| Summary: | 碩士 === 中山醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 96 === Purposes: Poor recovery of arm function after stroke can often have a negative impact on the patients and their families. These patients often need assistance from the society and may need to rely on government resources. Numerous therapeutic treatments are currently available for stroke rehabilitation. Traditional rehabilitation
strategies（Bobath, Brunnstrom, proprioception neuromuscular facilitation, and motor relearning）have been used for many years. However, few of these interventions have been tested in clinical trials and are thus practiced on an empirical basis. Various evidence-based therapies（electric stimulation, electromyographic biofeedback, constraint-induced movement therapy, robotic aided system, and virtual reality）have been added to classic rehabilitation approaches and seem to improve function. Recently, Chen et al. investigated used the thermal stimulation facilitated upper-limb functional recovery after acute stroke have significational benefit. They used hot pack and cold pack for thermal stimulation, however, their temperatures were changed with time and not easy control. We used whirlpools control the temperature to investigate whether the CVA patients using the thermal stimulation intervention still continue improved the upper extremity motor and sensory function recovery after onset 6 months.
Method: Patients（n=29）were randomly assigned into 2 groups and received regular traditional rehabilitation program. Thermal stimulation on the upper limb of affected side was added to experimental group 5 times per week for 8 weeks. Motor（Action Research Arm Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, muscle strengthen）and sensory（Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments）assessments were evaluated before and after experiment.
Results: The performance of sensation was improved significantly（P<0.05） after thermal stimulation intervention 8 weeks. But the others（motor functional ability, muscle strength, muscle tone）were similar in both group.
Conclusion: Thermal stimulation on the paretic hand significantly improved sensory function in chronic stroke patients.
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