• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

The gait instability in the elderly has been associated with age-related deterioration in physical strength and reducing the potential for elderly falls requires regular exercise. In 2005, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control(NCIPC) reported that most elderly falls occur during activities in daily living(ADL). To better reveal biomechanic mechanisms underlying age-related degeneration in gait stability, and to enhance the assessment of falls risk, an accurate quantification of a person's balance maintenance during locomotion is needed. Instantaneous orientation of the line connecting COP and COM can characterize whole body position with respect to the supporting foot during gait and the angle between this line and the vertical line passing through the COP known as a good assessment to detect the elderly gait instability. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate a 6-month walking exercise effects in reducing elderly fall risk factors by using COP-COM inclination angles. Twenty-two community-dwelling elderly participated this study. The participants performed a walking exercise(3 times/week, 1 hour/visit) for 6 months. Laboratory kinematics during walking was assessed at months 0, 3 and 6. Significant increased in gait velocity was found among periods(p=.011, $1.25{\pm}.03$, $1.32{\pm}.03$, and $1.39{\pm}.04\;m/s$ in 0-, 3-, and 6-month, respectively). Also, significant differences in anterior and posteriror inclination angles were found among the periods(p<.05; posterior inclination angles: $12.8{\pm}2.2$, $11.0{\pm}2.9$, & $10.9{\pm}1.9$; anterior inclination angles: $13.7{\pm}1.7$, $14.6{\pm}3.2$, & $1.46{\pm}.21$ in 0month, 3month, & 6month, respectively). These findings provide evidence of significant reduced fall risk factors of community-living older adults associated with a systematic walking program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.401-409
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• 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the difference in the effect of provision of feedback on knowledge of performance and knowledge of result in the training using somesthetic video game aimed at enhancement of balance of hemiparalysis patients due to stroke. METHODS: 20 stroke patients participated in the study. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups, namely, the knowledge of performance feedback group (KP group, n=10) and the knowledge of result feedback group (KR group, n=10). Both groups received somesthetic video game training 5 times (30 minutes each) a week for total of 4 weeks. The KP group received feedback on the patterns of movement in execution of somesthetic video game. The KR group received feedback on the scores acquired following execution of somesthetic video game. Verification of the significance of the data was performed through paired t-test and independent t-test. RESULTS: Both groups displayed significant reduction in the movement of center of pressure (COP) and Timed up and Go (TUG), and significant increase in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) following the training. Although the movement of COP was reduced for the KP group in comparison to the KR group, it was not statistically significant, and there was significant reduction in TUG and significant increase in BBS. CONCLUSION: The above results illustrate that provision of feedback on knowledge of performance is more effective than feedback on knowledge of result in somesthetic video game training for the purpose of enhancement of balance in stroke patients. Therefore, provision of feedback on knowledge of performance is necessary in somesthetic video game training for stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2013

Purpose: The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is beneficial for joint movements, inhibition of spasticity, and the improvement of walking ability in patients with chronic hemiplegia. This study aimed to identify the effect of the application of TENS to the knee extensor on the affected side with respect to postural-sway distance and velocity during the sit-to stand movement. Methods: We included 19 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia in this study. They underwent measurements during the sit-to stand movement on a force plate with 5 different stimulation dosages applied over 7 s:No TENS, high-frequency and high intensity TENS, high-frequency and low intensity TENS, low-frequency and high intensity TENS, and low-frequency and low intensity TENS The 5 different condition were administered in random order. Results: The group that received TENS application exhibited a significant decrease in path length and average velocity of center of pressure (COP) displacement compared with the group that did not receive TENS application. TENS dosage at low frequency (3Hz) and high intensity yielded a significant decrease in path length, average velocity, mediolateral distance and anteroposterior distance of COP displacement (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of the application of low-frequency TENS on STS performance. These findings provide useful information on the application of TENS for the reduction of postural sway during the sit-to-stand movement after stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.274-278
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated changes in static balance during eye movement while in an upright standing position and compared static balance in elderly individuals according to age. Methods: A total of 154 elderly persons (male 23, female 136) were enrolled in the study. Participants followed an eye movement program that consisted of randomly occurring pursuit eye movement and saccadic eye movement. Participants were asked to remain in the double-leg standing position for 2 minutes 30 second while fixating their eyes on a specific target, after which they were instructed to perform eye movements for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Static balance was measured in terms of the area, length, and average speed (cm/s) of the center of pressure (COP) displacement before and after eye movement intervention with the eyes open. Results: The area, length, and velocity of COP displacement improved significantly (p< 0.01) after intervention. No significant differences among age groups were observed. Conclusion: The results indicated that eye movement was an effective intervention for improving static balance in elderly persons.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.591-597
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• 2022

Objective: The sitting and standing are motions that correspond to the previous stage of rehabilitation to go to walking for daily life. The purpose of this study was to measure task times, path length of the center of pressure (COP) and activity on the vastus femoris muscle using surface electromyography (EMG) when standing up and sitting down. Design: One group cross-sectional design Methods: Fifteen elderly subjects (8 male, 7 female) participated. All subjects were tested three times according to four assist levels (non-assist, lower, middle, and maximal assist) using adjusts the length of spring at sit-to-stand and stand to sit on a chair. The task duration, and COP path length were recorded for the balance function on the Nintendo Wii fit board. The activity of the rectus femoris muscle was recorded on both legs using surface EMG. Results: The results showed that the task duration of the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit were significantly increased compared to without assist (p<.05). The activation of the rectus femoris muscle more significantly decreased compared to without assistance at standing or sitting (p<.05). Conclusions: The assistive chair showed less quadriceps muscle activation during sitting and standing compared to without assistance. We suggest that our assist-standing chair can help with activities of daily living such as standing up and sitting down movements adjusting the spring length for control assist level by safely.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2014

PURPOSE: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect and examine the feasibility of an intervention of ankle strategy exercise on balance of patients with hemiplegia. METHODS: The subject were randomly allocated to three groups: ankle strategy exercise (group A), balance exercise (group B) and control (group C). Group A was received the conventional physical therapy plus ankle strategy exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Group B was received the same conventional physical therapy plus balance exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Two active groups were performed in the session 3 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. and Group C was only received the same conventional physical therapy. Balance test was assessed using center of pressure (COP) in the anteroposterior (A-P), mediolateral (M-L) direction, Berg balance scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). RESULTS: All groups showed improvements in balance parameters. In especial, the Group A was statistically significant differences in almost part evaluation items and showed more improvements in BBS and TUG parameters than Group B and Group C. and moving distance of M-L COP was more improvements than Group B. CONCLUSION: Ankle strategy exercises had more influence on balance than balance exercises and neurodevelopmental treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2014

PURPOSE: Improving elderly people's balance ability through pilates which may be easily applied in ordinary life is considered an important intervention method for elderly people. Therefore, this study examines the effects of pilates training on elderly people's static and dynamic balance abilities and provides clinical data to improve this ability. METHODS: The pilates program was applied to 19 elderly subjects three times per week for 8 weeks. Their training level took into consideration their age and was set so that the rating scales of perceived exertion became 13 to 14. Prior to the initiation of the experiment, the subjects had an adaptation period in order to practice the order and motions of pilates. After the adaptation period, the subjects received training. The program was conducted three times per week, for eight weeks. Their dynamic balance ability was observed through the timed up and go (TUG) test and tandem walk test (TWT), and their static balance ability was evaluated by the center of pressure (COP) area, medial-lateral displacement, and anterior-posterior displacement. RESULTS: The results of the TUG test and TWT and evaluations of the COP area and medial-lateral displacement were significantly different after the pilates exercise program compared to those before the program began. CONCLUSION: The results show that an 8-week pilates exercise program is an effective method to increase elderly people's static and dynamic balance abilities. In addition, the application result of the pilates exercise program will provide useful information for future research on elderly people's balance ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of neck stabilization exercise combined with trunk stabilization exercise on balance and gait function in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-two chronic stroke patients were included in this study. The experimental group subjects (n = 11) performed neck stabilization (15 min) and trunk stabilization (15 min) exercises, while the control group subjects (n = 11) performed trunk stabilization exercise only for 30 min. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent static balance and gait testing. RESULTS: The 95% confidence ellipse area, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP average velocity were significantly lower in both groups after the intervention compared to before intervention (p < .05). The average stance force on the affected side increased significantly in both groups after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the static balance variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. The cadence, gait velocity, and single leg support increased significantly in both groups after intervention (p < .05). The changes in the gait variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Trunk stabilization is a beneficial intervention, but the combination of neck stabilization with trunk stabilization is a more effective method to increase the gait and static balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2002

This Paper describes a quantitative analysis of Postural balance training using virtual bicycle system. We have used a virtual bicycle system that combines virtual reality technology with a bicycle . In this experiment, 20 normal adults were tested to investigate the influencing factors on Postural balance. Several factors including cycling time. cycling velocity. number of times of Path deviation, center of Pressure(COP) . and weight shift were extracted and evaluated to quantify the extent of control. Also, To improve the effect of balance training, we investigated the usefulness of visual feedback information by weight shift The results showed that the system was effective Postural balance rehabilitation training device and. in addition. the analysis method might have a wider applicability to the rehabilitation field.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.641-646
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to observe how balance exercise on an unstable platform and on a stable platform affects balance ability. The subjects were 35 adults in their 20s and were randomly assigned to a stable platform group and an unstable platform group. They performed balance exercise three times per week for six weeks. Balance exercise introduced by previous research was modified and complemented for use in this study. Balance ability of the subjects was measured through center of pressure(COP) area, medial-lateral displacement, and anterior-posterior displacement using a portable balance platform BT4. There was significant difference in the COP area between the unstable platform exercise group and the stable platform exercise group. In comparison in differences between the unstable platform exercise group and the stable platform exercise group after the exercise, there was significant difference in anterior-posterior movement. Therefore, exercise on an unstable platform is more effective than exercise on a stable platform in strengthening balance ability.