• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2017

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to compare additionally applied weight underwater gait training and over-ground gait training to improve balance and lower extremity strength in stroke patients. Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Underwater gait training group (n=10) and Over-ground gait training group (n=9). The groups performed their respective programs as well as conventional physical therapy 3 times/week for 6 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale test, the timed up and go test, and the medical research council test pre and post intervention. A paired t test was applied to compare the differences before and after the intervention, and an independent t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The results showed that subjects in the underwater gait training group had a significantly increased Berg balance scale, timed up and go, and medical research council scores (p<0.05), and over-ground gait training group showed a significantly increased medical research council score (p<0.05) after intervention. The underwater gait training group showed a more significant improvement in medical research council, Berg balance scale and the timed up and go test scores compared to the over-ground gait training group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that applying additional weight during underwater gait training improves lower extremity strength and balance in stroke patients. It' findings can contribute to the development of more efficient rehabilitation for stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2022

Background: This research was conducted to understand balance training in trunk control, balance, and walking in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects included 40 stroke patients, of whom 20 undertook balance training using visual information and the other 20 undertook balance training using balance boards. Using visual feedback, the balance training group used a training program within the static balanced evaluation tool, while the balance training group trained using a balance board. All subjects underwent 20 mins of neurodevelopmental treatment, and both target groups underwent 10 mins each of balance training by using either visual feedback or a balance board. The treatment period lasted a total of 4 weeks, twice a day. Trunk control before and after training was evaluated with the Trunk Impairment Scale. Balance capability was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, and Static balance measurement tool. Walking capacity was measured using gait measuring equipment, and cadence and velocity were measured. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in their interstitial control, balance, and gait ability after the experiments compared to before the experiments (p<0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant. The visual feedback balance training group showed a more substantial improvement than the balance board training group. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the balance training combined with visual feedback contributes to improving trunk control, balance, and gait in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. In addition to this, I believe that balanced training combined with visual feedback can be used as a training method when considering patients who lack interstitial control, balance, and gait ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.204-211
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive speed increase during underwater gait training on stroke patients' balance, gait, and endurance, as well as to compare the effects of underwater gait training and land gait training. Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated into three groups. Underwater gait training group (n=10), land gait training group (n=9) and control group (n=9). The groups performed their respective programs as well as conventional physical therapy 3 times/week for 8 weeks. The patients were assessed before and after the experiment in terms of the Berg balance scale, characteristics of gait, and 6-minute walking test. Results: The beneficial effect perceived in the speed increase underwater gait training (UGT) group was significantly greater than in the groups who were trained with speed increase land gait training (LGT) group, and the control group regarding the following aspects: the Berg balance scale, the affected step length, the affected stride length, and the 6-minute walking test (p<0.05). The LGT group showed a more significant effect on the Berg balance scale, the affected step length, the affected stride length, and the 6-minute walking test (p<0.05), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the UGT group showed a significantly greater effect on the gait speed when compared to the control groupb (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that progressive UGT is effective in improving balance, gait, and endurance in stroke patients. Therefore, we believe that progressive UGT may be used as a method for general physical therapy in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of balance training using a newly developed elastic band orthosis (aider) for improvement of mobility and balance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten patients with chronic hemiplegia participated in this study. There were six males and four females; two patients had right hemiplegia and eight had left hemiplegia. This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance and gait ability compared with bare foot condition. Gait parameters were measured using the opto-gait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. In addition, balance ability in stroke patients was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance compared with bare foot condition. The TUG and BBS showed significant improvement with use of the elastic band orthosis (p<0.05). Use of the Elastic band orthosis resulted in significantly improved velocity, cadence, less-affected step length, less-affected stride length, and less-affected single limb support in stroke patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant improvement in dynamic balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients using the elastic band orthosis. This orthosis may aid in prevention of spastic foot drop, leading to improvement of walking ability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of neuro-dynamics technique (NDT) to the balance and gait for chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study was composed of the cross-sectional design. Nine patients with chronic stroke applied to NDT. Balance ability function was measured using the Good Balance System device for static balance, timed up and go test (TUG) and functional reach test (FRT) for dynamic balance. The 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite device were used for measurement of gait ability for patients. Results: There were significant improvements were observed on dynamic balance ability (p<.05) and gait ability function (p<.05). Conclusions: This research shows that the NDT is immediate effective on dynamic balance and gait ability of the chronic stroke patients. Further studies may be needed to continuously intervention of NDT for more patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of training in vestibular sensory stimulation on balance and gait of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10). Patients in the experimental group received rotational stimulation training, vertical-horizontal stimulation training, gait training on a flat surface with vestibular sensory stimulation, and gait training on soft ground with vestibular sensory stimulation. Patients in the control group received general treadmill gait training. The intervention was applied four times per week, 25 minutes each time, for a period of four weeks. We measured Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Biodex Balance System, Timed up to Go (TUG) test and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) to evaluate balance and gait ability. Results: BBS differed significantly in both groups between before and after the intervention (p<0.05) and changes in BBS after the intervention differed between the two groups (p<0.05). According to the Biodex Balance System test result, only the experimental group showed significant changes in balance in the conditions of static eyes open (SEC), dynamic eyes open (DEO), and dynamic eyes closed (DEC) (p<0.05). TUG test results differed significantly between prior to and after the training in both the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05) and changes in TUG after the intervention differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.05). DGI results showed significant change after the intervention in the experimental group only (P<0.05). Conclusion: Training in vestibular sensory stimulation was effective in improving static-dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a pelvic compression belt on gait abilities and balance in subacute stroke patients. Methods: Twenty two patients with subacute were recruited and randomly assigned into two group: Two group offered conventional physical therapy and occupational therapy for five day. The group was composed of twelve patients. Participants in the experimental group were given the pelvic compression belt and conventional physical therapy, conventional occupational therapy, although conventional physical therapy and occupational therapy provided in the subjects in the control group. To assess the gait ability, the GAITRITE system was used and the Balance system SD was used to test balance. All measurements were performed before and after intervention. Results: The experimental group shows a significant improvement the cadence, velocity, step length and stride length in gait (p<.05) and show significant increase in the dynamic standing balance (p<.05). However, control group shows a significant improvement the cadence, velocity, step length and stride length in gait (p<.05), but shows no significant differences in dynamic standing balance. Furthermore, there were significant differences gait velocity, dynamic standing balance between two groups (p<.05). Conclusions: The results demonstrated that the elastic pelvic belt application is effective to improve gait velocity, dynamic balance in the subacute stroke patients. Thus, the elastic pelvic belt is seemed to be one of the potential methods to facilitate the active rehabilitation program for hemiplegia patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Action-observational training program on gait and balance of patients with hemiplegia. Method : The subjects of this study are patients with hemiplegia; 10 patients who agreed with this research, were picked up. Participants were divided randomly into equal groups: experimental group that applied to action-observation training for at least 30 minutes/day for 6 weeks and control group that underwent general task-oriented training. Gait and balance were measured 10 meter walk test(10MWT), gait speed, berg balance scale(BBS) and timed up and go(TUG). The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. Result : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the gait and balance test of those who practiced with the Action-observational training program, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, Action-observational training program is effective in improvement of to improve the gait and balance in patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the aquatic exercise program on lower muscle strength, balance and gait activity on 12 weeks aquatic exercise program in the elderly women. Methods : The Subjects in this study were 20 aged 70s who were long-term residents admitted to elderly nursing home of S, Gyeongsangnam province. They performed aquatic exercise programs 60-minute sessions, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The physical evaluation was used for measuring lower muscle strength, balance activity was used for measuring balance testing, and gait activity was used for measuring gait velocity and maximal step length evaluation. All data were analyzed by paired t-Test by SPSS(version18.0). P-values of <.05 were considered significant. Results : Lower extremity muscle strength, static dynamic balance and gait activity were significantly increased both in the exercise group and between groups. Conclusion : This study suggests that aquatic exercise program has an effect on lower extremity muscle strength, balance and gait activity of the elderly women. Therefore, it is considered as a safe and helpful self-support activity for the elderly people.

• 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.