The Effect of Self-directed Exercise Using a Task Board on Pain and Function in the Upper Extremities of Stroke Patients

[Purpose] We evaluated the effect of self-directed exercise using a task board onfunction and pain in the upper extremities of stroke patients [Subjects and Methods] Weused the one group pre-post test design. Seven stroke patients who were selected based onthe inclusion criteria participated in the program once a week for 10 weeks. Theself-directed exercise comprised 5 stages that were divided according to the level ofdifficulty. The exercise was performed for 60 minutes using a special task board that wedesigned. The FMA (Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment), VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), and speed ofstacking were assessed to evaluate the amount of use of the affected arm at before andafter intervention. [Results] The scores of the VAS and FMA, but not that of the speed ofstacking cups, were improved. There was no significant correlation between the changes inVAS, FMA, and the speed of stacking cups. [Conclusion] The findings suggest thatself-directed exercise with the task board could improve the levels of function and painin the upper extremities. We suggest that self-directed exercise can be utilized as aclinical rehabilitation program and improve therapeutic effects.Key words: Self-directed exercise, VAS, FMA