• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.355-363
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a 12-week virtual reality exercise program using the Nintendo Wii console (Wii) in improving balance, emotion, and quality of life among patients with cognitive decline. Methods: The study included 30 patients with cognitive decline (12 female, 18 male) who were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). All subjects performed a traditional cognitive rehabilitation program and the experimental group performed additional three 40-minute virtual reality based video game (Wii) sessions per week for 12 weeks. The berg balance scale (BBS) was used to assess balance abilities. The short form geriatric depression scale-Korean (GDS-K) and the Korean version of quality of life-Alzheimer's disease (KQOL-AD) scale were both used to assess life quality in patients. Statistical significance was tested within and between groups before and after treatment, using Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann-Whitney u-tests. Results: After 36 training sessions, there were significant beneficial effects of the virtual reality game exercise on balance (BBS), GDS-K, and KQOL-AD in the experimental group when compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed within the control group. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that a virtual reality-training program could improve the outcomes in terms of balance, depression, and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline. Long-term follow-ups and further studies of more efficient virtual reality training programs are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the lower trunk stabilization exercise using neurodevelopmental technique (NDT) on muscle activity in lumbar region and balance in the patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fifteen participants were allocated in two groups: NDT group (n=8) or control group (n=7). NDT group performed NDT exercise program, while control group conducted walking exercise. Both interventions were given for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. To measure the muscle activity in rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), electromyography (EMG) was used. And, Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg-Balance Scale (BBS) were performed to assess balance before and after intervention. Results: NDT group showed a significant improvement of muscle activity in RA and EO, while control group did not show significant changes in three muscles. Also, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of RA and EO between two groups. In BBS and TUG test, participants in two groups showed significant improvements after intervention. Especially, significant difference was observed in TUG test between two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NDT exercise is an effective intervention to improve the muscle activity in trunk region and to increase balance in patients with stroke. Thus, we suggested that NDT exercise program would be a treatment intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.43-52
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the impact of exercise with that of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on muscle tone, calf muscle stiffness, and balance ability in patients with stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an FES group (n=15) and a TENS group (n=15), and a progressive task-oriented exercise was assigned to them. These exercises were performed non-synchronously from December 5, 2016 to January 31, 2017. Patients underwent TENS and simultaneously exercised for 30 minutes daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. To determine the effect of the interventions, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial and lateral region of gastrocnemius muscle were measured using the MyotonPRO instrument and balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. RESULTS: Both groups revealed a significant decrease in muscle tone and stiffness of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle before and after the interventions (p<.05). Berg Balance Scale scores increased significantly (p<.05). However, none of the other parameters were significantly different (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Our results prove that progressive task-oriented exercise along with FES and TENS decreases muscle tone and stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with stroke and improves balance. TENS could serve as a complementary replacement for functional electrical stimulation for in-house training, as TENS poses less risk of muscle fatigue and has lesser contraindications than does functional electrical stimulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Chronic low back pain is one of the main factors that affect the quality of life and cause problems of gait and balance in elderly people. This study investigated the correlation between the Oswestry disability index (ODI), Berg balance scale (BBS), and kinematic data measured while analyzing the gait of elderly people with chronic back pain. METHODS: A total of 29 subjects participated in this study. The ODI, BBS, and kinematic data of lower extremities were measured while walking. All data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients and the significance was measured at .05. RESULTS: ODI had a significant correlation with 1, 13, and 14 items of BBS (p < .05), and left hip external rotation and right ankle abduction respectively in the stance and swing phase of gait (p < .01). 13 items of BBS had a significant correlation with the right ankle abduction in the stance phase of gait (p < .01). In addition, 14 items of BBS had a significant correlation with right and left ankle abduction in the stance and swing phase of gait (p < .01). CONCLUSION: While attempting to predict chronic low back pain and balance issues, it may be useful to check the right ankle abduction in the stance and swing phase of gait. In the future, it would be helpful if some simple tests could be designed to assess balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.594-597
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Action-observational training program on gait and balance of patients with hemiplegia. Subjects of this study, among the patients who received the diagnosis cerebral vascular accident, for patients total of 4 people have agreed to research. Experimental group 2 people, control group 2 people, was a total of 4 people. Group-specific arbitration method, was applied to Action-observational training program(experimental group) and general Task-oriented training program(control group). Each training courses 30 minutes for 4 weeks, examined the changes in 10 Meter Walk Test(10MWT), gait speed, Berg Balance Scale(BBS) and time up and go(TUG) ability to examine a total of 4-week course effectively. The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. 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. Therefore, Action-observational training program is effective in improvement of to improve the gait and balance in patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.281-288
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between Pediatric Balance Scale(PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement(GMFM) with cerebral palsy(CP) children. Methods : 31 ambulatory children with CP were recruited for this study. PBS is a modified version of the Berg’s Balance Scale to access the children with motor impairments. To access the motor functions that directly influence to the functional independence of the ambulatory CP children, total scores of standing category and walking/running/jumping category of GMFM were selectively compared with PBS score by Spearman correlation coefficient analysis. Results : The results revealed high correlation between PBS and GMFM scores both in standing and walking/running/jumping categories(r=.9). Conclusions : Therefore, this study indicates that PBS can be applied not only as a tool to access balance, but also as a measurement to predict and access the level of standing and ambulatory related functions of children with CP.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a balance training program in improving balance and functional independence to reduce fall risks among community-dwelling elders. Design: A multi-center randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 66participants were randomly assigned to a balance training group or a control group. The balance training program, conducted three times a week for 32 weeks, included warm-up exercises, main balance training exercises, and cooldown stretch exercises. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results: The balance training group demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures, indicating enhanced balance, improved functional mobility, and increased independence in activities of daily living. In contrast, the control group showed only slight improvements in BBS, TUGT and MBI scores. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of balance training programs in reducing fall risk and promoting health and wellbeing among community-dwelling elders. Future research should aim to refine the design of these programs and assess the sustainability of the observed improvements.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.56-65
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• 2020

Purpose: Individuals affected by stroke present with changes in motor function, balance, and cognition. The purpose of this study was to the correlation between motor function, balance, and cognition in patients with stroke. Design: cross-sectional study design. Methods: 67 stroke patients in the experiment were included. For evaluation of motor function which is Manual Muscle Test, Range of Motion, Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity, grasping power, and balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and Functional reach test. For evaluating Cognition which is Korean-Mini Mental State Examination. Results: The results of this study's motor function, balance, and cognition showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that motor function, balance, and cognition were significantly correlated with each other. Therefore, it is suggested that to improve the motor function and balance of patients with stoke, it needs to evaluate the cognition and the motor function, balance, and cognitive training should be combined.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2020

Purpose: The study investigated the effect of combined balance exercise using visual feedback and balance pads in rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 30 patients diagnosed with stroke who met the study selection criteria. Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10: a balance pad exercise (BPE) group, a visual feedback exercise (VFE) group, and a combined balance exercise (CBE) group. All three groups engaged in 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks. Results: Pre-test and post-test results were analyzed using the functional reach test (FRT), the Berg balance scale (BBS), the timed up & go test (TUG), and the Korean version of the activities-specific balance confidence (K-ABC) scale. The study yielded the following results. Pre- and post-program FRT measures showed significant differences between the BPE and CBE groups (p < 0.05). BBS, TUG, and K-ABC scores showed clear differences in all three groups. Secondly, the CBE group and the BPE group a differed significantly on the BBS before and after the 6-week program (p < 0.05). Finally, the CBE group and the VFE group differed significantly on the BBS before and after the 6-week program (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study results indicate that combined balance exercise improves balance more effectively than the balance pad and visual feedback exercises. This finding should help to improve rehabilitation in the future.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.441-451
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of the study was to investigate and compare the differences between Parkinson's disease rating, balance, fall and gait scales. Results : Parkinson's disease rating scales include the Hoehn-Yahr Scale and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The Hoehn-Yahr Scale can measure disease rates easily; however it is not sensitive enough to evaluate the disease's process and management. UPDRS's advantage is in it's higher inter-reliability score; however it is more complicated to use. Parkinson's balance scales are comprised of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). BBS has the advantage in that it is cheaper to measure and simple in use. ABC's advantage is especially in it's ability to measure higher functional levels; however it is more difficult measure responses due to scores appearing in both extremes. The Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) and The Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly (SAFE) are Parkinson's fall scales. FES's leverage over SAFE is that it is simpler to measure; however it does not coincide with responses which proves disadvantageous in measuring balance loss in high-level Parkinson's patients. SAFE's advantage is in it's simpler use and ability to be utilized without encountering the fear of fall; however it's at a disadvantage in regards to its use with multilateral aspects providing insufficient inspection. Lastly, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) are Parkinson's gait scales. DGI is advantageous in its ability to test gait ability when exposed to a variety of external environments; however it is disadvantageous in that it registers higher scores with activities. FGA's advantage is in it's dynamic balance test; however it at a disadvantage with those unable to walk. Conclusion : A researcher of Parkinson's patients must choose each scale while considering their positive and negative characteristics.