• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of study was to test the effect of lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise using elastic resistance on balance on elderly women. Methods: Twenty four women who were over 65 years old were randomly assigned to either the experimental group that received the exercise programme (n=12) or to the control group (n=12) that continued normal activities except programme. Exercises included the following 7 different activities; chair squat, knee flection, extension, hip flection, extension, calf muscle raise, ankle dorsiflection. All the participants were subject to 3 tests, including One-Leg Standing Test, Functional Reaching Test, and Up & Go Test. The measurements were made before the excercise, 4 and 8 weeks after the exercise. The data were analyzed by using the two way repeated ANOVA. Results: The results were as follows; As compared with change of balance capacity between groups, a significant difference was shown in the up and go test (p<.05), but not in balance performance clinical test of OLST (p>.05) and FRT (p>.05). Conclusion: The lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise using elastic resistance for the elderly women had some positive effects on the balance. Therefore this intervention can be broadly applied to other elders for preventing falls.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2028-2035
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Recently, there has been a continuous researches on solders having sophisticated and improved performance due to demand for high-density and miniaturization of electronics, and development of solder for automotive electronics which can be used in harsh environment. When developing a new solder alloy, there is a wettability of solder on substrate for things to consider, and the wetting balance test is one of the methods for measuring that one. In this paper, the wetting balance test is introduced, and the calculus of the surface tension of solder and the contact angle between solder and substrate using wetting curve obtained is introduced too. In detail, the principle and test method of the wetting balance test, the introduction of the parameters with important meaning in the wetting curve, the method of calculating the contact angle as well as the surface tension of the solder using the shape of the solder meniscus.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of treadmill gait trainig on dynamic balance and gait functions in stroke patients. Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Methods: Four subjects following first stroke participated in this study. They were divided randomly into the treadmill gait trainig group (TM group) (n=2) and the control group (n=2). Subjects in both groups received general training five times per week. Subjects in the TM group practiced an additional treadmill gait trainig program that consisted of 60 minutes, three times per week, during a period of four weeks. Timed up and go test (dynamic balance) and the GAITRite test (gait function) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: In dynamic balance (timed up and go test), the TM group (-14.235 sec) showed a greater decrease than the control group (-13.585 sec). In gait functions, the TM group showed a greater increase in gait speed (12.8 cm/s vs. 10.15 cm/s), step-length (5.825 cm vs. 3.735 cm), and stride-length (5.005 cm vs. 1.55 cm) than the control group. Conclusions: The treadmill gait trainig improved dynamic balance and gait functions. Further research is needed in order to confirm the generalization of these findings and to identify which stroke patients might benefit from treadmill gait trainig.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of curved walking training on balance confidence and fall efficacy in early stroke patients. Methods: The study included 16 early stroke patients who were randomly allocated to a curved walking training group (experimental group, N=8) and a straight walking training group (control group, N=8). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: After 3 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG scores in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that curved walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, curved walking training can be used as a recommended walking method in early stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.255-258
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of compelled weight shift in paretic lower limb training on balance ability in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty-six individuals with hemiparesis, who were randomly assigned to a 10CWST (10 mm constrained -weight shift training) group, a 5CWST (5 mm constrained-weight shift training) group, and a control group participated in this study. Compelled weight shift training was performed in 3 sets of 5 min with a rest period of 1 min between sets. Both the 5CWST and 10CWST groups performed 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Static (mediolateral and anteroposterior sway velocities) and dynamic balance (mediolateral and anteroposterior distances) was assessed using the Good Balance system. Results: Significant differences were found in the M-L and A-P sway velocities, and the M-L sway distance. The M-L and A-P sway velocities, and M-L sway distance showed significantly large group effects (p<0.05), time effects (p<0.05), and group-by-time interaction (p<0.05). The post hoc analyses indicated that, following intervention, the 10CWST group showed more significant changes in the M-L and A-P sway velocities, and the M-L sway distance than the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the use of compelled weight shift in paretic lower limb training may be an effective method to improve balance ability in patients with stroke.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1642-1650
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching exercise and joint mobilization on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), plantar pressure, and balance in subjects with stroke. Thirty patients (n=30) were organized into three groups, each of which received different treatments: PNF stretching (n=10), joint mobilization (n=10), and joint mobilization and PNF stretching combined (n=10). Each group received three exercise sessions per week for four weeks. The ankle ROM was measured using a goniometer, and plantar pressure and balance ability were measured using BioResque static posturography. In comparison within each group, the joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group showed significant improvements in ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability (p<.05). In comparison between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found in SECS change between the PNF stretching group, joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group. This study found demonstrates that the joint mobilization and joint mobilization with the PNF stretching methods were effective in improving ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability in stroke patients.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.347-373
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• 2014

Since its development in the early 1980's the force balance technique has become a standard method in the efficient determination of structural loads and responses. Its usefulness lies in the simplicity of the physical model, the relatively short records required from the wind tunnel testing and its versatility in the use of the data for different sets of dynamic properties. Its major advantage has been the ability to provide results in a timely manner, assisting the structural engineer to fine-tune their building at an early stage of the structural development. The analysis of the wind tunnel data has evolved from the simple un-coupled system to sophisticated methods that include the correction for non-linear mode shapes, the handling of complex geometry and the handling of simultaneous measurements on multiple force balances for a building group. This paper will review some of the components in the force balance data analysis both in historical perspective and in its current advancement. The basic formulation of the force balance methodology in both frequency and time domains will be presented. This includes all coupling effects and allows the determination of the resultant quantities such as resultant accelerations, as well as various load effects that generally were not considered in earlier force balance analyses. Using a building model test carried out in the wind tunnel as an example case study, the effects of various simplifications and omissions are discussed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to determine how inclined-treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation affects balance and gait in stroke patients. Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients, admitted to B hospital in Gangwon-do between August and October 2015, were trained 5 times per week for 4 weeks; each session lasted 30 minutes. To assess balance and gait before and after the training, the timed up and go (TUG) test, Berg balance scale (BBS), six minute walking test (6MWT), and three-dimensional spatiotemporal gait ability were used to measure the relevant variables. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test, and the statistical significance level was 0.05. Results: There were significant differences in the TUG, BBS, 6MWT, gait speed, cadence, single limb support (SLS), and symmetric index (SI) before and after training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the inclined-treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation was effective at improving the balance and walking ability of stroke patients. Hearing training, using one of the basic procedures of proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation, is considered to be an important aspect.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-96
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• 2017

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathy accompanied by sensory disturbance, such as limb paralysis and hemiplegia, is mainly caused by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This case study aimed to determine the effect of ankle strengthening exercises that use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability on a patient with ADEM. Methods: A 10-year-old male with quadriplegia and ankle-control impairment participated in this 4-week training intervention. The patient, diagnosed with ADEM, was treated with ankle strengthening exercises that used PNF. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in balance, ankle-control ability, sit-to-stand ability, and gait performance. Outcome measures (manual muscle test, modified Ashworth scale, sensory assessment, coordination assessment, Berg balance scale, 5 time sit-to-stand test, and 10 m walk test) were taken before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that an ankle strengthening exercise that uses PNF can improve the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability in patients with ADEM. In ADEM, the initial treatment is important, and the use of ankle strengthening exercises with PNF could lead to meaningful results. However, there is limited research due to an insufficient number of cases. In the future, more patients will need to be studied.