• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.148-159
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• 2012

Objectives: This study investigated the correlation among Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Timed "Up and Go" Test (TUG) and gait (velocity, cadence, step-length, stride-length and single-limb support). Methods: The 70 subjects were assessed on trunk control measured with the use of the PASS, dynamic balance (TUG) and gait function (by GAITRite). The data were analyzed using Pearson product correlation. Results: The PASS total scores were significantly correlated with PASS-M, PASS-C, and PASS-T (r =.80 ~ .88 p<.01). All items of the PASS were significantly correlated with TUG (r = -.63 ~ -.81 p<.01), velocity (r = .44~.58 p<.01), cadence (r =.38 ~.51. p<.01), affected side step length (r = .44 ~.56 p<.01) and affected side stride length (r = .45 ~.59 p<.01). But affected side single-limb support was lowly correlated with PASS-M, PASS-C, PASS-T and PASS-total (r = .25~.36 p<.05). Conclusions: Measures of trunk control were significantly related with values of dynamic balance and gait. Based on these results, trunk control is an essential core component of balance and gait. Trunk control training programs after stroke should be developed and emphasized.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2022

Proprioception training has been considered a secondary method to facilitate postural control ability. This study investigated the effects of two different proprioception training methods - the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and visual feedback-based joint position and force reproduction (VF) - on postural control advancements. Sixteen healthy people volunteered for this study, and they randomly grouped two. Each group participated in the PNF and VF training for three weeks. We evaluated each subject's proprioception levels and balance ability before and after the training. We used a clinometer and electromyogram (EMG) for VF training. The joint position reproduction test was also used to evaluate the position and force aspects of the proprioception level. We analyzed the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) while subjects were standing on the firm floor and balance board with one leg using a pressure mat. The improvement of the position aspect of the proprioception level of the VF group (4.93±4.74°) was larger than that of the PNF group (-0.43±2.08°) significantly (p=0.012). The improvement of the anterior-posterior COP velocity of the PNF group (0.01±0.01 cm/s) was larger than that of VF group(0.002±0.01 cm/s) significantly (p=0.046). Changes of position error in the PNF group (rho=0.762, p=0.028) and tibialis anterior force reproduction error in the VF group showed a significantly strong relationship with balance ability variables. These results showed that different PNF and VF have different effects on improving two aspects of proprioception and their relationship with the balance ability. Therefore, these results might be useful for selecting proprioception or balance rehabilitation considering the clinical and patients' situation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study was examined the effects of aerobic exercise using a step box and lower extremity strengthening exercise with an elastic band on the balance ability and lower extremity muscular strength in elderly subjects. METHODS: Forty-one healthy adults were randomly divided into experimental group 1 (Exp 1, n=14), experimental group 2 (Exp 2, n=14), and a control group (n=13). The Exp 1 conducted lower limb strengthening exercise using an elastic band and the Exp 2 performed aerobic exercise with a step box 50 minutes per day, twice per week, for eight weeks. RESULTS: There was significant increase in the Exp 1 and Exp 2 in comparison of the change of lower limb muscle strength according to measurement time (p<.05). But there was no significant difference according to intervention methods. In one-leg standing test change among the three groups after the intervention, the Exp 1 and Exp 2 saw significant improvement compared to the control group (p<.05) but there was no significant difference according to intervention methods. The change of the functional reaching test results, the Exp 1 and Exp 2 saw significant improvement according to the time of measurement. In the change of the Timed Up and Go test, there was significant improvement in the Exp 1 and Exp 2 compared to the control group (p<.01), but there was no significant difference according to intervention methods. CONCLUSION: Exercise to lower extremity strengthening program accompanied with aerobic exercise is considered more effective in dynamical balance and ability to walk.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Cerebral palsy is a common cause of disability in children, requiring constant rehabilitation. Improving balance in children with cerebral palsy helps to alleviate daily movement and the quality of life. This study examines a program that combines Resistance Exercise and Group Exercise, and investigates the effect on trunk control ability, balance ability, maximum grip strength, and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Totally, 9 children with cerebral palsy participated in this study. Resistance exercise was performed for 8 weeks, 40 minutes every day. Group Exercise was conducted for 8 weeks, 40 minutes each Sunday. All participants were evaluated by the Korean version of the trunk control measurement scale, pediatric reach test, grip strength test, and KIDSCREEN-52. RESULTS: The trunk control ability was significantly improved in all subcategories (p < .05). In the pediatric reach test, the left and right directions were significantly improved (p < .05). Maximum grip strength was significantly improved in both hands (p < .05). The quality of life significantly improved in total score, physical well-being, general moods, self-perception, autonomy, relationship with parents, and home life (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Considering the encouraging results, we propose to use Resistance Exercise and Group Exercise as programs other than rehabilitation treatment in hospitals, to improve motor function and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The objective of this study is to effect of an aquatic rotation control and obstacle avoidance when conducted underwater on hemiplegia patient's balance ability and vestibular function. Methods : Twelve hemiplegia patients participated and were randomly assigned to a control group(I) with standard physical therapy and an aquatic group(II) with an aquatic rotation control, obstacle avoidance and standard physical therapy as well. The aquatic group trained using a Halliwick rotation control and obstacle avoidance through 3 times per week over 6 weeks. For all subjects, vestibular function, their balance, the change of electrooculogram (EOG), the change of accelerometer axis and torsiometer according to visual sense, vestibular sense with galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) or not during leg close stance were measured. Results : The EOG in the vertical and horizontal (p<0.05) were both significantly lowered. The change was significantly lower in the trajectory range of motion of trunk and spine with torsiometer when leg close stand (p<0.01) and leg close stand with GVS (p<0.01). The centre of gravity accelerated, there were reduced significantly difference X and Y axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg without vision (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg with GVS (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg and close eyes with GVS (p<0.05). Conclusion : The balance ability, vestibular system and postural control is improved.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.29-38
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of barefoot walking on the sandy beach on pain intensity, disability, motor function, sleep satisfaction, and quality of life in the elderly with low back pain (LBP). Methods : A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 32 elderly with LBP who underwent sand walking barefoot (intervention, n=16) or with sneakers (control, n = 16). Both walking methods were carried out for 30 minutes per day, three times a week for four weeks. Pain intensity and disability were assessed using the visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index, respectively. Balance and gait were evaluated using the Berg balance scale and timed up and go test, respectively. Sleep satisfaction was quantified with the Verran and Snyder-Halpern sleep scale. Finally, quality of life was assessed through the WHO quality of life scale's abbreviated Korean version. Results : Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed significant differences in pain intensity (p=.005), disability due to LBP (p=.002), static balance ability (p=.003), dynamic balance ability (p=.002), and sleep satisfaction (p=.017). There was no significant difference in the quality of life between the two groups. Conclusion : Barefoot walking on a sandy beach is significantly effective in improving pain, disability due to LBP, balance ability, and sleep satisfaction in the elderly with LBP. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods must to be conducted to generalize using barefoot walking in LBP management.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.27-37
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• 2016

Background: In previous studies regarding flexible pes planus, Foot orthosis, special shoes have been used as interventions for correcting malalignment and intrinsic muscles strengthening exercise have been regarded as interventions for foot function and supporting medial longitudinal arch during walking. However, some recent studies reported that strengthening extrinsic muscles as well as intrinsic muscles is more effective and active intervention for flexible pes planus. In particular, the tibialis posterior muscle of foot extrinsic muscles plays essential roles in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch during dynamic weight bearing and balance. In addition this muscle acts longer than other supination muscles during the stance phase in the gait cycle. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening exercise for plantar pressure and dynamic balance in adults with flexible pes planus. Methods: 16 young flexible pes planus adults (7 males, 9 females) were recruited and were randomized into two groups. The experimental group performed foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening training, the control group performed only foot intrinsic muscle strengthening training. All groups received strengthening training for 30 minutes five times a week for six weeks. Results: The experimental group had significantly lower plantar pressure of medial heel area than the control group in stand (p<.05). The experimental group had significantly higher dynamic balance ability than control group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence to suggest that foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle of extrinsic muscle strengthening exercises may improve plantar pressure distribution and dynamic balance ability in adults with flexible pes planus.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2009

Purpose : To evaluate the effects hip abductor strengthening exercise using elastic band on static balance. Methods : The subjects consisted of twenty healthy people. The subjects were divided into two group. The control group(n=10) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The elastic band strengthening exercise(E/E) group(n=10) performed hip abductor for strengthening exercise using elastic band. E/E group were accomplished during 6weeks(3day/week, 30-40min/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 items: mean X speed, mean Y speed and velocity moment. Results : The results of this study were as follows; 1. In E/E group, the statistically significants were shown on Y speed and velocity moment in the case of normal standing when eye open and X speed and velocity moment in the case of normal standing when eye close(p<0.05). 2. In control group, the statistically significants were not shown on all posture(p>0.05). 3. There was a statistically significant difference on the X speed and velocity moment in the case of normal standing when eye close between control group and E/E group(p<0.05). Conclusion : The above results revealed that hip abductor strengthening exercise using elastic band were partly effective for improving the static balance ability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.228-234
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• 2015

The balance ability significantly decreased in the elderly because of deterioration of the neural musculature regulatory mechanisms. Several studies have investigated methods of improving balance ability using real-time systems, but it is limited by the expensive test equipment and specialized resources. Recently, Kinect system based on depth data has been applied to address these limitations. Little information about accuracy/inaccuracy of Kinect system is, however, available, particular in motion analysis for evaluation of effectiveness in rehabilitation training. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate accuracy/inaccuracy of Kinect system in specific rotational movement for balance rehabilitation training. Six healthy male adults with no musculoskeletal disorder were selected to participate in the experiment. Movements of the participants were induced by controlling the base plane of the balance training equipment in directions of AP (anterior-posterior), ML (medial-lateral), right and left diagonal direction. The dynamic motions of the subjects were measured using two Kinect depth sensor systems and a three-dimensional motion capture system with eight infrared cameras for comparative evaluation. The results of the error rate for hip and knee joint alteration of Kinect system comparison with infrared camera based motion capture system occurred smaller values in the ML direction (Hip joint: 10.9~57.3%, Knee joint: 26.0~74.8%). Therefore, the accuracy of Kinect system for measuring balance rehabilitation traning could improve by using adapted algorithm which is based on hip joint movement in medial-lateral direction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of closed and open kinetic exercises on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with early stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with early stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: an open kinetic chain (OKC) exercise group (n=10), a closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). All participants received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the two experimental groups (OKC and CKC) participated in a 30-minute knee strengthening training program. Training for the experimental groups was carried out three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes such as knee extensor strength and balance ability (Tetrax, Functional Reaching Test, Timed Up and Go Test) were measured before and after training. RESULTS: There were significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability between the pre- and post-treatment of all groups (p<.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength was significantly higher in the OKC group than in the other groups (p<.05), and the improvement of dynamic balance was significantly higher in the CKC group than in the other groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that both open and closed kinetic chain exercises are effective in the improvement of knee extensor strength and balance ability. This study suggests that open and closed kinetic exercise training is an effective training for strength and balance in patients with early stroke.