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Objective/Background To compare the effects of simple and task-oriented mirror therapies on upper extremity function in stroke patients with hemiplegia. Methods A single-subject, reversal (applied behaviour analysis) research design was used, and the study included four patients and two treatments. Treatment 1 involved simple mirror therapy that was performed using simple upper limb movements. Treatment 2 involved task-oriented mirror therapy that required each patient to perform functional movements associated with the tasks of daily living. Changes in upper extremity function were assessed during 23 sessions using box and block test, cube carry, and card turning tests. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of upper extremity function was also performed. Results The upper extremity function of all patients increased after mirror therapy. However, the improved upper extremity function of the patients undergoing simple mirror therapy was not maintained after the conclusion of the therapy. By contrast, the improved upper extremity function of the patients receiving task-oriented mirror therapy continued to improve, even after therapy cessation. Conclusion Task-oriented mirror therapy in stroke patients provided more effective improvement in the upper extremity function of the hemiplegic stroke victims.

This article examines the process of collaborative information seeking in intercultural computer-mediated communication (CMC) groups. The authors conducted a field experiment in which 86 students from three distant universities (one in the United States, two in Singapore) participated. The students participated in a collaborative learning practice in which they socially recommended information using a CMC system. The results demonstrate that the social context-that is, preexisting social networks, groups, and intergroup boundaries-significantly constrained the flow of information across intercultural CMC groups. The authors also found that the influence of the social context on CMC collaboration could be moderated by other contingent factors such as national culture and individuals' outcome expectancies of Internet use. The authors present the results from testing their hypotheses using multivariate p* and Quadratic Assignment Procedure network regression analyses and conclude with a discussion of the findings and implications for future research.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three-dimensional robot-assisted therapy on upper limb function of patients with stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two post-stroke patients who had no visual or cognitive problems were randomly assigned to two groups: the robot-assisted training group (experimental) and control group. Robot-assisted training and comprehensive rehabilitation therapy were conducted by the experimental group. Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy was performed by the control group. Both groups received training three times per week for six weeks.[Result] Significant improvements were observed in upper limb function after training in the experimental group. Gains were greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Values of grip power, Wolf motor function test, and the box and block test increased as a result of training in the experimental group.[Conclusion] Three-dimensional robot-assisted therapy improved the upper limb function of patients with stroke.

OBJECTIVES: This study performed meta-analysis on the literatures that surveyed cognitive test to forecast unsafe driving by older drivers and identified objective and consistent cognitive test for predicting unsafe driving of older drivers. SELECTION CRITERIA: The study of RCT (Randomized Control Trial) that conducted cognitive test by classifying older drivers into safe-drivers and unsafe-drivers was done and a total of nine studies suitable for the selection criteria were chosen. SEARCH STRATEGY: To meet subject selection, online search was performed by keyword such as "Older", "Driving", "Safe", "Cognition", etc. Qualitative analysis of the study was conducted using Jadad evaluation. Quantitative analysis also conducted statistical heterogeneity, effect size, sensitivity and publication bias every cognitive assessment tool. RESULT: The Jadad evaluation grade of the studies was assessed on papers of a high quality -all study received over 3 points. The result of the effect sizes was that TMT-B, TMT-A, UFOV-subtest 2 and MMSE were statistically significant (P < .05). As a result, TMT-B was "Big effect size", TMT-A and UFOV-subtest 2 were "Medium effect sizes" and MMSE was "Small effect size." CONCLUSION: TMT-A, TMT-B and UFOV-subtest 2 were found to be useful as cognitive test tools to forecast unsafe driving of older drivers.