• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2003

The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference in the Functional Ambulation Performance score of senior adults with or without a history of falls during walking at a preferred velocity. Twelve subjects with a history of falling (mean age=73.8) and eight subjects with no history of falling (mean age=70.4) participated in the study. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analyzed using the computerized GAITRite system. The GAITRite system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. The Functional Ambulation Performance score is a Quantitative means of assessing gait based on specific temporal and spatial parameters. Statistical analysis of the two groups demonstrated a significant decrease in Functional Ambulation Performance score for those with a history of falls. They had lower values for step/extremity ratios, mean normalized velocity, and greater values for step times, percent in double support. These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of persons with a history of falls and the Functional Ambulation Performance score can be used as indicators of gait performance for senior adults with a history of falls.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.176-181
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• 2017

Objective: The timed up and go (TUG) test is method used to determine the functional mobility of persons with stroke. Its reliability, validity, reaction rate, fall prediction, and psychological characteristics concerning ambulation ability have been validated. However, the relationship between TUG performance and community ambulation ability is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the TUG performance time could indicate community ambulation levels (CAL) differentially in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighty-seven stroke patients had participated in this study. Based on the self-reporting survey results on the difficulties experienced when walking outdoors, the subjects were divided into the independent community ambulation (ICA) group (n=35) and the dependent community ambulation group (n=52). Based on the area under the curve (AUC), the discrimination validity of the TUG performance time was calculated for classifying CAL. The Binomial Logistic Regression Model was utilized to produce the likelihood ratio of selected TUG cut-off values for the distinguishing of community ambulation ability. Results: The selected TUG cut-off values and the area under the curve were <14.87 seconds (AUC=0.871, 95% confidence interval=0.797-0.945), representing a mid-level accuracy. Concerning the likelihood ratio of the selected TUG cut-off value, it was found that the group with TUG performance times shorter than 14.87 seconds showed a 2.889 times higher probability of ICA than those with a TUG score of 14.87 seconds or longer (p<0.05). Conclusions: The TUG can be viewed as an assessment tool that is capable of classifying CAL.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.183-207
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the temporo-spatial gait characteristics of healthy elderly people with those osteoarthritis patients. 100 patients reported knee osteoarthritis, diagnosed at the hospital or clinic located in Daegu and Kyungbuk province and 100 normal elderly subjects were participated in this study. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. The system integrates specific components of locomotions to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a correlated t-test and Pearson Correlation(p<.05). Significant differences were observed between the groups for temporal parameters(step time, double support time, stance phase, mean velocity) and spatial parameters(step length, step/extremity ratio)(p<.05). Also there was difference in the functional ambulation performance score between normal elderly subjects and knee osteoarthritis patients(p<.05). Consequently, it may help detect the abnormal gait pattern indicated the main problem in degenerative knee osteoarthritis patients as well as provide data analysing the pathokinesiologic components by comparing normal elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of physical performance on bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women. Methods: Twenty-one elderly women participated in this study. After testing functional ambulation category (FAC), they were classified into two groups: dependent walking group, those who could not walk independently (FAC 0~2, n=11) and independent walking group those who could walk independently (FAC 3~5, n=10). Outcome measures were: general characteristics, physical performance and BMD. General characteristics included age, body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio. Physical performance included the chair rise test (CRT) and the modified fall efficacy scale (MFES). BMD was represented in the osteoporosis index (OI), T-score and Z-score. BMD was evaluated in calcaneal bone, using OsteoPro. The data was analyzed using SPSS 12.0 software and the Mann-Whitney U test and the Spearman correlation. Results: Age, BMI and waist hip ratio, which all affect BMD, showed no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). But the FAC 3~5 group showed a significantly higher score for CRT, MFES and T-score, compared with the FAC 0~2 group (p<0.05). The T-score was correlated with CRT and MFES scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: There is a positive relationship between physical performance and BMD. Therefore, improved physical performance can have a beneficial effect by reducing osteoporosis in elderly women, considering a positive relationship between physical performance and BMD.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2019

Background: Stroke is one of the most common diseases responsible for physical disabilities. In addition to their physical and occupational therapy, the self-exercise programs were developed for patients with hemiplegia to increase the intensity of their therapeutic exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a customized self-exercise program (CSP) to walking function on improving stroke survivors' muscle strength and ambulation function. Method: To test the effect of the self-exercise program, the following tests were conducted: The functional ambulation category (FAC), Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment gait part (POMA-G), timed up and go (TUG), 10-meter walk, and 2-minute walk. The study included 161 consenting stroke patients (FAC score>1) from a randomized, screened sample of 217. The CSP group participated in a 30-minute CSP each day for 10 weeks in addition to completing a routine rehabilitation program. The control group received only a routine rehabilitation program. All the subjects were monitored by a therapist once a week and had to submit an exercise checklist at the end of each session. Result: The strength of the participants' upper and lower extremity muscles showed no significant differences between the CSP group and the control group. The FAC score and POMA-G also showed no significant differences. However, there were significant differences in the TUG, 10-meter walk test, and 2-minute walk test (p<.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that a CSP may improve gait-related function in stroke survivors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the temporo-spatial gait characteristics of healthy young people with those of healthy elderly people. Methods: The data were collected by 40 volunteers. 20 subjects were between 20 and 31 years of age, and 20 subjects were between 65 and 84 years of age. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Results : The system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a correlated t-test(p<.05). Significant differences were observed between the groups for step length, step/extremity ratio and velocity. Young people demonstrated a significantly larger velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio than the elderly people. Conclusions: These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of young and older persons. Additionaly, differences in walking velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio between old and young people may have influenced the gait characteristics measured.