• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.374-378
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• 2021

Objective: Bilateral movement training is an effective method for upper extremity rehabilitation of stroke. An approach to induce bilateral movement through functional electrical stimulation is attempted. The purpose of this study is to develop an EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation device for upper extremity bilateral movement training in stroke patients and test its feasibility. Design: Feasibility and Pilot study design. Methods: We assessed muscle activation and kinematic data of the affected and unaffected upper extremities of a stroke patient during wrist flexion and extension with and without the device. Wireless EMG was used to evaluate muscle activity, and 12 3D infrared cameras were used to evaluate kinematic data. Results: We developed an EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation device to enable bilateral arm training in stroke patients. A system for controlling functional electrical stimulation with signals received through a 2-channel EMG sensor was developed. The device consists of an EMG sensing unit, a functional electrical stimulation unit, and a control unit. There was asymmetry of movement between the two sides during wrist flexion and extension. With the device, the asymmetry was lowest at 60% of the threshold of the unaffected side. Conclusions: In this study, we developed an EMG-triggered FES device, and the pilot study result showed that the device reduces asymmetry.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2018

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study is to have examined the influence on the blood circulation by comparing the differences between stimulating the sympathetic ganglion and the muscle group among the stimulation variables in interferential current stimulation. Method: The object of the study is the twenties(M=8, F=12), who are in great condition and have no pathological report for the blood circulation influence. The intensity of the inferential current stimulation is the medium degree, 100 bps constant current, which is the comfort and degree to confirm the muscle contraction. The areas stimulated are the stellate ganglion area in the seventh cervical vertebrae and the forearm muscle area. Results: We have made sure that there is no change in blood pressure and pulse and that the change in the skin temperature occurred highly. Conclusion: In considering the change of the blood circulation in case of stimulation area by the inferential current stimulation, we have seen that stimulating the sympathetic ganglion area is more effective than stimulating muscle area directly.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensory stimulation for static balance on normal children. Sensory input was consisted of colors, and music tempo stimulation. Methods : Participants were consisted of 20 normal kindergarten children ranging in age from six to seven years. The static balance was tested by a BPM(Balance Performance Monitor). In this study one-way ANOVA was used and the statistical significance level of results was determined at 0.05. Results : 1. According to color stimulation, there was no significant difference in static balance among red, yellow, green(p>0.05). 2. According to music tempo stimulation, there was no significant difference in static balance, among the high music tempo and low music tempo children in a general environment(p>0.05). 3. However, both green color and low music tempo stimulation have a little effect on static balance on normal children. Conclusion : These results indicate the possibility that the application method of green color and low music tempo stimulation may help in the improvement of static balance for the disabled children. This study will be used as the foundational data of therapeutic environment for the disabled children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.95-103
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation on balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: In this blinded randomized controlled study, 26 stroke patients were assigned to either experimental group (n=13) consisting of 30 min of gait training 5 days per week for 4 weeks while performing functional electrical stimulation gait training with rhythmic auditory simulation, or a control group (n=13) performing the same gait training program, also consisting of 30 minutes 5 days a week and lasting for 4 weeks, but without functional electrical stimulation and rhythmic auditory stimulation. At baseline and after the 4 week intervention, balance was measured using the timed up and go test (TUG). Gait velocity was measured using the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT) and gait ability was assessed using the functional gait assessment (FGA). RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group showed statistically significant differences in gait velocity and ability (10 MWT, FGA) (p<.05). Between-group differences were statistically significant in gait velocity and ability (10 MWT, FGA) (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that functional electrical stimulation gait training with a rhythmic auditory stimulation gait training program may help improve gait ability in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.9-19
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• 2013

Purpose : Study on the effects of attention(working memory) for normal adults by applying transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS). Methods : There are two groups of 10 random people aged between 20 to 30, one is an experimental group(stimulation) and the other is a comparison group(simulate stimulation). For the 1st da y, pre-stimulation test is executed, and for the 2nd day to the 4th day, tDCS is applied stimulated both on the right prefrontal lobe and the left occipital lobe through the electrode. The stimulation lasts for 15 minutes with voltage power of 1mA for each day. The post-stimulation test is executed on the day of 5th. In this paper, a FAIR attention test is used for measuring the attention. Results : As the result of the experiment, there are significant gaps both on the value of P, the ability of selective attention, and the value of C, the consistent ability after the stimulation on right prefrontal and left occipital lobe. And there is no significant gap on the value Q, the quality(Control). However, all the P, Q, and C values are increased according to the average value between the pre-stimulation test and the post-stimulation. Conclusion : Finally, ability of selective attention and self-control, and consistent attention is progressed by applying the tDCS to the normal people.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.29-37
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was influence of change of electrical stimulation time on body regions affects on electrical current threshold. Methods: The present study is to examine the effect of silver spike point (SSP) electrical stimulation (1Hz), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, 100Hz), and interferential current therapy (ICT, 50Hz) from the low back and scapulodorsal and knee joint regions on stimulation-induced current thresholds from the elderly (over sixty) people (male:72, female:91) in senior welfare center. Result: The low back region, but not scapulodorsal and knee joint region, significantly increased the TENS and ICT, but not SSP, electrical stimulation, significantly increased the time-dependent current thresholds in elderly patients. Conclusion: Therefore, these results, in part, suggest that the TENS and ICT were shown to be a more adaptable method of stimulation, and that needed of the development of senile specialized physical therapy and the utilization of senior leisure facilities such as senior welfare center the others.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of balance training with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke. Design: A cross over design Methods: Nine patients with stroke were recruited into this study. They were measuring their balance ability and gait ability. The intervention "A" included 4 weeks of balance training with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for 40 m/d, 3 d/wk. Intervention "B" included 4 weeks of balance training with placebo Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for 40 m/d, 3 d/wk. Of the 9 patients who completed the study, 5 were randomly assigned to" group A-B", and 4 to group B-A. The crossover occurred after 4 weeks. Results: Following are the specific results of balance training with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) on patients with chronic stroke. First, patients who received treatment A showed improvement compared with patients who received treatment B in static balance. There were significant decreases in anterioposterior, mediolateral postural sway extension and velocity moment (p<0.05) with their eyes opened and closed conditions. Second, they had significantly improved in dynamic balance (p<0.05). Lastly, there were also improvement in their gait velocity and cadence (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that, the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) combined with balance training more effectively improves the balance and gait ability, I'm convinced that it could be actively used in clinics added to the conventional physical therapy in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.205-211
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of an intervention that combined the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and frequency-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation on changes in trunk muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifteen subjects were assigned to group I which performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the other 15 subjects to group II where the abdominal drawing-in maneuver was combined with high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Muscle activity and fatigue were measured using surface electromyography before the intervention. Balance was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale and re-measured after six weeks of intervention for comparative analysis. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in muscle activity and balance (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). In the changes in muscle fatigue, only the experimental group II showed a significant increase in muscle fatigue (p<0.05). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was confirmed that among stroke patients, the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation was more effective in changing the muscle activity and balance of the trunk by minimizing the occurrence of muscle fatigue compared to the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and high-frequency stimulation. These results can be used as basic data for clinical trunk stabilization training.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.994-998
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sensory stimulation type on the learning of the elderly. The study implemented elderly verbal learning test by evenly dividing a total of 40 elderly people into auditory stimulation followed by visual stimulation group(AVG), visual stimulation followed by auditory stimulation group(VAG), simultaneous visual and auditory stimulation group(SG), and auditory stimulation group(AG). The result are as follows. SSG showed highest results in most of the test, followed by AVG, VAG, and AG. In particular, SG showed a statistically significant difference in immediate recall total score and short delay free recall score(p<.05). In the post-hoc test results of immediate recall total score, SG showed highest score with a statistical significance. AVG showed the second highest score, followed by VAG and AG and all showed a statistic significance(p<.05).In the post-hoc test results of short delay free recall score, SG and AVG showed a statistically significantly higher score than AG(p<.05). The results suggest that simultaneous stimulation of visual and auditory sense is more effective for improving the learning of the elderly people than visual stimulation followed by auditory stimulation or auditory stimulation followed by visual stimulation.