• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.187-193
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality combined with balance training on upper limb function, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) in persons with acute stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fourteen acute stroke survivors were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups: the experimental group (n=7) and the control group (n=7). Both groups performed the conventional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, the experimental group conducted the virtual reality training for 30 minutes on an unstable surface during each session, whereas the control group performed balance training for 30 minutes on a stable surface. All measurements were performed before and one day after intervention. Upper limb function, balance, and ADL were assessed using the Manual Function Test (MFT), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), respectively. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in MFT, BBS, K-MBI after intervention (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups with respect to MFT, BBS, and K-MBI after intervention. The experimental group showed a greater decrease in fall risk (BBS<45) after intervention than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that virtual reality combined with balance training has a better effect on balance improvement than virtual reality training alone in persons with acute stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.411-421
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• 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance rehabilitation training with the visual cue deprivation on gait function in stroke patients in comparison with balance training without the visual cue deprivation. METHODS: Twenty two stroke patients participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the two balance training program with and without the visual cue deprivation. Balance training session for each group lasted 50 minutes, 3 times a week for a total of 6 weeks. Gait function was measured with the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the self-selective comfortable gait speed (CGS), the maximal gait speed (MGS), and the Gait Analysis System. Temporal and spatial gait parameters of each evaluation were measured before and after the balance training program respectively. RESULTS: After the program, the visual cue deprivation group improved significantly in the FGA, the CGS, the gait velocity, the step time, the step length, the stride length, and the Functional Ambulation Performance (FAP) in comparison with the balance training group with the visual cue (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The gait function of the participants with the visual cue deprivation showed more improvement after the balance training program compared to the patients group without the visual cue deprivation, Therefore, the balance training program with the visual cue deprivation may be useful for rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.127-137
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of side-lying hip abduction exercise with and without vibration on pain, disability, strength and balance in individuals with low back pain. METHODS: 30 participants enrolled in this study were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n=15) for side-lying hip abduction with vibration and a control group (CG, n=15) for side-lying hip abduction without vibration. Both groups were treated 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Pain (Numeric Rating Scale), disability (Korean Oswestry Disability Index), hip abductor muscle strength, and static balance were measured in both groups before and after the program. Results were analyzed using paired t-test for comparing the difference within the group and independent t-test for comparing the difference between two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the CG, the EG showed significantly greater reductions in pain and disability (p<.05). There was a significant difference in all balance categories of both the painful and non-painful sides within the EG (p<.05). Balance showed a significant decrease except the envelope area (ENV) on the non-painful side within the CG (p<.05). There was a significant increase in all balance categories except ENV of non-painful side between the two groups (p<.05). Balance increased on both the painful and non-painful sides in the EG. Balance improved on the painful side in the CG, but significantly decreased on the non-painful side (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Side-lying hip abduction exercise with vibration is considered an effective treatment for pain, disability and balance in individuals with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate EMG activity on dynamic balance of subjects with functional lumbar instability following fatigue of low back. Methods: The subjects (24 university students) were divided into 2 groups; functional lumbar instability group (6 males and 6 females) and lumbar stable group (7 males and 5 females) who could complete a questionnaire and undergo a prone instability test. All participants were evaluated for distribution of muscle activity using the TeleMyo DTSTM system. Dynamic balance was tested by Y balance test. This study was conducted for measurement of EMG activity on dynamic balance with the difference between FLIG and control group following muscle fatigue. Results: The functional lumbar instability group (FLIG) showed a significantly lower YBT score (%) of anterior, posterolateral direction on Y-balance test (YBT) in dynamic balance than the lumbar stable group (LSG) (p<0.05). The FLIG was significantly lower than the LSG in anterior direction in EMG activity(%) of MF, RA, ES, GMX, GME, RF, and posteromedial direction in EMG activity(%) of IO, ES and then posterolateral direction in EMG activity(%) of IO, ES in dynamic balance (p<0.05). There was significant correlation of MF, RA, and GMX in anterior reach direction (p<0.05) and ES, GME (p<0.01) and IO, ES in posteromedial reach direction (p<0.05) and EO, ES, GMX in posterolateral reach direction (p<0.05) there was positive correlation. Conclusion: This study showed that FLIG effected EMG activity by dynamic balance following muscle fatigue. Further study is needed for measurement of various ages and work with lumbar instability for clinical application.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2015

PURPOSE: Application of an oscillating program for the lower extremities is an effective training method for increasing muscle strength. However, no oscillatory program has yet been identified to confirm the effectiveness of oscillation for balance ability and maximum muscle strength. We investigated the effects of an 8-week vibration exercise program on the maximum muscle strength and balance of the lower extremities. METHODS: Research subjects participating in the study were 22 male and female college students with no past history of diseases of the nervous or musculoskeletal systems. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups and performed their assigned experimental treatment 3 times a week over a period of 20 min for 8 weeks. Maximum strength of the quadriceps extension, flexion, and balance ability were measured using Biodex System 4 and Biodex balance systems. RESULTS: The 8-week oscillation program resulted in a significant increase in quadriceps extension and flexion strength in both male and female participants (p<.05). The balance ability also showed a significant improvement after the oscillation program (p<.05). The balance value was higher for male 17% than for female 21% (p<.05) participants. CONCLUSION: An 8-week oscillation program led to an increase in the strength of knee flexion and extension. The balance ability also improved significantly. This positive effect on balance ability was higher in female than in male subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

Purpose: In this study, the following experiment was conducted to see how to apply the sprinter pattern in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and functional weight bearing exercise affected balance capabilities and weight bearing among chronic stroke patients. Methods: The subjects included 27 subjects who had been diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke. A total of 12 sessions was held, 3 sessions a week over 4 weeks, were provided to the groups. The control group received general rehabilitation program, and the experimental group performed sprinter pattern in PNF or functional weight bearing exercise. The weight bearing capability and static balance capability test was implemented by using Good-Balance System and Frailty and Injuries Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques, while the dynamic balance capability test was carried out by using Four Square Step Test and Timed "Up and Go". Results: The paretic/nonparetic side weight bearing by application of each exercise showed that there were no significant differences in variation among each groups on before exercise, after exercise, 2 weeks after exercise. Static balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Dynamic balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Conclusion: To put the results together, the application of sprinter pattern and functional weight bearing exercise was effective in improving static and dynamic balance capabilities. Therefore, these exercises are helpful to improve balance in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: South Korea is one of fastest aging countries in the world. Poor balance and falls of the elderly are main health issues. Objects: The goal of this study was to understand the association between the socioeconomical factors and the standing balance of elderly living in the rural and urban area. Methods: One hundred sixty-six elderly participants who were older than 65 and were able to walk without an assistive device were recruited in the city of Gwangju and in the rural area of Jeonnam, South Korea. All participants performed the static and dynamic standing balance tests. Static standing balance was measured with chronometer in seconds while standing on one leg. Dynamic balance was tested with the timed up and go test (TUG), measured in seconds while getting up from a chair and walking 3 meters and back to sit. The static and dynamic standing balance was analyzed using analysis of variance and the Fisher's Least Significant Difference post hoc test. Results: Male participants from both areas had no difference in one leg standing and TUG. The female elderly living in rural area took shorter in TUG than females living in urban area. Age decreased the one leg standing time in both areas while did not affect the TUG significantly. As the monthly income increased, both of one leg standing and TUG increased in urban area, while the medium monthly income showed best performance (it was not statistically significant) in both of one leg standing and TUG in rural area. Conclusion: Socioeconomical factors affects differently the standing balance of the elderly living in rural and urban South Korea. Female living alone in urban area with low monthly income demonstrated worst standing balance in this study.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2020

Purpose: Functional ankle instability (FAI) causes tension in the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and the impact on visual and vestibular organs leads to imbalance. This study compared the effects of a traditional balance training program to virtual reality training to improve FAI. Methods: Twenty-four participants with FAI (CAIT score < 24) were assigned to a virtual reality training group (n = 13) and a traditional balance training group (n = 11). Both groups pursued their respective training program for four weeks. After a ten-minute warm-up, participants completed a 30-minute training session, three times per week. The traditional balance training group underwent static and dynamic training using a balance board and a stability trainer pad while the virtual reality group underwent balance training using a virtual reality program. Biorescue was used to measure changes in the speed and length of center of pressure (COP) for single-leg stance pre- and post-training. Results: The speed and length of COP improved significantly in both groups after training as compared to before (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these outcomes between the virtual reality training group and the traditional balance training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study findings confirm the effectiveness of both virtual reality training and traditional balance training in reducing ankle instability, with no difference in treatment effects.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk stability and balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain. Subjects : Thirty-two elderly people ($73.78{\pm}8.49$ years of age) who had complaints of CLBP were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. Methods : Subject trained with combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for 4weeks with aim of improving trunk stability and balance. Weight distribution, trunk muscle balance, static balance ability and dynamic balance ability were measured before, at the end of training. Results : Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. After the exercise programs, there were significant differences in the weight distribution, trunk muscle balance and dynamic balance ability between the experimental and control group. However there was no significant difference in the one leg stance test(p<.05). Conclusion : This study suggest that PNF programs may be appropriate for improving trunk stability and balance in elderly people with CLBP.