• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of treadmill exercise on the posture and walking speed of chronic stroke survivors with an ankle-foot orthosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-four chronic persons with chronic stroke admitted to Bobath Memorial Hospital in Seongnam city were divided into two groups by random blind method. Treadmill exercise with an elastic ankle-foot orthosis was performed in the experimental group and treadmill exercise was performed in the control group. The experiment was carried out for 6 weeks, and the experiment was carried out three times a week for 20 minutes per session. To measure the effect, static balance was measured using the MTD system before and after training, and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure functional balance. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the BBS measurement results for confirming the functional balance (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups in single limb support time, step time and step length (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that treadmill exercise with an elastic ankle-foot orthosis in persons with chronic stroke was effective in maintaining functional balance, walking ability, step length, and step time. Therefore, it is necessary to use a flexible ankle-foot orthosis with proper treadmill exercise as a method of improving balance and walking speed of chronic stroke survivors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.363-370
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of speed variations in treadmill training on the thickness of lower extremity muscles. A total of 36 university students were divided into three groups: MVTG (n=12), HVTG (n=12), and ATG (n=12). Subjects in MVTG underwent treadmill training with their own average speed; those in HVTG underwent treadmill training with 130% speed of their own average speed; and those in ATG underwent treadmill training with alteration of speed, between 100% and 130% of their own average speed. Treadmill training was performed for 60 minutes a day, three times per week, for a total of 6 weeks. Ultrasonography was used to compare the muscle thickness between rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior. The result was as follows: The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius were significantly increased after the training period, and they also were statistically significant in interaction. Moreover, tibialis anterior was also significantly increased. Therefore, compared to the average-speed treadmill training, speed variations had a greater effect on thickening the lower extremity muscles. In the near future, we will conduct a study applying the findings from this study in a rehabilitation program for patients with gait disturbance due to nervous or musculoskeletal system disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.323-333
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• 2002

Number of elderly, above 65 years old are 3,384,576 in korea on AD2000. Half of them will be have an experiencing in fall and decreasing of balance performance from musculoskeletal problems. Muscle strengthening exercise, empty hand gymnastics, gait training, rhythmic gymnastics are improved increasing of balance performance and prevent fall. Regular exercise program will make improve the balance performance and prevent fall. The exercise program have to perform continually that intensity and frequency will be once in day or 3-4 times in a week. Intensity and frequency of the exercise program start with low intensity and low frequency and gradually increasing of the intensity and frequency.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Background: Hemiplegic patients usually have difficulty maintaining balance. Balance training is a major component of there habilitation program for patients with neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring), FES(Functional Electrical stimulation), treadmill training, and neurodevelopmental treatment on the improvement of balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: We looked into published studies from Dankook University’s electronic library databases of RISS4U, KMbase, NCBI, and MEDLIS concerning the effectiveness of any form of intervention leading to improvement of balance. All types of studies relevant to the topic that were published in English during the time period of 1986 to 2005 were included. Results: 1. There were significant differences in standing balance, dynamic activity balance, and gait speed between barefoot subjects and subjects who wore SPAFO and HPAFO(p<.05). 2. The changes in ROM and FRT related to sex, age, height, and weight part of the diagnosis, as well as experience relapse, was of meaningless value. Changes in ROM related to the duration of pain and experiences of falling down were also meaningless. However, FRT showed significant static differences(p<.05). 3. The body-weight-support treadmill training scoring of standing balance, step length, and a timed 10m walking test showed definite improvement. 4. The proprioceptive control approach improved dynamic balance in patients with hemiplegia. Conclusion: Consequently, further study is needed to verify methods when physical therapists are researching balance ability in hemiplegic patient.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.27-37
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• 2016

Background: In previous studies regarding flexible pes planus, Foot orthosis, special shoes have been used as interventions for correcting malalignment and intrinsic muscles strengthening exercise have been regarded as interventions for foot function and supporting medial longitudinal arch during walking. However, some recent studies reported that strengthening extrinsic muscles as well as intrinsic muscles is more effective and active intervention for flexible pes planus. In particular, the tibialis posterior muscle of foot extrinsic muscles plays essential roles in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch during dynamic weight bearing and balance. In addition this muscle acts longer than other supination muscles during the stance phase in the gait cycle. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening exercise for plantar pressure and dynamic balance in adults with flexible pes planus. Methods: 16 young flexible pes planus adults (7 males, 9 females) were recruited and were randomized into two groups. The experimental group performed foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening training, the control group performed only foot intrinsic muscle strengthening training. All groups received strengthening training for 30 minutes five times a week for six weeks. Results: The experimental group had significantly lower plantar pressure of medial heel area than the control group in stand (p<.05). The experimental group had significantly higher dynamic balance ability than control group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence to suggest that foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle of extrinsic muscle strengthening exercises may improve plantar pressure distribution and dynamic balance ability in adults with flexible pes planus.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare core muscle activity and thickness in the abdomen (internal Oblique, IO; External Oblique, EO; Transverse Abdominis, TrA) according to walking training methods. Tests were performed on 20 healthy men who randomly assigned to two groups, divided by Nordic walking (n=10) or Power walking group (n=10). They were performed Nordic walking or Power walking training for 2 weeks that is consistent with each of the assigned groups. Results demonstrated that Nordic walking was more effective than Power walking in improving IO and EO activities. Nordic walking is believed to be useful method for a variety of therapeutic exercise as a stable balance with the stick in addition to normal gait and trunk stability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) on the foot pressure and balance of patients with scoliosis. Methods: This was a single-case A-B-A study involving two patients with scoliosis. The study was designed to perform repeated measurements as follows: 5 times at baseline (A), 10 times during intervention (B), and 5 times after intervention (A). The study period was 5 weeks, and the CLT program was divided into warm up, CLT program, and cool down stages, at 50 min per stage. For the primary outcome measure, Gait View AFA-50 was used to determine the foot pressure and balance ability. For the secondary outcome measure, the SRS-22 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life of the patients with scoliosis. Descriptive statistics and visual analysis using graphs were used to compare the rates of change. Results: The results of this study showed that the foot pressure and balance ability of the two subjects improved during the intervention period and remained improved even during the baseline period. However, their quality of life did not change after the intervention. Conclusion: CLT may have a positive effect on foot pressure and balance ability in patients with scoliosis. Also, this body function improvement may have positive effects on the performance of daily activities which employ the upright position.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.683-690
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• 2014

This study purposed to provide a scientific base for understanding the effect of therapeutic intervention using motivation on chronic stroke patients' balance and determining whether it is applicable as a new therapeutic intervention. For this study, we sampled 38 chronic stroke patients, and divided them randomly into a motivation training group(n=20) and a control group(n=18). To the control group was applied neurological physiotherapy 5 times a week, and 30 minutes each time, and to the motivation training group was applied neurological physiotherapy and then, additionally, a Nintendo Wii-Fit program 3 times a week, and 30 minutes each time. Before and after the experiment, the subjects' dynamic balance was measured with functional reach test(FRT), timed up & go test(TUG), and 10m gait test, and their static balance was measured with the Romberger Test. When dynamic balance ability was compared between before and after the experiment and between the motivation training group and the control group, significant difference was observed in the results of FRT, TUG, and 10m walking test between before and after the intervention(p<.05). As to static balance, in addition, body balance movement distance was not significantly different. Therapeutic intervention using dynamic motivation was found to be more effective than the control group in improving dynamic balance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

Purpose : Chronic ankle instability can lead to problems in balance and gait due to weakness of the ankle muscles and decreased proprioceptive sensation. Balance training that stimulates proprioceptors is necessary to improve ankle stability. We aimed to compare the effects of unstable support balance exercises using whole body sonic vibration and an aero-step (TOGU) on proprioception and balance in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods : Thirty-six participants with unilateral functional ankle instability were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (group 1 = sonic whole body vibration, group 2= TOGU). Individuals in each group participated in training for 5 weeks, 40 minutes per session, 5 times per week, and performed weight-bearing exercises in five postures on different unstable support surfaces. Proprioception was measured by digital inclinometer (Dualer IQ), and balance was measured by force platform (Biodex balance system). Results : Significant differences were observed in proprioception before and after intervention within both group (p<.05). Significant differences were also observed in the balance index before and after intervention within both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it is suggested that for individuals with ankle instability, unstable support surface training using a whole body sonic vibrator and TOGU can have a positive effects on proprioception and balance ability.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.3658-3665
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• 2010

As the population of elderly people and disabled people are increased, various demands for human welfare using robot system are raised. Especially autonomous rehabilitation system using robot could reduce the human effort while maintaining the its intrinsic efficacy. This study deals with mobile gait rehabilitation system which combined with BWS (Body Weight Support) for training of elderly and handicapped people who suffer the muscle force weakness of lower extremity. BWS which is designed by kinematic analysis of body lifting characteristics and walking guide system are integrated with main control system and wheeled platform. This mobile platform is operated by UCS (User Command System) and autonomous trajectory planning algorithm. Finally, through the EMG (Electromyography) signal measuring and its analysis for subject, performance and feasibility of developed system is verified.