振動刺激が感覚性運動失調を呈した上肢機能に与える影響—シングルケースデザインによる検討

The influence of vibration stimulation on upper limb function with sensory ataxia: A single case design

要旨：脳卒中後に感覚性運動失調と軽度の上肢麻痺を呈した60代男性の症例に対する，振動刺激の効果についてシングルケースデザイン（ABAデザイン）を用いて検証した．症例はA期に課題指向型アプローチのみを受けた．一方，B期には振動刺激後に課題指向型アプローチを受けた．結果，B期の方が，A期に比べBox and Block Test，母指探し検査の改善を認めた．結論としては，本症例において，振動刺激が上肢機能と固有感覚を改善する可能性があった．しかし，本研究は症例報告であり，十分な効果を証明できていない．今後は症例数を増やして検証する必要がある．

　We examined the effect of vibration stimulation using single case (ABA) design on a male in sixties with right sensory ataxia and mild hemiparesis after stroke. In phase A, the patient received only a task-oriented approach for one week, while in phase B, the patient received vibration stimulation followed by task-oriented training for one week. As a result, the phase B approach resulted in improved Box and Block test scores, as well as higher test scores in the thumb searing test than those of phase A. In conclusion, although this study was based on only a single case, vibration stimulation may result in improved upper limb function and intrinsic sensation. Further studies with more subjects should be performed in order to confirm the present results.