• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objective: To study the effects of gait training with additional weight and gait training with non-additional weight on balance ability and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke through comparative analysis. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: additional weight group (AWG, n=12), and non-additional weight group (NAWG, n=10). Both groups received general physical therapy for 30 min in 1 session, 5 sessions per week during 6 months. The AWG practiced gait training with additional weight of 0.1 and 0.5 kg for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months and the NAWG practiced gait training with non-additional weight for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months. Patients in both groups were instructed to walk as fast as they could along a 35 m long track (straight for 20 m and curved for 15 m). Patients walked with their hemiplegic side on the inside of the track while a physical therapist followed along to instruct patients to maintain a straight posture. Balance ability was tested with the Functional Reach Test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Berg Balance Scale, and gait ability was tested with GAITRite. The results of balance and gait ability were analyzed before and after interventions. Results: A significant increase in FRT, TUG, BBS was seen in both groups after intervention (p<0.05). A significant increase in gait ability was seen in the AWG after intervention (p<0.05). For balance and gait ability, the results from the AWG was significantly improved compared with the NAWG (p<0.05). Conclusions: Gait training with additional weight improves balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients, this gait training method is effective and suitable for stroke patients to increase the ability of functional performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.75-84
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of whole-body tilt exercise with visual feedback on trunk control, strength, and balance in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: The study included 18 patients with acute stroke who were randomly allocated to a Whole Body Tilt Exercise Group (WBTEG, N=9) and a General Trunk Exercise Group (GTEG, N=9). The WBTEG conducted whole-body tilt exercises with visual feedback, and the GTEG performed general trunk exercises. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), the trunk flexor and extensor strength test, the static balance test, and the Brunel Balance Assessment. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, both groups showed significantly improved TIS scores, muscle strength, and balance components (p<.05 in both groups). However, the improvement in TIS, muscle strength, and static balance in the WBTEG was significantly better than that in the GTEG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Although both groups in this study showed post-intervention improvement, patients from the WBTEG who received visual feedback demonstrated more improvement. These findings indicate that whole-body tilt exercise with visual feedback may be effective at improving trunk control, trunk muscle strength, and balance in patients with acute stroke. Further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of whole-body tilt exercise in patients with acute stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of whole body vibratory stimulation on muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy among super-aged women. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-eight super-aged women over 80 years of age were assigned to either the experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=14). The experimental group received an exercise program that used the whole body vibratory stimulation with a frequency of 30 Hz and amplitude of 3 mm, and the control group received an exercise program without vibratory stimulation. Intervention was provided for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 30 minutes per session. In order to measure lower extremity muscle strength the 30-second chair stand test (CST) was used. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure dynamic balance. Static balance was measured by tracking the path length, velocity, and area of the center of pressure (CoP). The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) was used to measure the subjects' fear of falling. Results: Both the experimental and control group demonstrated statistically significant increase in muscle strength, dynamic balance, and fall efficacy (p<0.05). Only the experimental group showed significant improvements in static balance before and after the intervention (p<0.05). The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in CST, BBS, and CoP (path length, velocity) than control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Whole body vibratory stimulation exercise is shown to be a safe and appropriate physical therapy intervention method to enhance muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy of super-aged women.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of squat exercises using elastic bands of ballet dancers on muscle activity, arabesque angle, and static balance of ballet dancers during arabesque posture. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 25young female ballet dancer svoluntarily participated in the study. The participants were randomized to the elastic resistance squat group(n₁=13) and body squat group(n₂=12). The squats exercise was applied to a total of 12 exercises per four weeks and consisted of 15 times per one set in one to two weeks, 4 sets in three to four weeks. All subjects were evaluated muscle activity, arabesque angle, and static balance during arabesque posture at before-after intervention. All participants were measured muscle activity, arabesque angle, and static balance during arabesque posture at before-after intervention. Results: Elastic resistance squat group and body groups showed a significant increase in the muscle activity, angle, and static balance ability during arabesque posture(p<0.05). In the comparison between the groups, the elastic resistance squat group showed a significant increase in muscle strength, angle, and static balance during arabesque posture (p<0.05). The results showed that the elastic resistance squat exercise was more increased than the body squat exercise in all variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, when planning a training program for a ballet dancer, the elastic resistance squat movement can be applied as an exercise method to improve the muscular performance and balance ability of the ballet dancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 1997

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe-Si-Mn-P high strength steel sheet have been investigated by controlling the cooling rate. Bainite and ferrite were obtatined by annealing in the ferrite pluse austenite region, and ferrite and austenite were obtatined after annealing in the fully austenite region. Ferrite and pearlite were obtained when the cooling rate was controlled from the annealing temperature above $760^{\circ}C$ and bainite showed with increasing cooling rate, however below $760^{\circ}C$ ferrite and bainite were obtained. Tensile strengths and hardness nearly unchanged with increasing cooling rate after control the cooling rate from the temperature above $760^{\circ}C$, while tensile strengths increased and elongation decreased with increasing cooling rate when the cooling rate was controlled from the tempeature below $760^{\circ}C$. Without regard to annealing temperature, tensile strength increased and elongation decreased with increasing cooling rate. Tensile strengths and elongation values heat treated in the ferrite plus austenite region were higher than those in the fully austenite region. Retained austenite and strength-elongation balance showed the maximum value at $780^{\circ}C$ and decreased with increasing annealing temperature. Strength-elongation balance value was controlled by the retained austenite.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.170-176
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ball kicking dual task gait training with the addition of a cognitive task with general treadmill gait training (TGT) on gait speed, gait endurance, functional gait, balance and balance confidence in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fourteen stroke patients who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly divided into two groups with seven patients in each group: ball kicking dual task training (DTT) group and TGT group. The DTT group received ball kicking DTT with cognitive tasks consisted of three stages and the TGT group received TGT using normal walking speed, respectively, for 30 minutes per day 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Outcome assessments were made with the 10-meter walking test (10MWT), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), functional gait assessment (FGA), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and the activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale. Results: The DTT group showed more significant improvement in the 10MWT, 6MWT, FGA, BBS, TUG, and ABC than the TGT group (p<0.05). In addition, within groups comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest that both ball kicking dual task gait training and TGT improve gait performance and balance in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. However, ball kicking dual task gait training results showed more favorable outcomes than TGT for chronic hemiparetic stoke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2015

Objective: This study focused on subacute stroke patients who were asked to kick a ball while walking on a treadmill. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with ball-kicking on muscle strength, balance, and gait. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty stroke patients who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to either the BWSTT combined with ball-kicking (BWSTT-BK; 10 participants) group or the BWSTT group (10 participants). Participants in the BWSTTBK group performed treadmill walking combined with simultaneous ball-kicking for 30 minutes daily for 5 weeks. Participants from the BWSTT group performed only treadmill walking. The muscular strength, balance, and gait ability were measured before and after the 5-week training. To assess for muscular strength, a digital muscle tester was used to measure hip flexor, knee extensor, and dorsiflexor strength. To assess for balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) was used. To assess for gait, the 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) was used. Results: The BWSTT-BK group showed significantly improved muscular strength, balance, and gait according to BBS, TUG, 10MWT, FGA, and digital muscle testing scores compared to the BWSTT group (p<0.05). In addition, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that BWSTT-BK results in more favourable outcomes for stroke patients. Therefore, BWSTT-BK may be useful for the recovery of gait ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of integrating transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation into treadmill gait training by applying functional electrical stimulation on the spasticity, balance, and gait ability of chronic stroke patients METHODS: Twenty participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the treadmill gait training group with applied functional electrical stimulation (FES) with integrated transcutaneous electricalstimulation (TENS) (experimental group, EG, n = 10) and the treadmill gait training group with FES (control group, CG, n = 10). Both groups received treadmill gait training with FES for 30 minutes a time, four times a week, during five weeks. The experimental group received additional TENS on their L3, L5, and S2 dermatome for 30 minutes before the interventions. The spasticity, balance, and gait ability were evaluated before and after the training to compare the intergroup and intragroup changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in the static, dynamic balance, and gait ability (p < .05), but did not show any significant changes in the muscle tone. The EG showed significant improvements in the static balance ability and gait cycle compared to the CG (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training combined with FES with integrated TENS is an effective method for improving the static balance and gait cycle. On the other hand, the effects of treadmill gait training with FES on spasticity need to be studied further.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.11-29
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of virtual reality on gait, balance, and upper extremity functions compared to other independent variables or no variables. Additionally, the possibility of virtual reality for stroke patients was discussed. Design: Meta-analysis. Methods: The search for this study was a search term that combined stroke, virtual reality, and training, and the electronic search was conducted through EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. As a result of the search, 21 studies satisfying the selection criteria of the target study were confirmed as the final analysis target. This study consisted of 21 randomized experimental studies and 21 randomized controlled trials, and the total number of participants was 642. [Experimental group (n=314), control group (n=328); total 642]. As a result of the study, upper extremity function was assessed using a box and block test, a modified Ashworth scale, and a scale including range of motion. The balance was evaluated by the berg balance scale. Gait was a Timed Up and Go test (TUG), stride length, and gait function. Scales including a walking rate scale were evaluated. The effect size for the intervention of the analytical study was meta-analyzed with the RevMan 5.3.3 program of the Cochrane library. Results: The results of the study showed that the function of walking was statistically significant. Balance showed statistically significant results. The upper extremity function showed no statistically significant results. Conclusion: Through this rehabilitation treatment by applying virtual reality environment to the rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future can be proposed as an effective intervention method for the balance and gait function of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anon-contact complex exercise program on muscle strength, fall efficacy, quality of life, and balance ability in older over 65 years of age. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 37 people in older over 65 years of age participated in the study. Random program was conducted and assigned to the experimental group (n=19) and the control group (n=18). Both groups performed the older people welfare center program. In addition, in the experimental group, a non-contact complex exercise program for muscle and balance exercise was performed. All interventions were performed 2 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. chair stand test (CST), fall efficacy scale (FES), Euro quality of life 5 dimension (EQ-5D), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB) were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in CST, FES, EQ-5D, BBS, and TUG before and after intervention (p<0.05). FAB showed significant differences before and after intervention in all items except for FAB 8 and 9 items in the experimental group. In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in CST, FES, BBS, TUG, FAB (except 1, 7, 8, 9) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The non-contact complex exercise program is an effective intervention method that has clinical significance in improving muscle strength, fall efficacy and static and dynamic balance abilities for the older over 65 years of age.