• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of integrating transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation into treadmill gait training by applying functional electrical stimulation on the spasticity, balance, and gait ability of chronic stroke patients METHODS: Twenty participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the treadmill gait training group with applied functional electrical stimulation (FES) with integrated transcutaneous electricalstimulation (TENS) (experimental group, EG, n = 10) and the treadmill gait training group with FES (control group, CG, n = 10). Both groups received treadmill gait training with FES for 30 minutes a time, four times a week, during five weeks. The experimental group received additional TENS on their L3, L5, and S2 dermatome for 30 minutes before the interventions. The spasticity, balance, and gait ability were evaluated before and after the training to compare the intergroup and intragroup changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in the static, dynamic balance, and gait ability (p < .05), but did not show any significant changes in the muscle tone. The EG showed significant improvements in the static balance ability and gait cycle compared to the CG (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training combined with FES with integrated TENS is an effective method for improving the static balance and gait cycle. On the other hand, the effects of treadmill gait training with FES on spasticity need to be studied further.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of training in vestibular sensory stimulation on balance and gait of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10). Patients in the experimental group received rotational stimulation training, vertical-horizontal stimulation training, gait training on a flat surface with vestibular sensory stimulation, and gait training on soft ground with vestibular sensory stimulation. Patients in the control group received general treadmill gait training. The intervention was applied four times per week, 25 minutes each time, for a period of four weeks. We measured Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Biodex Balance System, Timed up to Go (TUG) test and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) to evaluate balance and gait ability. Results: BBS differed significantly in both groups between before and after the intervention (p<0.05) and changes in BBS after the intervention differed between the two groups (p<0.05). According to the Biodex Balance System test result, only the experimental group showed significant changes in balance in the conditions of static eyes open (SEC), dynamic eyes open (DEO), and dynamic eyes closed (DEC) (p<0.05). TUG test results differed significantly between prior to and after the training in both the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05) and changes in TUG after the intervention differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.05). DGI results showed significant change after the intervention in the experimental group only (P<0.05). Conclusion: Training in vestibular sensory stimulation was effective in improving static-dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.137-145
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is developing a virtual bicycle system for improving the ability of postural balance control for adults in various age groups. The system consists of an exercise bicycle that allows tilt in accordance with the postural balance of the subject in the system, a visual display that shows virtual road, and a visual feedback system. The rider of the system tries to maintain balance on the bicycle with a visual feedback of a virtual road while the pedaling speed, the heading direction, and various weight distribution information are updated to the subject as visual feedbacks in the display. A series of experiments were performed with various subjects to find the factors related to postural balance control in the system. The related parameters obtained were weight shift, magnitude of the deviation from the center of the virtual road, and variables related to the movement of the center of pressure. The results found that the ability to control postural balance in the system improved with the presentation of visual feedback information of the distribution of weight. It was also found that the general performance of the subject on balance in the system improved after ten days long training. The results show that the newly developed system can be used for the diagnosis of postural balance as well as for the stimulation of various senses such as vision and somatic sense in the field of rehabilitation training.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2011

Background: To evaluate the influences of Eye movement program applied to elderly people on static balance. Methods: The subjects consisted of fourteen elderly people. The subjects were divided into two group. The control group (n=7) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The Eye movement program training (E/P) group (n=7) performed balance training using word card and batom. E/P group were accomplished during 4weeks (5 day/week, 60 min/day). All tests were completed before and after experiment. The static balance ability was measured by normal standing when eye open and close on good balance system, respectively. For each case, the experimental data were obtained in 3 item; mean X speed, mean Y speed and velocity moment. Results: The result of this study were as follows: 1. In E/P group, the statistically significants were shown on only mean Y speed in the case of normal standing when eye open (p<.05), but the statistically significants were not shown on mean X, Y speed and velocity moment in the case of normal standing when eye close (p>.05). 2. In control group, the statistically significants were not shown on all posture (p>.05). 3. There was a statistically significant difference on the mean Y speed and velocity moment in the case of normal standing when eye open between control group and E/P group (p<.05). Conclusions: The above results revealed that balance training using Eye movement program were partly effective for improving the static balance ability.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.319-327
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• 2019

The muscle activity and balance ability of the acute stroke patient has been checked by the functional electrical stimulation using biofeedback fusion postural control training in this study. Functional electrical stimulation using biofeedback fusion postural control training have been implemented on 15 trainees and general biofeedback fusion postural control training have been implemented on another 15 trainees for 30 minutes at 5 times per week during 8 weeks, and vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris and biceps femoris have been measured using the biceps femoris to evaluate the muscle activity of the lower extremity. The moving surface area, whole path length and limited of stability have been measured using biorecue to measure the balance ability. There was statistically meaningful difference on the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris and biceps femoris in the muscle activity of the lower extremity and there was statistically meaningful difference on surface area, whole path length and limited of stability in the balancing ability. Based on above, it is realized that the functional electrical stimulation using biofeedback fusion postural control training is more effective than the general biofeedback fusion postural control training on the improvement of the muscle activity of the lower extremity and the balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anon-contact complex exercise program on muscle strength, fall efficacy, quality of life, and balance ability in older over 65 years of age. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 37 people in older over 65 years of age participated in the study. Random program was conducted and assigned to the experimental group (n=19) and the control group (n=18). Both groups performed the older people welfare center program. In addition, in the experimental group, a non-contact complex exercise program for muscle and balance exercise was performed. All interventions were performed 2 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. chair stand test (CST), fall efficacy scale (FES), Euro quality of life 5 dimension (EQ-5D), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB) were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in CST, FES, EQ-5D, BBS, and TUG before and after intervention (p<0.05). FAB showed significant differences before and after intervention in all items except for FAB 8 and 9 items in the experimental group. In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in CST, FES, BBS, TUG, FAB (except 1, 7, 8, 9) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The non-contact complex exercise program is an effective intervention method that has clinical significance in improving muscle strength, fall efficacy and static and dynamic balance abilities for the older over 65 years of age.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of training using a trunk control robot (TCR) system combined with conventional therapy (CT) on balance and gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the TCR group (n=17) or the trunk extension-training (TET) group (n=18). Both groups performed CT for 30 minutes, after which the TCR group performed TCR training and the TET group performed trunk extension training for 20 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Gait ability was measured using the 10 m Walk Test (10MWT) and the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master. Results: TCR group showed significant improvements in static balance (weight bearing) and dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width (p<0.05); step length was not significant. The TET group showed a significant partial improvement of dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and 10MWT (p<0.05), but the improvements in static balance, TUG, gait speed, and step width and step length was not significant. Additionally, significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width were detected between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: TCR training combined with CT is effective in improving static and dynamic balance, as well as gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the virtual reality-based squat and conventional squat exercise. Methods : Twenty four participants were randomly assigned to the virtual reality-based squat (VRS) group (n=12) or conventional squat (CS) group (n=12). The static balance (C90 area, C90 angle, trace length, sway average velocity) and dynamic balance (forward, rearward, leftward, rightward) were measured using a force plate by BT4. The VRS group used the virtual reality system during 4 weeks, while the CS group underwent classical squat training. Independent t-test was used to test the homogeneity of the general characteristics of the subjects. The collected data was analyzed using the paired t-test for static and dynamic balance comparisons before and after exercise in both groups and Pearson's test for the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the measured time. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results : There was no significant correlation between group and static and dynamic balance related variables (p>.05). There was a significant correlation between measurement time and static and dynamic balance related variables (p<.05). According to the measurement time, the static balance parameter C90 area in the VRS group after exercise was significantly decreased (p<.05). The values of forward, leftward and rightward in the VRS group were significantly increased after exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : It is suggested that 20 normal healthy adult men and women who have normal balance ability can improve their ability to control their posture by improving the balance ability when applying virtual reality-based squat exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of action-observation training using the Y-Balance on the balance ability of young adults. Methods: Thirty-four healthy adults were randomized into an action-observation group (n=17) or a control group (n=17). All subjects performed the Y-Balance test before and after watching the video. The action observation group watched a video of someone performing a Y-Balance test, and the control group watched a video of scenery unrelated to the training. The subjects were measured through a Y-Balance test for both the length of the legs extended in three directions and the Y-balance composite score. Results: A significant difference in the Y-balance composite score was observed between the two groups. A part of the direction of the extended leg in the action observation group was increased significantly (posteromedial direction of the right leg, posterolateral direction of the right leg, posteromedial direction of left leg) compared to the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that action observation training only could help improve balance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to identify the effects of abdominal strength training using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the balance ability and pain level of patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into either experimental group I (n=10), who received abdominal strength training using PNF, experimental group II (n=10), who received abdominal strengthening training, or the control group (n=10), who received conventional physiotherapy. The interventions were applied three times a week for six weeks. We measured Berg's balance scale (BBS) in order to investigate the change in balance ability, while we measured the visible analogue scale (VAS) to determine the severity of pain. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. For the comparison of the between-group difference, we used a one-way ANOVA test. Tukey's test was used as a post hoc test. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all the variables. Results: Experimental group I and experimental group II showed a significant within-group change in BBS (p<0.01). A statistically significant between-group difference was observed in terms of the change in BBS (p<0.01). According to the results of the post hoc Tukey test, experimental group I and experimental group II showed a more effective change in BBS than the control group. Experimental group I, experimental group II, and the control group all showed a significant within-group change in the VAS (p<0.01). There was a statistically significant between-group difference in terms of the change in the VAS (p<0.01). According to the results of the post hoc Tukey test, the change in the VAS was more effective in experimental group I than in experimental group II and the control group. Conclusion: In this study, the application of abdominal strength training using PNF for subjects who complained of chronic lower back pain proved effective in improving their balance ability and reducing pain. We therefore believe that this training method could be applied as a useful program for patients with chronic lower back pain.