• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.27-33
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the center of pressure (COP) trajectory in healthy elderly subjects while crossing an obstacle before and after participation in Tai Chi training. Forty healthy elderly subjects participated either in a 12-week intervention of Tai Chi training or in a health education program. The participants were divided into two groups (the experimental group and the control group). Subsequently, the participants were pre- and post-tested on crossing over an obstacle from a quiet stance. Participants in the experimental group received Tai Chi training that emphasized the smooth integration of trunk rotation, a shift in weight bearing from bilateral to unilateral support and coordination and a gradual narrowing of the lower-extremity stance three times weekly. The participants in the control group attended a health education program one hour weekly and heard lectures about general information to promote health. Performance was assessed by recording the changes in the displacement of the COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions using a force platform. Participants in the Tai Chi group significantly increased the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP after Tai Chi training (p<.05). No significant differences in the A-P and the M-L displacement of the COP between pre-testing and post-testing in the control group were found. This study has shown that participation in Tai Chi exercise increased the magnitude of the A-P and M-L displacement of the COP, thereby improving the ability of healthy elderly participation to generate momentum to initiate gait. These findings support the use of Tai Chi training as an effective fall-prevention program for the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2018

The purpose of the present study was to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean (MoCA-K) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) targeting stroke patients, and it seeks to analyze the influence among each factor to establish the fundamental research in evaluating the functional performance capability of stroke patients. The study was conducted between December 2017 and March 2018 and the target of the study was 34 stroke patients who are hospitalized and treated in Y rehabilitation hospital located in Goyang city. Following in criteria of how participants were selected. First, a person without the onset of 6months or more. Second, a person who can communicate and score over 20 points on MMSE-K. Third, a person without unilateral neglect. Fourth, a person without lower motor neuron lesion and orthopedic disease on the bilateral lower extremity. Fifth, a person without audiovisual problem and history of using drug or surgery that influence athletic function. sixth, patients who agreed on participating in the study. The evaluation was processed by measuring BBS, MoCA-K, and MBI with the occupational therapist and physical therapist. Also, one assistant was participated in measuring balanced ability for the safety reason. It was found that significantly correlates (p<.01) with BBS and MoCA-K (r=.459), BBS and MBI (r=.550), MoCA-K and MBI (r=.565). This study is meaningful that it provided the basis for the active use of BBS, MoCA-K and MBI as a clinical evaluation tool and its usefulness.