• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of emphasized initial contact gait training on balance and gait ability in hemiplegia patients. METHODS: Twenty-four hemiplegic patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group or control group. All participants received 30-min neurodevelopmental treatment. Furthermore, the experimental group received initial contact-emphasized auditory feedback gait training, whereas the control group received gait training without auditory feedback. The intervention was performed 3 times per week, 20 min per each time, for a total of 6 weeks. Balance was assessed using the center of pressure path length, center of pressure velocity, and limitation of stability path length, whereas gait ability was assessed using the 10-m walking test and functional gait assessment. RESULTS: In both groups, center of pressure path length and center of pressure velocity significantly decreased after training. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a 10% significant improvement (p<.05). In the limitation of stability path length of both sides, the experimental group showed a significant increase compared to that before intervention. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a 7% significant improvement in results of the 10-m walking test and functional gait assessment (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Emphasized Initial contact gait training is considered an effective treatment for improving gait ability and balance ability in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study were to determine the effect of a Elastic Theraband Exercise Based of PNF L/E pattern on the gait of the chronic Hemiplegic Patients. Methods : We selected the 20 chronic Hemiplegic Patients not given treatment now and divided them into two groups of both 10 Elastic Theraband group and 10 Self Exercise. The first group went through a Elastic Theraband Exercise Based of PNF L/E pattern 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. Exercise used to blue elastic band which 2 patterns of PNF by 1) hip extension - abduction - internal rotation with knee extension. 2) hip flexion - adduction - external rotation with knee flexion. The latter group experienced Self Exercise, 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. Firstly, we measured the absolute improvement of gait velocity(m/s), cadence(steps/min) among walking characters. Secondly, we measured the functional walking ability such as Functional Ambulatory Category(FAC, score out of 5), Modified Motor Assesment Scale(MMAS, score out of 6). Data analysis was performed with using SPSS 12.0 win program. The descriptive analysis was used to obtain average and standard deviation. The independent t-test and the paired t-test were used to compare both the groups about pre and post training test. Treatment effects were established by pre and post assessment. Subjects tolerated the training well without side-effects. Therefore, the results of this study were as follows; Results : 1. There was a more significant improvement of Gait velocity(0.12m/s) Elastic Theraband group(p<.05). 2. There was a more significant improvement of cadence(9.40steps/min) Elastic Theraband group(p<.05). Conclusion : As we can see from above, the findings suggest that Elastic Theraband may be more effective than the Self Exercise for improving some gait parameters such as Gait velocity and Cadency. This conclusion also suggest that Elstic Theraband is more effective for the improvement of gait of chronic Hemiplegic Patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.368-371
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of leg length discrepancy on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. Methods: A total of ten healthy women with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal surgery or injuries, or pain in the lower limbs were recruited. They were assigned to two groups; the experimental group (LLD) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of 10mm to 18mm and the control group (CON) consisting of five subjects leg length discrepancy of<10 mm. All participants were instructed to perform three walking trials for further analysis by using the Cortex 3.0 software program. Independent T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the effects of mild LLD on kinematic changes of the pelvis and hip during gait. Results: Angles of hip flexion, hip abduction, pelvic obliquity, and pelvic tilt in the experimental group were not significantly different compared to those of the control group. Conclusion: Mild leg length discrepancy induces kinematic changes in the lower limbs, including decreased hip flexion, increased hip abduction, and increased pelvic obliquity in the shorter limb, and increased hip adduction and increased pelvic obliquity in the longer limb. However, those changes were not significant.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.1153-1162
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was to develop and evaluate a folk play program as a nursing intervention for the elderly with dementia. Method: First, a folk play program was developed through a careful study of literature review and field-work. Second, a nonequivalent control group pre-post test was designed. The subjects of the study were the elderly with dementia staying in nursing homes; 15 were in an experimental group adopting a folk play program developed through this study, 18 in the control group on a gymnastics and walking program which is generally used. The 40 min. intervention was conducted 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Result: The folk play program improved the cognition(t=6.12, p<.001) and ADL(t=2.92, p=.014) and diminished the frequency of problematic behaviors significantly(t=-6.39, p<.001). There was a significant difference of cognition, ADL, and problematic behaviors between the control and the experimental group before and after the experiment(t=3.38, p=.002; t=2.05, p=.046; t=-7.74, p<.001). Conclusion: Compared with the gymnastics and walking program, the folk play program proved to be much more effective in the elderly with dementia in improving their cognition and ADL, as well as in diminishing their problematic behaviors. Therefore, a folk play program should be appliedas an effective and practical Korean nursing intervention for the elderly with dementia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.480-489
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• 2017

Blood flow restriction(BFR) exercise is defined as low intensity and short term exercise using pneumatic pressure belts at the top of limbs, which affects the physiological functions of the body. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of walking exercise with BFR on inflammatory index, isokinetic muscle function, and thigh circumference in obese women. Eleven obese women(> BMI $25kg/m^2$ & > body fat 30%) wore pneumatic pressure belts on both femurs and performed walking exercise twice per day, 3 days/wk for 4 weeks (walking 2 min; resting 1 min). Data analysis was carried out using paired t-test. Body weight, BMI, and body fat significantly decreased after exercise(p<.05), and right thigh circumference significantly decreased(p<.05). The concentration of plasma IL-6 significantly increased(p<.05) after exercise. TNF-${\alpha}$ level was not statistically different but tended to slightly increase. CRP slightly decreased, although it did not reach statistical significance after exercise. Muscle strength significantly increased in the $60^{\circ}/sec$ of right/left side extension, left side flexion, and $180^{\circ}/sec$ of left side extension after training(p<.05). These results suggest that 4 weeks of blood flow restriction walking exercise has positive effects on inflammatory index and isokinetic muscle function. Therefore, we consider that blood flow restriction exercise can be used for treatment of obesity, related chronic diseases, and metabolic syndrome. Further, blood flow restriction exercise for a short time has similar effects as a high intensity resistance program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of closed kinetic chain exercise with functional electrical stimulation(FES) of the gluteus medius on gait in stroke. Methods : 30 hemiplegic patients voluntarily participated in this study. Subjects were divided into experimental group(n=15) and control group(n=15). Experimental group was given closed kinetic chain exercise with FES of the gluteus medius and control group was given only closed kinetic chain exercise for 4 weeks. All subjects were measured 10m-walking speed, cadence, functional walking category(FAC) and modified motor assessment scale(MMAS) before and after intervention. Results : In experimental group, gait velocity, cadence, FAC and MMAS showed significant difference between pre and post test(p<.05). In control group, gait velocity, cadence and FAC showed significant difference between pre and post test(p<.05). Before intervention, gait velocity, cadence, FAC and MMAS were not significant difference between experimental group and control group(p>.05), but after intervention, gait velocity, FAC and MMAS were significant difference(p<.05). Conclusion : This study show that closed kinetic chain exercise with functional electrical stimulation(FES) of the gluteus medius is beneficial intervention for increase the wlking ability in stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backward treadmill gait training between underwater and ground environments on strength, proprioception, and walking ability in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Twenty eight subjects participated in the study in which they were randomly assigned to either the underwater backward treadmill training (UBTT) group (n=13) or the BTT group (n=15). In both groups, forward gait training was performed for 20 minutes on the ground treadmill. The UBTT group performed backward gait on an underwater treadmill for 20 minutes while the BTT group performed backward gait on a ground treadmill for 20 minutes. The gait training in each group was performed twice a week for a total of six weeks. Muscle strength, proprioception, and gait ability was assessed using a digital power meter, joint angle recurrence method using the smartphone protractor application, the Figure-of-Eight walk test (F8W) and the functional gait assessment (FGA) respectively. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in strength, F8W and FGA scores after training (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in proprioception after training (p<0.05). In the comparison between the two groups, there was a greater significant change in the UBTT group for joint proprioception (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that both backward treadmill gait training programs were effective on strength, proprioception, and gait ability, and that underwater training was particularly effective on proprioception compared to ground training.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.6
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• pp.269-275
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• 2014

Background: The six-minute walk test has been widely used in people with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders as an outcome assessment with regards to therapeutic or prognostic determinants. This study was undertaken to determine the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in a sample of healthy Koreans and to create a reference equation. We also compared the 6MWD of our cohort with previously published equations. Methods: Two hundred fifty-nine healthy subjects (95 males) aged 22-59 years performed two walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the two tests. The effect of anthropometrics on the 6MWD was also investigated. Results: The average 6MWD was $598.5{\pm}57.92m$, with significantly longer distances by males ($628.9{\pm}59.51m$) than females ($580.9{\pm}47.80m$) (p<0.001). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were significantly correlated with 6MWD in univariate analysis. Stepwise multiple regression showed height to be single independent predictor of 6MWD ($r^2$=0.205, p<0.001). The reference equations derived in Caucasian and North African populations tend to overestimate the distance walked by Korean subjects, while Asian equations underestimate it. Conclusion: The average 6MWD in these Korean populations was 600 m. The regression equation revealed that individual's height was the most significant predictor of distance, explaining 20.5% of the distance variance.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.570-579
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to exam the effects of a short-term pulmonary program on lung function, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in chronic lung patients. Method: Randomized controlled pre-post test design was used. The outcome measures were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1, % predicted), 6 min walking distance (6MWD), Borg score after 6MWD, and Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ). Experimental group performed the 4-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program composed of inspiratory muscle training, upper and lower extremity exercise, relaxation, and telephone visit. Patients in control group were only given education about self-management strategies. Thirty four patients with moderate-to-severe respiratory impairment were recruited, and 28 patients (19 in experiments, 15 in control) completed the study. Result: Significant improvements in lung function, exercise tolerance, and health related quality of life were found only in the experiment group. Conclusion: This study yielded evidence for the potential and beneficial effects of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with moderate to severe chronic lung disease. The program could be adequately utilized for improvement of health related quality of life in chronic lung patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.96-103
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• 2009

This paper describes a humanoid robot's intelligent foot with two six-axis force/moment sensors. The developed humanoid robots didn't get the intelligent feet for walking on uneven surface safely. In order to walk on uneven surface safely, the robot should measure the reaction forces and moments applied on the sales of the feet, and they should be controlled with the measured the forces and moments. In this paper, an intelligent foot for a humanoid robot was developed. First, the body of foot was designed to be rotated the toe and the heel to all directions, second, the six-axis force/moment sensors were manufactured, third, the high-speed controller was manufactured using DSP(digital signal processor), fourth, the humanoid robot's intelligent foot was manufactured using the body of foot, two six-axis force/moment sensors and the high-speed controller, finally, the characteristic test of the intelligent foot was carried out. It is thought that the foot could be used for a humanoid robot.