• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 2023

Purpose : This study was conducted to identify the common characteristics of older persons with sarcopenia and to explore the relationship between gait, balance, and stress using an integrated assessment tool. Methods : In this study, 95 people aged 65 years or older were screened using the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation algorithm presented by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019. Skeletal muscle index, grip strength, and short physical performance battery were used as sarcopenia evaluation measurements. Based on the results of this evaluation, participants were grouped into the 'non-sarcopenia group' (41 participants) or the 'sarcopenia group' (54 participants). Participants underwent further assessment using an integrated evaluation tool capable of measuring gait, balance, and stress. Gait ability was evaluated using the timed up and go test, and balance ability was evaluated using the berg balance scale. And the stress of the last month was measured by modifying the stress index developed by a Korean researcher. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the independent t-test and Mann Whitney-U test. Results : The sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group showed significant differences in all elements of the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation. There were significant differences in all three integrated evaluation tools. For the evaluation of walking ability, the time measured in the timed up and go test was longer in the sarcopenia group, the berg balance scale score for the evaluation of balance ability was lower in the sarcopenia group, and the stress index was higher in the sarcopenia group. Conclusion : Through sarcopenia analysis using an integrated evaluation tool, it was confirmed that sarcopenia is closely related to decreased walking ability, poor balance, and increased stress. We recommend using this tool to reduce the risk of sarcopenia progression and stress exposure through the planning and implementation of an exercise program for sarcopenia prevention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of active trunk training in the sitting position on balance and energy consumption in early stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects of this study were twenty four early stroke patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups; experimental group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The subjects in the experimental group participated in active trunk training (20 min) and conventional physical therapy (20 min) five times a week for four weeks. The control group conducted general balance exercise (20 min) and conventional physical therapy (20 min) five times a week for four weeks. The outcomes were assessed using the Berg balance scale, Timed up and go test and energy cost and physiological cost index. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant increase in their Berg balance scale and significant decrease in their Timed up and go test score, and energy cost and physiological cost index (p<.05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group experienced a greater increase in the Berg balance scale (p<.05) and a larger decrease in the timed up and go test score, and energy cost and physiological cost index (p<.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that active trunk training in the sitting position may be effective in improving balance and energy consumption in early stroke patients. Thus, active trunk training is important for such patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the effectiveness of trunk training in early stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.391-396
• /
• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and identify variables for the standing balance of elderly subjects with different balancing abilities by using Kinect and Wii Balance Board. Method: The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) test was performed in 40 elderly subjects aged ${\geq}65years$ who can perform daily activities. The participants were divided into two groups, the healthy seniors (n = 20, BBS score ${\geq}52$) and the seniors with balancing problems (n = 20, BBS score < 52). Each group performed two standing tests (eyes open and eyes close) with two devices (Kinect and Wii Balance Board). The root mean square (RMS), mean distance (MDIST), range of distance (ROD), mean velocity, and 95% ellipse area were calculated from the measured data. Results: Among the calculated variables, RMS, MDIST, and ROD in the mediolateral direction showed significant differences between the two groups and a negative correlation with BBS scores. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that simple standing balance of the elderly can be measured with Kinect and Wii Balance Board, which are low-cost, easy to carry, and easy to use, by using the selected variables.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.1 no.4
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2013

Purpose : This study aimed to understand the influence of the virtual reality program combined with cognitive activity on elderly people's balance ability. Method : We randomly divided 14 elderly people receiving daytime protection service from D daytime protection center for senior citizens located in Busan-si into a group(seven) with cognitive activity combined with virtual reality program, and the other group(seven) with only virtual reality program. In order to compare the balance ability before/after the therapeutic intervention, the Berg Balance Scale was carried out. The Mini-Mental State Examination-Korea(MMSE-K) was also conducted to compare their cognitive functions. Result : Both groups showed statistically significant differences in balance ability before/after the therapeutic intervention(p<.05) while there were no statistically significant differences in balance ability after the therapeutic intervention(p>.05). The cognitive functions before/after the therapeutic intervention were not statistically significantly different in both groups(p>.05). Conclusion : The findings showed that the application of virtual reality program combined with cognitive activity could improve elderly people's balance ability. It is considered that the application of virtual reality program can have positive influence on the improvement of elderly people's balance ability, as an intervention method for improving balance ability in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2006

This study was designed to examine, using Rasch analysis, the rating scale performance of the Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The subjects were 95 elderly people at community dwelling. Subjects (19 men, 76 women) ranged in age from 65 to 91 years. Rasch analysis was then done by means of the Winsteps program to determine the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the BBS evaluation tools for elderly people. The results were as follows: Twenty-one elderly people were excluded for misfit persons. Three items were found to be misfits and the order of item difficulty of the remaining 11 items was arranged. Elderly people BBS ability is indicated by -.94~7.41 logit, and the transformation formula is score=(logit score+.94)/$(.94+7.41){\times}100$. This transformation formula can be applied to Korean elderly people for balance ability. In the order of difficulty of evaluation items, the most difficult item was "Standing on one foot" and the easiest item was "Standing to Sitting". In conclusion, the Korean version of BBS evaluation tool for the elderly people has been proved valid and will be useful in clinical practice and research in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to compare additionally applied weight underwater gait training and over-ground gait training to improve balance and lower extremity strength in stroke patients. Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Underwater gait training group (n=10) and Over-ground gait training group (n=9). The groups performed their respective programs as well as conventional physical therapy 3 times/week for 6 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale test, the timed up and go test, and the medical research council test pre and post intervention. A paired t test was applied to compare the differences before and after the intervention, and an independent t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The results showed that subjects in the underwater gait training group had a significantly increased Berg balance scale, timed up and go, and medical research council scores (p<0.05), and over-ground gait training group showed a significantly increased medical research council score (p<0.05) after intervention. The underwater gait training group showed a more significant improvement in medical research council, Berg balance scale and the timed up and go test scores compared to the over-ground gait training group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that applying additional weight during underwater gait training improves lower extremity strength and balance in stroke patients. It' findings can contribute to the development of more efficient rehabilitation for stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.351-367
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to identity effects of virtual reality(VR) program related to standing postural control on balance, gait and brain activation patterns in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. Subjects were assigned randomly to either VR group (n=12) or the control group (n=12) when the study began. Both groups received conventional physical therapy for 2 to 3 times per week. In addition to conventional physical therapies, VR group trained 3 types of virtual reality programs using IREX for standing postural control during 4 weeks (4 times/week, 30 minutes/time). Subjects were assessed for static and dynamic balance parameters using BPM, functional balance using Berg Balance Scale related to movement of paretic lower limb before and after 4 weeks of virtual reality training. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Following VR training, VR group demonstrated the marked improvement on dynamic mean balance, anteroposterior limits of stability (AP angle) and mediolateral limits of stability (ML angle). 2. Following VR training, both groups scored higher on Berg Balance Scale. However, a comparison of mean change revealed differences between groups. In conclusion, these data suggest that the postural control training using VR programs improve dynamic and functional balance performance in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in on static and dynamic balance in patients with stroke. Methods: Forty patients with stroke participated in this study. Participation was randomly assigned to the Bridge exercise group (n=20) and the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in group (n=20). A bio-feedback device was used when patients performed the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in. This training was performed without any motion on the patient's spine and upper belly part, and the pressure was held with the biofeedback device as 40-70 mmHg. Both groups received training 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for four weeks. Weight bearing, anterior limit of stability, and posterior limit of stability for static balance ability were measured, and Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG) for dynamic balance ability were also measured. Results: Participants showed significant differences between pre- and post-mediation in terms of weight bearing, anterior limit of stability, posterior limit of stability, Berg balance scale, and Timed up and go test (p<0.05). The Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in group showed a more significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, both exercises were effective for improving the static and dynamic balance ability. However we suggest that the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in is more efficient for increasing balance ability in patients with stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Action-observational training program on gait and balance of patients with hemiplegia. Method : The subjects of this study are patients with hemiplegia; 10 patients who agreed with this research, were picked up. Participants were divided randomly into equal groups: experimental group that applied to action-observation training for at least 30 minutes/day for 6 weeks and control group that underwent general task-oriented training. Gait and balance were measured 10 meter walk test(10MWT), gait speed, berg balance scale(BBS) and timed up and go(TUG). The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. Result : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the gait and balance test of those who practiced with the Action-observational training program, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, Action-observational training program is effective in improvement of to improve the gait and balance in patients with hemiplegia.