• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objective: To study the effects of gait training with additional weight and gait training with non-additional weight on balance ability and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke through comparative analysis. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: additional weight group (AWG, n=12), and non-additional weight group (NAWG, n=10). Both groups received general physical therapy for 30 min in 1 session, 5 sessions per week during 6 months. The AWG practiced gait training with additional weight of 0.1 and 0.5 kg for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months and the NAWG practiced gait training with non-additional weight for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months. Patients in both groups were instructed to walk as fast as they could along a 35 m long track (straight for 20 m and curved for 15 m). Patients walked with their hemiplegic side on the inside of the track while a physical therapist followed along to instruct patients to maintain a straight posture. Balance ability was tested with the Functional Reach Test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Berg Balance Scale, and gait ability was tested with GAITRite. The results of balance and gait ability were analyzed before and after interventions. Results: A significant increase in FRT, TUG, BBS was seen in both groups after intervention (p<0.05). A significant increase in gait ability was seen in the AWG after intervention (p<0.05). For balance and gait ability, the results from the AWG was significantly improved compared with the NAWG (p<0.05). Conclusions: Gait training with additional weight improves balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients, this gait training method is effective and suitable for stroke patients to increase the ability of functional performance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of visual feedback training-for gradual weight shift in sit-to-stand training-on the balance and walking abilities of chronic hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental group received visual feedback for gradual weight shift in the sit-to-stand training, while the contrast group followed the standard process for the sit-to-stand training. The evaluation of the balance and walking ability was conducted with the functional reach test (FRT), Berg balance scale (BBS), five time sit-to-stand (FTSTS) test, timed up and go (TUG) test, 10 m walk test (10MWT), balancia, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, and falls efficacy scale (FES). Results: In the results before and after intervention, there was a significant difference in TUG, 10MWT, ABC, and FES in the visual feedback training group (p < 0.05). In the control group, there was a significant difference in the 10MWT and ABC (p < 0.05). Also, in the evaluation of the postural fluctuations, the control group data showed a significant increase in Covar. The visual feedback group showed a significant difference in the W average. Conclusion: The visual feedback training group showed some improvement in terms balance and walking ability and on the ABC scale and FES. Therefore, if the diagonal progressive weight bearing exercise is combined with the various patterns and basic principles of PNF, it may be a more efficient intervention method.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistant gait training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the walking and balancing abilities of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 6) that underwent treadmill gait training or an experimental group (n = 6) that underwent resistant gait training using PNF. The interventions were performed five times per week for four weeks. Gait variables were measured using a GAITRite system (CIR System Inc, Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability; the Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance; and the activity-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) was measured to examine changes in confidence about balance. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine intragroup differences before and after the interventions, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparisons of the effects of the interventions. All statistical significance levels were set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, double support time, balance, and confidence about balance after the interventions (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons after the interventions, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, balance, and confidence about balance (p < 0.05). No significant difference in double support time was seen in the intergroup comparison after training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied resistant gait training using PNF to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' walking and balancing abilities. Therefore, resistant gait training using PNF is thought to be applicable as an intervention method for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

Although line production systems with finite buffers have been studied over several decades, except for some special cases there are no explicit expressions for system performances such as waiting times(or response time) and blocking probability. Recently, a max-plus algebraic approach for buffer-sharing systems with constant processing times was introduced and it can lead to analytic expressions for (higher) moment and tail probability of stationary waiting. Theoretically this approach can be applied to general processing times, but it cannot give a proper way for computing performance measures. To this end, in this study we developed simulation models using @RISK software and the expressions derived from max-plus algebra, and computed and compared blocking probability, waiting time (or response time) with respect to two blocking policies: communication(BBS: Blocking Before Service) and production(BAS: Blocking After Service). Moreover, an optimization problem which determines the minimum shared-buffer capacity satisfying a predetermined QoS(quality of service) is also considered.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.307-315
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of a stepwise proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern therapy in weightbearing positions on the balance and walking functions of a patient with subacute stroke. Methods: The patient was a 78-year-old man with right post-stroke hemiparesis who had decreased balance and gait function. During the baseline and withdrawal phases, no intervention was applied; however, in the intervention phase, the patient received a stepwise PNF pattern therapy in weight-bearing positions. Results: During the intervention phase, the LOS improved by 296.51% (from $2482.13mm^2$ to $626mm^2$), and walking speed improved by 18.70% (from 0.75 m/s to 0.64 m/s). The LOS and 10MWT values appeared to be clinically significantly improved after the intervention. In addition, the scores of the BBS and ABC scales improved by 100% (from 36 points to 18 points) and 56.52% (from 720 points to 460 points), respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a stepwise PNF pattern therapy may be helpful in enhancing the balance and walking function of a patient with subacute stroke. Further studies are required to validate the results of this study.

• Journal of Gynecologic Oncology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.82.1-82.13
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• 2018

Objective: The impact of beta blockers (BBs) on survival outcomes in ovarian cancer was investigated. Methods: By using Korean National Health Insurance Service Data, Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to analyze hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Among 866 eligible patients, 206 (23.8%) were BB users and 660 (76.2%) were non-users. Among the 206 BB users, 151 (73.3%) were non-selective beta blocker (NSBB) users and 105 (51.0%) were selective beta blocker (SBB) users. BB use in patients aged ${\geq}60$ years, longer duration use (${\geq}1$ year), in patients with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ${\geq}3$, and in cardiovascular disease including hypertension was associated with better survival outcome. These findings were observed in both NSBB and SBB. When duration of medication was analyzed based on number of days, NSBB (${\geq}180$ days) was associated with improved overall survival (OS) with a relatively shorter period of use compared to SBB (${\geq}720$ days). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, longer duration of BB medication (${\geq}1$ year) was an independent favorable prognostic factor for both OS and disease-specific survival in ovarian cancer patients. Conclusion: In our nationwide population-based cohort study, BB use was associated with better survival outcomes in ovarian cancer in cases of long term duration of use, in older patients, and in cardiovascular and/or other underlying disease (CCI ${\geq}3$).

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.35-44
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• 2020

Background: This study was to confirm the effect and feasibility of knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) on balance and gait in subacute stroke patients. Design: Case study. Methods: The subjects of the study were 4 subacute stroke patients, who had an onset period of less than 6 months. The limit of stability (LOS) and berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) were used to verify the dynamic balance ability, static balance ability, and gait ability pre and post and after wearing the knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO). In addition, the satisfaction survey was to confirm the feasibility of the knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) through the to Korean quebec user evaluation of satisfaction assistive technology 2.0 (K-QUEST 2.0). Results: After the wearing on KEAO, the distance for the limit of stability decreased by mean 541.25±240.46 mm2, and the score on the berg balance scale improved by mean 5±2.71 point, and the time for the timed up and go test deceased by mean 3.75±1.71 second. The stability and durability were found to be full score, and the control, ease, effectiveness were some high score, and the size, weight, comfort were some low score in the satisfaction and feasibility. Conclusion: The knee extension assist orthosis (KEAO) produce in this study was improved the static balance ability, dynamic balance ability and gait ability of subacute stroke patients, and the satisfaction and feasibility were high in the stability, durability and effectiveness of the user.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of task-oriented exercise and abdominal muscle contraction using functional electrical stimulation (FES) on abdominal muscle thickness and balance of stroke patients. Methods: Ten stroke patients who met the selection criteria were assigned randomly into two groups of five. One group received FES therapy before task-oriented training (experimental group), while the other group received a FES placebo before task-oriented training (control group). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups, and the Wilcoxon Signed-ranks test was used to compare differences between the groups before and after intervention. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the rate changes of each item before and after intervention, between the two groups. Results: In the rectus abdominalis and external oblique muscle thickness tests that used ultrasound, there was a statistically significant difference in the experimental group (p<.05),but no significant difference in the control group (p>.05). There was also a significant difference between the groups (p<.05). In the Balance test that used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and timed up and go test (TUG), there was a statistically significant difference in the experimental and control groups (p<.05), but there was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusions: FES therapy before task-oriented training increases the thickness of abdominal muscles and improves balance abilities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2021

Purpose: Dementia is a disease in which cognitive function declines, leading to deterioration of body functions and activities of daily living. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of dual-task training, including cognitive tasks, on cognitive and body function and β-amyloid levels in Alzheimer's dementia patients. Methods: 34 inpatients diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia at a nursing hospital located in South Korea. The patients were randomly divided into a dual-task group (n=16) and a single-task group (n=18). Each group was trained for 30 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The MMSE-K was used to measure the patients' cognitive function. To assess the patients' static balance ability, their LOS was measured using BioRescue. while dynamic balance was measured using the BBS. The 10MWT were conducted to evaluate the patients' walking ability. Blood analysis was performed to measure levels of β-amyloid. Results: Both groups exhibited statistically significant improvements in gait function after the training (p<0.05). The dual-task group exhibited statistically significant differences in cognitive function, static and dynamic balance function, and β-amyloid levels after training (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dual-task training were found to be effective in improving cognitive and bodily functioning and reducing β-amyloid levels in Alzheimer's dementia patients. Thus, this may be suggested as an effective exercise method for the treatment and early prevention of Alzheimer's dementia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.453-463
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of an intensively rehabilitation program on the gait, balance, functional performance, and wearing satisfaction of patients with traumatic lower extremity amputations caused by industrial accidents. Methods: In this study, the anonymized electronic medical records of individuals who participated in the intensive rehabilitation program (among those who were admitted to the hospital belonging to the Labor Welfare Corporation) due to an industrial accident from August 2018 to September 2019 were collected. As a result, the records of 12 subjects meeting the screening criteria were analyzed. Results: According to the time of application to the intensive rehabilitation program, the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) (p < 0.01), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (p < 0.01), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) (p = 0.01), the L Test of Functional Mobility (L-test) (p < 0.01), Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (Plus-M) (p < 0.01), and Houghton Score Question (HSQ) (p < 0.01) values significantly improved with time. Conclusion: This study confirmed the positive effect of an intensive rehabilitation program on the gait, balance, functional performance, and wearing satisfaction of patients with traumatic lower extremity amputations caused by industrial accidents. However, this study was limited by the absence of a control group, and, thus, it highlights the need for more extensive research with a large sample.