The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is an assessment tool for measuring mobility in stroke patients. In stroke patients, the turning direction of the affected and unaffected sides may influence turning time. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the turning direction according to the affected and unaffected sides of stroke patients during their Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and to define clinically salient outcomes during TUG tests performed in the clinic. Observational design. Department of Physical Therapy in a rehabilitation center. One hundred thirteen hemiparetic stroke patients. Stroke patients were asked to perform the TUG test by turning toward their affected and unaffected sides. Patients were divided according to gait speed, with their gait speed from the 10mWT being used. Those with a gait speed <48 m/min were assigned to the severe ambulatory dysfunction (SAD) group, whereas those with a gait speed ≥48 m/min were assigned to the moderate ambulatory dysfunction (MAD) group. The TUG test results showed a longer turning time when turning with the unaffected side as the turning axis (17.10±5.69 s) than with the affected side as the turning axis (17.52±5.90 s). When the patients were divided into the MAD and SAD groups based on the 10mWT results, patients in the SAD group exhibited slightly longer times (0.55±1.11 s) than those in the MAD group (0.29±1.03 s); however, this difference was not significant. The present study found that stroke patients showed differences in the TUG test results based on their turning direction, and less time was required when turning in the direction of the affected side than when turning in the direction of the unaffected side. Turning direction can affect the results of the TUG test; it should be controlled in the execution of the TUG test in clinical settings.

Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of mirror training; however, only a few studies in Eastern countries have investigated fine-motor exercises using chopsticks, which have numerous advantages. We aimed to compare changes in coordination and dexterity of the non-dominant hand in healthy adults after conducting fine-motor training with the dominant hand using a mirror. We divided 100 healthy adults (age: 20–40 years) into experimental and control groups (each n = 50). The experimental group placed the non-dominant hand in a mirror box and indirectly imitated the fine-motor exercises conducted with the dominant hand using chopsticks. The control group performed the task with the non-dominant hand using chopsticks. We conducted the Chopsticks Manipulation Test and the Purdue Pegboard Test to assess the pre- and post-intervention coordination and dexterity of the non-dominant hand. Both groups showed a significant post-intervention improvement in coordination and dexterity (p < 0.01). There was no significant between-group difference in the functional improvement of coordination and dexterity (p > 0.05). Fine-motor training using mirrors and chopsticks significantly improved coordination and dexterity of the non-dominant hand. This training could be used to improve activity in brain regions associated with the non-dominant hand in healthy adults.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of bodyweight support and therapist supervision on gait parameters and vital signs during overground gait training in stroke patients. Patients and methods: Between August 2023 and September 2023, a total of 18 stroke patients (10 males, 8 females; mean age: 61.2±12.0 years; range, 32 to 81 years) with hemiparesis were included in this factorial-design study. The patients underwent three different walking conditions: supervised bodyweight support (SBS), unsupervised bodyweight support (UBS), and supervised training without bodyweight support (SWBS). Gait parameters, including velocity, cadence, gait distance, gait cycle, stride length, step length, and single limb support, as well as vital signs (pulse rate and SpO2), were measured and compared using the 4-m walking test (4MWT) and 2-min walking test (2MWT). Results: Twelve patients had an ischemic stroke, while six had a hemorrhagic stroke. The mean onset period was 9.61±5.96 months. Eight patients had right-sided paralysis, and 10 patients had left-sided paralysis. There were no significant differences in gait parameters or vital signs during the 4MWT and 2MWT among the SBS, UBS, and SWBS groups (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion: Gait training using therapist supervised walking and bodyweight support may both be beneficial for stroke patients. However, incorporating both conditions into an intervention may not be efficient in terms of cost, space, and personnel utilization.