• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.168-174
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between balance control ability and leg circumference, proprioception, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in young adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 university students who were enrolled in D university in Gyeongbuk province. We measured the dynamic balance and static balance using the Biorescue. The muscular strengths of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were measured using a muscle contraction dynamometer. The ROM and proprioception were measured using an inclinometer. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlations between balance control ability and variables. Results: Sway length was significantly correlated with knee and hip joint muscle strength, ROM, and proprioception of hip and ankle joints (p<0.05). Sway speed was significantly correlated with ROM and proprioception in hip joints (p<0.05). Limit of stability was significantly correlated with muscle strength and ROM in ankle joints, and proprioception in hip, knee, and ankle joints (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sway length was most related to hip extension and ankle joint plantar flexion in the range of motion and ankle joint plantar flexion in proprioception. Overall, balance training for young adults will be of effective help if the treatment focuses on the knee and hip joints, range of motion and the ankle and hip joints' proprioception.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study assessed the influence of bilateral coordination exercises on unstable support surfaces on leg muscle activation and balance in stroke patients. METHODS: Two groups were recruited for comparison: an experimental group of 10 individuals who performed bilateral coordination exercises on unstable surfaces and a control group of 10 individuals who performed the same exercises on stable surfaces. All participants were assigned randomly. Pre-tests were conducted to measure the leg muscle activation and balance levels of the participants prior to the experiment. The intervention was comprised of three 30-minute weekly sessions for four weeks, followed by a post-test after the four-week period. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified within the experimental group in relation to all muscles (p < .01) and balance (p < .05). Within the control group, significant differences were identified in relation to the rectus femoris muscle, biceps femoris muscle, and balance (p < .05). Significant differences between the two groups were only observed in relation to the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Only the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles showed significant differences between the two groups. This effectiveness may be attributed to using an ankle strategy to maintain body balance during exercise on unstable surfaces.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.321-325
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• 2022

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition defined as pain and dysfunction of temporomandibular joints and masticatory muscles. Abnormal interconnections between temporomandibular muscles and cervical spine structures can cause the changes of postural alignment and balance ability. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in static balance ability in subjects with painrelated TMD. Methods: This study conducted on 25 subjects with TMD and 25 control subjects with no TMD. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured using a pressure algometer. Static balance ability was assessed during one leg standing using an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensor. During balance task, the IMU sensors measured motion and transfer movement data for center of mass (COM) motion, ankle sway and hip sway. Results: PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles were significantly lower in the TMD group than in the control group (p<0.05). One leg standing, hip sway, and COM sway results were significantly greater in the TMD group (p<0.05), but ankle sways were not different between group. Conclusion: We suggest pain-related TMD is positively related to reduced PPTs of masticatory muscles and to static balance ability. These results should be considered together with global body posture when evaluating or treating pain-related TMD.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.384-390
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.517-525
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• 2022

Objective: The rehabilitation protocols for functional recovery have been emphasized after total knee arthroplasty, and Pilates is in the spotlight as a safe and easily modified exercise method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mat Pilates exercise on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the individuals with total knee arthroplasty. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Eighteen older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty was recruited in the study. The subjects were evaluated on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking before and after mat Pilates exercise. All subject performed one hour mat Pilates exercise, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Mat Pilates exercises were focused on core stability and lower extremity strengthening and, more dynamic movements were added to increase the difficulty of movements every two weeks. The lower extremity function was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee joint position sense, and five times sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was assessed by single leg stance test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test. Walking was measured by OptoGait system to temporospatial parameter. Results: The lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking were significantly improved after mat Pilates exercise, except for five times sit-to-stand test (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the mat Pilates exercise was a useful method to improve lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2022

Objective: This study investigated the effect of a video game-based home exercise program on the improvement of balance and muscle strength in the elderly. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: a video game-based home exercise training group (experimental group, n=16) and a control group (n=17). The experimental group trained three times a week for 50 minutes per session for six weeks, and the control group did not perform any exercise. To evaluate postural balance, one leg standing test, Berg balance scale, functional reach test, and timed up and go test were performed, and five times sit-to-stand was performed to evaluate lower extremity muscle strength. Results: In the experimental group, there were statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) in one leg standing test, Berg balance scale, functional reach test, and timed up and go test, and five times sit-to-stand after the intervention, but in the control group, the difference before and after the intervention was not significant. The difference between the groups according to the experimental method showed a significant increase in the experimental group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that a video game-based home exercise program effectively improves balance and muscle strength in the elderly. A video game-based exercise program can contribute to the rehabilitation of the elderly as a method of home remote rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the thoracic mobility exercise program on pain, proprioception, and static balance ability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Thirty patients with non-specific chronic low back pain participated in this study. The participants were randomized into the thoracic mobility exercise group (n=15) and the lumbar stabilization exercise group (n=15). Both groups received traditional physical therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, the thoracic mobility exercise group and the lumbar stabilization exercise group each exercise 3 times a week for 6 weeks. All participants were measured visual analog scale, proprioception test, and static balance ability before and after the intervention. Results: After 6 weeks of interventions, the thoracic mobility exercise group showed greater improvement in visual analog scale, proprioception test, and static balance ability than the LSE group (p<0.05). Further, the thoracic mobility exercise group had significant Enhancements in all measured variables compared to the baselinetest (p<0.05). However, the lumbar stabilization exercise group had significant improvement only visual analog scale, and static balance ability compared to the baselinetest (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our investigation demonstrates that the thoracic mobility exercise is an effective intervention method for improving pain, proprioception, and static balance ability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of simultaneous application of gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training on the balance and gait ability in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with stroke within 3-6 months were randomly assigned, and the experimental group (n = 18) to which both gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training were applied and the control group (n = 17) to which only gaze stabilization exercise was applied were targeted. It was performed for 30 minutes at a time, three times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, 10Meter Walking Test, and Walking symmetry were evaluated. RESULTS: In the comparison of changes between Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go test, 10 Meter Walking Test, and Gait symmetry, both experimental and control groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention, and in the evaluation of Gait symmetry, significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, when gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training were allied simultaneously, it was possible to improve the balance and gait ability of subacute stroke patients, and had a more significant effect on gait ability. In considered that training that simultaneously applies gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training can be presented as a balance and gait rehabilitation for stroke patients on the future.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.43-66
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the direct effect of organizational health, as perceived by childcare teachers, on their turnover intention, and to examine the mediating effect of work-life balance on the relationship between these two variables. Methods: The subjects of this study were 345 childcare teachers working at 45 childcare centers located in Gyeonggi-do. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using SPSS 21.0. Additionally, the mediating effect was verified using the PROCESS Macro, and bootstrapping was performed to confirm the significance of the indirect effect. Results: First, there was a significant negative correlation between the organizational health of childcare centers, the turnover intention of childcare teachers, and their work-life balance. Second, it was found that work-family balance completely mediated the relationship between the organizational health of childcare centers and the turnover intention of childcare teachers, while work-leisure balance and work-growth balance partially mediated the relationship between these two variables. Conclusion/Implications: This study provides essential data for examining ways to lower the turnover intention of childcare teachers by addressing both individual and organizational dimensions.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.109-116
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the influence of work-life balance and insomnia severity on shift working nurses' health promotion behaviors. Methods: Participants were 152 nurses who worked rotating shifts at a general hospital. Data were collected from August 2 to 16, 2023 and analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 25.0. Results: The participants exhibited high insomnia severity and low scores in both work-life balance and health promotion behaviors. Health promotion behaviors were positively correlated with work-life balance but negatively correlated with insomnia severity. The key factors influencing shift-working nurses' health promotion behaviors included work-life balance (β=.37, p<.001) and gender (female) (β=-.17, p=.026), with an explanatoty power of 18% (F=12.35, p<.001). Conclusion: Work-life balance is a significant variable affecting shift-working nurses' health promotion behaviors. The health of nurses is crucial not only for their personal well-being but also for ensuring the patient safety. Therefore, flexible work systems and adaptable health program schedules must be implemented to promote the health of shift-working nurses.