• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the walking ability of chronic stroke patients following either treadmill training with knowledge of the result (KR group) or treadmill training with knowledge of the performance (KP group). Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: a KR group (10 patients) and a KP group (9 patients). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy and treadmill training 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. The gait parameters were measured before and after training using the Optogait system. Results: After the training periods, the KR group showed significant improvement in gait speed, cadence, step length of the unaffected limb, stance time of the affected limb, and functional gait assessment compared to the KP group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that treadmill training with KR was more effective in improving the gait speed and cadence, step length of the unaffected limb, stance time of the affected limb, and functional gait ability than the treadmill training with KP. Therefore, to improve the walking ability of stroke patients, it is necessary to consider treadmill training with KR. If it can be combined with conventional neurological physiotherapy, it would be an effective rehabilitation for stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2028-2035
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2021

Objective: Stroke patients generally have problems with motor function, muscle weakness, and gait.This study was purposed toevaluate the effect of the treadmill training with kinesio taping of tibialis anterior (TKT) on muscle function, tibialis anterior, muscle strength, and gait ability in poststroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled design Methods: The participants were randomly divided in the TKT group (experimental group) and treadmill training with sham kinesio taping (control group), with 21 patients assigned to each group. Both groups receive treadmill training with kinesio taping and sham kinesio taping for 30 minutes per day, five days per week, for four weeks. The motor function was measured using the Fugl-Meyer assessment. A disital manual muscle test and G-walk were used to evaluate ankle dorsiflexor and gait ability.Evaluation was performed baseline and 4 weeks after the experiment. Results: Both groups showed significantly more improvement in muscle function, tibialis anterior muscle strength, cadence, gait velocity, and stridelength in pre-post intervention change(p<0.05).The experimental group showed significantly more improvement in motor function, muscle strength, cadence, gait velocity, and stridelength ability comparedto the control group(p<0.05). Conclusions: These finding show the benefits of treadmill training with kinesio taping for functional recovery in poststroke patients

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2021

Purpose: The study examined the effects of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise and protein intake on balance, gait ability, and lower extremity muscular strength for sarcopenia in the elderly. Methods: A total of 30 elderly people (65~74years) with sarcopenia were recruited and randomized to Group I (n=10), Group II (n=10), and Group III (n=10). Their balance ability was measured using the functional reach test. Group I performed the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise and protein intake. Group II performed the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise. Group III performed protein intake. Their gait ability was measured using the Timed Up and Go test. Lower extremity muscular strength was measured using the Five Times Sit to Stand test. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, Group I and Group II showed a significant difference in balance, gait, and lower extremity muscular strength after the experiment (p<0.05), and Group I showed a more effectively significant difference than either Group II or Group III in balance, gait, and lower extremity muscular strength before and after the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns exercise and protein intake was effective in balance, gait ability, and lower extremity muscular strength for sarcopenia in the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and to verification of changes that the effect of treadmill and body weight support treadmill training on balance and gait ability for sub-acute stroke patients during 4 week. Method: 16 subjects who was diagnosed stroke were divided into 2 groups(8-treadmill training group, 8-body weight support treadmill group) by randomized control trial. Both training programs were consisted with 40 minuted, 5 times a week for 4 weeks and after training programs. Analysis: We analysed effects and changes on balance and gait ability. Analyses were performed using PASW ver. 18.0 and results were reported as mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation (S.D.). To investigate within group comparisons and to verification on effects of exercise, we did paired t test and repeated measured ANOVA test. Significance was set at p<.05. Result: Both training programs showed positive changes in Limit of Stability but significant results which is area of hemiside, area of intact side, area of posterior, total area were reported in body weight support treadmill training group. Changes of Berg Balance Scale was significantly increase and it had significant correlation between groups. Changes of 6 Minutes Walking Test was significant increase in both groups but there was no significant changes on Foot print and Romberg test. Conclusion: After considering all factors, both training programs showed effect on improvement of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, but body weight support treadmill training group had better improvement in dynamic balance than treadmill training group. For the increase of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, we need to continues study on difference of treadmill and body weight support treadmill and then we will give stroke patients a better satisfaction if we develop and provide a rehabilitation program for improvement of balance and gait ability.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.253-260
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• 2020

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Visual feed-back ankle training combined with Ankle joint Functional electrical stimulation on balance, gait ability on patient with Chronic Stroke. A total of 22 chronic stroke patients were divided into VFAF Group, CON group. Each group performed 60 minutes a day 5 times a week for 8 weeks. VFAF group revealed significant differences in balance and gait ability as compared to the CON groups(p<.05). The exercises were conducted for 60 min per day, five, per week for eight weeks. Balance and gait ability were examined at 0 week and after 8 weeks of intervention. Our results showed that VFAF was more effective on balance ability and gait ability in chronic stroke patients. We suggest that this study will be able to be used as an clinical intervention data for recovering balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.346-350
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of calf tightness on gait, plantar pressure, and balance in adults. Methods: A total of 60 participants were divided into a normal group of 30 subjects with normal dorsiflexion angle (20-25 degrees) and an experimental group of 30 subjects with limited dorsiflexion angle (0-15 degrees) due to calf tightness. Gait ability and foot pressure of the subjects was measured with a treadmill, and the balance ability was measured by PROKIN system. Results: A significant difference in COP length, loading response, and single limb support was observed between groups. The COP length and single limb support ratio in the normal group was greater than in the experimental group, but the experimental group showed a higher ratio for loading response in the gait ratio. Conclusion: Our results indicated that calf tightness was negative effects on balance and gait ability, so assessment of the muscle tightness should be considered during exercise and treatment.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backward treadmill gait training between underwater and ground environments on strength, proprioception, and walking ability in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Twenty eight subjects participated in the study in which they were randomly assigned to either the underwater backward treadmill training (UBTT) group (n=13) or the BTT group (n=15). In both groups, forward gait training was performed for 20 minutes on the ground treadmill. The UBTT group performed backward gait on an underwater treadmill for 20 minutes while the BTT group performed backward gait on a ground treadmill for 20 minutes. The gait training in each group was performed twice a week for a total of six weeks. Muscle strength, proprioception, and gait ability was assessed using a digital power meter, joint angle recurrence method using the smartphone protractor application, the Figure-of-Eight walk test (F8W) and the functional gait assessment (FGA) respectively. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in strength, F8W and FGA scores after training (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in proprioception after training (p<0.05). In the comparison between the two groups, there was a greater significant change in the UBTT group for joint proprioception (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that both backward treadmill gait training programs were effective on strength, proprioception, and gait ability, and that underwater training was particularly effective on proprioception compared to ground training.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Objective: The arm swing is associated with gait ability in healthy young adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of arm swing during gait in healthy young adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-five subjects without any orthopedic or neurological injuries participated in this study. All subjects performed all three conditions according to the arm swing type as follows: first procedure (condition 1), walking as usual without arm swing constraint; second procedure (condition 2), constraint of dominant arm swing walking as usual; third procedure (condition 3), constraint of both arm swing walking as usual. Gait parameters such as gait velocity, stride length, cadence, step time, single limb support, and double limb support were measured in all arm swing conditions performed randomly, with the mean value obtained from three measurements. A rest period of 5 minutes was given to prevent repetition of each condition and learning effect. All data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to notice the changes between arm swing conditions. Results: Within walking conditions, significant difference of gait velocity, stride length, cadence, and double limb support was noticed (p<0.05), except step time and single limb support. Gait velocity and stride length were significant reduced, and in cadence and double limb support were increased (p<0.05). Condition 3 had the most significant decrease of gait ability compared with condition 1 (p<0.05). Conclusions: These finding suggested that constraint arm swing conditions reduced gait ability in healthy young adults. Also, these findings can be utilized as a reference to future studies that not only pelvic, knee and ankle, but also upper limb affect to gait ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

Purpose: Gait and cognitive impairment in stroke patients exacerbate fall risk and mobility difficulties during multi-task walking. Virtual reality can provide interesting and challenging training in a community setting. This study evaluated the effect of community-based virtual reality gait training (VRGT) using a 360-degree image on the gait ability of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Forty-five chronic stroke patients who were admitted to a rehabilitation hospital participated in this study. Patients meeting the selection criteria were randomly divided into a VRGT group (n=23) and a control group (n=22). Both these groups received general rehabilitation. The VRGT group was evaluated using a 360-degree image that was recorded for 50 minutes a day, 5 days per week for a total of 6 weeks after their training. The control group received general treadmill training for the same amount of time as that of the VRGT group. The improvement in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait was evaluated using a gait analyzer system before and after training. Results: The spatiotemporal gait parameters showed significant improvements in both groups compare with the baseline measurements (p<0.05), and the VRGT group showed more improvement than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Community-based VRGT has been shown to improve the walking ability of chronic stroke patients and is expected to be used in rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future.