• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the effectiveness of an 8-week virtual reality exercise program designed around the Nintendo Wii (Wii), in improving balance among patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: The study included 16 patients with MS (10 female, 6 male) who were assigned randomly to experimental (n=8) or control group (n=8). Experimental group performed three 40-minute Wii balance-training sessions per week, for 8 weeks. The control group did not perform any of the training programs. A computerized dynamic posturography (Sensory Organizing Test, SOT) was used to evaluate all patients at baseline and at the end of the treatment protocol. Statistical significance was tested in between the patients before and after treatment by t-test. Results: After 24 training sessions, SOT showed significant difference on condition 5, 6, and vestibular ratios within the experimental group from baseline to post-intervention. By contrast, no significant difference was observed within the control groups. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that the virtual reality training program could improve the outcomes in terms of balance in the MS population. Long term follow ups and the development of more efficient virtual reality training programs are needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.345-352
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• 2020

This study compared how falls can be reduced in disabled elderly people by using the Otago exercise program and ascertained the program's effects on physical function and psychological recovery. The subjects were 30 people, and were assigned to two groups. The experimental group had 17 people, and the other was the control group that had 13 people. The experimental group attended the 50-minute program twice a week for 12 weeks. The outcome measures for lower extremity muscle strength, postural balance, flexibility, and self-efficacy were tested at the pre-test and post-test phases. In the analysis, general characteristics were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Physical function and self-efficacy were analyzed by independent T-test between the two groups, and correspondence T-tests were used within the two groups. The result of this study demonstrated that the experimental group showed significant increases in lower extremity muscle strength, static balance, flexibility and dynamic balance, and self-efficacy showed a small increase in the experimental group. But the control group showed significant decreases in static balance, flexibility and fall efficacy. The control group also showed decreases in lower extremity strength and dynamic balance. So the results of this study proved that the Otago exercise program brought about positive changes to improve physical function and psychological function to help prevent disabled elderly people from falling.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of electromyography (EMG)-biofeedback training on lower extremity muscle activity and balance of patients with total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental and control group. Subjects in the experimental group (n=10) were provided with quadriceps setting exercise by EMG-biofeedback (QSE+BF) and those in the control group were provided with QSE. Subjects in both groups were provided with the respective training programs for 20 minutes per session, five times per week, for a period of six weeks. To test significance, data analysis was performed using repeated-ANOVAs. Results: Statistically significant differences in muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle and the vastus lateralis, and dynamic balance ability were observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group. In comparison of the muscle activity of the rectus femoris muscle and the vastus lateralis, and dynamic balance ability between different training periods within the groups, both groups showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: EMG-biofeedback training is effective in improving lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability of patients with TKR, and should be effective in patients with other diseases.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Background: Cervical dysfunction is a common pathomechanical marker in individuals with forward head posture (FHP). To overcome the limitations of the isometric chin-tuck (ICT) exercise, dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS), which emphasizes an entire spinal chain exercise, has recently shown promising clinical results. Objects: Purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects between ICT and DNS techniques. Methods: 43 young subjects (mean age, $24.0{\pm}5.0$ years) were recruited. Group of subjects with FHP were measured under baseline, ICT, and DNS conditions. Outcome measures included sitting height, longus colli (LC) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle thickness and LC/SCM thickness ratio. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the continuous dependent variables among FHP, ICT, and DNS conditions at p<.016. Results: Both ICT and DNS exercise conditions yielded significantly increased LC muscle thickness, LC/SCM thickness ratio and sitting height than did FHP condition (p<.0001, respectively). Sitting height was significantly greater in DNS exercise than in the ICT exercise (p<.0001). Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that sitting height was greater in the DNS exercise than in the ICT exercise, as well as both corrective postural training exercises were effective on LC/SCM muscle balance ratio when compared with the baseline FHP condition. Therefore, it is considered that DNS exercise can be the recommended exercise for people with FHP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Background: Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) functionally adapt to decreased postural control due to impaired processing of sensory information. Standing postural control has been the focus of recent research in CLBP. Change in postural control may be a risk factor for CLBP, although available studies are not conclusive. Objects: This study aimed to identify the role of partial weight supported treadmill training (PWSTT) in improving balance, dysfunction, and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study included 22 patients with CLBP. Patients in the control group ($n_1=8$) performed three 20 min stabilization exercise sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Patients in the full weight treadmill training group ($n_2=7$) performed treadmill training for 30 min after stabilization exercise. Patients in the PWSTT group ($n_3=7$) performed PWSTT with 20% of their body weight unloaded after stabilization exercises. By using the Biodex balance system, the dynamic balance abilities of the patients in the three groups were assessed in the quiet standing position under combined conditions of visual feedback (eyes open and closed) and platform stability (level 8). The Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale score were used as the main measure. Results: The results of this study showed that dysfunction and pain were significantly improved in all groups. Although dynamic postural stability with eyes closed was significantly improved only in the PWSTT group (p<.05), no significant difference was found in the other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that PWSTT improved balance, dysfunction and pain in the patients with CLBP. Thus, this intervention is necessary for patients with CLBP with decreased postural control.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.430-435
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was a virtual reality-based balance training program effective for improvement in physical function, examined the balance ability and fall efficacy of elderly women with experienced falls, intending to examine the program's usefulness as an exercise program to prevent the recurrence of a fall. Methods: The participants were 30 elderly women aged 65 or older who met the conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to either a balance training group (BT) or a virtual reality-based balance training group (VT) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. To measure static balance, the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) were used. To measure dynamic balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) was used, and regarding fall efficacy, the Korean Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES) was used. Results: Tetrax significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT group and the VT group (p<0.05). The comparison between the two groups was not significantly. BBS and FRT result significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT and VT groups (p<0.001), while K-FES was significantly ameliorated in the VT group only (p<.05). Comparing the groups, there were more significant changes in the BBS (p<0.05) and FRT (p<0.01) result of the VT group than the BT group. Conclusion: A virtual reality-based balance training program is considered to be usable as an exercise program to prevent recurrence of falls in elderly women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.36-44
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate the influence of shoe heel height and muscle fatigue on static and dynamic balance in young women. Thirty women who were used to wearing high heels volunteered to participate in this study. The shoe heel heights were 0 cm and 7 cm. And ankle plantar flexor fatigue was experimentally induced. Static and dynamic balance were measured using the one leg standing test (OLST) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions, respectively. Values in the OLST (shoe heel height 0 cm, $28.83{\pm}3.24$ sec to $26.12{\pm}6.13$ sec; and 7 cm, $24.75{\pm}7.09$ sec to $16.86{\pm}9.32$ sec) and the SEBT in anterior (shoe heel height 0 cm, $71.02{\pm}4.57%$ to $69.50{\pm}3.66%$; and 7 cm, $64.17{\pm}3.53%$ to $59.61{\pm}4.06%$) and posteromedial (shoe heel height 0 cm, $92.01{\pm}5.61%$ to $90.38{\pm}7.10%$; and 7 cm, $83.09{\pm}7.29%$ to $76.83{\pm}9.28%$) directions were significantly reduced when fatigue-inducing exercise was performed (p<.05). Furthermore, within these parameters, there were significant interaction effects between shoe heel height and fatigue condition (p<.05). These findings suggest that shoe heel height and muscle fatigue contribute to some changes in static and dynamic balance in young women, probably leading to negative effects on physical function during a variety of activities of daily living.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2018

Objective: Elevated cholesterol levels contribute to changes of the arterial endothelial permeability. Hyperlipidemia promotes atherosclerosis and is associated with an increased risk of stroke incidence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of having a history of hyperlipidemia prior to a stroke incidence on postural balance, anticipatory dynamic postural control, gait endurance and gait performance in individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty-two adults who were diagnosed with stroke 6 months ago or more were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two different groups according to hyperlipidemia history before stroke. All participants were assessed with the Activities-specific into Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Berg Balance scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). An independent t-test was used to analyze the difference between the hyperlipidemia group and non-hyperlipidemia group. Results: After analysis, the BBS, TUG, and 6MWT scores were significantly different between the hyperlipidemia and non-hyperlipidemia group, but not the ABC and DGI scores. Conclusions: The results of this study show that having a history of hyperlipidemia before stroke affects static and dynamic postural balance performance, anticipatory dynamic postural balance, and gait endurance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Based on the results of this study, we also suggest treatment for hyperlipidemia should be implemented throughout the therapeutic interventions, such as pharmacological or exercise programs, in order to restore the physical function of stroke survivors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the immediate effects of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback training of the gluteus medius on dynamic balance during single leg squats in healthy individuals. Methods: The sample size in this study was estimated using the G-power program at an effect size of 0.4, a significance level (α) of 0.05, and a testing power of 0.90. In addition, as a result of considering the 10% dropout rate, this study recruited 21 healthy individuals (8 males and 13 females). All subjects measured the Y-balance test-lower quarter (YBT-LQ) and limits of stability (LOS) before and after a single leg squat (SLS) and SLS with EMG biofeedback training of the gluteus medius (SLSEB). They were trained for 10 minutes for each exercise, and two dynamic balance tests were performed three times. Results: There was a significant difference in the YBT-LQ score between the two exercises (p < 0.05). In the YBT-LQ score, there was a significant difference before and after SLS and SLSEB (p < 0.05). SLSEB showed a significantly higher YBT-LQ score than SLS (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in LOM between the two exercises (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two exercises. Conclusion: A single-leg squat with EMG biofeedback exercises is an effective method to improve dynamic balance, such as the YBT-LQ.