• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the effects of robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback on gait, balance, and balance confidence in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The experimental group performed robot-assisted gait training for 30 minutes and the control group performed gait training with assisted devices training for 30 minutes after both groups performed conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions for 5 days per week, for a period of 4 weeks. For assessment of the 10 m walking test (10 MWT), Figure of 8 on the walk test (F8WT), Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to test the gait and balance, and the Korean version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale was used to test the balance confidence. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in the 10 MWT and the K-ABC (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the BBS and the TUG (p<0.05). In four measurements, there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the F8WT at pre and post intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback is an effective intervention for improving straight gait abilities and balance confidence, while the control group showed some improvement in curve gait and balance. Thus, we suggest both Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback and gait training with assisted devices training exercise as a therapeutic intervention in chronic stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to determine an intervention that involves proprioceptive exercises combined with cognitive task completion for adults with chronic ankle instability and to investigate the effects of the exercises on the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of such individuals. METHODS: A total of 30 adults suffering from the aforementioned condition were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed proprioceptive exercises in combination with cognitive tasks for 15 minutes in each session that was held three times a week for four 4 weeks, whereas the control group carried out only proprioceptive exercises. A Wii Balance Board, which enables examining the fluctuation area distance, and speed, was used to determine static balance; a Y-balance test kit was employed to measure dynamic balance; and the side hop, figure-of-8 hop, and square hop tests were conducted to ascertain ankle function. RESULTS: The results showed that the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of both the experimental and control groups significantly improved. The participants were instructed to perform one-leg postural exercises with and without vision blocking for the affected leg. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than did the controls in terms of the fluctuation distance, speed, and area of static balance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although combined proprioceptive exercises and cognitive tasks were insufficient to enhance all types of balance among the subjects, it effectively reinforced their static balance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of core program exercise on balance in patients with chronic low back pain. Thirty-four subjects participated in this study, these subjects were assigned into two groups, a control group(n=17) and an experimental group(n=17). Methods: The subjects in the control group were received a conservative physical therapy and in the experimental group carried out the core program exercise for 30 minutes per day, three times a week during 6 weeks. In order to evaluate the progresses of balance ability, corresponding variables were measured at two times, pre and 6th week. The balance ability was assessed using GOOD BALANCE system. The collected data were analyzed by using the paired t-test and ANCOVA. In all statistical analyses, significance level, ${\alpha}$ was set by 0.05. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1) In the position of left standing eye closed, there were significant difference of Y in the control group and X, Y, V in the experimental group. 2) In the position of right standing eye closed, there were significant difference of Y in the control group and X, Y, V in the experimental group. 3) In the position of dynamic balance 1, there were significant difference APV in experimental groups. 4) In the position of dynamic balance 2, there were significant difference MLV in experimental groups. 5) There were significances between the two group of X, V in static balance and APV in dynamic balance. Conclusion: The above results indicated that a core program exercise improved balance abilities in patients with chronic low back. The further studies should be focused at development of various modified forms of the core program exercise in keeping up the improvement effect of this exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate that effect of manual therapy using pelvic compression belt on hip abductor strength and balance ability in total knee replacement (TKR) patients. Methods: The subjects consisted of twenty two post-TKR patients. Participants were randomly assigned to a pelvic belt group (n=11) and a placebo group (n=11). All participants underwent manual therapy including range of motion exercise, soft tissue mobilization around knee joint, strengthening exercise (Quad set, SLR, sidelying hip abduction, standing hamstring curls, sitting knee extension, step-up, wall slide to $45^{\circ}$ knee flexion). Manual therapy was executed five times a week for 2 weeks. Outcome measures included hip abductor strength by using Biodex system 4 pro, anterior to posterior balance, medial to lateral balance, total balance by using Biodex balance system SD. Results: After the completion of the manual therapy, hip abductor strength was showed statistically significant improvements in pelvic belt group (p<.05). Anterior to posterior balance, medial to lateral balance, total balance were showed statistically significant improvements in pelvic belt group and placebo group (p<.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in hip abductor strength and there was no statistically significant difference in balance. Conclusions: This results suggest that manual therapy using pelvic compression belt has could be used for selective muscle activation of the hip abductor muscle and has useful in hip abductor strength and balance ability in TKR patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality combined robot assist gait training (VRG) on improvement of balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 35 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; VRG group (n=18) and conservative treatment group (CG; n=17). The VRG group received 30 minutes robot assisted gait training combined virtual reality training, robot assisted gait training was conducted in parallel using a virtual reality device (2 sessions of 15 minutes in a 3D-recorded walking environment and 15 minutes in a downtown walking environment). In the conservative treatment group, neurodevelopmental therapy and exercise therapy were performed according to the function of stroke patients. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome balance and respiratory function were measured by a balance measurement system (BioRescue, Marseille, France), Berg balance scale, functional reach test for balance, Spirometry (Cosmed Micro Quark, Cosmed, Italy) for respiratory function Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), and maximum expiratory volume (PEF) were measured according to the protocol. The measurement were performed before and after the 8 weeks intervention period. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in balance and respiratory function during intervention period. VRG revealed significant differences in balance and respiratory function as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). Our results showed that VRG was more effective on balance and respiratory function in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : Our findings indicate that VRG can improve balance and respiratory function, highlight the benefits of VRG. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.327-335
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of trunk position sense through visual cue deprivation balance training in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental(n=10) and control(n=10). Both groups performed balance training on sitting for 30minute after measurements. Trunk position sense test was assessed using the David back concept to determine trunk repositioning error for four movement(flexion, extension, affected side lateral flexion, non-affected side lateral flexion). Measurements on each test were assessed prior to the balance training and then immediately following the balance training. RESULTS: In comparison of the difference of the trunk position sense between groups, the experimental group decreased significantly in trunk repositioning error of flexion, extension and affected side lateral flexion than control group(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The trunk position sense of the experimental group showed more improvement after the balance training program compared to the control group, Therefore, these results suggest that visual cue deprivation training is considered an effective exercise method for individuals with subacute stroke.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.337-343
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of abdominal-compression belt in one leg standing on balance in normal adult. Background: With the effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure, the abdominal-compression belt is contributing to a static balance control. However, specific study is still insufficient. Method: Forty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: control(n=20) and experimental group(n=20), respectively. The experimental group used an abdominal-compression belt, whereas the control group did not that. All subjects were educated using pressure biofeedback unit and ultrasound imaging for exact application by abdominal-compression belt. Main outcome measurement was used a general stability index, fourier harmony index, weight distribution index, and fall index in tetrax balance system. Results: Experimental group improved significantly on general stability, only 2 factors(eyes closed with head turned forward and eyes closed with head turned backward) among fourier harmony index, and fall index, However, weight distribution index did not revealed significant difference. Conclusion: The findings suggest that application of abdominal-compression belt could be effective on improving balance ability in one leg standing of normal adults. Application: The results of the abdominal-compression belt might help to control balance in workers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.345-350
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of ankle joint position during closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group (n=8) and ankle joint neutral group (n=8) during CKC exercise. All participants underwent conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the experimental group ($15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group) and control group (ankle joint neutral group) participated in a 20-minute CKC exercise program. In both groups exercise was performed three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes including knee extensor strength and balance ability (Five times sit-to-stand test, Timed up and go test, and Balancia) were measured before and after exercise. Results: Significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability were observed between pre- and post-exercise in all groups (p<0.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion during closed kinetic chain exercise is effective in improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.146-150
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of active vibration exercise on trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=12) or a control (n=12) group. The experimental group performed an active vibration exercise workout for 20 minutes a day five times a week for 4 weeks using a flexi-bar. Trunk muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Balance was measured using the Berg balance scale. Activities of daily living were measured using the functional independence measure. Results: The intragroup comparison showed significant differences in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle activity values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement values in the experimental group. The intergroup comparison showed that differences in the rectus abdominis and internal oblique external oblique muscle values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement value for the experimental group were significantly related to those in the control group. Conclusion: Based on these results, this study proved that the active vibration exercise effectively improved trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of task oriented circuit exercise(TOCE) on the balance and cognition in mild dementia patients. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 30 patients with mild dementia and assigned to the TOCE(task oriented circuit exercise) group(n=15) and aerobic exercise(AE) group(n=15). TOCE group performed six task three times weekly for 12 weeks. AE group underwent the cycle ergometer and treadmill exercise three times a week during the experimental period respectively. Timed up and go test(TUG), Berg balance scale(BBS) and AP1153 Biorescue were used to assess the parameters for the balance. Korean-mini mental state examination and Global deterioration scale(GDS) were used to assess the parameters for the cognition. For the statistical analysis, paired t-test and independent t-test were used to compare the differences among two groups. RESULTS: Each group showed improvement in balance and possibility for improving cognitive function. TOCE group especially, there were significant improvements in limit of stability. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that TOCE is a more diverse exercise programs introduced in the study. Furthermore, TOCE can be a helpful to improve the balance and cognition in mild dementia patients.