• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on lower extremity muscle activity and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods: For this study, 30 stroke patients participated in this study and they were divided into WBV exercise group and sham-WBV exercise group, each group in which consisted of 15 patients. WBV group and sham-WBV group was performed by the patients for five times a week, for six weeks. sEMG was used to measure lower extremity muscle activity. Changes in the activities of the muscles, such as the vatus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), bicep femoris (BF), gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle, were analysis. Motion analysis system was used to measure gait ability. Gait ability measured the stride length (SL) and walking velocity (WV). Results: According to the results of the comparisons between the groups, after intervention, lower extremity muscle activity of VL (p<.01), VM (p<.01), GCM (p<.01). SL, WV was significant between the group (p<.01). Conclusion: This study showed the WBV exercise is effective for improving increase of muscle activity and gait ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the blocked practice and random practice of task-oriented training in patients with chronic stroke to determine the effect of lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability. Methods: The thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the block practice group (BP) group or the random practice group (RP) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. Surface electromyography was used for measurement of lower extremity muscle activity. Static balance was to measured the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI) using the Tetrax. The four square step test (FSST) was used to measure dynamic balance. The paired t-test was used for determination of differences before and after intervention, and the independent t-test was used for determination of differences between groups. Results: Lower extremity muscle activity, RA and GCM was improved in the RP group after intervention and between groups. TA was significantly improved in the RP group compared with the BP group. In comparison of before and after interventions, SI was reduced in BP and RP. WDI in OS was reduced in comparison of BP and RP before and after intervention. CS was reduced in BP and RP. The OS and CS was improved in RP compared with BP. In comparison of before and after intervention, FSST was improved in BP and RP. Conclusion: Task-oriented training methods using random practice was found to be effective in promoting lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in chronic stroke patients.