• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.75-80
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an obstacle height on the balance control of older adults while stepping over an obstacle from a position of quiet stance. Methods: Fifteen community-dwelling healthy older adults (mean age, $74.4\pm4.27$ yrs; age range, 67-82 yrs) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects performed gait initiation (GI) and they stepped over obstacles of two different heights (10 cm and 18 cm) at a self-paced speed from a position of quiet stance. Their performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform. Results: The M-L displacement of the COP significantly increased for an 18 cm obstacle height condition as compared to the GI and a 10 cm obstacle height condition (p<0.01). Furthermore, the M-L displacement of the COP for a 10 cm high obstacle was significantly greater for that for the GI (p<0.01). However, the mean of the A-P displacement of the COP was similar between the stepping conditions for the A-P displacement of the COP (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the M-L COP displacement could be a better parameter to identify the dynamic balance control in older adults when negotiating obstacles.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2006

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate if two different age groups(young vs. old) had differences in walking velocity and heel contact velocity and, furthermore, if these gait characteristics could adversely influence initial friction demand characteristics(i.e. RCOF) and the likelihood of slip-initiation. Twenty eight(14 younger and 14 older adults) participated in the study. While wearing a safety harness, all participants walked at their preferred gait speed for approximately 20 minutes on the linear walking track(1.5m× 20m) consisting of two floor-mounted forced plates. During subsequent 20 cameras, respectively. The results indicated that older adults walked slower(i.e., slower whole body center-of-mass velocity), exhibited lower heel contact velocity, and produced lower initial friction demand characteristics (i.e. RCOF) in comparison to younger adults. However, ANCOVA indicated that the diferences in heel contact velocity between the two age groups were due to the effects of walking velocity. The bivariate analysis further suggested that walking velocity was correlated to RCOF and heel contact velocity, while heel contact velocity was not found to be correlated to RCOF. In conclusion, could be a better indicator for predicting initial friction demand characteristics(i.e. RCOF) not hel contact velocity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined changes in gait speed and stride length after an intervention involving simultaneous scapular and pelvic patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in a hemiplegic patient. Methods: A 58-year-old woman with left hemiplegia who had complained of slowness of gait speed and weakness of leg strength took part in an intervention involving scapular postdepression patterns on the affected side and pelvic postdepression patterns on the nonaffected side. The intervention was performed with the patient lying on her left side, in a half kneeling position, and in a standing posture. Rhythmic initiation was used for teaching the movements to the patient and improvement of kinesthesia, and a combination of isotonic was employed for increasing strength and irradiation of the scapula and pelvic movement. The intervention took place for 30 min. It was implemented twice a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. After three repetitions, the average time taken to complete the 10-m walk test (10 MWT), in addition to stride length, was measured to determine gait speed. Results: After the 3-week program, the patient's performance in the 10 MWT improved from 21.7sec to 17.1sec, and her stride length improved from 31.4cm to 38.7cm. Conclusion: The results showed that trunk movement exercise, especially coordinative movements of the scapula and pelvis can improve gait speed and stride length by increasing trunk stability and mobility. A combination of pelvic and scapular patterns can facilitate trunk rotation, thereby improving gait speed and stride length.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Among the adult patients with hemiplegia that were hospitalized at Michuhol Rehabilitation Center after being diagnosed with stroke, 10 that were capable of independent walking for more than five minutes and that understood and cooperated with the therapy and test methods of this research, were selected as subjects. The therapy was implemented based on the concept of PNF, and it was performed on a low mat and a height-adjustable mat, as proscribed by the fundamental procedure for PNF. Symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied to the patients in the decubitus position. The therapy scheme included stabilizing reversals, rhythmic stabilization, and a combination of isotonics, rhythmic initiation, and dynamic reversals. To investigate gait speed and body trunk mobility before and after the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied, walking speed for a distance of 10 m was measured and balance was tested based on the Berg-Balance scale test table. The Berg-Balance scale test was performed by one therapist to minimize any error that could occur from the subjective evaluation method used by therapists. Results: Gait speed increased by 8.97 seconds after applying the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using the concept of PNF, showing a significant difference (p<0.01). However, balance showed no significant difference after the therapy (p>0.14). Conclusion: Exercise therapy that uses the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis with the concept of PNF can be said to be a useful therapeutic technique that can enhance the walking speed of patients with hemiplegia.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.418-432
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• 2002

본 연구의 목적은 다음과 같이 네 가지이다. 첫째, dual-strategy hypothesis 모델의 이론적인 배경을 서술한다. 둘째, 보행시작 시 (Gait Initiation)와 장애물 보행시작 (Stepping over obstacles)시의 motor task를 dual-strategy hypothesis 모델의 관정에서 서술한다. 셋째, 파킨슨씨 환자군과 뇌졸증 환자군을 이 모델의 관점에서 서술한다. 마지막으로, dual strategy hypothesis모델의 임상적용 가능성에 대해서 간단히 서술하는 것이다.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2000

본 연구는 강직성 편측 뇌성마비 환자의 보행 기시(gait initiation)의 특성을 파악하고, 동적 단하지 보조기(dynamic ankle foot orthosis : DAFO)가 이런 환자들의 보행 기시에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구대상자는 19세 선천성 강직성 우측 뇌성마비를 가진 여자 대학생이었다. 연구대상자는 4개의 다른 보행 기시 조건에서 각 조건당 7회의 보행 기시를 하였는데, 각각의 보행 기시 조건은: 1) 보조기 없이 좌측 하지로 보행 기시; 2) 우측 하지 보조기 착용 상태에서 좌측하지로 보행 기시; 3) 보조기 없이 우측 하지로 보행 기시; 4) 우측 하지 보조기 착용 상태에서 우측 하지로 보행 기시였다. 두개의 힘 판(force plate) 위에서 본인이 선택한 가장 편안한 방법과 속도로 2 m를 걷도록 하였다. 연구대상자가 보행 기시를 하는 동안 양쪽 가자미근과 앞정강근에 부착된 4개의 표면 전극으로부터 근 전도 신호와 보행 기시를 하는 연구 대상의 양 발 아래 놓인 두개의 힘 판의 자료를 분석하여 체중(body weight : BW)으로 정량화 하였다. 실험결과는 각 조건마다 7회 실시된 측정값들의 평균을 이용하였다. 본 사전연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 보행 기시 전 양다리로 선 상태에서 환측보다 건측으로 많은 체중지지를 하였으나(환측 42.57%BW, 건측 58.03%BW) 보조기의 착용이 환측으로의 체중지지를 향상시켰다(환측 44.46%BW, 건측 55.54%BW). 2. 보행 기시 중 가자미근과 앞정강근의 동시수축(coactivation)이 계속되었는데 이러한 양상은 보조기의 착용 유무에 따라 크게 달라지지 않았다. 3. 힘 판에서 들어온 지면 반발력(ground reaction force)의 수직 분력(vertical element, Fz)과 전후 분력(anterior-posterior element, Fx)을 분석한 결과, 건측 다리로 보행 기시를 할 때 보조기 착용은 가속을 촉진시켜 역학적으로 유리하였다. 이상의 연구 결과는 보조기의 착용이 건측 다리로 보행 기시를 할 때 미치는 신경학적, 역학적 장점들에 대한 구체적 연구의 필요성 및 근거를 제시하고, 환자들의 보행훈련 접근에 보다 효율적인 보행방법을 소개하는데 이용될 수 있다.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.43-59
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• 2003

보행 종료(gait termination)는 인간의 보행개시(gait initiation)나 율동성 보행(rhythmical walking)에 비해 관심을 적게 받고 있다. 파킨슨 환자들이 보행종료와 방향전환 시 가지는 어려움은 이들 환자들이 보행 시 넘어지게 되는 노출 요인으로 보고되어져 왔다. 보행종료에 대한 기전의 이해는 효과적으로 걸음을 멈추지 못해 넘어지게 되는 위험요인을 가진 사람들에게 적용되어질 수 있다. 이 논문에서 우리는 보행종료에 대한 최근문헌을 고찰하고 우리 실험실에서 진행되어온 파킨슨환자의 보행종료에 관한 일련의 실험들의 결과를 요약하였다. 본 연구는 율동적인 보행상태에서 완전한 멈춤으로의 전환에서 일어나는 동역학의 변화를 검사하기위해 시행되었다. 보행속도가 증가함에 따라 따르는 다리(trailing limb; 보행종료시점에서 뒤에 위치하는 다리)의 유의한 가속력 감소가 나타나고 멈출 때 이끄는 다리(leading limb; 보행종료시점에서 앞에 위치한 다리)에서 유의한 감속력의 증가가 나타난다. 보행종료 시, 이끄는 다리의 뒤쪽에 질량중심(center of mass) 을 유지시키기 위해 하지 신전근의 활성도가 오래 지속되어져야 한다. 예측하지 못한 상황에서 보행종료 시, 보행 중이나 예측되어진 상황에서 멈출 때보다 이끄는 다리 아래에서 감속력이 빠르게 발생하는 경향을 보였다. 대상자들을 보행속도에 따라 두 군으로 나눌 때, 계획되지 않은 보행종료를 하는 동안 보행속도가 느린 군이 빠른 군보다 전방 가속력을 급속하게 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과들은 보행속도가 느린 대상자들이 따르는 다리로 힘을 생성하기 보다는 주로 이끄는 다리에 의존하여 보행종료를 하는 것을 보여준다. 따르는 다리에서 발생되는 힘과 근육활성도의 조절을 측정하기 위하여, 파킨슨 환자와 연령에 의해 짝짓기된 정상 환자군에게 표적 조건(target condition)을 추가하였다. 파킨슨 환자군은 표적에 다리를 정확히 놓기 위해 몇 발자국 전부터 보행 속도를 줄였다. 파킨슨 환자들은 보행종료를 촉진하기 위해 필요한 근육들의 활성도를 증가시키는데 큰 어려움을 가지고 있다고 생각되어진다.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.897-904
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• 2015

Objective To investigate differences in plantar pressure distribution between a normal gait and unpredictable slip events to predict the initiation of the slipping process. Methods Eleven male participants were enrolled. Subjects walked onto a wooden tile, and two layers of oily vinyl sheet were placed on the expected spot of the 4th step to induce a slip. An insole pressure-measuring system was used to monitor plantar pressure distribution. This system measured plantar pressure in four regions (the toes, metatarsal head, arch, and heel) for three events: the step during normal gait; the recovered step, when the subject recovered from a slip; and the uncorrected, harmful slipped step. Four variables were analyzed: peak pressure (PP), contact time (CT), the pressure-time integral (PTI), and the instant of peak pressure (IPP). Results The plantar pressure pattern in the heel was unique, as compared with other parts of the sole. In the heel, PP, CT, and PTI values were high in slipped and recovered steps compared with normal steps. The IPP differed markedly among the three steps. The IPPs in the heel for the three events were, in descending order (from latest to earliest), slipped, recovered, and normal steps, whereas in the other regions the order was normal, recovered, and slipped steps. Finally, the metatarsal head-to-heel IPP ratios for the normal, recovered, and slipped steps were $6.1{\pm}2.9$, $3.1{\pm}3.0$, and $2.2{\pm}2.5$, respectively. Conclusion A distinctive plantar pressure pattern in the heel might be useful for early detection of a slip event to prevent slip-related injuries.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.27-33
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the center of pressure (COP) trajectory in healthy elderly subjects while crossing an obstacle before and after participation in Tai Chi training. Forty healthy elderly subjects participated either in a 12-week intervention of Tai Chi training or in a health education program. The participants were divided into two groups (the experimental group and the control group). Subsequently, the participants were pre- and post-tested on crossing over an obstacle from a quiet stance. Participants in the experimental group received Tai Chi training that emphasized the smooth integration of trunk rotation, a shift in weight bearing from bilateral to unilateral support and coordination and a gradual narrowing of the lower-extremity stance three times weekly. The participants in the control group attended a health education program one hour weekly and heard lectures about general information to promote health. Performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform. Participants in the Tai Chi group significantly increased the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP after Tai Chi training (p<.05). No significant differences in the A-P and the M-L displacement of the COP between pre-testing and post-testing in the control group were found. This study has shown that participation in Tai Chi exercise increased the magnitude of the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP, thereby improving the ability of healthy elderly participation to generate momentum to initiate gait. These findings support the use of Tai Chi training as an effective fall-prevention program for the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Fracture Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.186-191
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiological and epidemiological characteristics, as well as the clinical course of pelvic insufficiency fractures in the elderly population. Materials and Methods: At a Haeundae Paik Hospital, we retrospectively reviewed patients with pelvic insufficiency fractures between March 2010 and May 2017. The demographic data of patients were analyzed, and bone mineral density and bone turnover markers were evaluated to estimate the metabolic status of the bone. The radiological characteristics were evaluated by comparing the simple x-ray images with the computed tomography images, and the types of fractures were classified via computed tomography images. For clinical course evaluation, we investigated comorbid complications, and compared the walking ability scale before and 6 months after the fracture. Results: A total of 42 patients were included, with an average age of 76.5 years. All were female except one case. In 5 cases where the initial medical examination was from another institution, the fracture was not found in 3 cases. All cases received conservative treatment. After the diagnosis of pelvic bone fracture using a simple x-ray imaging, additional fractures were found in 81.0% of the study population using a computed tomography. Initiation of gait occurred at an average of 2.8 weeks, and every case except 1 (97.6%) fully recovered their gait ability. Conclusion: We concluded that there was a limitation with diagnosing pelvic insufficiency fracture using only a simple x-ray imaging technique. In general, cases in this study showed conservative treatment yielded favorable clinical outcome with relatively less critical complications.