• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.398-404
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a non-elastic fixation belt on the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women. Elderly women experience reduced balance ability and an increased risk of falls due to a weakening of the surrounding sacroiliac joint and pelvic muscles during childbirth and menopause. On the other hand, specific studies are still needed. The subjects were allocated randomly to two groups: control (n=20) and experimental (n=20). The experimental group used a non-elastic fixation belt, whereas the control group had no fixation belt. The balance ability and the fall index were measured in all subjects using a balance measurement device, and the low abdominal muscle thickness was determined in the experimental group using ultrasound imaging for the exact application of the non-elastic fixation belt. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, $2{\times}2$ analysis of variance with repeated measures for the balance and fall index score, and a paired t-test for the abdominal muscle thickness. The group ${\times}$ time interaction effect showed significant improvement in the General Stability Index (F1,38=47.24, p=0.001), Fourier Harmony Index (F1,38=88.83, p=0.001), Weight Distribution Index (F1,38=50.21, p=0.001), and Fall Index (F1,38=21.59, p=0.001). The thicknesses of the transverse abdominal (p=0.001) and internal oblique (p=0.001) muscles were increased significantly in the experimental group after using the non-elastic fixation belt. Overall, the application of a non-elastic fixation belt could be effective in improving the balance ability and fall prevention in elderly women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

Purpose: We investigated the effects of single-leg stance training on standing balance and mobility in patients with subacute hemiplegia. Methods: Seventeen matched subjects were assigned randomly to the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group comprising of 8 subjects received single-leg stance training and conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The control group comprising of 9 subjects received only conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed before and after 4 weeks of intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait speed, and weight bearing index of the affected side. Results: Both the exercise groups showed significant improvements in BBS, gait speed, and weight bearing index (p<0.05). After 4 weeks of intervention, there were statistically significant differences in BBS and weight bearing index between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that conventional physical therapy interventions along with single-leg stance training could be more effective than conventional physical therapy alone for improving standing balance and mobility in patients with subacute hemiplegia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study determined the effect of balance control therapy in the brain activation. METHODS: Twenty-two college students who showed decrease of muscle strength in O-ring test were as participants in this study. And the subjects were randomly divided into experimental group (n=13) and control group (n=9). Measurement device is portable EEG (Nihonkhoden, Japan). Examinations used twenty electrodes attached to the head to capture electrical brain signals during 5 minutes with brain activated states such as the awaked state and the data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment by balance control therapy, P3 (p<.025) and P4 areas (p<.025) showed a significantly lower ST index in the experimental group than the control group, The variation of ST index in P4 area (p<.025) was decreased in the experimental group but was increased in the control group. CONCLUSION: These results showed that the balance control therapy was helpful to change the brain activation such as the stress (ST) index at the sensory area in the college students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). Methods: A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all variables. Results: The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form. Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.665-673
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• 2009

This study was conducted to compare the PNF and Trunk Exercise Program has effectiveness on the pain, disability, static and dynamic balance in chronic low back pain patients. To evaluate the effects of exercise, subjects were evaluated by using VAS for pain, Oswestry disability index for disability, One leg stand test for static balance and Balance System for dynamic balance test. Pain, Oswestry disability index, One leg stand test, and Dynamic balance test in PNF had statistical significance than Trunk exercise program(p<0.05). So this results were suggested that the lifting and chopping pattern of PNF was effective on pain, disability and balance in chronic low back pain patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.11-19
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• 2010

The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of balance training with 'TETRAX' system, a balance training and assessment tool, on balance and mobility in acute hemiplegic patients. Nineteen matched subjects were assigned randomly into either an experimental group or a control group. An experimental group with 10 subjects received balance training with 'TETRAX' exercise program and conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week during 4 weeks. A control group with 9 subjects received conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week during 4 weeks. Outcome measures were taken before and after 4 weeks of interventions using the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement (STREAM), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait speed, and the fall down index. Results indicated that both exercise groups improved significantly in STREAM, BBS, and gait speed (p<.05). The experimental group had a little improvement than the control group. Both exercise groups did not show statistical significance in fall down index (p<.05). Following 4 weeks of intervention, except gait speed there was no statistically significant difference between two groups. However, these findings suggest that conventional physical therapy interventions with visual feedback training could be effective on improving balance and mobility than conventional physical therapy alone in acute hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2007

This study shows how community can support the work-family balance and stimulate efforts of community within it. For this purpose, community concepts are defined and its demands and resources are compared with those of work and the family, Furthermore, it will examine the conditions which individuals, couples and neighborhoods need for work since the family balance is examined through the family-friendly community index. Various examples of volunteer activities or movements within the community that will support the work-family balance of the neighbors are also demonstrated. Also, the alternatives fur healthy family support activities in Korea are suggested.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate of balance performance and to examine the relationship between balance performance and feet position, platform speed. Twenty two subjects(men 8, women 14, mean age 24.45years) performed nine balance test with eyes closed for 25seconds:3 feet position(feet together, feet 12cm in apart, feet 24cm in apart) and 3 platform speed$(100\%,\;70\%,\;40\%)$. The results were as fellows: 1. There are significant difference between center of balance and feet position(p<0.05). 2. There are no significant difference between center of balance and plaform speed(p<0.05). 3. There are significant difference between sway index and feet position(p<0.05). 4. There are significant difference between away index and plaform speed(p<0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to measure the standing balance symmetry of stroke patients using a force-plate with computer system, and to investigate the correlation between the standing balance symmetry and that of the walking function in stroke patients. Methods: 48 patients with stroke (34 men, 14 women, $56.8{\pm}11.72$ years old) participated in this study. Static standing balance was evaluated by the weight distribution on the affected and the nonaffected lower limbs, sway path, sway velocity, and sway frequency, which reflected the characteristic of body sway in quiet standing. Dynamic standing balance was evaluated by anteroposterior and mediolateral sway angle, which revealed the limit of stability during voluntary weight displacement. Symmetry index of static standing balance, (SI-SSB) calculated by the ratio of the affected weight distribution for the nonaffected weight distribution, and symmetric index of dynamic standing balance (SI-SDB) by the ratio of the affected sway angle for the nonaffected sway angle. Functional balance assessed by a Berg balance scale (BBS), and the functional walking by 10m walking velocity, as well as the modified motor assessment scale (mMAS). Results: Static balance scales and SI-SSB was the only correlation with BBS (p<0.05). Dynamic balance scales and SI-DSB, not only was correlated with BBS, but also with 10m walking velocity and mMAS (p<0.01). Additionally, there was a significant difference between SI-SSB and that of SI-DSB (p<0.01). Conclusion: The balance and the walking function relate to real life in the stroke showed strong relationships with the dynamic standing balance symmetry in the frontal plane and the ability of anterior voluntary weight displacement in sagittal plane.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.93-103
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of active trunk training in the sitting position on balance and energy consumption in early stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were twenty four early stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups; experimental group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The subjects in the experimental group participated in active trunk training (20 min) and conventional physical therapy (20 min) five times a week for four weeks. The control group conducted general balance exercise (20 min) and conventional physical therapy (20 min) five times a week for four weeks. The outcomes were assessed using the Berg balance scale, Timed up and go test and energy cost and physiological cost index. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant increase in their Berg balance scale and significant decrease in their Timed up and go test score, and energy cost and physiological cost index (p<.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group experienced a greater increase in the Berg balance scale (p<.05) and a larger decrease in the timed up and go test score, and energy cost and physiological cost index (p<.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that active trunk training in the sitting position may be effective in improving balance and energy consumption in early stroke patients. Thus, active trunk training is important for such patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the effectiveness of trunk training in early stroke patients.