• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.761-768
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• 2016

Weight bearing is effective during rehabilitation of gait, in the elderly and disabled people. Various training devices using weight bearing function were developed along with treadmill walking; however, no device has been developed in conjunction to walking on the ground. Here, we designed a rail type frame of a gait rehabilitation system for body-weight support (BWS) function, and analyzed its mechanical safety in the static weight bearing condition of a vertical axis. Computational simulations were performed to analyze structure of the driving parts, which are connected with a rail and driving rollers and the lower plate of the BWS. Structural analyses showed the drivers and BWS were safe, when simulated at 135kg weight under static conditions. Thus, this rail type rehabilitation system can be used for gait training of the elderly and disabled.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

Purpose : We aimed to determine whether improvements in balance, gait, and motor function were different when the same exercise was performed, with and without mirror therapy, by patients with subacute stroke using the affected and unaffected lower limbs. Methods : Eight patients with subacute stroke were randomly divided into experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group. A mirror therapy program was performed with group 1 using the unaffected lower limb and group 2 the affected lower limb. The exercise lasted 30 min per session, five times weekly, for 4 weeks. The control group did not perform the exercises. BT-4, BBS, POMA, 10MWT, and BRS were used to evaluate balance, gait, and motor function before and after the intervention. Results : Post-intervention analysis showed that all three groups had higher BBS scores. After training, the postural sway in groups 1 and 2 decreased in the post eye opened and closed positions; that of the control group increased. The scores of two subjects in group 1 increased by 4 and 5 points in POMA, resulting in significant changes compared to those in the other groups. No group showed significant results in 10MWT. BRS improved in all subjects in group 1 from BRS 2 to 1 and in only one subject in group 2 there was no change in the control group. Conclusion : Static and dynamic balance and significant results are noted in POMA, BBS, but not gait velocity. Therefore, mirror therapy seems to show a positive change in subacute patients, but the research results are not clear and the difference between groups is unknown due to the small number of subjects. The effects of mirror therapy and exercise therapy should be compared using more subjects in future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trunk stabilization exercises using a Reformer on trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 24 chronic stroke patients, randomly divided into two groups: trunk stabilization exercise using the Reformer group (TS-R, n = 12) and general trunk stabilization exercise group (GT-E, n = 12). Assessment methods included the Trunk Impairment Scale for trunk control, the AMTI force platform for static balance, the Timed Up and Go test for dynamic balance, and the Dynamic Gait Index for gait function. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The intervention for the TS-R group consisted of bridging exercises using a Reformer, while the GT-E group performed bridging exercises on a mat. All interventions were performed for 17 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of 20 sessions over four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA to analyze the interaction between groups and time. Results: The results of the repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the groups and time. The TS-R group showed statistically significant differences in all variables before and after the intervention. In contrast, the GT-E group did not show statistically significant differences in any variables before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that trunk stabilization exercises using a reformer are effective in improving trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 2020

We have not identified on what gender difference during gait at a pace of one's preferred velocity effects on the function of bilateral lower limb. This study was undertaken to investigate a difference of gait strategy by gender during gait at a one's preferred velocity of participants of adult male and female (n=20). Cinematographic data for motion analysis, ground reaction force (GRF) variables, and muscle volume of lower limb were analyzed. Significant difference of variables on movement of center of mass whole body, joint angle and moment of lower limb, and ground reaction force were tested by 2-way ANOVA analysis (P<0.05). Male group showed more muscle volume than female, and both showed more volume in dominant leg than non-dominant. Main effect by bilateral leg during gait showed higher difference in right than left leg in change of vertical position of center of mass (maximal, minimal). Main effect by gender in vertical change of position and velocity of center of mass showed higher difference in male than female (maximal, minimal). Hip joint showed more flexed and extended angle in male than female, and also dorsiflexion of ankle and flexion moment of knee and hip joint showed higher in male than female group. Therefore, this result was assumed that dominant showed furthermore more contribution for propulsive function than non-dominant leg. Gender difference showed in strategy controlling of biomechanical characteristics, and perhaps influenced by muscle volume.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.398-402
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• 1996

This paper addresses the design and the gait control of quadruped walking robot. First, we concern the mechanical and electronical(control system) hardware of walking robot, and the second is the results of experiments. The walking robot is the most suitable form to substitute fot human being. So walking robot is worthy of research. The quadruped walking robot and control system is the simplest type of walking robot, therefore we designed a small seale robot for realization of static gait. The robot is designed commpactly and its legs are constructed parallel link type and able to move freely in space. Control system consists of one upper level controller and four lower level controllers. The upper level controller plans the walking path and commands the low level controllers to follow the planned path. The main function of low level cotrollers is control of motors. Total number of motors is twealve and they operate four legs. And robot is ordered to walk and realize static wave gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics oi gait patterns and to find the effects of the gait function on the P.N.F. pelvic pattern. The subjects of this study were 40 hemiplegic patients who either hospitalized in or out patients at department physical therapy, Tae-Bong hospital and Masan college health education center. The study on these patient were done from July 20.1999 through May 10,2000. Method of gait pattern assessment used ink foot print record. The results were as follows: 1. There were significiant difference in cadence and stride length(p<0.05). 2. There were significiant difference in gait velocity (p<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of robot-assisted gait training combined with virtual reality training on balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-one stroke patients were allocated randomly into one of two groups: robot-assisted gait training combined virtual reality training group (RGVR group; n = 16) and control group (n = 15). The RGVR group received 30 minutes of robot-assisted gait training combined with virtual reality training. Robot-assisted gait training was conducted in parallel using a virtual reality device. In the Control group, neurodevelopmental therapy was performed according to the function of chronic stroke patients. Both groups underwent training for 30 minutes, three times per week for eight weeks. The balance assessment system (BioRescue, Marseille, France), BBS, and TUG were used to evaluate the balance ability. The OptoGait (Microgate Srl, Bolzano, Italy) and 10 mWT were measured to evaluate the gait ability. The measurements were performed before and after the eight-week intervention period. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement in their balance and gait ability during the intervention. RGVR showed significant differences in balance and gait ability compared to the control group groups (p < .05). These results showed that RGVR was more effective on balance and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. CONCLUSION: RGVR can improve balance and gait ability, highlighting the benefits of RGVR. This study provides intervention data for recovering the balance and gait ability of chronic stroke patients.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.249-256
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern exercise using sprinter and skater on balance and gait in the stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-two subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). The experimental group performed PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater for 15 minutes with conventional physical therapy for 35 minutes (matt and gait training for 15 minutes + FES stimulation for 20 minutes), while the control group performed only conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes (matt and gait training for 30 minutes + FES stimulation for 20 minutes). Both groups performed therapeutic interventions for five days per week, for a period of four weeks. Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used for assessment of balance, and Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) was used for testing of gait. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in the FRT and the BBS, while the control group did not show significant changes in two measurements. The experimental group also showed significant improvements, however, the control group did not show significant changes in the TUG. In post-values of three measurements, significant differences were observed between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater may be used to improve balance and gait function in stroke patients. Thus, we suggested that PNF pattern exercise using sprinter and skater would be a therapeutic intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.131-142
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature comparing the differences between task-oriented treadmill training and general treadmill training for stroke patients. METHODS: Literature published in the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and PubMed was reviewed. A total of 1,163 studies were initially retrieved, of which eight articles were included in the final review. A quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 tool, and Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill method was used to evaluate publication bias. Data analysis was performed using R studio 4.2.1. RESULTS: According to the quality assessment using RoB 2.0, three articles were evaluated as low risk, two as of some concern, and three as high risk. The overall effect size of task-oriented tradmill training was .35. Regarding gait function, the values were .76, .25, and .40, respectively, for gait endurance, gait speed, and gait pattern. According to Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill method, no publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that task-oriented treadmill training is the most effective intervention for improving gait endurance in patients with stroke. Therefore, applying this intervention to patients with stroke in the community is recommended.