• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.21-31
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a cognitive-exercise program using step on the cognitive function, gait, and depression of elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Methods : The subjects comprised 30 elderly people with mild cognitive impairment who used elderly welfare centers in the provinces A, B, and C between March 21 and June 7, 2019. They were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15) before undergoing an experiment based on a pretest-posttest control group design. The lowenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment-geriatric population was used to assess the subjects' cognitive function, while the 4-stage balance test, 30-second chair-stand test, timed up & go test, and functional reach test were employed to evaluate their gait. In addition, the beck depression inventory was used to measure their levels of depression. Results : The cognitive-exercise program using step enhanced the subjects' cognitive function and gait and reduced their levels of depression. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion : The cognitive-exercise program using step promoted the process of sensorimotor and cognition through the learning process of various steps taking left and right steps and cognitive activities. It improves gait by activating the coordination of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the body and positively affecting posture control, balance, flexibility, and lower extremity muscles. It also relieved depression by performing successful step learning and cognitive activities with forward-looking (doing) that leads to pleasure and achievement. The present study confirmed the value of a cognitive-exercise program using step to treat multiple domains of functional decline in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. This is therefore proposed as an intervention program for this patient group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate how COP displacement of a hemiplegic foot in stance phase during gait is related to clinical balance measures and the recovery stage in hemiplegic stroke patients. Twenty-eight functionally ambulant hemiplegic patients who had suffered from strokes and thirty age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. COP parameters were calculated. Clinical balance was measured using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). The recovery stage, proprioception, and clonus of the ankles or lower extremities were also measured for physical impairment status. The COPx max-displacement in the medial-lateral side of the stroke patients was significantly longer than that of the normal group (p=.038). The COPy max-displacement in the anterior-posterior side of the stroke patients was significantly shorter than that of normal group (p<.001). Significant differences in the COPx and COPy displacement asymmetry index were found between the two groups (p<.01). The FRT was correlated with the COPx displacement (r=.552) and COPy displacement (r=.765). The TUGT was correlated with the COPy displacement (r=-.588) only. The recovery stage of the lower extremities was correlated with COPy displacement (r=.438). The results of the study indicate that the characteristic of COP displacement in hemiplegic feet in stance phase during gait is related to balance ability and recovery in stroke patients. COP parameters acquired by the mapping of foot pressure in stance phase during gait will provide additional useful clinical information. This information can be used by clinicians to assess objectively the pathologic gait with other diseases and to evaluate the therapeutic effects on gait in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.64-71
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• 2007

The purposes of this study were to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Test (BBS), Timed -UP & Go Test, Fugl Meyer-L/E, Balance, Sensory (FM-L/E, B, S), Motor Assessment Scale-Gait (MAS-G), Comfortable maximal Gait Speed (C MGS), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). The subjects were 40 stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. Main outcome measures were Balance control (BBS, FM-B), Gait (TUG, C MGS, MAS-G), ADL (MBI) and Motor Function of Lower Extremities (FM-L/E, S). The data were analyzed using Pearson product correlation. FM scales between other clinical and instrumental indexes and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for Balance, Gait and ADL Motor Function of Lower Extremity inclinations. The results of this study were as follows: The BBS, FM-L/E, balance, sensory and MBI showed positive correlation relations, but TUG and C MGS showed negative correlations. The sensory factor of the FM-scale showed the strongest variance in predicting BBS. However the FM-balance showed the strongest variance in predicting TUG, MAS-G and C MGS. The use of both quantitative and qualitative scales was shown to be a good measuring instrument for the classification of the general clinical performance of the patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.112-123
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• 2019

Objective: Based on the results of previous studies, it is necessary to analyze gait and discuss and present the effects of aquatic exercise for chronic stroke. The purpose of this study was to present objective data on the effect of aquatic exercise on the gait of persons with stroke by performing a meta-analysis. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of 23 studies that investigated the effects of aquatic exercise performed between 2006 and 2017. The studies were searched on the basis of the participants, intervention, comparison, outcomes standard. The quality of the research method was assessed using a tool that can assess the risks posed by each study design. A meta-analysis software program was used to calculate the mean effect size, effect size by intervention, and effect size by outcome. We also performed a meta-regression analysis and an analysis of publication bias. Results: The mean effect size of the patients' gait was 0.65 (p<0.05). The largest effect size by outcome was observed at the 6-m walk test, followed by the 6-minutes walk test, 10-m walk test, and the walking equipment test (p<0.05). The meta-regression analysis showed that the effect size increased with increased duration, number, and length of sessions. Conclusions: Aquatic exercise appears to show a moderate effect on the gait of chronic stroke survivors. Meta-analyses on the effects of aquatic exercise in other patient populations are needed. This study suggests standard criteria establishments for the effect of aquatic exercise on the walking ability of persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.145-151
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• 2022

Purpose : Stroke patients exhibit abnormal walking patterns such as slow walking speed and asymmetrical walking values. The recovery of symmetrical walking in the stance phase using a treadmill means improvements in walking speed and asymmetrical walking. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of unilateral step treadmill training (USTT) on gait speed and the recovery of symmetrical walking in chronic stroke patients. Methods : Fifteen patients (11 men and 4 women) with chronic stroke participated in this study. The 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite system were used to determine the intervention-related changes in gait speed and symmetrical walking values such as non-paretic step length (NSL), non-paretic step time (NST), paretic single-support time (PSST), step length asymmetry (SLA), and step time asymmetry (STA) after USTT. All participants completed USTT and underwent measurements at 3 different times: at pretest, posttest, and the follow-up test. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare walking speed and asymmetrical walking values. The statistical significance level was set at p<.05. Results : Walking speed by 10MWT (p<.05) showed significant improvements after USTT as follows: at pretest and posttest (p<.05), posttest and follow-up test (p<.05), and pretest and follow-up test (p<.05). Recovery of symmetrical walking patterns such as NSL (p<.05), NST (p<.05), and SLA (p<.05) were observed after USTT. However, no significant improvements were found in PSST (p>.05) and STA (p>.05) in symmetrical gait. Conclusion : This study suggests that USTT may have a positive effect on walking speed and symmetrical walking patterns in chronic stroke patients. Thus, this study contributes to the existing knowledge about the usefulness of USTT for the effective management of patients with chronic stroke. Further studies are needed to generalize these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.577-585
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was to evaluate gait velocity and stance time on 5 conditions in elderly women and elderly women with LBP. The subjects were 70's generation. Methods : The subjects are 20 divided into 2 groups. They measured gait velocity, stance-time. The 5 conditions were normal gait, 10cm obstacle gait, 25cm obstacle gait, dual 10cm obstacle gait, dual 25cm obstacle gait. The experimental period was between 2008/12 and 2009/2. Statistical analysis was used Repeated measurement for difference between conditions, independent t-test for difference in two groups. Subjects were countdown from 50 during dual task gait. Results : The results were as follow: there were significantly difference 10cm obstacle velocity, dual 10cm obstacle velocity in two group. The others were not significantly differences. Velocity and stance-time were significantly difference in control group. In dual 25cm obstacle gait, velocity was difference of normal gait. Stance-time was difference in 25cm obstacle gait, and dual 25cm obstacle gait. In Experimental group, velocity and stance-time were not significantly difference. But measured value of velocity was gradually decreased and stance time was increased. Conclusion : These results indicate that elderly people with LBP women are reduced gait ability in dual task, and obstacle condition. So they need to prevent falling in dual task, and obstacle gait and to train obstacle/dual tak gait.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.295-306
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of robot-assisted gait training on the active ranges of motion, gait abilities, and biomechanical characteristics of gait in patients who underwent lower extremity surgery, and to verify the effectiveness and clinical usefulness of robot-assisted gait training. Methods: This study was conducted on 14 subjects who underwent lower extremity surgery. The subjects participated in robot-assisted gait training for 2 weeks. The active ranges of motion of the lower extremities were evaluated, and gait abilities were assessed using 10-m and 2-min walk tests. An STT Systems Inertial Measurement Unit was used to collect data on biomechanical characteristics during gait. Spatiotemporal parameters were used to measure cadence, step length, and velocity, and kinematic parameters were used to measure hip and knee joint movement during gait. Results: Significant improvements in the active ranges of motion of the hip and knee joints (flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction) and in the 10-m and 2-min walk test results were observed after robot-assisted gait training (p < 0.05). In addition, biomechanical characteristics of gait, spatiotemporal factors (cadence, step length, and velocity), and kinematic factors (gait hip flexion-extension, internal rotation-external rotation angle, and knee joint flexion-extension) were also significantly improved (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study are of clinical importance as they demonstrate that robot-assisted gait training can be used as an effective intervention method for patients who have undergone lower extremity surgery. Furthermore, the findings of this study are clinically meaningful as they expand the scope of robot-assisted gait training, which is currently mainly applied to patients with central nervous system conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise on deep cervical flexor thickness and gait in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methods : Twelve children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were recruited for this study. All subjects performed active craniocervical flexion exercise 3times a week over the course of 6weeks. using a pressure bio feedback unit. Ultrasonography was used to assess deep cervical flexor thickness, and a 10m walking test was used to assess gait function. For the statistical analysis, a paired t-test was used to compare the differences pre- and post-value. SPSS Statistics version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis, and statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than 0.05. Result : The results of this study indicate that children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy experienced statistically significant positive changes in both deep cervical flexor thickness (p<.05). and gait(p<.05) following the intervention. Conclusion : In conclusion, craniocervical flexion exercise can positively affect deep cervical flexor thickness in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which in turn positively affects gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.372-378
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of side walking training with an elastic-band on gait and balance ability of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty three patients with stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the side walking with elastic-band group (n=7), the side walking without elastic-band group (n=8), and the walking on the treadmill group (n=8);. 10 m walking test (10MWT), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and modified Functional Reach Test (mFRT) were performed for evaluatione of pre- and post-intervention in gait and balance ability of participants. Results: Significantly differences in 10 MWT, DGI, BBS, and mFRT were observed between pre- and post-intervention in three groups (p<0.05). Improvement of pre- and post-intervention of mFRT showed significant difference (p<0.05). The highest rate of change was observed in the side walking with elastic-band group and rate of change showed in the order of the side walking without elastic-band group, walking on the treadmill group. Conclusion: This study suggests that side walking training with an elastic-band may help to improve gait and balance ability of stroke patients.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.86-87
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• 1998

To understand the developmental process of the gait pattern from infancy to the adult, a gait analysis for a 14 months female infant has been performed for ten weeks. The gait parameters has been measured every other week since the week when she was able to walk without aid. The infant gait data at the tenth week of the test shows a similar pattern to the adult gait in many aspects including initial knee flexion, initial ankle dorsiflexion, the push-off pattern, etc. There is not a significant change in the hip flexion angle from week to week from the two weeks after the test started. To check the individuality in the collected data, more infant subjects are being tested presently.