• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to establish the concurrent validity of the universal goniometer and electronic inclinometer for ankle joint of motion, and to determine the inter-tester and the intra-tester reliability of these two instruments. Methods: Subjects were instructed 25 healthy subjects. Ankle range of motion was measured on two separate occasions 2 or 3 days by two physical therapists. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was by using an universal goniometer and an electronic inclinometer. Results: The Pearson product-moment correlation between the two instruments was 0.78~0.80. The ICCs for inter-tester reliability ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 for universal goniometer and ranged from 0.81 to 0.88 for electric inclinometer. The ICCs for intra-tester reliability showed a wide variation(ICC=0.61 to 0.86). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the two instruments are reliable instruments for measuring ankle joint range of motion. The results also indicate that the two instruments can be used interchangeably for measuring ankle motions.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1243-1248
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• 2011

The purposes of this study were to develop a dynamic model of a human and to investigate the effect of a walker on an elderly subject's motions, such as sit-to-stand (STS) motion and normal gait, by using this model. A human model consisting of 15 segments and 14 joints was developed, embedded in $RecurDyn^{TM}$, and connected through a Simulink$^{(R)}$ interface with collected motion data. The model was validated by comparisons between joint kinematic results from inverse dynamics (Matlab$^{(R)}$-based in-house program) and from $RecurDyn^{TM}$ simulation during walking. The results indicate that the elderly walker induced a longer movement time in walking, such that the speed of joint flexion/extension was slower than that during a normal gait. The results showed that the muscle activities of parts of the ankle and hamstring were altered by use of the elderly walker. The technique used in this study could be very helpful in applications to biomechanical fields.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of whole body vibration stimulation on ankle instability, ankle range of motion, and balance ability in adult with chronic ankle instability. METHODS: Forty-five adult with chronic ankle instability were randomly equally allocated the I group (whole body vibration stimulated at 10 Hz), or the II group (20 Hz), or the III group (25 Hz). All the participants (male:13/female: 32, age: $26.64{\pm}3.14$) in this study received whole body vibration therapy for an additional 15 minutes after hot pack and ultrasound three times a week for four weeks. Outcome were measured before and after 4 weeks training. RESULTS: All the three groups showed significant differences in AII and CAIT after intervention (p<.05). I group showed the most significant difference (p<.05). All the three groups also showed significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion after training (p<.05). I group showed greater increase than the other groups in ankle dorsiflexion (p<.05). The X-axis, Y-axis, and fluctuation speed were significantly decreased in the three groups (p<.05), but there was no significant difference between the three groups after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the whole body vibration stimulation according to various frequencies is effective for improve ankle instability, ankle range of motion and balance ability in adult with chronic ankle instability. 10 Hz whole body vibration stimulation could help improve ankle instability and ankle range more effectively than other frequencies.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of IASTM and static stretching techniques on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), static foot pressure. Methods: Twenty four subjects with gastrocnemius shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM) group received intervention using a IASTM instrument for two minutes, and the stactic stretching group performed self stretching for 30 seconds, four times. The ROM of the ankle joint was measured by active ankle dorsi-flexion test, and a TPScan was utilized to collect the plantar foot pressure. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the ankle joint and was significantly increased in both groups. 2) Plantar foot pressure was no significant in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the IASTM group and static stretching group for any variable. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that static stretching is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length in subjects with gastrocnemius shortness. We recommend that static stretching technique be used for treat gastrocnemius shortness in clinical setting and home program.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of the peak plantar pressure distribution under the foot areas and the range of motion (ROM) of ankle joint according to gradients in treadmill gait. Method : Thirty normal subjects (15 male and 15 female) walked on treadmill at three gradient conditions ($0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $15^{\circ}$) in normal speed. The ankle ROM was measured using the CMS70P that is three dimensional analyzer for excursion of ankle ROM, plantar flexion, and dorsi flexion. The peak plantar pressure distribution under the hallux, 1st metatarsal head (MTH) and heel was measured using the F -Scan system with an in-shoe sensor. Data was collected from 9 steps of left sife foot in at each gradient condition while all subjects walked. Result : As the treadmill gradient increased, the excursion of ankle joint was significantly increased (p<.05). Also, plantar flexion and dorsi flexion was significantly increased according to treadmill gradients (p<.05). The peak plantar pressure under the 1st MTH was significantly increased (p<.05) and the peak plantar pressure under the heel was significantly decreased (p<.05) as the treadmill gradient increased. No significant different in the peak plantar pressure under the hallux was observed. Conclusion : This study suggests that physical therapy for patients who have limited ankle ROM should be considered sufficient range of motion for functional ambulation. And individuals that have painful forefoot syndromes, including metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and plantar ulceration should be careful in walking to uphill, as there is high plantar pressure under the forefoot.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2024

Background: Ankle sprains are a common clinical ankle disorder and alternations in tibiofibular joint biomechanics along with the talus are thought to contribute to its occurrence. During ankle joint dorsi flexion, proper movement requires the talus to glide posteriorly. Due to the wider front of the talus head, achieving the end range of dorsi flexion necessitates both superior and posterior glide of the distal fibula and anterior glide of the proximal fibula. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of tibiofibular joint mobilization on pain, range of motion, and balance in patients with lateral ankle sprains. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n=33) or an experimental group (n=31). Both groups underwent ankle joint mobilization three times a week for two weeks. Additionally, the experimental group received proximal and distal tibiofibular joint mobilization three times a week for two weeks. Measurements were obtained pre-intervention and post-intervention (after 2 weeks). Results: Evaluation parameters included the visual analog scale score (VAS), range of motion (ROM), and one-leg standing test (OLS). Post-intervention, both groups demonstrated significantly improved results for all assessments (p<.01). A significant intergroup difference was observed only in the ROM (p<.01) and OLS (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that tibiofibular joint mobilization, combined with ankle joint mobilization, may be beneficial in enhancing outcomes for individuals with lateral ankle sprains.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2017

Background: To evaluate the effect of Kinesio taping applied on the ankle instability, joint range of motion and balance. Methods: The participants included in this study were male and female, 20~30 ages, who experiencing an ankle sprain or had chronic pain, did not exercise during the intervention, and did not experience severe exercise at least 3 weeks before. A total of twenty-four participants were divided into two groups: Kinesio taping applied group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The experiment was conducted for a three days. Measurements were taken for ankle joint range of motion using goniometer, and measurements were taken for balance using good balance system. Pre-test measurements were conducted on before Kinesio taping apply, and 24 hours after, 48 hours after, 72 hours after measurements were conducted. Statistical analysis was done using a independent samples t-test and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: There were significant differences to the duration of intervention in ankle joint range of motion and balance within the both group. However, there was a significant differences Kinesio taping group when comparing the groups. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, applying Kinesio taping to ankle instability is more effective on ankle joint range of motion and to recover balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.43-52
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• 2001

This study was designed to determine the effect of ankle taping and short period of walking on the treadmill on the range of motion (ROM) and proprioception at the ankle joint. Twenty healthy male subjects (mean age=24.2 yr) participated in this study. Goniometry and videotape replaying method were used to measure the ankle ROM. Passive sagittal and frontal plane motions were measured. The difference in degree between the stimulus point and the reproduced point was defined as an angular error. The measurements were performed at four different phases: pre-taping (PRT), post-taping immediately (POT), post-5 minute walking with taping (P5M), and post-10 minute walking with taping (P10M). The ankle of dominant limb was taped by a certified athletic trainer using a closed basket weave technique. Participants walked on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. The results showed that the mean of the sagittal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 53.0, 30.5, 36.2, and 40.2 degrees, respectively. The frontal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 33.6, 13.9, 15.7, and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The angular error at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 5.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 1.9 degrees, respectively. After 10 minutes of walking, the sagittal plane motion and frontal plane motion was increased by 9.7 and 4.7 degrees compared with POT, respectively. The proprioception was significantly improved after the application of ankle taping. Both the restriction of frontal plane motion and proprioception improvement at the ankle joint may contribute to ankle stability during walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of therapeutic exercise on pain, range of motion and strength, and balance ability in a patient with an anterior ankle impingement (AAI). METHODS: A-32-year-old male presented limited ankle motion and pain with forced dorsiflexion at both ankle joints. In response, a therapeutic exercise program consisted of ankle joint mobilization, strength exercises using an elastic band, and proprioceptive exercises including semi-squats and a one-legged standing exercise with open and closed eyes. The program was performed for 40 min/day, twice per week, for 8 weeks. Pain, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength (ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion), as well as a one-legged standing test of both ankles, were measured before and after 4 and 8 weeks of therapeutic exercise. RESULTS: VAS decreased in both ankles after 8 weeks of exercise, respectively, compared to baseline levels. Range of motion and strength increased in both ankles for dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion after 8 weeks of exercise compared to baseline levels. In addition, the ability to perform a one-legged standing test with eyes opened and closed improved in both legs after 8 week of exercise compared to baseline levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that therapeutic exercise improves pain, ROM, muscle strength, and balancing ability in patients with AAI.