• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose a gait recognition method based on gait silhouette sequences. Features of gait are affected by the variation of gait direction. Therefore, we synthesize silhouettes to canonical form by using planar homography in order to reduce the effect of the variation of gait direction. The planar homography is estimated with only the information which exist within the gait sequences without complicate operations such as camera calibration. Even though gait silhouettes are generated from an individual person, fragments beyond common characteristics exist because of errors caused by inaccuracy of background subtraction algorithm. In this paper, we use the Principal Component Analysis to analyze the deviated characteristics of each individual person. PCA used in this paper, however, is not same as the traditional strategy used in pattern classification. We use PCA as a criterion to analyze the amount of deviation from common characteristic. Experimental results show that the proposed method is robust to the variation of gait direction and improves separability of test-data groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the confusion level in performing dual tasks using smartphones while walking in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: Twenty subjects with CAI and 20 healthy subjects participated in the study. The spatial, temporal, spatial-temporal, and variability gait parameters were measured using GAITRite under four different conditions: general gait, web surfing during gait, texting during gait, and gaming during gait. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the interaction according to the group (2) and confusion level in dual-tasks (4). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the changes within the group according to the confusion level in dual-tasks. The changes between groups were compared using an independent t-test. The statistical significance level was set to p = .05. RESULTS: Significant interactions in the temporal and spatial-temporal gait parameters were found between the dual-task conditions and the other groups (p < .05). Significant within-group differences in the spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal gait parameters were found according to the confusion level in dual tasks (p < .05). Significant between-group differences were observed in the temporal and spatial-temporal gait parameters according to the confusion level in dual tasks (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The effect of the confusion level in dual tasks was greater in subjects with CAI than in healthy individuals. This study suggests that to prevent reinjury to the ankle, subjects with CAI should avoid dual tasks such as using smartphones while walking.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.103-113
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if virtual reality-based exercise was effective in balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty patients with PD were assigned randomly to the experimental (n=15) or control groups (n=15). The experimental group performed virtual reality-based exercise and the control group underwent conventional physical therapy for 30minutes, five times per week for four weeks. A force platform system, the Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), the six-minute walking test (6MWT), and the Korean Version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES) were used to evaluate balance, gait, and falls efficacy. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to examine the within- and between-group differences after training, respectively. RESULTS: Changes in the K-BBS score (p<.001) and fall efficacy (p<.01), following the intervention were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group whereas significant group difference were not observed for the anterior-posterior and mediolateral postural sway lengths. The change in the ground reaction force (p<.001) and 6MWT values (p<.05) were significantly greater after intervention in patients in the experimental group than in the control group, whereas a significant group difference was not observed for the step and stride lengths. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that virtual reality-based exercise is an effective intervention for improving balance, gait, and fall efficacy in patients with PD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to find a more efficient intervention method through a study of the gait variables and dynamic balance of chronic neck pain patients. METHODS: Forty subjects aged between 40 and 60 years were allocated randomly to two groups; The first group performed PA (Posteroanterior Mobilization), and the second group conducted CCF (Craniocervical Flexion Exercise). The gait variability measured the speed, cadence, and dynamic balance in the forward, leftward, rightward, and rearward directions. An independent t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and paired t-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the dynamic balance measurements, the variability of PA (p < .000) and CCF (p < .000) in the rightward direction, PA (p < .004) in leftward direction and forward direction increased significantly (p < .013). In an analysis of the gait variability, the cadence increased significantly in the PA group (p < .022) and not significantly in the CCF group (p < .056). On the other hand, there was no increase in the speed variable, in the PA group (p < .437). In the CCF group, the cadence increased significantly (p < .022). The differences in the PA and CCF group differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: The PA group showed a significant increase in the forward (p < .013), leftward (p < .004), and rightward directions (p < .000). Speed was significant in the CCF group, and cadence was significant in the PA group. The dynamic Balance was effective in the rightward direction in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to report the effect of oriental medical treatments with exercise therapy on the frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline. The frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline was treated by oriental medical treatments combined with exercise therapy during 3 months. The improvement of clinical symptom was evaluated by Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Passive Range Of Motion (PROM), Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K). After 3 months, all of both lower extremity Manual Muscle Test (MMT) improved to Grade 4. Both knee extension Passive Range Of Motion (PROM) and Mini Mental State Examination-Korea (MMSE-K) also increased from -30/-30 to 0/-5, from 7 to 25 respectively. It could be suggested that oriental medical treatments with exercise therapy were effective on the frail elderly patient with gait disturbance and cognitive decline. And further research is encouraged to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment with a larger number of patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether resistance exercise using elastic bands for 6 weeks could improve the muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait among stroke patients. Methods : A total of 11 stroke patients who had agreed to participate in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving elastic band resistance training on their less affected side (experimental group 1, n=4), affected side (experimental group 2, n=3), and both the sides (experimental group 3, n=4). Muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer, the modified ashworth scale (MAS), the berg balance scale (BBS), and G-walk respectively, before and after training. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze intergroup changes after the intervention, whereas the Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze intergroup changes in all variables. Results : Strength in all the muscle, except for the flexor and extensor muscles in the affected knees, was increased in all the groups, however, no significant difference was observed. No change in the muscle tone (MAS) was found in any group. All the groups showed increased BBS scores walking speed, and walking symmetry following training, although, the differences were not significant. Changes in the affected step length of experimental group 1 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 3, whereas changes in the affected step length in experimental group 3 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 2. Conclusion : Our results suggest that resistance exercise using elastic bands are a potential intervention for improving lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and gait among stoke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether virtual reality-based exercise could improve on balance, gait and fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods : Ten patients with Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into either an experimental or control group. The experimental subjects performed vertual reality-based exercise, whereas the control subjects performed conventional physical therapy for 4 weeks. The balance, gait and fall efficacy of all subjects were assessed by using the Measurement Training and Documentation (MTD) balance system, force platform system, Korean version of Berg Balance scale (K-BBS), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Korean version of Fall efficacy scale (K-FES) at pre training and post training. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze change before and after intervention in intra-group. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze changes of all variables in inter-groups. Results : Subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvements in difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway length, ground reaction force (GRF), 6MWT, and step length following training. The changes of difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, AP Sway Length, GRF, 6MWT, step length and K-FES scores in the experimental group were significantly more than them of the control group. Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that virtual reality-based exercise training is an intervention to improve on balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2018

Objective: Elevated cholesterol levels contribute to changes of the arterial endothelial permeability. Hyperlipidemia promotes atherosclerosis and is associated with an increased risk of stroke incidence. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of having a history of hyperlipidemia prior to a stroke incidence on postural balance, anticipatory dynamic postural control, gait endurance and gait performance in individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifty-two adults who were diagnosed with stroke 6 months ago or more were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two different groups according to hyperlipidemia history before stroke. All participants were assessed with the Activities-specific into Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Berg Balance scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). An independent t-test was used to analyze the difference between the hyperlipidemia group and non-hyperlipidemia group. Results: After analysis, the BBS, TUG, and 6MWT scores were significantly different between the hyperlipidemia and non-hyperlipidemia group, but not the ABC and DGI scores. Conclusions: The results of this study show that having a history of hyperlipidemia before stroke affects static and dynamic postural balance performance, anticipatory dynamic postural balance, and gait endurance in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Based on the results of this study, we also suggest treatment for hyperlipidemia should be implemented throughout the therapeutic interventions, such as pharmacological or exercise programs, in order to restore the physical function of stroke survivors.