• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.384-390
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to establish intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of figure-of-8 walk test in people with stroke. Methods : The subjects of this study were 17 patients who were diagnosed with a stroke. Subjects were tested twice by the same raters, with 1 day between tests. Subjects were assessed by two physical therapists. Test-retest reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The concurrent validity was demonstrated by spearman correlation of F8WT with 10m walking test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS), dynamic gait index (DGI) and four square step test (FSST). Results : Intra-rater, inter-rater, test- retest of F8WT time, showed high reliability. Intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest of F8WT steps demonstrated high reliability. Intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest of F8WT total smoothness score showed below moderate reliability. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT, TUG, FSST. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT time with DGI, BBS. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT steps with 10MWT, TUG, FSST. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT steps with DGI. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT test total smoothness score with BBS. Conclusion : The time, and number of steps in F8WT show high inter, intra-rater, test-retest reliability. The F8WT smoothness shows below moderate reliability. The F8WT shows high concurrent validity with other comparable balance, and walking tests. The F8WT is a valid and reliable measure for assessing walking function in patients with a stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2009

Background: This study had been carried out with 20 elderly subjects as its object for about one month from November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 in order to observe the effect of Underwater Treadmill on the elderly's walking and balance ability. Methods: Subjects were assigned either experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10), experimental group received Underwater Treadmill program (30 min per course, 3days a week for 6weeks). Subjects were assessed for muscle power (Nicolas Manual Muscle Test), balance (Functional Reach Test), gait ability (Time Up and Go, 10M walking test) before experiments and after experiments. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1. After underwater treadmill exercise, the change of isometric contraction indicated a beneficial increase on lower extremity muscle power of experimental group and functional test of balance function; FRT, TUG indicated beneficial difference between groups. 2. beneficial difference between groups in walking speed of hourly index change of walking function. 3. between muscle power and balance, gait ability, we could find out there's high correlation ship between lower extremity muscle power increasing and balance and gait ability of the elderly. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using underwater treadmill effects on muscle power strengthening of the elderly, and because of this, increase of lower extremity muscle power is very helpful not only to improvement of balance ability, but also to improvement of gait ability, so it will be used as a physical therapy program on clinic and used as an exercise program for protecting the elderly from falling down very well.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system on the gait and balance of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, who received treadmill gait training in an adjusted position, or the control group, who received regular treadmill gait training. Both groups underwent a 30-minute comprehensive rehabilitation treatment before receiving an additional 20-minute treadmill gait training. This routine was repeated five times a week for four weeks. To measure the difference before and after training in walking and balance, patients were scored on the following: 10 m walking test (10 MWT), 6 minute walking distance (6 MWD), timed up and go test (TUG), and static standing balance test (stability index). RESULTS: While post-training scores of 10 MWT, 6 MWD, TUG, and stability index for both groups increased significantly compared with pre-training (p<.05), the experimental group showed greater improvement than the control group (p<.05). The scores of the experimental group increased significantly by 9% in the 10 MWT, 11% in 6 MWD, 13% in the TUG, 8% in the stability Index (eye opened), and 10% in the stability index (eye closed). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system would be a useful gait training method to improve walking and balance of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.52-61
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of ankle elastic and non-elastic taping on postural balance and gait ability in subject with stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty-seven subjects with stroke participated in this study. The subjects performed to stand quietly for 30s on the balance platform and walking test with three different ankle taping conditions. The sway length, sway area and sway velocity of center of gravity (COG) displacement was measured to assess the postural balance and the timed up and go test, 10m walking test, 6 minutes walking test was measured to assess the gait ability. Repeated measured ANOVA was used to compare the postural balance parameters and gait ability according to three different ankle taping conditions. Results: Postural balance with non-elastic ankle taping was significantly improved compared to no ankle taping and elastic ankle taping condition(p<0.05). On the other hand, gait ability with elastic ankle taping was significantly increased compared to no ankle taping and non-elastic ankle taping condition(p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that an elastic ankle taping could effect to improve the gait ability, whereas a non-elastic ankle taping could effect to improve the postural balance in subject with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2008

Purpose: We determined the effect of global synkinesis(GS) on gait ability, muscle contraction, and central neuron action potentials in post-stroke hemiplegic subjects. Methods: Thirty hemiplegia patients were evaluated for walking ability, muscle contraction, central neuron action potential, and comparing differences between the H-GS(high-global synkinesis) group and L-GS(low-global synkinesis) group. To obtain the GS level, surface electromyography(EMG) data were digitized and processed to root mean square(RMS). Walking ability was tested with a modified motor assessment scale(MMAS), a 10 m walking test, timed up and go(TUG) test, and a Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA). Muscle contraction ability was measured as maximal isometric contraction(MIC) peak, MIC slope, and MIC ramp up using mechanomyography(MMG). Central neuron action potential was measured as the H/Mmax ratio or V/Mmax ratio using EMG. The data were analyzed with t-tests to determine the statistical significance. Results: MMAS(p<0.01), 10 m walking velocity(p<0.01), TUG(p<0.01), FMA-HKA(Hip, Knee, Ankle)(p<0.05), FMA-coordination(p<0.05), MIC peak (p<0.05), MIC slope(p<0.01), and MIC ramp up(p<0.05) were significantly different between H-GS and L-GS, as was the V/Mmax ratio(p<0.05), but H/Mmax was not. Conclusion: Lower GS levels indicated better walking ability and motor function. Therefore, intervention programs should consider GS levels in gait training of chronic hemiplegia.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Background: Many studies regarding task-oriented training have recently demonstrated functional improvement in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The task-oriented approach is very diverse, and chronic stroke patients must have access to a sustained systematic treatment program to enhance their walking ability. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of the task-oriented circuit training and treadmill training on walking function and quality of life in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a task-oriented circuit training group and a treadmill training group with 7 patients in each. Each training regimen was performed for 30 min a day and 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included the Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUGT), 10-m Walk Test, 6-min Walk Test (6MWT), and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). Results: The change in results of the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS measured prior to and following the training regimens appeared to be significantly different between the two groups (p<.05). In addition, after the intervention, significant differences were found for all parameters in the task-oriented circuit training group and for the TUGT, 6MWT, and SIS in the treadmill training group (p<.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that task-related circuit training and treadmill training may be helpful to improve walking function and quality of life of patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Additionally, a task-related circuit training program may achieve more favorable outcomes than a treadmill program.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct an Otago exercise program with total knee replacement patient (TKR) in a clinical setting and ascertain its effects on balance, walking ability and falls efficacy. Methods: The participating subjects were 30 people who had been diagnosed with TKR. They were assigned to two groups (Exp; Otago exercise and general physical therapy, n=15; Con; balance exercise and general physical therapy, n=15), and the exercises were conducted for three sessions per week for four weeks. The main balance outcomes were evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUG), while walking ability was evaluated using the 10m walk test (10MWT), direction change ability was measured using the figure 8 of walk test (F8WT), and the decrease of fear was evaluated using the modified falls efficacy scale (MFES). Results: In the analysis results, the Exp group showed significant increases in TUG, 10MWT, and F8WT within the both groups. There were significant differences in all variables between the Exp group and the Con group at the post-intervention evaluation, but there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the TUG. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that Otago exercise would be useful to improve balance and walking for TKR patients who want to improve their abilities and activities of daily living.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the peak torques of the knee and ankle joint and local stability of the lower extremity's joints, and muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity's muscles between fallers and non-fallers in the elderly women during walking. Method: Four elderly women (age: $74.5{\pm}5.2yrs.$; height: $152.1{\pm}5.6cm$; mass: $55.3{\pm}5.4kg$; preference walking speed: $1.19{\pm}0.06m/s$) who experienced falls within six months since experiment had been conducted (falls group) and thirty-six subjects ($74.2{\pm}3.09yrs.$; height: $153.6{\pm}4.9cm$; mass: $56.7{\pm}6.4kg$; preference walking speed: $1.24{\pm}0.10m/s$) who had no experience in falls (non-falls group) within this periods participated in this study. They were measured torque peaks of the knee and ankle joint using a Human Norm and while they were walking on a treadmill at their natural pace, kinematic variables and EMG signals were collected with using a 3-D motion capture system and a wireless EMG system, respectively. Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) was determined to observe the dynamic local stability of the lower extremity's joints, and muscles activation and their co-contraction index were also analysed from EMG signals. Hypotheses between falls and non-falls group were tested using paired t-test and Mann-Whitey. Level of significance was set at p<.05. Results: Local dynamic stability in the adduction-abduction movement of the knee joint was significantly lower in falling group than non-falling group (p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, muscles which act on the abduction-adduction movement of the knee joint need to be strengthened to prevent from potential falls during walking. However, a small number of samples for fallers make it difficult to generalize the results of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2013

연구목적: 닌텐도 위를 이용한 가상현실기반 비디오게임 프로그램을 만성기 뇌졸중 환자에게 적용하여 균형능력 및 일상생활동작에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보고, 뇌졸중 환자의 재활프로그램으로서 적용 가능성이 있는지 알아보고자 한다. 연구방법: 만성기 뇌졸중 환자를 무작위로 가상현실기반 비디오게임 프로그램을 적용한 실험군(n=7)과 적용하지 않은 대조군(n=10)으로 구분하여 연구를 진행하였다. 연구에 참여한 모든 대상자에게 30분의 Bobath therapy와 15분간의 FES 치료를 기본적으로 실시하였다. 이에 더하여 실험군은 가상현실기반 비디오게임 프로그램을 1일 30분이내, 주 5회, 3주간 실시하였다. 대조군은 자전거 운동과 보행훈련으로 30분간 시행하였다. 실험 전 후 눈뜨고 외발서기(OLST; open leg standing test), Timed Up and Go(TUG) 검사, 10m 걷기 검사, Functional Independence Measure(FIM)를 측정하였다. 실험 전과 실험 후 측정값의 차이를 비교하기 위해 Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test를 실시하였다. 그리고 각 측정값의 변화량에 대한 실험군과 대조군 사이의 차이를 알아보기 위해 Mann-Whitney U Test를 실시하였다. 연구결과: 실험결과는 다음과 같다. 1) 실험군에서는 FIM의 유의한 증가와 TUG, 10m 걷기 검사의 유의한 감소를(p<.05) 보였다. 대조군에서는 OLST의 증가와 TUG, 10m walking test의 감소가 나타났지만 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 오직 FIM에서만 유의한 증가가 나타났다(p<.05). 2) 실험 전 후의 실험군과 대조군의 각 측정값들의 평균차를 비교한 결과 실험군은 대조군보다 실험 전 후 OLST, TUG, 10m walking test 차이의 평균은 컸지만 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 결론: 이상의 결과로부터 가상현실기반 비디오게임이 만성기 뇌졸중 환자의 동적균형능력 및 일상생활동작 향상에 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다.