• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.232-240
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• 2010

This study is to look into the effectiveness of fall-preventive occupational therapy of elderly by clarifying the influence of occupational therapy applied to female elderly in the community upon balance ability. A 6-week occupational therapy program including both training and exercise for prevention of fall down was applied by dividing into 13 persons of experimental group and 13 persons of control group for female elderly aged more than 65 years who were capable of independence gait and have not taken any drug to adversely affect balance. For balance ability assessment, the Berg balance scale and the Tetrax fall index were used. The Berg balance scale in experimental group was shown to be 48.38 to 50.69 through the 6-week program, indicating changes in significance level(p=.017). The Tetrax fall index in experimental group was shown to be 46.77 to 35.54 through the 6-week program(p=.000). Changes in significance level were not found for both the Berg balance scale and the Tetrax fall index in control group. As seen from the results of this study, it is found that 6-week application of the fall-preventive occupational therapy program including fall prevention training and exercise was effective for promotion of elderly's balance ability, and further studies just on the effect of fall prevention training are required to be made.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.398-404
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a non-elastic fixation belt on the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women. Elderly women experience reduced balance ability and an increased risk of falls due to a weakening of the surrounding sacroiliac joint and pelvic muscles during childbirth and menopause. On the other hand, specific studies are still needed. The subjects were allocated randomly to two groups: control (n=20) and experimental (n=20). The experimental group used a non-elastic fixation belt, whereas the control group had no fixation belt. The balance ability and the fall index were measured in all subjects using a balance measurement device, and the low abdominal muscle thickness was determined in the experimental group using ultrasound imaging for the exact application of the non-elastic fixation belt. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, $2{\times}2$ analysis of variance with repeated measures for the balance and fall index score, and a paired t-test for the abdominal muscle thickness. The group ${\times}$ time interaction effect showed significant improvement in the General Stability Index (F1,38=47.24, p=0.001), Fourier Harmony Index (F1,38=88.83, p=0.001), Weight Distribution Index (F1,38=50.21, p=0.001), and Fall Index (F1,38=21.59, p=0.001). The thicknesses of the transverse abdominal (p=0.001) and internal oblique (p=0.001) muscles were increased significantly in the experimental group after using the non-elastic fixation belt. Overall, the application of a non-elastic fixation belt could be effective in improving the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.239-246
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effect of induced ametropia on static posture for body balance. Methods: Twenty subjects (10 males, 10 females) of average age $23.4{pm}2.70$ years were participated and ametropia(binocular myopia; BM, simple myopic anisometropia; SMA, binocular hyperopia; BH, and simple hyperopic anisometropia; SHA) were induced with ${pm}0.50D$, ${\pm}1.00D$, ${\pm}1.50D$, ${\pm}2.00D$, ${\pm}3.00D$, ${\pm}4.00D$, ${\pm}5.00D$, respectively. General stability (ST), weight distribution index (WDI), and fall risk index (FI) were measured using TETRAX the biofeedback systems. Each index of the body balance was evaluated for 32 seconds in each ametropic condition and those value was compared with the value in fully corrected condition. Results: The ST showed significant increase from +0.50 D under condition of BM, from +1.00 D under condition of SMA, from -1.00 D under condition of BH, and from -1.50 D under condition of SHA compared with under condition of fully corrected condition, respectively. The FI showed significant increases from +4.00 D under condition of BM, from -1.00 D under condition of BH, and from -1.50 D under condition of SHA. The WDI show no change in all ametropia condition. Conclusions: Whatever ametropia is, uncorrected refractive error could reduce the general stability of body balance and increase the falling risk.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the local stability of the lower extremity joints and muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity during walking between falling and non-falling group in the elderly women. Method: Forty women, heel strikers, were recruited for this study. Twenty subjects (age:72.55±5.42yrs; height:154.40±4.26cm; mass:57.40±6.21kg; preference walking speed:0.52±0.17m/s; fall frequency=1.70±1.26 times) had a history falls(fall group) within two years and Twenty subjects (71.90±2..90yrs; height:155.28±4.73cm; mass:56.70±5.241kg; preference walking speed: 0.56±0.13m/s) had no history falls(non-fall group). While they were walking on a instrumented treadmill at their preference speed for a long while, kinematic and EMG signals were obtained using 3-D motion capture and wireless EMG electrodes, respectively. Local stability of the ankle and knee joint were calculated using Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) and muscles activation and their co-contraction index were also quantified. Hypotheses were tested using one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitey. Spearman rank was also used to determine the correlation coefficients between variables. Level of significance was set at p<.05. Results: Local stability in the knee joint adduction-abduction was significantly greater in fall group than non-fall group(p<.05). Activation of anterior tibials that acts on the foot segment dorsal flexion was greater in non-fall group than fall group(p<.05). CI between gastrocnemius and anterior tibials was found to be significantly different between two groups(p<.05). In addition, there was significant correlation between CI of the leg and LyE of the ankle joint flexion-extention in the fall group(p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, muscles that act on the knee joint abduction-adduction as well as gastrocnemius and anterior tibials that act on the ankle joint flexion-extention need to be strengthened to prevent from potential fall during walking.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2017

Both cardiovascular diseases caused by decreased body composition and arterial compliance and falling induced by loss of muscle mass are frequent occurrences in the elderly. Therefore, elderly people are advised to perform elastic band resistance exercises to improve their body composition and arterial compliance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 12 weeks of elastic band resistance training on the body composition, arterial compliance and falling index in elderly females (> 65 years). The elastic band resistance exercise program was administered 3 times per week for 60 minutes each time for 12 weeks. In addition, the exercise intensity was set to 11-14 on the Borg scale (6-20). Before and after the training period, the body composition (body weight (BW), muscle mass, % body fat, body mass index (BMI)), arterial compliance (ankle brachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV)) and risk of falling index were determined. (After the program?), the BW (p=.003), BMI (p=.002), PWV (p=.017) and risk of falling (p=.037) in the exercise group were significantly reduced, whereas the BW (p=.009) and BMI (p=.009) in the control group were significantly increased. In conclusion, the body weight, BMI and arterial compliance of elderly females were positively changed by the elastic band resistance training. Thus, the elastic band resistance exercise may be useful for elderly people to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases and to reduce their risk of falling.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.5518-5524
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of balance ability on aging by measuring balance ability of elderly females whose age is over 65. The subjects are ten elderly women (the mean age: 71.9) able to walk without assistants, the assistant equipments and drug dependence and ten young healthy women (the mean age: 23.2). We measured stability index (ST), Fourier index (F), weight distribution (WD), weight distribution index (WDI), synchronization index (SI) and fall index (FI) by using Tetrax (Tetra-ataxiometric Posturography). In result, STs and Fs at the low frequency region (F1) represented the significant difference between two groups at all postures with PO (pillow with eye open) exception (p<.01). Fs at the other frequency regions (F2~F8) represented the significant difference between two groups (p<.05). WDI of the elderly women represented the higher values than the young women at all postures but there are the significant difference at PO and PC (pillow with eye closed) only. These results may be due to age-related ability decline of somatesthesia, vestibular organ, central nervous system.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.274-282
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• 2012

This study conducted the following experiment to examine change of physicopsychological function on lumbar stabilization exercise(LSE) and virtual reality game training(Nintendo Wii Sport-NWS) to stroke patients subject for fall prevention. Psychological function was measured by falls efficacy with stroke patients and physical function was measured by static and dynamic balance on comparative analysis of pre, post exercise and each groups in 30 stroke patient subject. Static balance was measured by BBS, FRT, dynamic were measured by TUG, 10m walking test and falls efficacy with stroke patients was measured index of falls efficacy. These result lead us to the conclusion that each group were statistically improved at all physicopsychological test, but BBS, FRT, 10m walking test were more statistically improved at LSE group and falls efficacy with stroke patients were more improved at virtual reality game training group. Consequently, virtual reality game training would be lead to positive increment of physicopsychological function on stroke patient.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.389-394
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined exercise program on fall-related physical fitness and pain response in elderly people. Fall-related physical fitness consisted of the 7 performance test items by Senior Fitness Test Manual. Pain response was measured by visual analog scale (VAS sore: 0=no pain, 10=extremely unsatisfactory). The combined exercise program was performed for about one hour per day, 4 times a week over a period of 10 weeks. As the result of this study, flexibility, agility, and right balance were significantly increased. The various characteristics of pain were considerably improved on pain symptom, leg pain when walking, pain symptom when sitting, and pain symptom in daily living. In conclusion, there has been a substantial improvement in 10 weeks by combined exercise program.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.354-365
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• 2013

The purpose of the study was to develop the home fall prevention checklist for community-dwelling older adults. And the validity and reliability of the checklist were tested. The preliminary questions were developed through content validity by twenty experts using the CVI(Content Validity Index). Following the establishment of content validity, 52 items of the checklist were developed. Responses of 299 community-dwelling older adults were analyzed to further establish both reliability and validity of the checklist. Reliability using cohen's kappa coefficient and test-retest reliability(rate of concordance(%)), and construct validity using known-group comparison technique were tested. 51 items were over 0.80 in the cohen's kappa coefficient of the checklist, 45 items were over 80.0% in test-retest reliability. Construct validity was established by known-group comparison(t=3.50, p=.001). Validity and reliability of the checklist were confirmed. This checklist will help further studies to develop more safe environment to prevent falls.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.194-203
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• 2011

This study investigated the effectiveness of visual biofeedback simulation training for patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. Fifteen people with an ASIA impairment scale of C and D, according to the intervention method, were studied. They were randomly divided into two groups, seven people in the experimental group and eight people in the control group. They were studied three times a week for six weeks using a Tetrax Interactive Balance System, for a total of eighteen times, and each test took fifteen minutes. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate the changes before and after intervention. The difference between the groups was compared using an independent t-test. The experimental group showed significantly increased general stability, fall risk index, weight distribution (A, C, D, LEFT, HEEL) and weight distribution index, except for synchronization AC, BD. However, the control group only showed significantly increased weight distribution (A, C, LEFT). In a variation, experimental and control groups showed significantly increased weight distribution (A, B, C, HEEL), general stability, fall risk index and synchronization AD. Consequently, it was found that visual biofeedback simulation training was effective for the balance ability of incomplete spinal cord injury patients, and further studies are required.