• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2015

Objective: This study focused on subacute stroke patients who were asked to kick a ball while walking on a treadmill. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with ball-kicking on muscle strength, balance, and gait. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty stroke patients who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to either the BWSTT combined with ball-kicking (BWSTT-BK; 10 participants) group or the BWSTT group (10 participants). Participants in the BWSTTBK group performed treadmill walking combined with simultaneous ball-kicking for 30 minutes daily for 5 weeks. Participants from the BWSTT group performed only treadmill walking. The muscular strength, balance, and gait ability were measured before and after the 5-week training. To assess for muscular strength, a digital muscle tester was used to measure hip flexor, knee extensor, and dorsiflexor strength. To assess for balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) was used. To assess for gait, the 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) was used. Results: The BWSTT-BK group showed significantly improved muscular strength, balance, and gait according to BBS, TUG, 10MWT, FGA, and digital muscle testing scores compared to the BWSTT group (p<0.05). In addition, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that BWSTT-BK results in more favourable outcomes for stroke patients. Therefore, BWSTT-BK may be useful for the recovery of gait ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of integrating transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation into treadmill gait training by applying functional electrical stimulation on the spasticity, balance, and gait ability of chronic stroke patients METHODS: Twenty participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the treadmill gait training group with applied functional electrical stimulation (FES) with integrated transcutaneous electricalstimulation (TENS) (experimental group, EG, n = 10) and the treadmill gait training group with FES (control group, CG, n = 10). Both groups received treadmill gait training with FES for 30 minutes a time, four times a week, during five weeks. The experimental group received additional TENS on their L3, L5, and S2 dermatome for 30 minutes before the interventions. The spasticity, balance, and gait ability were evaluated before and after the training to compare the intergroup and intragroup changes. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in the static, dynamic balance, and gait ability (p < .05), but did not show any significant changes in the muscle tone. The EG showed significant improvements in the static balance ability and gait cycle compared to the CG (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training combined with FES with integrated TENS is an effective method for improving the static balance and gait cycle. On the other hand, the effects of treadmill gait training with FES on spasticity need to be studied further.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM) under a non-weight bearing condition and the normalized reach distance in three directions of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Sixty-one healthy adults (32 males and 29 females, age: $23.0{\pm}3.0$ years, height: $169.3{\pm}8.9cm$, weight: $61.9{\pm}5.4kg$) participated in this study. The ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer. To assess dynamic balance, all subjects performed three trials to determine the maximum lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the YBT. The relationship between the ankle DF PROM and both the normalized reach distance in each direction and the composite score of the YBT were analyzed using the Pearson correlation. Only the normalized reach distance in the anterior direction of the YBT was significantly related to the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition (r=.50, p<.001). Neither the normalized reach distances in the posterior directions nor the composite score of the YBT were significantly correlated with the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition. These findings suggest that ankle DF PROM does not affect the overall dynamic balance of the lower extremity, with only the anterior dynamic balance affected among the three directions.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

Objective: This study collected data on muscle fatigue and ground reaction force during walking to provide a basis for development of custom-fitted outdoor walking shoes. The study analyzed an upright body exercise program using spine stabilization technique to determine the effect on foot plantar pressure in archers, demonstrate the effectiveness of upright body exercise, and develop a new, effective, and efficient training program. Method: A 12-week upright body exercise program was evaluated for the effect on plantar pressure in archers. Ten prize-winning archers (3 men, 7 women) in B metropolitan city, each with ${\geq}10years$ of experience, were given an explanation of the content and purpose of the program, and provided informed consent. Upright body exercise was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. A resistive pressure sensor was used to measure foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information on variation in postural stability and weight shifting in dynamic balance during shooting, as well as plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open and closed. Results: There were no significant differences in foot plantar pressure before and after participation in the exercise program. There was no statistically significant difference in foot plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open or closed, or in foot plantar pressure in dynamic balance during shooting. Conclusion: An upright body exercise program had positive effects on foot plantar pressure in static and dynamic balance in archers by reducing body sway and physical imbalance during shooting and with eyes closed. This program is expected to help archers improve their posture and psychological state, and thereby improve performance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation on improving the ability to balance posture and proprioception. Thirty healthy adults participated and were randomly assigned to a horse riding simulator group ($n_1$=10), galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) group ($n_2$=10), control group ($n_3$=10). Experiment groups were trained 3 times per week over 6 weeks. The ability to balance posture was measured by force plate and proprioception was measured by Joint position sense. The following results were obtained. the changes of balance index were significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time in 0, 3 and 6 weeks (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. But was not statistically significant. Proprioception was significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time (p<.05). All groups showed the most decreasing pattern compared with the control group. The above results indicated that the 6 weeks horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training demonstrated positive effects in the ability to balance posture and proprioception. These results suggest that the horse riding simulator and galvanic vestibular stimulation training could be therapeutic intervention that can improve balance and postural control.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.446-452
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• 2012

This study aims to examine the effects of taping of the ankle joint on the static and dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients. Twenty-six stroke patients receiving physical therapy at a hospital located in Gyeonggi-do were divided equally into a group that had taping in physical therapy and an ordinary physical therapy group. They exercised for 30 minutes each, 3 times per week for 8 weeks from June to August 2011. Romberg's eye open and eye closed tests, limits of stability(LOS), forward and back test, timed up and go test(TUG) and 10-meter gait velocity test were performed to evaluate static balance, dynamic balance, and gait ability, respectively, prior to and 8 weeks after the intervention. Differences within each group in relation to the lapse of time were compared by a paired t-test. Differences between the two groups were compared by an independent t-test. Regarding comparison of differences within each group, all tests resulted in significant changes in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). Comparison of differences between the two groups showed that taping in the physical therapy group had significantly better test results than the ordinary physical therapy group in all measured items(p<.05). The after effects of ankle taping on stroke patients are more efficient and effective than ordinary physical therapy alone in improving balance and gait ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of visual feedback training-for gradual weight shift in sit-to-stand training-on the balance and walking abilities of chronic hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental group received visual feedback for gradual weight shift in the sit-to-stand training, while the contrast group followed the standard process for the sit-to-stand training. The evaluation of the balance and walking ability was conducted with the functional reach test (FRT), Berg balance scale (BBS), five time sit-to-stand (FTSTS) test, timed up and go (TUG) test, 10 m walk test (10MWT), balancia, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, and falls efficacy scale (FES). Results: In the results before and after intervention, there was a significant difference in TUG, 10MWT, ABC, and FES in the visual feedback training group (p < 0.05). In the control group, there was a significant difference in the 10MWT and ABC (p < 0.05). Also, in the evaluation of the postural fluctuations, the control group data showed a significant increase in Covar. The visual feedback group showed a significant difference in the W average. Conclusion: The visual feedback training group showed some improvement in terms balance and walking ability and on the ABC scale and FES. Therefore, if the diagonal progressive weight bearing exercise is combined with the various patterns and basic principles of PNF, it may be a more efficient intervention method.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2021

Background: The effect of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which occurs with similar degenerative conditions, when seen together, has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the relationship between pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia in LSS patients with intermittent vascular claudication (IVC). Methods: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with LSS using magnetic resonance imaging participated in this study. Thirty-five patients with IVC symptoms and showing vascular lesions by lower extremity venous and arterial Doppler ultrasonography imaging were included in the IVC-LSS group. The pain, static balance, dynamic balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were evaluated using the numeric rating scale, single leg stance test, Time Up and Go (TUG), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. Results: Age and female sex were found to be higher in the IVC-LSS group (P = 0.024; P = 0.012). The IVC-LSS group had a shorter single leg stance time and TUG test duration, pain intensity, ODI, FES-I, and TSK scores were higher than patients with LSS (P = 0.001). Pain, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were moderately correlated with disability in the IVC-LSS group. No relationship was found between pain and dynamic balance. Also, the pain was not related to kinesiophobia. Conclusions: The findings indicated that IVC causes loss of balance and an increase in pain, disability, fear of falling, and kinesophobia in patients with LSS.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2021

Background: Compared with normal people, stroke patients have decreased voluntary craniocervical motion, which affects their balance. Objects: This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of active craniocervical movement training using a cognitive game on stroke patient's cervical movement control ability, balance, and functional mobility. Methods: The subject of this study were 29chronic stroke patients who were randomly allocated to either an experimental, cognitive game group (n = 15), or control group (n = 14), to which only neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) was applied. The intervention was conducted 5 times per week, 30 minutes per each time, for a total of 4 weeks. Active angle reproduction test, static stability test, limits of stability test, and Time up and Go (TUG) test, respectively, were carried out in order to evaluate cervical movement control ability, static balance, dynamic balance, and functional mobility. Paired t-test was used in order to compare differences between prior to after the intervention, along with an independent-test in order to compare prior to and after-intervention differences between the two groups. Results: After the craniocervical training with a body-driven cognitive game, the experimental group showed significant differences in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion on the affected side, and rotation on the affected side in the active angle reproduction test. The experimental group indicated significant differences in sway length both with eyes-open and with eyesclosed in the static stability test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. The control group to which NDT was applied had significant differences in flexion in the active angle reproduction test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. Conclusion: The above results mean that craniocervical training using a body-driven cognitive game positively influences stroke patient's cervical movement control ability and as a result their balance and functional mobility.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.272-277
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of static stretching of the plantar flexor for 5 minutes on balance and ankle muscle activity when walking in young adults. Methods: This study experimented on 20 healthy college students without vestibular and musculoskeletal diseases. Subjects performed static stretching intervention of plantar flexor for 5 minutes on a stretch board set at 15° to 25° Balance was measured four times before intervention (pre), after intervention (post), 5 minutes after intervention (post 5 min), 10 minutes after intervention (post 10 min), and ankle muscle activity was measured during walking. For the analysis and post hoc analysis, one-way Repeated Measure ANOVA and Fisher's LSD (Last Significant Difference) was performed to find out the change in balance and the activity of ankle muscles before static stretching, pre, post, post 5 minutes rest, post 10 minutes rest. Results: There was no significant difference in weight distribution index (WDI) in balance, but stability index (ST) showed a significant difference, and there was also a significant difference in correlation pre, post, post 5min rest, post 10 minutes rest (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in ankle muscle activity during walking in Tibialis anterior (TA), Medial gastrocnemius (GM), and Lateral gastrocnemius (GL) (p>0.05). Conclusion: The stability index (ST) increased significantly immediately after static stretching and decreased after 5 minutes. After static stretching, at least 5 minutes of rest are required to restore balance.