Grip, Key Pinch, and Three Point Pinch Strength Measurement Using BTE Work Simulator

Recently, increased emphasis has been placed on the need for rehabilitation professionals to objectively evaluate a patient's potential for and progress toward a return to normal function. But as medical recovery nears completion, additional questions are commonly asked by physicians regarding work function and ability to return to full active employment. In the past, therapists have attempted to reestablish the work situation using real tools, but these machines were expensive, have space limitations and in some cases, potentially dangerous as well. A Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment(BTE) Work Simulator overcomes these shortcomings. It can be used for isometric and isotonic evaluation and treatment and assisted in providing the information needed to make determinations regarding progress in therapy, return-to-work status and job modifications. We are going to obtain normative isometric, dynamic and endurance of grip strength, key pinch strength and three point pinch strength data using BTE Work Simulator model WS20. We also compare these data between ages and sexs. This study will be helpful in clinical applications of the BTE Work Simulator and providing the more specific job related occupational therapy and developing special vocational rehabilitation program.

A Study of Standards and Norms Used for Electrodiagnosis in Korea

In clinical settings, electrodiagnosis is used for the differential diagnosis of neuropathy and myopathy, as well as detremining severity and localization of lesions in the neuromuscular system. By many authors, various methods of the study and factors influencing the results were verified so far. However, the results vary according to methods or influencing factors during electrodiagnostic studies. Since there has been no standardization in methods of the study and study environment, we sometimes feel difficulties in interpretation of study results and in exchage of findings of study among laboratories. In this study, we have collected standards and norms used by different electrodiagnostic laboratories in Korea, hoping that we can come up with one nationwide standards and norms in Korea.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Associated with Cervicomedullary Tumor: A case report

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP) is a diffuse bacterial infection of peritoneum without an apparent intra-abdominal source of infection. Initially, it was believed to be associated with an alcholic liver cirrhosis, however, its clinical spectrum has been broadened and now it is thought to be a variant syndrome rather than an unique complication of liver cirrhosis. A 25 year old quadriparetic man with a low-grade astrocytoma of cervicomedullary junction underwent a partial resection of tumor and a course of radiation therapy. While recieving rehabilitation therapy, the patient developed sudden abdominal pain, constipation and fever. The laboratory findings including CBC, plain abdominal X-rays, gastroduodenal endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography were not specific. Physical examination revealed rebound tenderness over the epigastric region and signs suggesting paralytic ileus. A diagnostic peritoneal lavage was performed and its result was compatible with SBP even though no specific orgnisms were identified. The patient was taken parenteral antibiotics. On the 13th day of treatment, his symptoms and physical signs were subsided and antibiotics were discontinued. The patient remained symptom free until rehabilitation therapies were completed.