• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare sitting balance and coordination spastic cerebral palsy in children using the Korean version of Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS) as well as to provide basic data about effective postural control treatment for clinicians handling these two types. METHODS: The K-TIS was measured in 29 children diagnosed with diplegic and quadriplegic cerebral palsy (18 with diplegia and 11 with quadriplegia). The average and standard scores of the children's K-TIS subscales and items of the two groups were measured. The two groups' subscales and items were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, coordination, and total score for children with diplegia were statistically high (p<.05). For all items under static sitting balance, the score for children with diplegia was higher. The first differences in the repeated items of dynamic sitting balance and coordination area that rotates between the upper and lower body were presented. CONCLUSION: The difference in balance and coordination in sitting positions is exhibited in children with diplegia and quadriplegia. For children with spastic quadriplegia, treatments should focus on static sitting balance and coordination, together with a focus on dynamic sitting balance and coordination.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale were used to assess balance function in patients with balance problem. These multidimensional clinical balance scales provide information about potential risk factors for falls. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of the PBS and FAB scales relative to fall risk in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Methods: In total, 49 children with CP (boy=21, girl=28) who were diagnosed with level 1 or 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this study. The PBS and FAB were performed, and verified cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity, and the area of under the curve (AUC). Results: In this study, the PBS scale was as a predictive measure of fall risk, but the FAB was not significant in children with CP. A cut-off score of 45.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .69 on the PBS, and a cut-off score of 21.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .62 on the FAB. Both scales showed moderately accurate of AUC with .79 and .76, respectively. Conclusion: The PBS is a useful screening tool for predicting fall risk in children with cerebral palsy, and those who score 45.5 or lower indicate a high risk for falls and are in need of balance intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the balance training on the stable and unstable supporting surfaces for the subjects with functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-nine subjects with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to the stable group (n=14) and the unstable group (n=15). Balance training was conducted twenty minutes a day on the stable surface for the stable group and on the airostep for the unstable group three times a week for four weeks. Balance training program was consisted of ten steps by eye opened or closed and two or one leg standing. X-speed for transverse balance and Y-speed for longitudinal balance were measured with eye opened and closed in affected leg standing position. Results: There were significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01) in stable group. Unstable group also showed significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01). There were no statistical differences in the magnitude of improvement between the groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Based on such results, it can be said that balance training on the stable surface is effective as much as training on the unstable surface for the subjects with functional ankle instability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.142-144
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• 2017

Purpose: Few studies have addressed the effect of diurnal circadian rhythms on postural stability, and thus the aim of the present study was to examine circadian effects on static and dynamic postural stability in young adults. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (9 men, 11 women: age=$22.20{\pm}1.77$, height=$167.20{\pm}10.47$, weight=$59.85{\pm}10.66$) from a university community volunteered for this study. Static and dynamic balance testing, which recorded using a Good Balance system (Good Balance, Metitur Ltd, Finland) was conducted at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 hours on two consecutive days, and the sequencing of static and dynamic balance tests were randomized. Results were analyzed using the non-parametric one-way repeated Friedman test in SPSS version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and variable found to be significant were subjected to Wilcoxon post hoc testing. Results: Static and dynamic balance showed significant difference at the three times assessments (test at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00) during circadian. In the post hoc test of static (anteroposterior distance, mediolateral distance and COP (center of pressure) velocity) and dynamic balance (performance time), 13:00 was the longer and faster than 9:00. Conclusion: These results indicated that control of postural balance is influenced by diurnal circadian rhythms, and confirm that control of postural balance is more effective and better performance in the 09:00 hours than 13:00 hours or 17:00 hours.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2015

Purpose: The emphasis on gait rehabilitation after stroke depends on training support through the lower limbs, balance of body mass over the changing base of support. However, muscle weakness, lack of control of lower limb, and poor balance can interfere with training after stroke. For this case study report, a wearable robot orthosis was applied to stroke patients in order to verify its actual applicability on balance and gait ability in the clinical field. Methods: Two stroke patients participated in the training using the wearable robot orthosis. Wearable robot orthosis provides patient-initiated active assistance contraction during training. Training includes weight shift training, standing up and sitting down, ground walking, and stair up and down Training was applied a total of 20 times, five times a week for 4 weeks, for 30 minutes a day. Gait ability was determined by Stance phase symmetry profile, Swing phase symmetry profile, and velocity using the GAITRite system. Balance ability was measured using the Biodex balance system. Results: Subjects 1, 2 showed improved gait and balance ability with mean individual improvement of 72.4% for velocity, 19.4% for stance phase symmetry profile, 9.6% for swing phase symmetry profile, and 13.6% for balance ability. Conclusion: Training utilizing a wearable robot orthosis can be useful for improvement of the gait and balance ability of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of study was to measure stroke patients' ability to balance and their degrees of clinical function and to examine the effect of the aquatic exercise method using tasks related to these features. Methods: Twenty stroke patients were randomly assigned to an aquatic task exercise group and a land task exercise group. Both groups used the same exercise method for 60 minutes each session, three times a week for 12 weeks at the same time point and with the same amount of exercise. Results: Before and after the exercise, static balance was measured using balance measuring instruments locomotive faculties, muscular strength, and dynamic balance were assessed through the Berg balance and 10 m gait tests. Finally, gait abilities were measured, and the data obtained were analyzed to generate the results. Conclusion: Both groups showed significant improvement, but the aquatic exercise group showed slightly more significant results in static balance, Berg balance, and upright walking tests. It is thought that the improvement of stroke patients' balance and gait ability can be triggered through the application of aquatic exercise programs in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of dynamic balance training on pain, physical function, and dynamic balance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Fourteen patients with knee osteoarthritis participated in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (n=7) or a control group (n=7). All the patients took part in a lower extremity strength program for 30 min. In addition, the experimental group participated in a 30-min dynamic balance program. Both groups performed the program five times a week for 3 weeks. Outcomes, including the numeric rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M), were measured at baseline and after 3 weeks. Results: Both groups showed pre-to-post intervention improvements on all outcome measures (p<0.05). The experimental group showed a significant improvement in WOMAC (p = 0.00; Z = -2.82) and CB&M (p = 0.03; Z = -2.20) scores after the intervention as compared with those of the control group. Conclusion: The results revealed that dynamic balance training improved physical function, as well as balance ability, in patients with knee osteoarthritis as compared with that of a control group with no balance training.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.56-65
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• 2020

Purpose: Individuals affected by stroke present with changes in motor function, balance, and cognition. The purpose of this study was to the correlation between motor function, balance, and cognition in patients with stroke. Design: cross-sectional study design. Methods: 67 stroke patients in the experiment were included. For evaluation of motor function which is Manual Muscle Test, Range of Motion, Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity, grasping power, and balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and Functional reach test. For evaluating Cognition which is Korean-Mini Mental State Examination. Results: The results of this study's motor function, balance, and cognition showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that motor function, balance, and cognition were significantly correlated with each other. Therefore, it is suggested that to improve the motor function and balance of patients with stoke, it needs to evaluate the cognition and the motor function, balance, and cognitive training should be combined.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1999-2004
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• 2020

Background: Although studies on physical motor learning through motor imagery training have been conducted in various fields, studies on its effectiveness are still considered insufficient. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training and balance training on static balance of asymptomatic adults in their 20s. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Thirty-six adults in their 20s who passed the tandem stance test were randomized to the motor imagery training group (MIG, n=12), motor imagery with balance training group (MIBG, n=12), and balance training group (BG, n=12). Each group underwent their respective interventions three times a week for four weeks, and changes in static balance were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Trace length was significantly lower in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction in trace length in the MIBG was observed after the intervention as compared to the baseline (P<.05). Furthermore, a significantly lower velocity was observed in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction of velocity in the MIBG was more observed after the intervention compared to the baseline (P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that motor imagery training enhance static balance in healthy college students.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Background: The requirements for postural and motor control in backward walking training (BWT) may improve balance and walking speed in patients with acute stroke. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of BWT on balance, balance confidence, and fall efficacy in this population. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Methods: This study included 14 subjects with acute stroke (onset of illness less than one month). They were randomly allocated to a BWT (n=7) or forward walking training (n=7) group and observed five times in a week for a period of two weeks. Measurements were taken before and after the experiment using the Berg balance scale (BBS), Activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC), and Fall efficacy scale (FES). Results: The BBS, ABC and FES scores obtained in both groups after the experiment were significantly higher than those before the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the BBS, ABC, and FES scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that BWT improved balance and balance confidence and decreased the risks of fall in patients with acute stroke. Further study is needed to better understand the effects of backward walking in acute stroke patients.