy groups. Intervention in the mirror therapy group was more effective than in the sham therapy group for improving the ability to perform activities of daily living. Self-care showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] Mirror therapy is effective in improving paretic upper-extremity function and activities of daily living in chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to measure the cervical flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) and intensity of neck pain and identify the differences according to postures adopted while using smartphones. [Subjects] Fifteen healthy adults with no neck pain, spinal trauma, or history cervical surgery participated in this study. [Methods] The activity of the cervical erector spinae muscle was recorded while performing a standardized cervical flexion-extension movement in three phases (flexion, sustained full flexion, extension). And neck pain intensity was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) with values between 0 and 10. Postures held while using a smartphone are distinguished between desk postures and lap postures. The FRR was calculated by dividing the maximal muscle activation during the extension phase by average activation during the complete flexion phase. [Results] No significant differences were found in the FRR between desk posture, lap posture, and baseline, though the intensity of the neck pain increased in the lap posture. [Conclusion] The FRR could be a significant criterion of neuromuscular impairment in chronic neck pain or lumbar pain patients, but it is impossible to distinguish neck pain that is caused by performing task for a short time. Prolonged lap posture might cause neck pain, so the use of smartphones for a long time in this posture should be avoided.

[Purpose] The purpose of this review was to investigate various types of VR programs and their use in cognitive evaluations and interventions for patients with brain injury. [Subjects and Methods] PubMed, Cochrane, and OTseeker electronic databases were searched with the search terms. At of 350 titles and abstracts were retrieved, and 17 articles were selected for this review. Selected articles were assessed on the level of evidence using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. [Results] Articles assessing the impact of cognitive impairments in memory were most commonly found, and VR interventions elicited positive effects in patients with brain injury. [Conclusion] VR can be considered a new tool for cognitive rehabilitation after brain injury. VR interventions also have a number of advantages, e.g. cost-effectiveness, compared to other interventions.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of purposeful action observation on upper extremity kinematic patterns in individuals with hemiplegia. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve patients were recruited in accordance with the inclusion criteria. The experimental group (n=6) was trained with a purposeful action observation program. The control group (n=6) was trained with only purposeful action without action observation. The programs were performed 30 min/session, 5 times per week for 30 sessions in 6 weeks of training. Upper extremity kinematic patterns were measured by a 3-dimensional motion analysis system before and after training, and the results were analyzed. [Results] The experimental group and the control group showed improvements in average velocity, trajectory ratio, and movement degree, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in average velocity, trajectory ratio after the intervention. The experimental group also showed an improvement in movement degree, but the post-intervention difference was not significant. [Conclusion] The results of this study show that purposeful action observation training program improved the average velocity and trajectory ratio of stroke patients. Further research should enroll more subjects divided into more specific groups for treatment.