• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensory stimulation for static balance on normal children. Sensory input was consisted of colors, and music tempo stimulation. Methods : Participants were consisted of 20 normal kindergarten children ranging in age from six to seven years. The static balance was tested by a BPM(Balance Performance Monitor). In this study one-way ANOVA was used and the statistical significance level of results was determined at 0.05. Results : 1. According to color stimulation, there was no significant difference in static balance among red, yellow, green(p>0.05). 2. According to music tempo stimulation, there was no significant difference in static balance, among the high music tempo and low music tempo children in a general environment(p>0.05). 3. However, both green color and low music tempo stimulation have a little effect on static balance on normal children. Conclusion : These results indicate the possibility that the application method of green color and low music tempo stimulation may help in the improvement of static balance for the disabled children. This study will be used as the foundational data of therapeutic environment for the disabled children.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2008

Background: The purpose of this study was to present a practical method of medical treatment to improve the balance and motor ability of the mentally retarded child with a single mentally retarded child-subject. Methods: The subject of the study was a 39-month-old mentally retarded female. This study included a 2-week basic period and a 13-week treatment period. The treatment method was based on the Bobath Approach. Gross motor function measurement (GMFM) was used to examine changes in motor ability, and the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) was used to measure changes in balance ability. The curative program was composed of normalization of muscle tone, strengthening of leg endurance and muscular strength, the improvement of trunk alignment, and the increase of balance. Visual rate of change was used to examine the results. Results: As a result of this study, balance ability increased on the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) by 24 points, and motor function increased in terms of Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM) by 6.9% (18 points). Standing increased by 41% (16 points), and walking, running, and jumping increased by 31.9% (23 points) compared to thebasic period. Therefore, the Bobath Approach appears to be an appropriate method to improve balance and motor ability in mentally retarded children. Conclusion: It is surmised that aggressive intervention by physical therapists and occupational therapists, and a follow-up study, are required for the growth of motor ability in mentally retarded children.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of neuro-dynamics technique (NDT) to the balance and gait for chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study was composed of the cross-sectional design. Nine patients with chronic stroke applied to NDT. Balance ability function was measured using the Good Balance System device for static balance, timed up and go test (TUG) and functional reach test (FRT) for dynamic balance. The 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite device were used for measurement of gait ability for patients. Results: There were significant improvements were observed on dynamic balance ability (p<.05) and gait ability function (p<.05). Conclusions: This research shows that the NDT is immediate effective on dynamic balance and gait ability of the chronic stroke patients. Further studies may be needed to continuously intervention of NDT for more patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.23-30
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a balance training program could improve the balancing ability of elderly patients with type II diabetes mellitus. If yes, the results could lead to development of a method to prevent falls in elderly patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Subjects were 28 elderly patients with type II DM. Subjects were divided into a control and an experimental group with 14 patients in each group. The experimental group had a balance training program consisting of balance training and lower extremity muscle strengthening exercises. The exercise group met twice a week for 8 weeks. All subjects were evaluated using a force plate for the amount of postural sway. To determine the degree of diabetes, we measured Hemoglobin A1c. Results: Balance in the experimental group (p<0.05) increased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that a balance training program should be recommended for improving balance and preventing falls in elderly type II DM patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.196-200
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activity of the trunk muscles during balance exercises on a stable and unstable surface in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 males, 5 females) with stroke were enrolled in the study. Muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG electrodes from the affected side of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles. The exercise was performed under three conditions. For the first condition for balance exercise, subjects were instructed to sit on an exercise mat with legs extended. The second condition was to sit with legs extended, with a balance pad under their buttocks. The third condition was to sit with legs extended, have a balance pad under the buttocks and a balance cushion under the lower legs. Results: This study showed significant differences in EMG activities during both arm lifting exercise and weight shifting exercise between conditions. This study showed that the EMG activities of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles were significantly higher when the trunk exercise was performed using the balance pad with balance ball than when using the stable surface. Conclusion: In conclusion, performing balance exercises using an unstable surface is a useful method for facilitating trunk-muscle strength and hence trunk stability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in dorsiflexion and balance following proximal and distal tibiofibular joint manipulation in individuals with a history of lateral ankle sprain (LAS). Methods: Fifteen participants with a history of unilateral LAS, exhibiting a restriction in ankle dorsiflexion were included in this study. LAS ankle received a manipulation to the proximal and distal tibiofibular joint, while the opposite control ankle received no manipulation intervention. The outcome measures included ankle dorsiflexion and balance. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured using weight-bearing lunge test. Static and dynamic balances were measured using the overall, anterioposterior, and mediolateral balance index via the biodex balance system. Measurements were obtained prior to and following manipulation. Results: This study showed that ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance were improved following the manipulation compared to those prior to the manipulation (p<0.05). There was no significant change in static balance (p>0.05). Conclusion: The joint manipulation technique applied to the ankle of those with a history of LAS appears to improve ankle dorsiflexion and dynamic balance. This suggest that a manipulation to the proximal and distal tibiofibular joint could be provided as preliminary data regarding the prophylactic effects of recurrent LAS.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.105-111
• /
• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects muscle fatigue at the knee muscles on balance during standing in healthy adults. Methods Thirty healthy adults were recruited along with their written informed consent. Subjects were randomly assigned to knee extensor group (fatigue on knee extensor, KE), and knee flexor group (fatigue on knee flexor, KF). And subjects performed exercise with each muscle group until muscle fatigue was induced. They were assessed balance ability by functional reaching test (FRT), limit of stability (LOS), and postural sway (one leg standing, normal eye open (NO), normal eye close (NC), pillow with eye open (FO), and pillow with eye close (FC)) before and after fatigue. Results There were significant group differences balance performances in FRT, anterior of limit of stability, one leg standing, and the muscle fatigue of knee muscles were decreased balance performances. The balance performance was affected by visual sense and proprioception. Conclusions These results show that the muscle fatigue of knee muscles decreased balance performance. Therefore, balance exercise program should be trained without muscle fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.181-191
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensorimotor training in unstable surface on balance ability of elderly women. METHODS: Total of 40 subject were recruited from two separated institution for elderly women in Changwon and conveniently allocated into experimental and control groups. Twenty women were included into experimental group and another twenty women were into control group. Experimental group performed sensorimotor training in unstable surface and control group were only activities of daily living during eight weeks. To assess static balance ability used One leg stance test (OLST) and to assess dynamic balance ability used timed up and go test (TUGT) and Functional reach test (FRT). RESULTS: Control group did not show any difference in balance ability. However static balance ability in experimental group improved on hard or soft surface only eye open condition. Also dynamic balance ability in experimental group improved TUGT or FRT. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training in unstable surface improved balance ability of elderly women.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between standing balance and head-forward posture in adolescents. Methods: The participants in this study were 15 female adolescents. We took photographs of the participants' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of head-forward posture. Standing balance was evaluated using the 30-second Romberg test of BT4. The measurements were taken on a stable-support surface and on an unstable-support surface using a balance pad. The data measured in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was established as 0.05. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of head-forward position of the participants and their balance ability. Results: When we measured 30 seconds of the Romberg test, we observed that, with their eyes open, the participants' head-forward posture and balance were not correlated. However, with their eyes closed, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and the balance ability, which declined as the head position increased. Conclusion: Adolescents with severe head-forward posture exhibited problems with balance in posture control with closed eyes when visual information was not available. It can be inferred that an abnormality occurs in proprioceptor sensation due to their habitual head-forward posture. Education on correct posture and preventive activities should be recommended to improve the health of such adolescents and avoid possible future problems of physical deterioration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces in terms of the fall risk, balance, and gait abilities in patients with stroke. METHODS: Twenty patients with stroke were divided randomly into a stable surface group (SSG, N=10) or unstable surface group (USG, N=10). The participants in the SSG and USG performed task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces, respectively. All participants were evaluated using the Tetrax, Berg balance scale (BBS), and 10-meter walking test (10MWT) before and after the intervention. Both groups received training 30 min per day, five times per week, for six weeks. RESULTS: The within-group changes in the fall risk, BBS, and 10MWT were significantly different in both USG and SSG (p<.05). USG showed significantly more improvement in the BBS and 10MWT compared to SSG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Task-oriented balance training on an unstable surface is more beneficial in improving the balance and gait abilities of stroke patients.