• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Objective: This study aimed to identify how various applications of weight bearing on the affected side of hemiplegia patients affect the ability of balance keeping of the affected leg and the gait parameters. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eighteen patients with hemiplegia participated in this study. There were twelve males and six females. This study investigated the effects of the single-leg stance exercise on dynamic balance, weight bearing, and gait ability compared with four conditions. Dynamic balance and weight bearing were measured using the step test (ST) of the affected side in stroke patients. In addition, gait parameters were measured using the optogait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. Results: This study investigated the effect of the single leg stance exercise on the paralysis side. The ST showed significant findings for all conditions (p<0.05). Therefore, knee extension and flexion exercise on the affected side single-leg stance (condition 4) significantly improved dynamic balance and weight bearing on the affected side (p<0.05). In the condition of moving the knee joint in a single-leg stance was discovered that the stance phase time significantly increased more than in the condition of supporting the maximal voluntary weight on the affected side (p<0.05). Conclusions: Single-leg stance on the paralysis side with knee flexion and extension increased symmetry in weight bearing during stance phase time. This study suggests that single-leg stance exercises augments improved gait function through sufficient weight bearing in the stance phase of the affected side.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2022

Background: Trunk movements are an important factor in activities of daily living; however, these movements can be impaired by stroke. It is difficult to quantify and measure the active range of motion (AROM) of the trunk in patients with stroke. Objects: To determine the reliability and validity of measurements using a digital goniometer (DG) and smart phone (SP) applications for trunk rotation and lateral flexion in stroke patients. Methods: This is an observational study, in which twenty participants were clinically diagnosed with stroke. Trunk rotation and lateral flexion AROM were assessed using the DG and SP applications (Compass and Clinometer). Intrarater reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the validity of the DG and SP in AROM measurement. The level of agreement between the two instruments was shown by Bland-Altman plot and 95% limit of agreement (LoA) was calculated. Results: The intrarater reliability (rotation with DG: 0.96-0.98, SP: 0.98; lateral flexion with DG: 0.97-0.98, SP: 0.96) was excellent. A strong and significant correlation was found between DG and SP (rotation hemiplegic side: r = 0.95; non-hemiplegic side: r = 0.90; lateral flexion hemiplegic side: r = 0.88; non-hemiplegic side: r = 0.78). The level of agreement between the two instruments was rotation (hemiplegic side: 23.02° [LoA 17.41°, -5.61°]; non-hemiplegic side: 31.68° [LoA 23.87°, -7.81°]) and lateral flexion (hemiplegic side: 20.94° [LoA 17.48°, -3.46°]; non-hemiplegic side: 27.12° [LoA 18.44°, -8.68°]). Conclusion: Both DG and SP applications can be used as reliable methods for measuring trunk rotation and lateral flexion in patients with stroke. Although, considering the level of clinical agreement, DG and SP could not be used interchangeably for measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out variations in body posture by using the baby carrier at the front side and back side. METHODS: Thirty two healthy and young female who will bring up infants and had no musculoskeletal disorders of neck, lumbar and low limb were recruited for this study. They were each marked about ears of tragus, cervical 7th, acromion anterior end, anterior superior iliac spine, posterior superior iliac spine, greater trochanter and lateral malleolus as landmarks to measure variations of body posture when they carry infants at the front side and back side. Landmarks were regarded as the creteria in order to measure NeckFlexion angle(NF), Foreward shoulder angle(FSA), Pelvic tilt(PT), Sway angle(SA), Head displacement(HD) and Scapular displacement(SD). Variations in body posture were measured from the neutral position to the front and back side by using Image J. RESULTS: There were significance level (p<.05) in NF, PT, SA, HD and SD except for FSA in two different side. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that each of the using ways of baby carrier for baby care was influenced postural responses of young women. therefore, it could be considered to apply to women who have abnormal body posture in order to minimize musculoskeletal disorders.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.27-33
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to find which spatiotemporal gait parameters gained from stroke patients could be predictive factors for the gait part of Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA-G). Two hundred forty-six stroke patients were recruited for this study. They participated in two assessments, the POMA-G and computerized spatiotemporal gait analysis. To analyze the relationship between the POMA-G and spatiotemporal parameters, we used Pearson's correlation coefficients. In addition, multiple linear regression analyses (stepwise method) were used to predict the spatiotemporal gait parameters that correlated most with the POMA-G. The results show that the gait velocity (r=.67, p<.01), cadence (r=.66, p<.01), step length of the affected side (r=.49, p<.01), step length of the non-affected side (r=.53, p<.01), swing percentage of the non-affected side (r=.47, p<.01), and single support percentage of the affected side (r=.53, p<.01) as well as the double support percentage of the non-affected side (r=-.42, p<.01) and the step-length asymmetry (r=-.64, p<.01) correlated with POMA-G. The gait velocity, step-length asymmetry, cadence, and single support percentage of the affected side explained 67%, 2%, 2%, and 1% of the variance in the POMA-G, respectively. In conclusion, gait velocity would be the most predictive factor for the POMA-G.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) approach on the spasticity of affected side in patients with hemiplegia. Three subjects with hemiplegia participated in this study. In single-subject research design (a multiple baseline across individuals) was employed in this study. The intervention program including PNF to the unaffected side was introduced for 30 minutes each day during each intervention phase. Muscle tone of affected side was measured with Tone Assessment Scale, and active hip abduction distance of affected side was taken with the subject supine. And then the muscle tone and the hip abduction distance were measured again 30 minutes later following the intervention. The results showed that the PNF application had some beneficial effects on both muscle tone and active hip abduction. This result suggest that PNF application to non-paretic limb can be effective in reducing muscle tone and improving hip abduction range on paretic limb in persons with hemiplegia. However, further research is needed to prove the effect of PNF application on functional improvement.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare walking conditions (straight line and curved path) on walking patterns in persons who had experienced hemiplegic stroke and to determine whether if they adapt their walking pattern and performances according to changes in environmental conditions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-four hemiplegic stroke survivors participated in this study. This study measured walking performance in three different walking conditions, such as straight walking, the more-affected leg in the inner curve walking, and less-affected leg in the inner curve walking conditions, and a 2-dimentional gait analysis system was used as a primary measurement. This study also measured secondary clinical factors including the Timed Up-and-Go Test, the Trunk Impairment Scale, and the Dynamic Gait Index. Results: After analyzing, cadence and step length of the less-affected side, stride length in the more-affected side, and stride length in less-affected side were significantly different among the three different walking conditions in this study (p<0.05), but other temporospatial parameters were not significant. Cadence was the largest in the straight walking condition. Step length in the less-affected side, stride length in the more-affected side, and stride length in less-affected side were also the longest in the straight walking condition. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that hemiplegic stroke survivors show walking adaptability according to changes in walking demands and conditions, and moreover, cadence and step and stride lengths were significantly different between straight and curved walking conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.37-44
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) on temporal-spatial gait and the activities of daily living in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects were 29 hemiplegic stroke patients (57.7 ± 10.3). The patients walked at a self-controlled speed in four states: (1) walking without FES (non-FES), (2) walking with FES on the gluteus medius in the stance phase (GM), (3) walking with FES on the common peroneal nerve and tibialis anterior in the swing phase (PT), (4) walking with both GM and PT. A GAITRite system, Timed-Functional Movements battery, and Timed UP and Go test were used to measure the variables. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in all variables of the GM+PT, GM, and PT states compared to the non-FES state (p < .05). There were significant improvements in the GM+PT state compared to GM and PT states (p < .05). Moreover, significant improvements were noted in the single support time on the affected side, backward walking 10ft, and side stepping 10ft on the affected side of the GM state compared to the PT state (p < .05). There were significant improvements in the stride length on the affected side and side stepping 10ft on the unaffected side of the PT state compared to the GM state (p < .05). CONCLUSION: FES is effective in improving the temporal-spatial gait and activities of daily living in hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.384-390
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.213-219
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, based on the error augmentation, we performed walking training with increased rhythmic auditory stimulation speed on the affected side (IRAS) and walking training with decreased rhythmic auditory stimulation speed on the unaffected side (DRAS). The purpose of this study was to verify whether motor learning was effective in improving balance ability. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation center. The subjects were divided into three groups: an IRAS group (10 subjects), a DRAS group (9 subjects), and control group (9 subjects). They received 30minutes of neuro-developmental therapy and walking training for 30minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Static and functional balance ability were measured before and after the training period. Static balance was measured by balancia software. Functional balance was measured by the timed up and go test (TUG) and the berg balance scale (BBS). Results: After the training periods, the IRAS group showed a significant improvement in TUG, BBS, area 95% COP, and weight distribution on the affected side when compared to both the DRAS group and control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is possible to consider error augmentation methods of motor learning if rhythmic auditory stimulation is applied to stroke patients in clinical practice. If the affected side is shorter than the unaffected side, the affected side should be adjusted to the increased rhythmic auditory stimulation speed, which is considered to be an effective intervention to improve balance ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.127-137
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of side-lying hip abduction exercise with and without vibration on pain, disability, strength and balance in individuals with low back pain. METHODS: 30 participants enrolled in this study were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n=15) for side-lying hip abduction with vibration and a control group (CG, n=15) for side-lying hip abduction without vibration. Both groups were treated 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Pain (Numeric Rating Scale), disability (Korean Oswestry Disability Index), hip abductor muscle strength, and static balance were measured in both groups before and after the program. Results were analyzed using paired t-test for comparing the difference within the group and independent t-test for comparing the difference between two groups. RESULTS: Compared to the CG, the EG showed significantly greater reductions in pain and disability (p<.05). There was a significant difference in all balance categories of both the painful and non-painful sides within the EG (p<.05). Balance showed a significant decrease except the envelope area (ENV) on the non-painful side within the CG (p<.05). There was a significant increase in all balance categories except ENV of non-painful side between the two groups (p<.05). Balance increased on both the painful and non-painful sides in the EG. Balance improved on the painful side in the CG, but significantly decreased on the non-painful side (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Side-lying hip abduction exercise with vibration is considered an effective treatment for pain, disability and balance in individuals with low back pain.