• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.281-286
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations among the resting physical factors related to a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and to determine the effects of the resting physical factors on the distance and intensity related to the 6MWT in healthy female subjects. Methods: A total of 43 healthy female subjects ($22.84{\pm}3.90yrs$) participated in this study. They performed the 6MWT, and the physical factors related to the 6MWT were assessed. SPSS 20.0 was used to analyze the data, and the mean and standard deviation were calculated, and the collected data were analyzed by the Pearson's correlation coefficient (among physical factors related to 6MWT) and independent t-test (between six-minute walk distance [6MWD] groups and six-minute walk intensity [6MWI] groups). Results: The 6MWD had a significant negative correlation with the resting HR (beat/min) in healthy female subjects (r=-0.49, p<0.05). The 6MWI had a significant negative correlation with the resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r=-0.45, p<0.01). A comparison of the 6MWD revealed the long distance group (LDG, 700-799 m) to be significantly higher than the middle distance group (MDG, 600-699 m) in the 6MWI (%), %predicted distance (%), predicted VO2max (mL/kg/min), resting HR (beat/min), and resting SBP (mmHg)(p<0.05). In the comparison of 6MWI, the moderate intensity group (MIG, 64-75%HRmax) was significantly lower than the low intensity group (LIG, 50-63%HRmax) in the resting SBP (mmHg) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the resting physical factors are related to the 6MWD and 6MWI of the 6MWT in healthy females. In particular, SBP is associated with not only the 6MWD but also the 6MWI in 6MWT.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of providing visual feedback and auditory stimulation using a robotic device on balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Methods: Fifteen subjects were randomly divided into three groups where five subjects were in the visual feedback robotic device assist gait training (VRGT) group, five subjects in the auditory stimulation robotic device assist gait training (ARGT) group, and five subjects in the control group. Subjects received visual feedback and auditory stimulation while undergoing robotic gait training for 45 minutes, three times a week for 2 weeks, and all subjects had undergone general physical therapy for 30 minutes, five times a week for 2 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG) test, and 10-meter walking test (10MWT) pre- and post-intervention. Results: All subjects showed that BBS, TUG test, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved post-treatment (p<0.05). The VRGT and the ARGT showed significant improvements in BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VRGT group showed a significant improvement in BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that VRGT had significantly improved in BBS, TUG test, and 10MWT scores compared with the auditory stimulation and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed improved balance and gait abilities after VRGT and ARGT groups compared with general physical therapy and was found to be effective in enhancing the functional activity of persons affected with stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of walking and turning plus treadmill training on the functional balance and walking ability of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Twenty-four participants with Stage 1 to 3 ($2.13{\pm}0.64$) PD based on the Hoehn and Yahr scale were randomly allocated to the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), with 12 participants in each group. The measured outcomes included the motor subscale of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS-M), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: Pre-to-post intervention improvements were noted for all the outcome measures for both groups (p < 0.05). Post intervention, there was a significant improvement in the EG compared to the CG for the following measured outcomes (p < 0.05): UPDRS-M (p = 0.021; 95% CI, 0.081-6.519), BBS (p = 0.042; 95% CI, 1.375-4.541), TUG (p = 0.034; 95% CI, -3.315--0.143), 10MWT (p = 0.011; 95% CI, -2.032--0.289), and 6MWT (p = 0.002; 95% CI, 24.39-91.273). Conclusion: Our study suggests that walking and turning plus treadmill training improves balance and walking compared to treadmill training only in patients with PD.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2013

Purpose : The aim of study was to assess the effect of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training for patients with spinal cord injury. Methods : Forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second(FEV1), peak expiratory flow(PEF) and FEV1/FVC ratio(FER) were measured with a spirometer for on subject of T12 spinal cord injury. 10 meter walking test(10MWT), timed up & go test(TUG) and 6-Minute walking test(6MWT) were the measured. Intervention consisted of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training five times a week for 12 weeks. Results : The date of 10MWT, TUG, 6MWT were improved. Furthermore, the date of PEF, FEV1, FVC, FER showed a improvement. Conclusion : Backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training may be a better and more effective method for gait performance and respiratory on incomplete spinal cord injury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.50-54
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• 2017

Purpose: This investigation aimed to determine the effects of treadmill training (TT) and high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on pulmonary function and walking ability in stroke patients as well as propose an exercise program to improve cardiovascular function. Methods: Twenty hemiplegic stroke patients were randomized to either the control group (CG) (n=10) or the experimental group (EG), which received TT and HFCWO (n=10). Pulmonary function was quantitated using patient forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) while walking speed was assessed by the 10m walking test (10MWT). Further, walking endurance was determined utilizing the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Subjects of the EG performed the study protocol for 60 minutes, five times a week for six weeks; CG patients did not participate in regular exercise. To determine significance for the differences observed before and after exercise, within-group and between-group comparisons were conducted utilizing paired and independent t-tests, respectively, with the level of significance set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Within-groups, significant differences were observed in both FVC and FEV1 (p<0.01) following completion of the study protocol. Further, between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences in both FVC (p<0.05) and FEV1 (p<0.01). Post-exercise, significant changes in the 10MWT and 6MWT score were observed between the EG and CG (p<0.01). Further, statistically significant differences were observed in 6MWT scores between-groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The TT and HFCWO effectively improved pulmonary function and walking ability in subjects with stroke. The proposed program can be applied to stroke patients as a useful therapy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was both to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower leg taping and treadmill training on the gait and balance abilities of patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke and to provide a taping method based on the PNF concept. Methods: Twenty patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke were randomly and equally assigned to a control group (n=10), which received treadmill training, and to an experimental group (n=10), which received PNF lower leg taping and treadmill training. The intervention was conducted five times per week for six weeks. In order to measure changes in the gait ability of the subjects, a 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and a 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were conducted, and in order to measure changes in the subjects' balance ability, a timed up and go test (TUG) was performed. In order to compare differences within each group before and after the intervention, a paired-t test was carried out, and in order to compare differences between the two groups, the analysis of covariance was utilized. All statistical significance levels were set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: There were significant differences before and after the intervention within both groups in changes of 10MWT, 6MWT, and TUG (p<0.01). Regarding differences between the two groups, the experimental group underwent more effective changes than the control group in 6MWT and TUG (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied PNF lower leg taping and treadmill training to patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke, and this resulted in improvement in the subjects' gait and balance abilities. Taping and treadmill training based on the PNF concept is considered to be usefully applied as one of the programs to improve hemiplegic patients' gait and balance abilities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to determine effects of a task-oriented circuit training(TOCT) for lower limb on walking ability after stroke. Methods : Twenty one chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly divided into either TOCT group or control group(11 experimental, 10 control). All of participants were in-patients at local rehabilitation centre and had been receiving a traditional rehabilitation program, five days a week. TOCT group have additionally undergone for four weeks, three days a week, the TOCT program but control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The 10 m walking test (10MWT), the 2 min walking test (2MWT), the step test (ST) and the figure-8 walking test (F8WT) to measure a walking ability were carried out twice before and after training. Results : After participation in the program, subjects of TOCT demonstrated a significant improvement in the scores of the 10MWT, 2MWT, the ST, the F8WT. The control group had no change on the any tests. After the training, the results to improve significantly in TOCT group compared to post-test of control group were the time of 10MWT and the time and the step of curved walking of F8WT. Conclusion : The present study suggests that the TOCT program may become a useful strategy for enhancing walking ability in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.8-17
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of hip joint mobilization (HJM) on walking ability, balance ability, and the joint range of motion in stroke patients to minimize the problems of the musculoskeletal system in patients with central nervous system diseases. All volunteers were randomly assigned to the HJM group ($n_1=14$) and the general neurodevelopment therapy (NDT) group ($n_2=16$). The HJM procedure involved applying Maitland mobilization techniques (distraction, lateral gliding, inferior gliding, and anterior gliding) by grade 3 to both hip joint. The mobilization process included mobilization and NDT for 15 min/day, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The outcome measures were evaluated, including the hip joint passive range of motion (ROM) test and femur head anterior glide test (FHAG) using prone figure four test, dynamic and static balance abilities [timed up and go (TUG) test and center of pressure (COP) analysis], and walking ability [10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-min walking test (6MWT)]. Both the groups showed significant post-training differences in the hip joint ROM (FHAG and degree of hip extension) and 10MWT. The post-training improvements in the TUG test were significantly greater in patients of the HJM group than in the NDT group; however, there were no post-training improvements in COP in both groups. Patients in the HJM group showed post-training improvement in the 6MWT; however, statistically significant differences were not observed. Patients in the NDT group showed post-training improvements in the 6MWT. These results suggest that HJM improves hip joint ROM, dynamic balance ability, and walking speed in stroke patients. However, further studies are required to evaluate the long-term therapeutic efficacy of HJM in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a complex exercise program for elderly people who had experienced a fall on their balance ability and proprioception when their visual sense was blocked. Methods: The subjects were 24 elderly people with experienced fall. They were equally and randomly divided into a blind group and a general group. The subjects performed the complex exercise program for 30 minutes, twice a day, five days a week for 4 weeks a total of 20 times. Outcome measures were the 10-meter walking test (10MWT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fukuda stepping test(FST), proprioception test (PT). Results: After the intervention, the blind group showed improvements in 10MWT, BBS, FST, PT. The general group showed improvements in 10MWT and PT. Conclusions: The complex exercise program for elderly people helped enhance their balance ability and proprioception.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-123
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• 2016

Background: To assess in a laboratory setting the ability to stay awake in a sample of workers of an Italian hospital and to investigate the association between that ability and the risk of occupational injury. Methods: Nine workers at the University Hospital of Udine who reported an occupational injury in the study period (cases), and seven noninjured workers (controls) underwent a polysomnography and four 40-minute maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWT). Differences in sleep characteristics and in wakefulness maintenance were assessed using Wilcoxon's rank sums tests and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Controls had greater sleep latency, lower total sleep time, fewer leg movements, and a higher percentage ratio of cycling alternating pattern, were more likely not to fall asleep during the MWT and were less likely to have two or more sleep onsets. Although not all the differences reached statistical significance, cases had lower sleep onset times in Trials 1-3. Conclusion: In the literature, the evidence of an association between MWT results and real life risk of accidents is weak. Our results suggest a relationship between the MWT results and the risk of injury among hospital workers.