The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Case report of optic ataxia by visuomotor training of affected upper limb with or without observing the upper limb and its forced use. A study using a computerized Upper Limb Exercise Assisting Machine (C-ULEAM) for visuomotor training and evaluatin.
Language	J
AuthorList
Affiliation	1) Kirishima Rehabilitation Center,Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University 2) Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University 3) Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kagoshima University
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 19 (1), 41-50, 2003
Received	Mar 20, 2002
Accepted	Dec 20, 2002
Abstract	A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of problems with eating and dressing motions. He was diagnosed as having a cerebral infarction with optic ataxia of the left hand and native syndactylia of the right. The lesion widely involved the parietal lobe rear from the central fissure to the occipital lobe of the right cerebral hemisphere on CT image. He had no paralysis, cerebellar ataxia, aphasia, and dementia or gait disturbances at admission. However, he often scooped outside the tray with his spoon during meals. He also had a serious problem with daily living activities, since he could not use his unaffected hand because of its native syndactylia. To determine whether there were significant differences in therapeutic effectiveness between visuomotor training while observing his hand and that without observing his hand, we alternately carried out "8" figure tracking on a paper sheet with a pencil (tracking with direct visual feedback) and "8" figure tracking with hand marker on a monitor, (tracking with indirect visual feedback) for 1 week, The effect was evaluated using the Simple Test for Evaluation Hand Function (STEF) and copy drawing of a cube, and tracking error in the indirect vasomotor task. As he accomplished visuomotor training, regardless of whether it was a direct or indirect visual feedback session, he gradually improved in the copy drawing of a cube, and in the tracking error and STEF. After the visuomotor training session, he could accurately scoop the food from his tray. Repetition of the visuomotor training contributed to improvement of the reaching and operation of his hand. In addition to the visuomotor training, forced use of the affected side limb in daily life, because of his syndactylia, might also have contributed to his improvements of optic ataxia.
Keywords	Optic Ataxia, Visuomotor training, Forced use