• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.203-217
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether task-oriented trunk training can improve muscle strength, muscle activity, balance, and gait in stroke patients. Methods : A total of 27 stroke patients who agreed to participate in the study were randomly divided into the following two groups: (1) experimental group 1, task-oriented training applied to the proximal part (n=14) and (2) experimental group 2, task-oriented training applied to the distal part (n=13). Thereafter, task-oriented trunk training was accordingly applied in each group for 60 minutes per session, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Muscle power, muscle activity, balance, and gait were assessed using a digital dynamometer, surface electromyograph, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait analyzer (G-WALK), respectively, before and after training. Results : Trunk muscle strength significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05). and there was a significant difference between the groups. Muscle activity in the stance phase during gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Muscle activity in the swing phase during gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. The TUG test values significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Conclusion : The results of this study show that task-oriented training can improve trunk muscle strength, muscle activity, balance, and gait in stroke patients.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.73-74
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• 2008

In this study, we developed a robotic gait trainer which induces the active gait training based on predefined continuous proper lower extremity joint movements. AC servo motors and linear actuators were used to control hip and knee joints of patients and the weight support system was used to support the patient's weight during the gait training. We also implemented a Gill program to set the gait training pattern with several training parameters and to confirm states of patients and the system through the visual feedback. The effectiveness of the gait training system will be determined by the long-term clinical experiments in the future. We expect that the developed robotic gait training system could be applied very practically to recover gait abilities for persons with gait disorder.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate of the foot plantar pressure and usability after gait training using the ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot in an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) patient. Design: A case study Methods: Six participants with an asymmetry in motor and sensory function completed the gait training using ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot for 15 sessions, five per weeks, 3weeks. They were divided into two groups (low and high strength group) and group differences were evaluated about session at stating of gait, gait distance at final session and foot plantar pressures and useability after training. Results: Low strength group was faster than high strength group on adaptation of robot gait. And high strength group increased faster than low strength group on the gait distance during training. In standing and gait, weaker leg was higher than stronger leg on mean foot plantar pressure in low strength group. And stronger leg was higher than weaker leg on foot plantar pressure in high strength group. The length of the anterior-posterior trajectory of the center of pressure during gait was similar in low strength group, but different in high strength group. useability was positive about ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton gait after training. Conclusions: ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot gait training was positive about improving gait in all participants regardless of differences in severity of symptoms and gait abnormalities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training according to the variability of the walking environment on balance, gait, and function in patients with stroke. Methods : Twenty-five patients with stroke were randomly assigned to experimental group I (n=12) and experimental group II (n=13). Experimental group I and II performed obstacle and non-obstacle walking training, respectively, along with cognitive tasks for 21 minutes per session, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Both groups received additional general physical therapy for 30 minutes per session. The functional reach test (FRT), gait analyzer (G-Walk), and functional independence measure (FIM) were used to evaluate balance, gait and function of pre- and post-interventions, respectively, while gait cadence, gait velocity, and stride length were evaluated using a gait analyzer. Results : In the within-group comparison of FRT, all the two groups showed significant post-intervention improvements (p<.05). In within-group comparison of gait cadence, all the two groups showed significant post-intervention improvements (p<.05). In within-group comparison of gait velocity, all the two groups showed significant post-intervention improvements (p<.05). In within-group comparison of stride length, experimental group I showed significant post-intervention improvements (p<.05), while experimental group II did not show significant post-intervention improvements (p>.05). In within-group comparison of FIM scores, experimental group I showed significant post-intervention improvements (p<.05), while experimental group II did not show significant post-intervention improvements (p>.05). There was a significant difference in the change of FIM scores pre- and post-intervention (p<.05) in the between-group comparison. Conclusion : The results of this study show that dual-task training with cognitive tasks and walking training can improve the balance, gait and function of patients with stroke, and obstacle walking training is effective for improving functions including activities of daily living compared to non-obstacle walking training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Purpose: This systematic review aims to determine whether robot-assisted training is more effective in gait training for persons with subacute hemiparetic stroke. Methods: This study adopted a systematic review study design focused on subacute hemiparetic stroke, and four core academic databases were searched until June 11, 2021, for relevant studies, including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Central. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of robotic-assisted training on gait performance in persons with a diagnosis of subacute hemiparetic stroke. The selected RCT studies were qualitatively synthesized based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, settings, and study design (PICOS-SD). Results: The study selected five RCTs involving 253 subacute hemiparetic stroke patients and performing robotic-assisted gait training using the following devices: the Lokomat, Morning Walk, Walkbot, ProStep Plus, or Gait Trainer II. Five RCTs were eligible for the meta-analysis after quantitative synthesis, and the results showed that the robot-assisted gait training group had a greater gait performance than the control group based on the 10-meter walk test, Berg balance scale, Rivermed mobility index, functional ambulation category, and modified Barthel index. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the gait performance of subacute hemiparetic stroke patients changes throughout robot-assisted gait training, but there were no indications that any of the clinically relevant effects of robot-assisted training are greater than those of conventional gait training. Further, the small sample size and different therapeutic intensities indicate that definitive conclusions could not be made.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise on gait and balance in patients with stroke. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 20 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise, n = 11) or control group (treadmill gait training without the thoracic mobility exercise, n = 9). All the participants underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 4 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group underwent 20 min of treadmill gait training combined with 10 min of a thoracic mobility exercise (3 × / week for 4 weeks) and the control group underwent the former but not the latter. Gait and balance were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walking test (10 MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) velocity, and COP length in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and COP velocity than the control group (10 MWT, -3.02 sec vs. -1.68 sec, p < .05; COP velocity, -.07 mm/sec vs. .08 mm/sec, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training, combined with the thoracic mobility exercise, could be effective in improving the gait and balance of stroke patients. It could also be more effective in improving walking speed and static balance than the treadmill gait training alone.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensive gait training with body weight support treadmill training on gait and balance in stroke disability patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six stroke patients (20 men and 6 women) participated in this study. All subjects were hospitalized patients. They were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (body weight supported treadmill training group, n=14) and control group (treadmill group, n=12). The mean ages were 52.07 years (experimental group) and 53.83 years (control group). Subjects in both groups received conventional training 10 times/wk. Subjects in the experimental group practiced body weight supported treadmill training for 30 minutes a day, 3 day/wk. Subjects in the control group practiced treadmill training for 30 minutes. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and GAITRite were used to evaluate balance and gait parameters (step length, cadence and gait speed) before and after the intervention. Results: BBS scores in the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement ($4.33{\pm}1.54$), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Significantly greater improvement in the gait speed ($24.13{\pm}4.53$ cm/s), affected side step length ($10.40{\pm}3.42$ cm), sound side step length ($11.97{\pm}3.29$ cm), and cadence ($23.88{\pm}5.52$ step/min), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Intensive gait training with Body Weight Support Treadmill Training may improve gait and balance in subacute stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2017

Purpose: This study compares the effects of treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback and general treadmill gait training on the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke. Methods: A total of 11 patients with chronic stroke were randomly divided into either the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group (six patients) or the general treadmill gait training group (five patients). The gait and balance ability of the two groups were measured before and after the interventions using the functional reach test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test. The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group performed the exercise under the supervision of a therapist after first being provided with a hat and a goal that was devised for the purpose of providing visual feedback information. The interventions were applied to the respective groups for four weeks. For the statistical analysis, we conducted a Mann-Whitney test to compare the results between the two groups. Additionally, the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results from before and after the intervention in each group. Results: The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a significant difference in terms of the functional reach test after the intervention when compared to the general treadmill gait training group (p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference, the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a larger improvement in the TUG test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test than the general treadmill gait training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback can be used as a beneficial intervention scheme for the recovery of the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.407-415
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study is to examine the effects of different types of tasks on gait functions of chronic stroke patients when different types of dual tasks were applied while the patients were implementing practical and continuous circuit tasks using their upper and lower extremities circulating many workbenches. METHODS: Forty-four chronic stroke patients were divided into a dual motor circuit task training group, a dual cognitive circuit task training group and a simple task training group. Before training, all the patients were identically encouraged to receive conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes by a physical therapist were thereafter made to train for 30 minutes, five times a week for a total of eight weeks with individual additional tasks. The dual motor circuit task training consisted of continuous circuit training motor tasks and additional motor tasks and the dual cognitive circuit task training consisted of tasks combining the same circuit training motor tasks and additional cognitive tasks. The simple task training consisted of natural walks on a flat terrain to the front, rear and lateral sides of the terrain. Changes in functional gait abilities made through the training were evaluated using GAITRite. SPSS Win 12.0 was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: As for the gait variables that showed significant differences in comparison between the groups over the training period, the dual motor circuit task training group showed more significant differences than the dual cognitive circuit task training group and the simple task training group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, it could be seen that the practical and continuous dual circuit task training was more effective than simple task training on gait. In comparison between the types of dual tasks, the dual motor circuit task training group showed more effects than the dual cognitive circuit task training group.