• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.52-62
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• 2024

Background: This study was to investigate effects of narrow squat exercise according to ankle angle of Toe in 10° and Toe out 10° on women with genu varum. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial or Cross-sectional Study. Methods: 30 adult women with genu varum participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned to 15 people of narrow squat exercise in ankle angle of Toe in 10° group (TI) and 15 people of narrow squat exercise in ankle angle of Toe out 10° group (TO). The narrow squat exercise program was conducted three times a week for six weeks. The distance between the knees was measured by using Digital Vernier Caliper. The quadriceps angle (Q-angle) was measured by using Goniometer. The stride length and propulsion were measured through G-Walk Results: Both TI and TO groups showed effective significant differences in distance between the knees, Q-angle, and propulsion (p<.05). There was no significant difference in stride length (p>.05). Left leg propulsion was found to be significantly more effective in TI group than in TO group (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggested that narrow squat exercise according to ankle angle of toe in 10° and toe out 10° was effective for genu varum. However, compared to TO group, TI group was more effective in gait propulsion. It is considered that narrow squat exercise in ankle angle of Toe in 10° can be suggested as an effective intervention method for women with genu varum.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2023

Objective: This study attempted to compare the effects of bridge exercise using a sling according to the angle of the ankle to confirm the effective lower extremity muscle activation posture of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS). Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Seventeen patients with PFPS were recruited and the muscle activities of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus were measured according to the ankle position (dorsiflexion, neutral, plantar flexion). After measuring the maximum number of isometric contractions of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus, bridging exercise using a sling according to each ankle posture was applied to measure lower extremity muscle activity. The evaluation was performed 3 times for 10 seconds. The three ankle postures were randomly performed and the average values were compared. Results: As a result of this study, the vastus medialis muscle showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, and neutral position bridge exercise (p<0.05). And the vastus lateralis showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion (p<0.05). However, rectus femoris and gluteus maximus did not show significant muscle activity according to the ankle posture, but muscle activity was highest in the dorsiflexion posture. Conclusions: As a result of this study, muscle activity was high in the order of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during ankle dorsiflexion. This is thought to be a major factor that can be applied in various ways in clinical practice according to the ankle angle when treating PFPS patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was an investigation of the effect of unstable supporting exercise in young adults with functional ankle instability. The study tested the use of a jumper and virtual reality (VR) training via a VR-head mounted display (HMD) system to provide functional improvement in proprioception, range of motion (ROM), ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance. Methods: The subjects comprised 61 young adults (in their twenties) with functional ankle instability to decide as less than 24 points using Cumberland ankle instability tool. The subjects were divided into three groups: VUS (VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 20), VSS (VR-HMD and stable supporting exercise, n = 19), and NUS (non-VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 22). The exercise program was conducted three times per week for three weeks. VR training via a VR-HMD system and a VR application on a smart mobile device were used with the VUS and VSS groups, and unstable supporting exercise was used in the VUS and NUS groups for 30 minutes. Proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance were measured before and after training. Results: The VUS group showed significant differences in most results, including proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance to compare before and after, and the VSS and NUS groups partially. Moreover, the VUS group had significant differences in most results when compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Unstable supporting exercise and VR training via a VR-HMD system improved functional ankle instability in terms of proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.340-345
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic spine and ankle joint alignment on trunk and upper limb muscle activity during trunk forward lean exercise using a sling. Methods: 25 subjects participated in this study. All subjects performed trunk forward lean exercise using a sling under four conditions according to the alignment of the thoracic spine and ankle joints. Trials were performed 3 times in each condition. Muscle activity of the trunk and upper extremity was measured using electromyography. Results: In the dorsiflexion, the thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in the pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, transverse abdominis than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). In the plantar flexion, thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi muscle activity than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of ankle alignment, thoracic kyphosis condition increased the activity of the pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi. Therefore, regardless of the alignment of the ankle, it is recommended to perform the trunk forward lean exercise using a sling in thoracic kyphosis.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.51-63
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• 2023

This study aimed to verify the effects of a 4-week program of ankle-strengthening exercise and toe-taping walk exercise on the basic lower body strength and walking to examine the benefits of the two exercises. The subjects involved 30 women in their 20s enrolled in university A. The subjects were equally divided into three groups - ankle-strengthening exercise group, toe-taping walk exercise group, and control group. The subjects were instructed to massage and do ankle-strengthening exercises using a towel, massage ball, and CRT, for 60 minutes, 3 times a week. They also taped their hallux valgus using a kinesiology tape and walked for 20 minutes with white tape applied. To sum up, the 4-week ankle-strengthening exercise and toe-taping walk exercise were identified to have a partial statistical significance on the basic lower body strength (muscular strength, power, and balance) and walking (length of gait line, plantar pressure, and COP) of women in their 20s. Therefore, the study confirmed the effects of ankle-strengthening exercises and toe-taping walk exercise on the lower body exercise function, and it is considered that further studies should be conducted on more various effects of the exercises by subdividing them into different pain locations and orthomechanic findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2014

PURPOSE: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect and examine the feasibility of an intervention of ankle strategy exercise on balance of patients with hemiplegia. METHODS: The subject were randomly allocated to three groups: ankle strategy exercise (group A), balance exercise (group B) and control (group C). Group A was received the conventional physical therapy plus ankle strategy exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Group B was received the same conventional physical therapy plus balance exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Two active groups were performed in the session 3 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. and Group C was only received the same conventional physical therapy. Balance test was assessed using center of pressure (COP) in the anteroposterior (A-P), mediolateral (M-L) direction, Berg balance scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). RESULTS: All groups showed improvements in balance parameters. In especial, the Group A was statistically significant differences in almost part evaluation items and showed more improvements in BBS and TUG parameters than Group B and Group C. and moving distance of M-L COP was more improvements than Group B. CONCLUSION: Ankle strategy exercises had more influence on balance than balance exercises and neurodevelopmental treatment.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2016

This paper describes the design of an ankle rehabilitation robot for the force measurement of a severe stroke patient staying in a bed ward. The developed ankle rehabilitation robot was attached to a three-axis force/torque sensor that could detect force Fx, Fz, and torque Tz and measure the ankle rotation force (Fx) exerted on the ankle and the signal force Fz and torque Tz to be used as a safety device. The robot was designed and manufactured for bedridden stroke patients, and the robot program was manufactured to perform the flexibility rehabilitation exercise for ankle bending and to measure the ankle force to judge the degree of rehabilitation. According to the result of the characteristics test of the developed rehabilitation robot, it was safely operated while the ankle-bending flexibility rehabilitation exercise and the emergency situation were performed. Therefore, it is thought that the developed rehabilitation robot can be used for severe stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathy accompanied by sensory disturbance, such as limb paralysis and hemiplegia, is mainly caused by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This case study aimed to determine the effect of ankle strengthening exercises that use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability on a patient with ADEM. Methods: A 10-year-old male with quadriplegia and ankle-control impairment participated in this 4-week training intervention. The patient, diagnosed with ADEM, was treated with ankle strengthening exercises that used PNF. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in balance, ankle-control ability, sit-to-stand ability, and gait performance. Outcome measures (manual muscle test, modified Ashworth scale, sensory assessment, coordination assessment, Berg balance scale, 5 time sit-to-stand test, and 10 m walk test) were taken before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that an ankle strengthening exercise that uses PNF can improve the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability in patients with ADEM. In ADEM, the initial treatment is important, and the use of ankle strengthening exercises with PNF could lead to meaningful results. However, there is limited research due to an insufficient number of cases. In the future, more patients will need to be studied.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.600-604
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to implement a program of combined muscle stregth and proprioceptive exercises and to examine the impacts of these exercises on functional ankle instability(FAI). Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females in their 20s, and the exercise programs were implemented three days per week for four weeks. FAI was defined as a feeling of giving way after an ankle sprain and having a Cumberland ankle instability tool score of 24 points or less. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group, a muscle-strengthening exercise group, or a combined muscle-strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group consisting of 10 subjects each. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess the subjects'ankle strength at selected speeds of $60^{\circ}/sec$ and $120^{\circ}/sec$. The peak torque % body weight showed significant differences in plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. There were also significant differences in proprioception. The results suggest that applying combined muscle-strength and proprioceptive exercises to subjects with FAI is a more effective intervention than applying only muscle-strengthening exercises.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of visual feedback exercise (VFE), sandal exercise (SE), and thera-band exercise (TE) on people with functional ankle instability. Methods: The 45 study participants were divided into three groups of 15. In the VFE group, participants performed short-foot exercises using visual feedback; the SE group performed sandal exercises, and the TE group performed thera-band exercises. Over a period of 8 consecutive weeks, the experimental groups exercised for 15 minutes per session, four times per week. Balance was measured using the Biodex Balance System for dynamic balance ability (overall balance index [OBI], mediolateral balance index [MBI], and anterioposterior balance index [ABI]). Vibration threshold sense (VTS) was assessed using a vibratory sensory analyzer. Ankle muscular strength was measured using the Biodex 4 Pro. The main outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of training. Results: Significant improvements in dynamic balance were noted in all three groups (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in VTS and muscular strength were also noted in the VFE and TE groups but not in the SE group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Appropriate environmental and situational mediation may be of great clinical significance for patients suffering from chronic ankle instability. It is hoped that the findings will inform a program for prevention of ankle instability.