• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.205-213
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of somatosensory input on the gait ability and equilibrium sensory of elderly women. The subjects who participated in this study were 31 elderly women with a mean age of 75 years or older who no using a walking stick and had no abnormality in otolaryngology. The control group consisted of 30 elderly women who did not exercise regularly more than twice a week. Dependent variables consisted of 2.44m timed up and go test, 10m usual gait, 10m fast gait and 6minute gait. The equilibrium sensory test was performed using EquiTest (NeuroCom, USA). The results of the study on gait ability were not statistically significant for 2.44m timed up and go test, and 10m usual gait. However, 10m fast gait (P<.001) and 6min gait (P<.05) showed significant differences. According to the results of the study on equilibrium sensory ability, there was no significant difference between Condition 1 and Condition 5 however Condition 2 (P<.01), Condition 3 (P<.01), Condition 4(P<.01) and Condition 6 (P<.05) showed statistically significant differences. In conclusion, walking stick have beneficial effects on walking and equilibrium sensation, and elderly women need to actively use walking stick when going out and walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-38
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• 1998

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of pelvic tilting exercise on gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 31 hemiplegic in- and out-patients of the Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center, from September 24, 1997 through November 5, 1997. Pre- and post-treatment change in gait patterns were measured using a ink foot-print. The data were analyzed by the paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and independent t-test. The findings were as follows: The difference in gait patterns between pre- and post-treatment was statistically significant, with an increase in gait velocity to 7.98 cm/sec post-treatment; an increase in cadence to 7.29 steps/min; a narrowing of the base of support to 1.33 cm; an increase in step length of 3.92 cm on the less affected side and 3.73 cm on the more affected side; an increase in stride length of 5.82 cm on the less affected side and 5.92 cm on the more affected side(statistically not significant in foot angle). In relation to sex, age, cause of stroke, and laterality of paralysis, the difference in gait patterns between pre- and post-treatment was not statistically significant. Where there was no significant difference of the effects of pelvic exercise regarding the degree of spasticity, the presence of a decrease in proprioception, and the duration of treatment. In conclusion, hemiplegic pelvic tilting exercise was found to have transmitting positive effect in improving gait patterns.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare to aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill gait training to improve balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where nine subjects were in the aquatic treadmill group, eight subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group, and ten subjects in the control group. Subjects in the aquatic treadmill group and the anti-gravity treadmill group received gait training during 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy during 30 minutes, with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas pre-post intervention (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that aquatic treadmill group and anti-gravity treadmill group had significantly improved in BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison between the aquatic treadmill and the anti-gravity treadmill group. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggested that aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill improves balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the FES-gait with augmented feedback training to the FES alone on the gait and functional performance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: This study used a pretest and posttest randomized control design. The subjects who signed the agreement were randomly divided into 12 experimental groups and 12 control groups. The experimental groups performed two types of augmented feedback training (knowledge of performance and knowledge of results) together with FES, and the control group performed FES on the TA and GM without augmented feedback and then walked for 30 minutes for 40 meters. Both the experimental groups and the control groups received training five times a week for four weeks. Results: The groups that received the FES with augmented feedback training significantly showed a greater improvement in single limb support (SLS) and gait velocity than the groups that received FES alone. In addition, timed up and go (TUG) test and six minute walk test (6MWT) showed a significant improvement in the groups that received FES with augmented feedback compared to the groups that received FES alone. Conclusion: Compared with the existing FES gait training, augmented feedback showed improvements in gait parameters, walking ability, and dynamic balance. The augmented feedback will be an important method that can provide motivation for motor learning to stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.34-43
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of underwater treadmill gait training (UTGT) and overground treadmill gait training (OTGT) on the gait, balance ability and pulmonary function of stroke patients. Twenty subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: UTGT ($n_1$=10) and OTGT ($n_2$=10). The 10 m walk test (10 MWT), Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, center of pressure, pulmonary function of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume after 1 sec (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC were measured before and after 4 weeks of training. Both groups undertook the gait training for 30 min a day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks, and rating of perceived exertion of the groups were measured and compared. All the studied variables were significantly improved in both groups (p<.05) at the end of the study, except in the FEV1 of OTGT (p>.05). There was significant between-group difference in all of the variables, except in the 10 MWT (p>.05). These findings suggest that UTGT is more effective than OTGT in improving the balance and pulmonary functions of stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2021

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of Kinesio taping with backward walking training (KTBW) on muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post-stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants included 27 post stroke patients and were randomly distributed into two groups: KTBW group received Kinesio taping with backward training (n=13), control group receive general physical therapy (n=14). Intervention was given five times a week, a total of four weeks. The subjects evaluated the muscle strength test and walking ability before and 4 weeks after the experiment. Muslce strength of lower extremity was measured by digital manual muscle test. Gait ability was measured by G-walk. Result: After training, the KTBW group showed significant improvement in muscle strength of the lower extremity compared to the control group (p<0.05). KTBW group showed significant improvement in gait ability compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These finding show the benefits of the Kinesio taping with backward walking training on the muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study to investigate the correlations among the motor function, balance, and gait velocity and the strength that could explain the variation of gait velocity of chronic stroke survivors. Design: This was a cross-sectional cohort study. Methods: Thirty hemiplegic stroke survivors hospitalized in an inpatient rehabilitation center were participated. The muscle tone of ankle plantarflexor and muscle strength of ankle dorsiflexor were measured respectively with modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and hand-held dynamometer. And the motor recovery and function with Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), balance with Berg balance scale (BBS) and timed up and go (TUG) test were measured. Gait velocity was measured with GAITRite. The correlation among motor function, muscle tone, muscle strength, balance, and gait were analyzed. In addition, the strength of the relationship between the response (gait velocity) and the explanatory variables was analyzed. Results: The gait velocity had positive correlations with FMA, muscle strength, and BBS, and negative correlation with MAS and TUG. Regression analysis showed that TUG (𝛽=-0.829) was a major explanatory variable for gait velocity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that gait velocity had correlations with muscle strength, MAS, FMA, BBS, and TUG. The tests and measurements affecting the variation of gait velocity the greatest were TUG, followed by FMA, BBS, muscle strength, and MAS. This study shows that TUG would be a possible assessment tool to determine the variation of gait velocity in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill walking training using the metronome on the gait pattern. METHODS: A total of 33 healthy persons were studied consisting of 17 female and 16 male in the 20-30 age group. A gait analysis program was installed on a treadmill with a built - in gait analysis sensor and laptop. After 9 minutes of treadmill walking, gait analysis was performed for 1 minute. The mean values of the differences in the step length, angle of COP, separation line standard deviation and step force of the lower legs affecting walking symmetry were calculated for treadmill walking and treadmill walking using the metronome. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test the normality of the collected data and a paired t-test was performed to analyze the difference in walking before and after using the metronome. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, the mean of difference between the measured values of the bilateral lower extremity for step length, angle of COP, separation line standard deviation and step force were statistically significant before and after treadmill walking using the metronome. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the treadmill walking training using the metronome is effective in decreasing the difference in the foot width, gait angle, gait distribution, and foot pressure. Because of this, the treadmill walking training using the metronome has a significant effect on walking symmetry among the elements for correct walking, which is a means for enabling efficient and continuous walking.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: Recommendations have been proposed for minimum aerobic fitness among firefighters but it is unclear if those criteria relate to performance on the fireground. Less fit individuals fatigue more quickly than fit individuals when working at comparable intensity and may have gait changes, increasing risk of falls. We evaluated the effect of fatigue during a live burn evolution on gait parameters and functional balance comparing them to aerobic fitness levels. Methods: A total of 24 firefighters had gait and balance tested before and after a live burn evolution. Data were stratified by aerobic fitness of greater/less than 14 metabolic equivalents (METs). Results: Analysis of gait cycles measurements before and after the live burn evolution revealed that single leg stance, cycle, and swing time decreased (p < 0.05) but there were no differences in the other measures. There were no differences in time to complete the functional balance test, or errors committed before or after a live burn evolution. When firefighters were sorted by fitness level of 14 METs, there were no differences for errors or time before or after the live burn evolution. Balance data were analyzed using a linear regression. Individuals with lower fitness levels required more time to complete the test. Conclusion: A 14-MET criterion failed to distinguish gait or balance characteristics in this group. However, less fit firefighters did require more time to complete the balance test (p = 0.003). Aerobic fitness alone does not predict gait changes among firefighters following a live burn evolution but does appear to influence functional balance.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of Combined Korean Medicine treatment on a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance. Methods : A 56-year-old, female patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance was treated by Korean Medicine including acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by Manual Muscle Test(MMT), Modified Rankin Scale(MRS), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index(K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by 10m walk test, Timed Up&Go Test(TUG), Functional Ambulatory Category(FAC), GAITRite and Symmetry Criterion(SC). Results : After treatment, MMT, MRS, K-MBI, gait parameters and gait symmetry were improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Combined Korean Medicine treatment might be effective for a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance.