• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.71-78
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate which treadmill walking training mode is more effective strategy for improving pulmonary function of persons with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-one chronic stroke patients were allocated and randomly to an experimental group (treadmill training with randomized speed control, n=11) and a control group (treadmill training without speed change, n=10). All participants received 30 minutes of neurodevelopmental treatment. In addition, the two groups performed treadmill training for 20 minutes each time with or without speed change. Speed change was applied 40%, 50%, 60%, 70% of Heart Rate Reserve. All the exercise programs lasted six weeks, with five times per week. Pulmonary function was assessed before and after exercise program by using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). RESULTS: In the both groups, FEV1 was significantly increased after training (p<.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed 11.9% larger amount of change (p<.05). In the experimental group, FVC and MVV were significantly increased after training (9.9%, 7.6%, respectively) (p<.05). But in the control group, there was no significant difference in the FVC and MVV after training. CONCLUSION: Treadmill training with randomized speed control will be a better positive rehabilitation program than treadmill training without speed change to improve pulmonary function in persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.33-39
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a circuit aerobic exercise program positively affects pulmonary function and gait endurance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally performed a circuit aerobic exercise for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a general aerobic exercise, i.e., gait training on the treadmill for 30 minutes. These 30-minute exercise sessions were held three times per week for six weeks. Pulmonary function was assessed using forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), and gait endurance was assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). RESULTS: In the both groups, FVC, FEV1, MVV, and 6MWT were significantly increased after training. Members of the experimental group showed significant improvements in FVC, FEV1, and MVV, and significantly greater improvements than controls (p<.05). However, 6MWT improvements were not significantly different in the two groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The devised circuit aerobic exercise program offers an effective rehabilitation aerobic exercise for improving pulmonary function and gait endurance in patients after chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of postural control training on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=9) or a control group (n=9). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received a postural control training for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held five times per week for three weeks. Balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS) and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on measured outcomes (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the gait speed (p=.01; 95% CI .08-.16), cadence (p=.04; 95% CI .34-4.79), step length (p=.02; 95% CI 1.50-5.17), double limb support period (p=.04; 95% CI -2.18 to -.14), and BBS (p=.01; 95% CI 1.04-6.74) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that postural control training may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of arm training in standing position on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=8) or a control group (n=8). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received an arm training in standing position for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held three times per week for six weeks. Upper extremity function was assessed using Fugle-Meyer motor assessment function upper extremity (FMA-UE), balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support period) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on BBS, gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limp support period (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the BBS (p=.01; z=-2.48), gait speed (p=.01; z=-3.26), cadence (p=.02; z=-2.31), step length (p=.01; z=-3.36), and double limb support period (p=.03; z=-2.84) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that arm training in standing position may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of training using a trunk control robot (TCR) system combined with conventional therapy (CT) on balance and gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the TCR group (n=17) or the trunk extension-training (TET) group (n=18). Both groups performed CT for 30 minutes, after which the TCR group performed TCR training and the TET group performed trunk extension training for 20 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Gait ability was measured using the 10 m Walk Test (10MWT) and the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master. Results: TCR group showed significant improvements in static balance (weight bearing) and dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width (p<0.05); step length was not significant. The TET group showed a significant partial improvement of dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and 10MWT (p<0.05), but the improvements in static balance, TUG, gait speed, and step width and step length was not significant. Additionally, significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width were detected between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: TCR training combined with CT is effective in improving static and dynamic balance, as well as gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2019

Background: Scapular dyskinesis is one of the risk factors for upper extremity injury in patients with chronic stroke. Taping can used as an adjunctive treatment for this. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rigid tape in conjunction with elastic tape and elastic tape only on shoulder pain, proprioceptor, and function of chronic stroke patients with scapular dyskinesis. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to elastic tape (ET) group (n=10) and both tape (BT) group (n=10). Both ET and BT groups performed therapeutic exercise on the upper extremity with taping applied for 4 weeks. Therapeutic exercise was performed 30min/day, 5 times/week. Clinical outcome measures used Numerical pain rating scale with a faces pain scale for pain, angle at shoulder join position sense (JPS) for proprioceptor, and Fugl-meyer assessment upper extremity for function. Results: Clinical outcomes were measured at initial baseline, after 4weeks. There were statistically significant differences in pain, JPS, and function after 4 weeks in both groups (p<.05). There was no significant difference in pain and JPS between the groups, and There was a statistically significant difference in function in the BT group compared to the ET group (p<.05). Conclusions: This results suggest that accurate clinical assessment and appropriate taping can improve proprioceptor and function of the upper extremity in patients with chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of robot arm reach training on upper extremity functional movement in chronic stroke survivors. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirteen chronic stroke survivors participated in this study. Robot arm reach training was performed with a Whole Arm Manipulator (WAM) and a 120-inch projective display to provide visual and auditory feedback. During the robotic arm reach training, WAM provided gravity compensation and assist-as-needed (AAN) force according to the robot control mode. When a participant could not move the arm toward the target for more than 2 seconds, WAM provided AAN force to reach the desired targets. All patients participated in the training for 40 minutes per day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Main outcome measures were the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Box and Block Test (BBT) to assess upper extremity functional movement. Results: After 4 weeks, significant improvement was observed in upper extremity functional movement (FMA: 42.15 to 46.23, BBT: 12.23 to 14.00, p<0.05). In the subscore analysis of the FMA upper extremity motor function domains, significant improvement was observed in upper extremity and coordination/speed units (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the ARAT. Conclusions: This study showed the positive effects of robot arm reach training on upper extremity functional movement in chronic stroke survivors. In particular, we confirmed that robot arm reach training could have a positive influence by leading to improvement of motor recovery of the proximal upper extremity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Background: This study examined the effects of adding fibular repositioning taping (FRT) to ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on the ankle range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: The participants were randomized into the control (n=15) and AMT+FRT groups (n=15). The control groups applied only non-elastic taping on the affected ankle, and the AMT+FRT groups also applied non-elastic taping to the inferior tibiofibular joint. Both groups performed treadmill walking for 10 minutes. The ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention in the dorsiflexion ROM (p<.01), balance (p<.01), and gait performance (p<.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion: AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence in patients with chronic stroke, but there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, the addition of FRT to AMT does not influence the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of underwater and ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise on trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients. Design: Pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: The subjects were 28 patients (experimental group, n=14 or control group, n=14) diagnosed with chronic stroke. The experimental group performed underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. The control group performed ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six. Trunk control was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale. Lower extremity muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for trunk control after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk control than the control group (p<0.05). In comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant difference for lower extremity muscle activity after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise effectively improved the trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trunk stabilization exercises using a Reformer on trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 24 chronic stroke patients, randomly divided into two groups: trunk stabilization exercise using the Reformer group (TS-R, n = 12) and general trunk stabilization exercise group (GT-E, n = 12). Assessment methods included the Trunk Impairment Scale for trunk control, the AMTI force platform for static balance, the Timed Up and Go test for dynamic balance, and the Dynamic Gait Index for gait function. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The intervention for the TS-R group consisted of bridging exercises using a Reformer, while the GT-E group performed bridging exercises on a mat. All interventions were performed for 17 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of 20 sessions over four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA to analyze the interaction between groups and time. Results: The results of the repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the groups and time. The TS-R group showed statistically significant differences in all variables before and after the intervention. In contrast, the GT-E group did not show statistically significant differences in any variables before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that trunk stabilization exercises using a reformer are effective in improving trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients.