• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate changes in the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and the dynamic balance in asymptomatic subjects using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) after ankle balance taping (ABT) and placebo ABT with kinesiology tape METHODS: A total of 23 active participants (11 men, 12 women) volunteered for this study. Ankle flexibility was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test, and dynamic balance was assessed using the modified SEBT. Participants were asked to respond to questions regarding their perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence when performing modified SEBT. RESULTS: The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM did not show a significant decrease after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the ROM prior to ABT. The anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach distances of SEBT did not increase significantly after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the distances prior to ABT. However, the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence, when performing SEBT with real ABT, was increased compared to that during the control trial. CONCLUSION: This study showed that although real ABT did not immediately improve the reach distances in the 3 directions during modified SEBT, it improved the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence without decreasing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2012

Background: Hemiplegic patients have the problems of the balance and weight shifting to the affected leg in walking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback on balance and walking ability of the hemiplegic patients. Methods: Thirty hemiplegic patients were allocated in study group (n=15) or control group (n=15). General exercise and weight supporting exercise were conducted for the control group, and general exercises and unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback were conducted for the study group. Exercise were conducted three times a week for six weeks. Balance ability was measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA). Walking ability was measured by time up and go test (TUG), 10m walk test (10mWT), and six minutes walk test (6MWT). Results: Balance and walking ability were significant increased in both group (p<.05). Balance and walking ability of the study group were more increased than that of the control group (p<.05). Conclusions: Unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback is more effective than weight supporting exercise to increase on balance and walking ability for the hemiplegic patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an additional weight aquatic exercise program on the balance and lower extremity strength on aquatic environment in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where thirteen subjects were in the additional weight aquatic exercise group, twelve subjects in the aquatic exercise group, and fifteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received a graded aquatic exercise program for 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: The MRC, BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that the additional weight aquatic exercise group had significantly improved in MRC, BBS, and TUG scores compared with the aquatic exercise and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the additional weight aquatic exercise program improves lower extremity and balance in persons with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM) under a non-weight bearing condition and the normalized reach distance in three directions of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Sixty-one healthy adults (32 males and 29 females, age: $23.0{\pm}3.0$ years, height: $169.3{\pm}8.9cm$, weight: $61.9{\pm}5.4kg$) participated in this study. The ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer. To assess dynamic balance, all subjects performed three trials to determine the maximum lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the YBT. The relationship between the ankle DF PROM and both the normalized reach distance in each direction and the composite score of the YBT were analyzed using the Pearson correlation. Only the normalized reach distance in the anterior direction of the YBT was significantly related to the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition (r=.50, p<.001). Neither the normalized reach distances in the posterior directions nor the composite score of the YBT were significantly correlated with the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition. These findings suggest that ankle DF PROM does not affect the overall dynamic balance of the lower extremity, with only the anterior dynamic balance affected among the three directions.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of game based weight-bearing training (GBWBT) on lower extremity muscle activation and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group I (n=15) and control group II (n=15). Each group was provided intervention under two conditions, as follows: in the Game based weight-bearing training (group I), 30 minutes per day, five times per week, with physical therapy for 30 minutes, and in the functional weight-bearing training (group II), 30 minutes per day, five times per week, with physical therapy for 30 minutes The training program was conducted for a period of eight weeks. Subjects were measured on lower extremity muscle (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) by electromyography and balance by Biorescue. ANCOVA was performed for comparison of lower extremity muscle activation and balance between different intervention methods. All patients were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the treatment protocol. Statistical significance was tested between the patients before and after treatment by t-test. Results: Significant difference in lower extremity muscle activation was observed in experimental group I compared with control group II (p<0.05). Significant difference in balance was observed in experimental group I compared with control group II (p<0.001). Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that game based weight-bearing training may have a beneficial effect on improvement of lower extremity muscle activation and balance in stroke patients.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.398-404
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• 2012

Purpose: This is designed to study the effect of weight-support walking training through motor learning on motor functions of children with cerebral palsy, in particular their activity of daily living and balance. Methods: Thirteen children with spastic cerebral palsy, at gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels III~IV, underwent treadmill walking training. It used principles of weight support, 4 times a week for 7 weeks, 10 minutes at a time, before and after neurodevelopmental physical therapy. Everyday functions were measured using Functional Independence Measure for Children (Wee-FIM). The ability to keep their balance was measured using electronic measuring equipment from good balance system and the assessment was made before and after the experiment. Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) between pre and post experiment levels of functional independence in everyday life, in self-care activities, mobility, locomotion and social cognition. With regard to changes in standing balance, there were significant differences before and after the experiment (p<0.05) in GMFCS level III. There was a reduction in the agitation velocity in the x- and y-axes which measures the left-to-right shaking; in GMFCS level IV, velocity moment was reduced. Conclusion: Walking training using a treadmill can help improve the everyday activity and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. It can also be served as a useful purpose as a method of intervention in pediatric care.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensive gait training with body weight support treadmill training on gait and balance in stroke disability patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six stroke patients (20 men and 6 women) participated in this study. All subjects were hospitalized patients. They were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (body weight supported treadmill training group, n=14) and control group (treadmill group, n=12). The mean ages were 52.07 years (experimental group) and 53.83 years (control group). Subjects in both groups received conventional training 10 times/wk. Subjects in the experimental group practiced body weight supported treadmill training for 30 minutes a day, 3 day/wk. Subjects in the control group practiced treadmill training for 30 minutes. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and GAITRite were used to evaluate balance and gait parameters (step length, cadence and gait speed) before and after the intervention. Results: BBS scores in the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement ($4.33{\pm}1.54$), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Significantly greater improvement in the gait speed ($24.13{\pm}4.53$ cm/s), affected side step length ($10.40{\pm}3.42$ cm), sound side step length ($11.97{\pm}3.29$ cm), and cadence ($23.88{\pm}5.52$ step/min), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Intensive gait training with Body Weight Support Treadmill Training may improve gait and balance in subacute stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was investigated of effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy on static balance, weight support and ankle movement incline with chronic stroke patients. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients participated in this study. The study design is a two-group pretest-posttest design. A total of 30 people participated in the study, and 15 people were each assigned to the experimental group and control group. Experimental group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy 30 minutes, and conventional physical therapy 30 minutes. Control group received conventional physical therapy 30 minutes. Both groups were conducted 5 times a week for 4 weeks. static balance and weight support was measured by force plate and ankle movement incline was measured by goniometer. Results: As a result of comparing the static balance, weight support and ankle movement incline change between experimental group and control group, statistically significant differences were found in all variables (p<.05). In the evaluation before and after the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in all variables in the experimental group (p<.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the control group (p>.05). Conclusion: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with mirror therapy intervention improves static balance, increase paretic side weight support and ankle movement incline in chronic stroke patients. It could be an effective intervention for improve static balance, weight support and ankle movement for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weight shift training with electrical sensory simulation feedback on quiet standing balance in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: 30 stroke patients were equally allocated at random to an experimental group or a control group. Patients in both two groups underwent comprehensive rehabilitation physical therapy for 30 minutes per day for 5 days per week for 4 weeks. Members of the experimental group received additional weight shift training with electrical sensory simulation feedback was conducted for 15 minutes after 30 minute sessions, whereas members of the control group underwent additional leftward/rightward weight shift training by themselves after 30 minutes per day for four weeks. COP (center of pressure) path lengths, COP velocities, and foot forces were measured before and immediately after the 4-week training period in both groups and results were compared. RESULTS: COP path lengths significantly decreased by 3% after training in the experimental group and this was significantly greater than that observed in the control group (p<0.05). In both groups, foot forces of affected sides showed significant increases after intervention, whereas foot forces of unaffected sides showed significant decreases (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to these changes. CONCLUSION: Weight shift training using electrical sensory simulation feedback has a positive effect on quiet standing balance in hemiplegic stroke.