Efficacy of Objective and Subjective Evaluations for Hand Rehabilitation in Patients with Post-Stroke Hemiplegia Using Keyboard Instrument Training

Abstract

　In this study, keyboard instruments were used for hand rehabilitation. Participants were divided into a stroke group and a control group. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) velocity were measured as objective data. Keystrokes accuracy and tempo control were measured as training effects and analyzed by a music therapist as subjective data. Changes in the psychological behavior of the patients were also analyzed. Result of the objective analysis revealed that it was easier to observe changes in finger movement with MIDI velocity than with sEMG. To observe the training effect, the patients were instructed to play ff (very loud) and pp (very quiet) separately. Results of the subjective analysis indicated that the training effect was more observable when the patients played a song with pp. The patients showed improvements in finger movements, although some time had passed since experienced stroke. Training using a keyboard instrument may maintain and improve patients’ motivation for hand rehabilitation.