• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze the reliability and validity of the Korean-version of the balance assessment tools. METHODS: Two reviewers of this study independently evaluated the titles of articles and abstracts of studies published until December 2016 through electronic databases (RISS, NDSL, KISS, DBpia) using the keywords "Balance or posture or postural control or postural stability", "Test or assessment or measurement or outcome measure or assessment tool or measurement tool", "Korean version", "Reliability" and "Validity". Regarding the questions considered suitable for the purpose of this study, consensus was reached after reading the full text. Selecting journals suitable for the purpose of the study, they were analyzed as data. RESULTS: The reviewers selected nine papers suitable for the purpose of this study, and Korean-version of the balance assessment tools, included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS), Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Tinetti-Balance scale, Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale, and Function In Sitting Test (FIST). Our study showed that the reliability and validity of the Korean-version of the balance assessment tools were high. CONCLUSION: The Korean-version of the balance assessment tools with high reliability and validity would enable physical therapists to make a more accurate evaluation of balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2004

The purposes of this study were to find correlations among Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale, gait speed, and Timed Up & Go test (TUG) and to predict gait ability from subscales of Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale. The study population consisted of 30 stroke patients referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in the Bundang Jaesang General Hospital. All subjects were ambulatory with or without an assistive device. All participants were assessed on Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale and gait speed (m/s), TUG (s). The data were analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson product moment correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression. The results revealed that all items of Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale, except passive joint range of motion were significantly correlated with gait speed and TUG. In particular, sensation score, lower extremity motor and coordination score have a significant correlation with gait speed and TUG (p<.05). The sensation score and lower extremity motor score were important factors in comfortable gait and maximal gait speed. Their power of explanation regarding comfortable gait and maximal gait speed were 63.0% and 65.0%, respectively. The sensation score and lower extremity coordination score were important factors in TUG. Their power of explanation regarding TUG was 55.0%. These results showed that Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale is significantly correlated with gait speed and TUG. Therefore Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale is an appropriate assessment tool to predict gait ability of patients with stroke. Further study about gait speed and TUG by change of Fugl-Meyer Assessment score is needed using a longitudinal study design.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.185-193
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms, assessment of muscle spasm and treatments that could apply to clinical field. Spasm is a painful pattern of contraction of muscle caused by chronic or acute trauma, excessive tension, or organic disorders. Aside from pain, muscle spasm creates shortenning of muscles and limits motion. Untreated spasm and protective immobility due to pain lead to decreased local blood flow in the muscles and result in a vicious cycle of muscle spasm and paul. The assessment of muscle spasm involve muscle tone assessment, tissue compliance, and joint ROM. Each of these aessessments utilize as a part of the patient's condition Clinical managements involve drug management and physical therapy. Expecially, physical therapy is one of the most important techniques to reduce muscle spasm. Physical therapy includes applying heat and cold, electrical stimulation, massage, and traction. This investigation should entourage phisical therapists to experiment further with various techniques to reduce muscle spasm.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a computer access assessment tool for persons with physical disabilities and to evaluate reliability and validity. Methods: We developed a computerized Computer access Assessment Program (CAP) through many kinds of literature review and tools analysis for evaluation of computer access, task analysis of fundamental input devices operation and expert review. The CAP data were obtained from 105 normal university students and 16 students with physical disabilities. The test items of CAP are composed of four timed mouse tasks, four timed keyboard tasks, and a timed scanning task. Thus, the software measures user performance in skills needed for computer interaction, such as keyboard and pointer use, navigating through menus, and scanning. To determine the validity of these measurements, we compared data on CAP reports to a Compass report. Compass software allows an evaluator for assessment of an individual's computer input skills. Results: Results of this study showed that the CAP had high internal consistency, reliability of test-retest, concurrent validity, and convergent validity. Conclusion: Therefore, the CAP is appropriate for evaluation and determination of computer access skill of persons with physical disabilities. It is possible to get clear quantitative data on performance when providing computer access services if you can use the CAP data. Using this quantitative evidence, insights can be gained into the specific nature of any difficulties experienced by persons with physical disabilities and find wise solutions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.231-242
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to identify ways to improve the quality of physical therapy research and ultimately review the current situation to improve evidence-based decision-making in physical therapy. Methods : For better evidence-based decision-making in physical therapy, researchers should review the quality assessment of articles in more detail and report their findings for valid and appropriate level of evidence and strength of recommendations. The level of evidence affects how well the findings are derived from well-designed literature. The evaluation of the evidence focuses primarily on the study design and the degree of bias that may compromise the validity of the findings. The final recommendation is based on a combination of the study design and literature quality. To uncover gems of information in each paper, a risk of bias assessment should be performed after the literature has been initially selected. Results : Researchers should consider the complexity of the intervention, appropriate grouping, and calculation of effect sizes for the intervention. Researchers conducting systematic reviews should provide a detailed description of the quality assessment performed and present a detailed analysis of their interpretation of the results. The results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses should be interpreted with caution and include a risk of bias assessment. Guidelines for the level of evidence and strength of recommendations should be developed and utilized more broadly to improve reporting practices in physical therapy. Conclusion : Researchers should be knowledgeable about the strengths and limitations of each study design and methodology. In the future, researchers will also need to improve their ability to critically evaluate their findings, given the potential for their results to influence clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2016

Objective: The objective of this study is to present a scientific basis for ballet dancer training methods by analyzing the relationships between subjective assessment of the ballet movement 'Grand pas de chat' and kinematic and electromyographic factors. Method: The subjects were 14 professional dancers with 15 years of experience on average. Four cameras and a wireless electromyogram were used to examine kinematic factors, and the filmed videos were analyzed by 3 experts for subjective assessment. Results: Although no differences in kinematic factors were found between the excellent dancer group and the non-excellent dancer group divided based on the experts' assessment, some difference was found in electromyographic factors, especially in relation to the gastrocnemius muscle, rectus femoris muscle, and erector spinae muscle. A relationship between subjective assessment and kinematic and electromyographic factors was found, and factors such as right-side rectus femoris activation, time required, left-side gastrocnemius activation, and front-back displacement affected subjective assessment. Conclusion: This study showed a relationship between subjective assessment and kinematic and electromyographic factors. To receive higher scores in subjective assessment, it is necessary to extend the hang time by using the lower limb muscles. The findings of this study also indicate the necessity of weight training in order to improve dancing techniques.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.7-24
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• 2022

Objective : To develop standardized assessment tools that evaluate the multi-aspect lifestyles of children and adolescents, we aimed to systematically analyze lifestyle assessment tools and lifestyle component-specific assessment tools. Methods : The study period was 2001-2020, with search engines using CINANL, NDSL, PubMed, and RISS. Search key words used 'lifestyle assessment' OR 'lifestyle profile' OR 'lifestyle test', 'physical activity assessment' OR 'physical activity participation profile', 'nutrition assessment' OR 'nutrition profile', 'activity participation assessment' OR 'activity participation profile'. Results : A total of 24 evaluation tools were selected after 5,883 studies reviewed the title, abstract, and full text after deduplication. The detailed results resulted in five lifestyle assessment tools, seven physical activity assessment tools, nine nutrition assessment tools, and three activity participation assessment tools. Conclusion : For the lifestyle assessment tools for children and adolescents, the component items, measurement methods, and age of assessment of each item were analyzed. It is hoped that this will be used as a basis for the development of standardized assessment tools to assess the multi-aspect lifestyles of children and adolescents in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.73-79
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• 2014

The purposes of the current study were to (1) estimate the inter-rater agreement for visual assessment of scapular downward rotation (SDR), (2) develop the scapular downward rotation index (SDRI) as a method to measure SDR objectively and quantitatively, and (3) analyze the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the SDRI. Twenty subjects with scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) were recruited for this study. The visual assessment and the measurement for the SDRI were conducted by two examiners in two sessions each. The SDRI [$(a-b){\div}a{\times}100$] is calculated with the measurement of two linear distances: One is a perpendicular distance from the root of the scapular spine to the thoracic mid-line (a), and the other is a perpendicular distance from the inferior angle of the scapula to the thoracic mid-line (b). Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated to estimate the inter-rater agreement for visual assessment. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), the standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable differences were calculated to assess intra- and inter-rater reliability of SDR measurement using the SDRI. The results indicated that the kappa coefficient of inter-rater agreement for visual assessment was fair (${\kappa}=.21$). The intra-rater reliability of SDR measurement using the SDRI was excellent for examiner 1 (ICC=.92, 95% CI=.78~.97) and good for examiner 2 (ICC=.82, 95% CI=.55~.93). The inter-rater reliability was moderate (ICC=.73, 95% CI=.32~.89). These findings showed that SDR measurement using the SDRI for subjects with SDRS may be considered reliable and better than the visual assessment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.747-752
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• 2009

A vulnerability assessment is essential for the efficient operation of a physical protection system (PPS). Previous assessment codes have used a simple model called an adversary sequence diagram. In this study, the use of a two-dimensional (2D) map of a facility as a model for a PPS is suggested as an alternative approach. The analysis of a 2D model, however, consumes a lot of time. Accordingly, a generalized heuristic algorithm has been applied to address this issue. The proposed assessment method was implemented to a computer code; Systematic Analysis of physical Protection Effectiveness (SAPE). This code was applied to a variety of facilities and evaluated for feasibility by applying it to various facilities. To help upgrade a PPS, a sensitivity analysis of all protection elements along a chosen path is proposed. SAPE will help to accurately and intuitively assess a PPS.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Balance is a complex motor skill that depends on interactions between multiple sensorimotor processes and environmental and functional contexts. Many rehabilitation specialists believe that balance assessment under multitask conditions may be a more sensitive indicator of balance problems and falls than balance assessment in a single-task context. Functional Gait Assessment has many tasks that allow for testing under multitask conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity between the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG) in patients with stroke. One hundred and five participants with at least 3 months post stroke and able to walk at least 6 m with or without a mono cane, participated in this study. Concurrent validity between the FGA, BBS, and TUG was assessed using Spearman rank order correlation. The FGA correlated with the BBS (r=.80, p<.01) and TUG (r=-.77, p<.01). The good and moderate correlation between the FGA, BBS, and TUG establishes the concurrent validity of the FGA in patients with stroke. These measures provide clinicians with valuable information about patients' functional balance capabilities.