• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.331-340
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in body composition, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and functional physical ability in urban-dwelling elderly women with or without obesity. Methods: All study participants were assigned to the normal weight group (n=8, BMI<25) and the obesity group (n=7, BMI>25) based on their obesity rate. Anthropometric measurement was conducted and body composition was measured. For the upper and lower limb strength, grip strength and maximal isometric knee extension and flexion were evaluated by a dynamometer. The senior fitness test was performed to measure functional ability. Data analysis was conducted by the independent t-test and the alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The waist, hips, and thighs of obese elderly women were thicker than those of normal-weight elderly women. This physical difference resulted from body fat mass, not muscle mass. Despite a similar level of limb muscle mass between the two groups, the upper limb grip strength was higher (24.00% for left, 19.95% for right) in the normal-weight women than the obese women (p<0.05), but otherwise there was no difference in maximal knee flexion or extension isometric strength. Functional physical ability showed no difference in a 30-second chair sit and stand test and a six-minute walk test, but a 30-second arm-curl (11.00% for left, 14.81% for right), back stretch (8.54cm for left, 8.99cm for right), chair sit and reach (9.22cm for left, 6.24cm for right), and 2.44 meter round trip walk (0.62 sec, 9.39%) were faster in performance for normal-weight elderly women than obese elderly women (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, despite similar levels of upper and lower extremity muscle mass, normal-weight elderly women showed higher performance in upper limb strength, flexibility, and agility than obese elderly women, but there was no difference in lower extremity functional muscle strength and cardiopulmonary endurance.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of a gait training using PNF on a gait and balance ability of a person with chronic stroke. Methods : The subject was left hemiplegia due to cerebral infarction. The subject participated in PNF gait training session as well as baseline for 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks. we used the 10-meter walking test(10MWT), figure-8-of walk test(F8WT), dynamic gait index(DGI) for measuring the gait ability and four square step test(FSST), Berg balance scale(BBS) for measuring the balance ability through the whole sessions. Results : The gait ability was enhanced compared to first baseline, as measured by 10MWT(27.3%), F8WT(36.6%), DGI(8 points increased). The balance ability was improved compared to first baseline, as measured by FSST(49.1%), BBS(10 points increased). The increase was maintained in second baseline session. Conclusion : The PNF gait training program is helpful to enhance the adaptation of the gait and balance according to the various environmental demands.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.359-370
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• 2022

Purpose: Physical therapists are required to properly choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF model). The aims of this study were to determine whether neurological physical therapists in clinical settings in South Korea know about the ICF model and to investigate the current trends of outcome measures (OMs) used by them. Methods: Two hundred and one physical therapists who worked with patients with neurological disorders participated in this study. The survey was conducted via e-mail and asked about commonly used OMs and the considerations for selecting OMs. Results: All physical therapists involved in this study responded completely, and 45.8% of participants learned about the ICF model, while 37.3% understood the detailed information related to the ICF model. The rest of the participants did not know or just heard about the ICF model. The most frequently used tools at the body function/structure level were the Range of Motion (98%), Manual Muscle Test (97%), Berg Balance Scale (83.1%), and Modified Ashworth Scale (70.6%) when allowing repetition. At the activity level, the 10-meter walk test (71.1%), 6-minute walk test (54.2%), and Functional Ambulatory Category (43.3%) were used, while the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (23.9%) was used at the participation level. There was a positive relationship between the number of tools used and years of work, as well as the level of understanding of the ICF model. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to learn the ICF model in a clinical setting. In addition, the medical system needs to be modified to encourage physical therapists in South Korea to use proper OMs within the ICF model.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical performance, such as gait and postural control, and cognition on as assessed by clinical tools in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods : Twenty-six patients who had hemiparetic stroke participated in this study, and were evaluated four common clinical measurements, including the Berg balance scale (BBS), 10 meter walk test (10MWT), 6 minute walking test (6MWT), and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). Multiple regression analysis was used BBS score, 10MWT, and 6MWT as the dependent variables; MoCA score, post-stroke duration, age, and affected side as independent variables. Results : In the regression equation of the BBS score, the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.875, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.786, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining the BBS score. In the regression equation for the 10MWT, ther was 0.888, the R2 was 0.999, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining 10MWT. Finally, the r was 0.777, the R2 was 0.998, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining 6MWT in the regression equation of the 6MWT. Conclusion : The results show that cognitive abilities affect gait proficiencies in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Therefore, these results suggest that cognitive tests are necessary for examining and evaluating the abilities of postural control and gait performance for chronic stroke patients in research and clinical environments.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.11-20
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of thoracic self mobilization on balance and gait of acute stroke patients. Methods: Patients (n=10) with acute stroke applied to thoracic self mobilization. There are two thoracic self mobilization of both extension and rotation. Each thoracic self mobilization was performed ten times per direction in a total of three sets and the total time required for two thoracic self mobilization was twenty minutes. The break time between sets was one minute. Balance ability was measured using the timed up and go test and the five times sit to stand test for patients. The 10 meter walk test and the functional gait assessment were used for measurement of gait ability for patients. Results: Significant improvements were observed on balance ability (p<.05) and gait ability (p<.05). Conclusion: These results show that thoracic self mobilization is immediate effective on balance and gait ability. Thus, thoracic self mobilization will help recovery of balance and gait ability in acute stroke patients.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of neuro-dynamics technique (NDT) to the balance and gait for chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study was composed of the cross-sectional design. Nine patients with chronic stroke applied to NDT. Balance ability function was measured using the Good Balance System device for static balance, timed up and go test (TUG) and functional reach test (FRT) for dynamic balance. The 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite device were used for measurement of gait ability for patients. Results: There were significant improvements were observed on dynamic balance ability (p<.05) and gait ability function (p<.05). Conclusions: This research shows that the NDT is immediate effective on dynamic balance and gait ability of the chronic stroke patients. Further studies may be needed to continuously intervention of NDT for more patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare to aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill gait training to improve balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where nine subjects were in the aquatic treadmill group, eight subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group, and ten subjects in the control group. Subjects in the aquatic treadmill group and the anti-gravity treadmill group received gait training during 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy during 30 minutes, with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas pre-post intervention (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that aquatic treadmill group and anti-gravity treadmill group had significantly improved in BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison between the aquatic treadmill and the anti-gravity treadmill group. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggested that aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill improves balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an additional weight aquatic exercise program on the balance and lower extremity strength on aquatic environment in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where thirteen subjects were in the additional weight aquatic exercise group, twelve subjects in the aquatic exercise group, and fifteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received a graded aquatic exercise program for 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: The MRC, BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that the additional weight aquatic exercise group had significantly improved in MRC, BBS, and TUG scores compared with the aquatic exercise and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the additional weight aquatic exercise program improves lower extremity and balance in persons with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.250-260
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of balance training using fully immersive VR devices on the balance and walking abilities of stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: This study involved 54 stroke patients divided into three groups: VRT(VR and traditional physical therapy), VR(VR only), and TPT(traditional physical therapy only). Interventions were administered twice daily for 30 minutes over eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 10-meter walk test, gait analysis, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Results: The VRT and VR groups showed significant effects on spatiotemporal variables and confidence compared to the TPT group (p<0.05). Specifically, the VR group demonstrated superior effects in TUG, 10MWT, velocity, stride length, single-leg support, and ABC compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Fully immersive VR balance training had a positive impact on balance, walking, and confidence in chronic stroke patients. Traditional physical therapy alone showed limited effectiveness, highlighting the potential of VR-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation. These findings underscore the importance of integrating VR technology into clinical practice to enhance outcomes for stroke survivors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how gait training with shoulder-back assistive device affects dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke and to help improve body alignment, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods: Measurements were taken of the 20 subjects before intervention without shoulder-back assistive device, after intervention with device, and follow up after an hour compared. Berg balance scale used to evaluate dynamic balance; wii balance board was used to measure static balance; and gait ability were measured by timed up and go test and 10-meter walk test. To analyze the results, a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was implemented to compare the measurements. Results: The results showed that, after wearing the shoulder-back assistive device, the subjects' dynamic balance statistically significantly improved; no statistically significant difference was observed in static balance, although their balance ability was enhanced; and their increase in gait ability was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study proved that gait training combined with a shoulder-back assistive device positively impacted dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke.