• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of stride time and stride length provided by a commercial APDM inertial sensor system (APDM) with the results of three dimensional motion capture system (3D motion) during treadmill walking. Method: Five healthy men participated in this experiment. All subjects walked on the treadmill for 3 minutes at their preferred walking speed. The 3D motion and the APDM were simultaneously used for extracting gait variables such as stride time and stride length. Mean difference and root mean squared (RMS) difference were used to compare the measured gait variables from the two measurement devices. The regression equation derived from the range of motion of the lower limb was also applied to correct the error of stride length. Results: The stride time extracted from the APDM was almost the same as that from the 3D motion (the mean difference and RMS difference were less than 0.0001 sec and 0.0085 sec, respectively). For stride length, mean difference and RMS difference were less than 0.1141 m and 0.1254 m, respectively. However, after correction of the stride length error using the derived regression equation, the mean difference and the RMS difference decreased to 0.0134 m and 0.0556 m or less, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed the possibility of using the temporal variables provided from the APDM during treadmill walking. By applying the regression equation derived only from the range of motion provided by the APDM, the error of the spatial variable could be reduced. Although further studies are needed with additional subjects and various walking speeds, these results may provide the basic data necessary for using APDM in treadmill walking.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.29-37
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out of an effect of forward, backward walking using partial weight bearing on walking of the patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods : The average age, and the term of being sick of 6 patients who were selected as the subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury and who received medical attention in the National Rehabilitation Hospital, was 50.3 years old, and 10.7 months, and those were also the patients that were classified as ASIA-C or D by ASIA. The forward, backward walking using a partial weight bearing system as the research method, took total 6 weeks, 3 days per week, 3 times per day, total 45 minutes for each time(15 minutes for a time, 5 minutes for a breathing time), and the 15 minutes was used for forward walking 7.30 minutes, backward walking for 7.30 minutes, to find out before and after the test of WISCI, PCI, Walking Speed, Motor Score of Lower Limbs for the selected patients with incomplete spinal cord injury. Results : The result was showed WISCI from 17 points to 17 points that is, no change occurred at all, and PCI from $161.01{\pm}103.06$ to $74.97{\pm}58.19$, some amount of reduction that is not statistically significant(p<.05). Regarding walking speed, it increased from $24{\pm}.07m/sec$ to. $61{\pm}.35m/sec$, that is statistically significant(p<.05), and motor score of lower limbs showed statistically significant increase like from $33.17{\pm}7.08$ to $37{\pm}5.14$(P<.05). Conclusion : The 4 evaluation categories seem to have shown differences due to an insufficient number of subjects, and short test term, and it seems the more diverse task-oriented walking exercises should be studied in the coming days.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influences on gait features during mobile phone use while ramp walking. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-three healthy adult subjects performed four walking conditions on an outside ramp with a 5 m length, 1.5 m width, and a $5^{\circ}$ angle. All participants were touch screen mobile phone users. Four walking conditions were used: 1) ramp ascent, 2) ramp descent, 3) texting during ramp ascent, and 4) texting during ramp descent. In conditions 3) and 4), subjects texted the words of "Aegukga"-the song of patriotism-while walking. Upon the signal of start, the subjects walked the ramp during texting. Gait parameters were measured at the length of 3 m excluding 1 m of the start and end of the total length. Each situation was repeated three times for each subject, and mean values were calculated. For gait examination, a gait analyzer was used (OptoGait). Results: Subjects ranged in age from 23 to 38 years (mean age, 27.73). Eighty-three percent of subjects in our study had experienced an accident during mobile phone use. Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased ramp gait, speed, cadence, stride length, step length, and single support (p<0.05) and significantly increased stride time, step time, gait cycle, and double support (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in cadence, step length, stride time, step time, and single support during ramp ascent and descent (p<0.05). Conclusions: Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased gait quality.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of various bridge exercises on walking ability. Method: The subjects were 30 stroke patients. They were divided into a bridge exercise group on a stable support surface (Group I), a bridge exercise group on an unstable support surface (Group II), and a bridge exercise group combined with whole body vibrations (Group III). 10 subjects were randomly assigned into each group. The subjects of this study had 30 minutes of nervous system physical therapy including gait training and strength training. In addition, each group underwent a 30 minutes session five times a week for eight weeks. Before intervention, LUKOtronic was used to measure step width and step length, time was measured with a 10 m walking test, and time and number of steps were measured with the figure 8 walking test. After the intervention, remeasured and analysis was performed for each group. Results: As a result of comparing and analyzing the change of walking ability between groups, there was a statistically significant difference. As a result of the post hoc analysis according to the change of walking ability among groups, the change of walking ability was larger in Group III than in Group I and Group II. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is confirmed that the bridge exercise combined with whole body vibration was more effective for walking ability. Based on these findings, this study proposes an effective program for elite athletes as well as stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aqua-noodles on the practice of underwater walking in patients with hemiplegia. Method: After an oral explanation and signing an IRB approved consent form 10 participants ($66.8{\pm}10.75yr$, $165.3{\pm}8.79cm$, $73.6{\pm}46kg$) agreed to participate in this study. Each of the participants was required to walk with the aqua noodles and without the aqua-noodles in a swimming pool. Each participant was asked to walk a distance of 5 m a total of 10 times, 5 with and 5 without the aqua-noodles. The depth of the swimming pool was at 1.3 m, approximately chest height. The following variables were calculated for analysis; height of the knee (m), knee joint ROM ($^{\circ}$), ankle joint ROM ($^{\circ}$), knee joint maximum angular velocity ($^{\circ}/sec$), and ankle joint maximum angular velocity ($^{\circ}/sec$). Results: First, there was a significant increase in time (s) for the maximum knee height to reach as well as the maximum knee height (m) increased when the participant used the aqua-noodles. Second, there was a statistically significant decrease in stride length when the aqua-noodles were used. Conclusion: This study helps to verify that the effect of underwater walking exercise can provide a suitable walking exercise environment. The results of this study provide systematic scientific information about how walking in water can be used for the rehabilitation of patients and the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2012

Background: Hemiplegic patients have the problems of the balance and weight shifting to the affected leg in walking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback on balance and walking ability of the hemiplegic patients. Methods: Thirty hemiplegic patients were allocated in study group (n=15) or control group (n=15). General exercise and weight supporting exercise were conducted for the control group, and general exercises and unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback were conducted for the study group. Exercise were conducted three times a week for six weeks. Balance ability was measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA). Walking ability was measured by time up and go test (TUG), 10m walk test (10mWT), and six minutes walk test (6MWT). Results: Balance and walking ability were significant increased in both group (p<.05). Balance and walking ability of the study group were more increased than that of the control group (p<.05). Conclusions: Unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback is more effective than weight supporting exercise to increase on balance and walking ability for the hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The ability for backward walking is considered to be necessary for the neuromuscular control and maintenance of balance in daily ambulatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of backward walking training on the walking speed and balance control in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fourteen patients with hemiplegia were randomly allocated to an experimental and control groups of seven patients each. For the experimental group, we performed both conventional training and backward walking training, and conventional training only for the control group. The conventional training programs for the 2 groups were conducted for 30 min, twice a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and backward walking training for the experimental group was conducted for 30 min, 3 times a week. The outcomes were assessed using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG) Test, and the 10 meter walk time test (10mWT). Result: A comparison of the FRT, TUG test, and 10mWT scores obtained before and after the 4-week treatment revealed statistically significant differences (p<.05) for the experimental group; however, there was no such difference in the case of the control group (p>.05). On assessment after the 4-week treatment, statistically significant differences were noted in the TUG test and 10mWT scores of the experimental group (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that backward walking training is an effective clinical strategy for improving the walking speed and functional mobility of patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to provide basic data on physical therapy intervention by comparing the physical ability and fall efficacy and depression of elderly and hospitalized elderly. Method: This study was carried out with 22 hospitalized elderly who can live in Y-Hospital and 22 elderly people in Busan. We measured body mas index, time up & go test, function reach test, 10m walking test, bracket lifting test, fall efficacy and geriatric depression scale. The data collection period was from November to December 2017. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Win 18.00 program. Results: There was a significant difference between the elderly and hospitalized elderly form physical ability and depression(p<.05). But Fall efficacy was no significant difference(p>.05). 10m walking with TUG, heel with fall efficacy showed quantitative correlation and 10m walking with fall efficacy, depression with fall efficacy, heel with TUG, 10m walking showed amulet correlation. There was a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Elderly showed better results in physical ability and depression than hospitalized patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.325-333
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity between Figure-of-8 Walking Test (F8W), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Four Squared Step Test (FSST), and Timed UP and GO Test (TUG) in patients with stroke. Methods: Forty two participants (26 men, 16 women, $55.0{\pm}11.72$) with at least three months post stroke who were able to walk at least 10 m without walking aid participated in this study. Assessment of concurrent validity between the F8W (time and steps) and BBS was performed using Spearman rank order correlation and between the F8W (time and steps), FSST and TUG assessed using Pearson correlation. Results: The time of the F8W showed correlation with BBS (r=-0.46, p<0.01), FSST (r=0.64, p<0.01), and TUG (r=0.81, p<0.01), and steps of the F8W showed correlation with BBS (r=-0.43, p<0.01), FSST (r=0.47, p<0.01), and TUG (r=0.51, p<0.01). Conclusion: The F8W is a valid measure of balance and walking skill among patients with stroke and may provide complementary information with regard to dynamic balance and functional walking for the real life of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences
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• v.36 no.3B
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• pp.287-296
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• 2011

The white stick mainly used for visually impaired person has difficulty in providing location information and effective countermeasures for emergency situations encountered during walking as well as detecting floating obstacles on the ground. In this paper, we propose a machine-to-machine based intelligent walking assistance system for safe and convenient walking of the visually impaired. The proposed system consists of a walking assistance stick used by the visually impaired and a server supporting multiple stick users in remote places through mobile communication networks. The stick equipped with ultrasonic sensors, GPS(global positioning system) receiver and vibrator not only detects floating obstacles, but also offers stick users with present location identification utilizing a text-to-voice conversion technology. Besides providing geographic information, the server notifies the emergency locations of users to guardian and aid agency, and it provides log information during walking such as the place, time and the number of accidents. Test results with a developed prototype system have shown that the system properly performs the functions and satisfies overall system performance.