• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between executive function and gait evaluations for the elderly, and validate the obstacle gait evaluation as a cognitive impairment test tool. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional design. 79 people aged 65 years or older were selected as subjects. The Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC) to evaluate overall cognitive function and the Trail Making Test (TMT) A, B to measure executive function were performed. The 4-meter walking speed test and the walking speed test while crossing over an obstacle were carried out to evaluate gait. The Spearman's correlation was used to measure the correlation between cognition and gait speed. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between the 4 m gait speed and executive function( TMT-A (p = .056), TMT-B (p = .115)). However, there was a significant correlation between the 4 m gait speed and MMSE-KC (r = .277, p < .05). There was also a significant correlation between walking speed while crossing over an obstacle and all tests (MMSE-KC (r = .382, p < .01). TMT-A (r = -.327, p < .01), TMT-B (r = -.283, p < .05)). CONCLUSION: It was found that the gait speed while crossing over an obstacle was correlated with all cognitive function tests. Therefore, we suggest the use of the gait speed test while crossing over an obstacle rather than the simple gait test to diagnose cognitive decline.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.126-132
• /
• 2009

This study examined the differences in spatio-temporal parameters, joint angle, ground reaction force (GRF), and joint power according to the changes of gait speed for trans-tibial amputees to investigate the features of the energy-storing foot for sports. The subjects walked at normal speed and at fast speed, wearing a single-axis type foot (Korec) and an energy-storing foot for sports (Renegade) respectively. The results showed that Renegade yielded faster gait speed as well as more symmetric gait pattern, compared to Korec. However, as gait speed was increased, there was no significant difference in kinematics, ground reaction force, and joint power between two artificial foots. This was similar to the results from previous studies regarding the energy-storing foot, where the walking velocity and gait symmetry have been improved. Nevertheless, the result of this study differed from the previous ones which reported that joint angle, joint power, and GRF increased as the gait speed increased except spatio-temporal parameters.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.674-682
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic gait training on plantar foot pressure, foot kinesiology and gait speed in right hemiplegic patients. The subject were 20 stroke patients who elapsed from 12 month to 24 month after stroke(aquatic gait training group(n=10), land gait training group(n=10)). This study measured plantar foot pressure, toe out angle, subtalar joint angle, gait speed from data of gate on 2m long measuring apparatus for RS-scan system(RS scan Ltd. German). This experiment performed in twice, before and after the aquatic gait training and land gait training. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS Ver. 12.0 using descriptive statistics, paired t-test. Aquatic gait training group had more variety pressure area on their foot such as T1(Toe 1), HM(Heel medial), and HL(Heel lateral). But motion of subtalar joint flexibility and toe out angle decreased considerably and gate speed also increased. According to the result, aquatic gait training is considered as more effective way in foot stability and normal gait pattern than land gait training.

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

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.687-693
• /
• 2011

Spring-mass models have been widely accepted to explain the basic dynamics of human gait. Researchers found that the leg stiffness increased with gait speed to increase energy efficiency. However, the difference of leg stiffness change with gait speed between the young and the elderly has not been verified yet. In this study, we calculated the lower limb stiffness of the elderly using walking model with an axial spring. Vertical stiffness was defined as the ratio of the vertical force change to the vertical displacement change. Seven young and eight elderly subjects participated to the test. The subjects walked on a 12 meter long, 1 meter wide walkway at four different gait speeds, ranging from their self-selected speed to maximum speed randomly. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected using three force plates and motion capture cameras, respectively. The vertical stiffness of the two groups increased as a function of walking speed. Maximum walking speed of the elderly was slower than that of the young, yet the walking speed correlated well with the optimal stiffness that maximizes propulsion energy in both groups. The results may imply that human may use apparent limb stiffness to optimize energy based on spring-like leg mechanics.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.2359-2364
• /
• 2021

Background: Patients with stroke have limited ankle range of motion (ROM) due to soft tissue abnormalities around the ankle and thus experience functional impairment. Increased muscle tension and reduced ankle ROM impair gait and hinder the activities of daily living. Joint mobilization and stretching are effective interventions that improve gait performance by enhancing the ankle ROM. Objectives: To investigate the effects of ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle stretching on gait speed and gait performance in patients with stroke. Design: This was a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty patients with stroke patients were randomized into two groups. The joint mobilization group (JMG) underwent anteroposterior mobilization of the talocrural joint and the joint mobilization stretching group (JMSG) underwent calf muscle stretching in addition to joint mobilization. Gait speed and gait parameters were measured using the 10-meter walk test and the GAITRite. Results: Both the JMG and JMSG groups showed significant improvements in gait speed, affected-side step length, and cadence after the intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: Joint mobilization and stretching were effective interventions for improving gait performance by enhancing ankle function in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.47-52
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To examine the correlation between the gait speed and muscle activation or foot pressure in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty five functionally ambulant stroke patients (male/female: 15/10, mean age: $57.65\pm2.30$) were enrolled in this study. The patients were asked to walk on a plate at a self-selected and comfortable speed. Three walking trials were obtained and then averaged for data analysis. The gait speed and foot pressure were measured from a RS-Scan system. Activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle and biceps hamstring muscle (%RVC) were recorded using ProComp $Infiniti^{TM}$. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between Hamstring muscle activation (%RVC) and gait speed. The gait speed correlated with the foot pressure of the lateral metatarsal zone (M3-5) in the affected side. There was a correlation between the gait speed and the foot pressure of the lateral metatarsal (M3-5) and heel (medial, lateral) zone in the less-affected side. Conclusion: The gait speed is related to hamstring muscle activation and the characteristics of foot pressure. This information was observed in both the affected and less-affected sides, suggesting that rehabilitation programs should be implemented on both sides.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2011

In this case report, we investigated the effects of robot-assisted gait therapy in a chronic stroke patient using motor assessment and gait analysis. A patient who suffered from the right hemiparesis following the left corona radiata and basal ganglia infarction received 30 minutes of robot-assisted gait therapy, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Outcome was measured using Motoricity index(MI), Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA), modified motor assessment scale(MMAS), isometric torque, body tissue composition, 10-meter gait speed and gait analysis. After robot-assisted gait therapy, the patient showed improvement in motor functions measured by MI, FMA, MMAS, isometric torque, skeletal muscle mass, 10-meter gait speed. In gait analysis, cadence, single support time, double support time, step length, walking speed improvement in after robot-assisted gait therapy. The results of this study showed that robot-assisted gait therapy is considered to facilitate locomotor recovery of the chronic hemiparetic stroke patient.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.90-101
• /
• 2013

■ Objectives The goal of this study was to observe the gait patterns from a patient with Parkinson disease under three different walking speeds. ■ Methods The patient walked on a treadmill and we measured gait parameters using a treadmill gait analysis system for 2 minutes. The Parkinson patients walked under three different conditions, first, at the preferred walking speed, second, at slower speed than the preferred walking speed, and, third, at faster speed than the preferred walking speed. ■ Results In terms of temporal gait parameters, as speed of treadmill increased, stance phase and total double support decreased, and swing phase increased. In terms of spatial parameters, as speed of treadmill increased, step and stride length increased. In terms of kinetic parameters, max pressure increased as speed of treadmill increased. ■ Conclusion According to different walking speeds, some gait parameters of spatiotemporal and kinetic was changed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2021

PURPOSE: Robotic gait training is being used increasingly to improve the gross motor performance and gait speed. The present study examined the effectiveness of a novel end-effector type of robotic gait training (RGT) system on standing, walking, running, and jumping functions, as well as the gait speed in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III (6 males; age range, 15.09 ± 1.44 years) were examined. They underwent 24 sessions (30 minutes/sessions, one time/day, three days/week for eight consecutive weeks) of RGT. The Gross Motor Function Measure-88 D domain (GMFM D), and GMFM E were assessed with a pretest and posttest of RGT. The setting was a one-group pretest-posttest design. RESULTS: A comparison of the pre-test and post-test show that the outcomes in post-test of GMFM D (p < .01), GMFM E (p < .05), and 10MWT were improved significantly after RGT intervention. CONCLUSION: The present study provided the first evidence on the effects of an eight-weeks RGT intervention in participants with spastic CP. The outcomes of this clinical study showed that standing performance, locomotion function, and gait speed increased in after 24 sessions of the end-effector RGT system in children with spastic cerebral palsy.