• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.843-850
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• 2007

This paper proposes a somatosensory stimulation system for the improvement of postural stability using vibration as somatosensory stimulation. This system consists of vibratory stimulation and postural response measurement. To evaluate this system, the center of pressure(COP) was closely observed in turn with simultaneous or separate mechanical vibratory stimulations to flexor ankle muscles (tibialis anterior, triceps surae) and two plantar zones on both feet while standing on a stable and an unstable support. The simultaneous vibratory stimulations cleared influenced postural stability and the effects of vibrations were higher with the unstable support. In separate vibratory stimulations, the extent of the COP sway reduced when the direction of the vibratory stimulations and that of the inclination of body coincided for flexor ankle muscle stimulations. In the contrary, the extent of the COP sway increased when the direction of the stimulations and that of body inclination coincided for plantar zone stimulations. These results can be useful for the development of rehabilitation systems that utilizes somatosensory inputs for postural balance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gluteus medius strength exercise on the ankle stability of high school student with chronic ankle sprains. Methods: A total of 30 participants were divided two groups. Experimental group was 15 participants applied gluteus medius strength exercise. Control group was 15 participants performing ankle strength exercise. This study was performed for 50 minutes per day, three a week for 6 weeks. All measurements were taken to a pre and post test. Strength was measured using Power Track ll. Balance was measured using Biodex balance system for Limits of Stability and Postural Stability. Ankle Stability was measured using Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Results: In the case of gluteus medius strength, there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group. For ankle stability were statistically significant differences within the experimental group according to measurements taken by Limits of Stability, Postural Stability, and CAIT. A between group comparison showed a statistically significant difference for CAIT only. Conclusion: According to our measurements it appears that gluteus medius strength training was effective in benefiting muscular strength, balance and ankle stability among the physical education.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of training using a trunk control robot (TCR) system combined with conventional therapy (CT) on balance and gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the TCR group (n=17) or the trunk extension-training (TET) group (n=18). Both groups performed CT for 30 minutes, after which the TCR group performed TCR training and the TET group performed trunk extension training for 20 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Gait ability was measured using the 10 m Walk Test (10MWT) and the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master. Results: TCR group showed significant improvements in static balance (weight bearing) and dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width (p<0.05); step length was not significant. The TET group showed a significant partial improvement of dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and 10MWT (p<0.05), but the improvements in static balance, TUG, gait speed, and step width and step length was not significant. Additionally, significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width were detected between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: TCR training combined with CT is effective in improving static and dynamic balance, as well as gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to determine an intervention that involves proprioceptive exercises combined with cognitive task completion for adults with chronic ankle instability and to investigate the effects of the exercises on the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of such individuals. METHODS: A total of 30 adults suffering from the aforementioned condition were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed proprioceptive exercises in combination with cognitive tasks for 15 minutes in each session that was held three times a week for four 4 weeks, whereas the control group carried out only proprioceptive exercises. A Wii Balance Board, which enables examining the fluctuation area distance, and speed, was used to determine static balance; a Y-balance test kit was employed to measure dynamic balance; and the side hop, figure-of-8 hop, and square hop tests were conducted to ascertain ankle function. RESULTS: The results showed that the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of both the experimental and control groups significantly improved. The participants were instructed to perform one-leg postural exercises with and without vision blocking for the affected leg. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than did the controls in terms of the fluctuation distance, speed, and area of static balance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although combined proprioceptive exercises and cognitive tasks were insufficient to enhance all types of balance among the subjects, it effectively reinforced their static balance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of stabilization exercise on whole-body vibration on pain, dysfunction, psychosocial factors, balance ability, and abdominal contraction with patients with low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 34 patients with low back pain were assigned randomly to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a neuromuscular stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the neuromuscular stabilization exercise program using whole-body vibration. All interventions were applied 60 min per session, 3 times per week for total 4 weeks. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), balance ability, muscle thickness and contraction ratio were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in NRS, balance ability, and muscle thickness in contraction, contraction ratio before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant difference in the amount of change in NRS, balance ability and muscle thickness in contraction, contraction ratio values than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Neuromuscular stabilization exercise program combined with whole-body vibration stimulation has been proven to be an effective and clinically useful method to decrease pain, dysfunction, increase balance ablilty, and transverse abdominis muscle thickness in contraction and contraction ratio for patients with low back pain.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of side walking on balance confidence, falls efficacy and fall risk in acute stroke patients. Methods: The study included 14 patients with acute stroke who were randomly allocated to a side walking group (Experimental group, N=7) and a forward walking group (Control group, N=7). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using Korean-Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (K-ABC), Korean-Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES), Korean-Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (K-FAB). Results: After 2 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, FAB (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, FAB in the experimental group was significantly better than in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that side walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall down risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, side walking training may be recommended as an intervention in reducing the incidence of falls in acute stroke patient.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2008

Studies of attentional focus effects, have shown that the performer's attentional focus plays an important role in the performance and learning of motor tasks. We examined the influence of attentional focus on the performance of dual tasks (a postural task and a suprapostural task) and used electromyography (EMG) to examine whether the differences between external and internal focus were also manifest at the neuromuscular level. The subjects (n=40) stood on a balance board (postural task) and held a bar horizontally (suprapostural task). All of the subjects performed under different attentional focus conditions: external (balancer on balance board) or internal (feet) focus on the postural task, and external (balancer on bar) or internal (hand) focus on the suprapostural task. The mean displacement velocity of the bar and the percent reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) of the biceps brachii were reduced when the subjects adopted an external focus on the suprapostural task (p<.05). In addition, the mean displacement velocity of the balance board and %RVC of the tibialis anterior were reduced when the subjects adopted an external focus on the postural task (p<.05). When the subjects adopted an external focus on the suprapostural task, the mean displacement velocity of the balance board and %RVC of the tibialis anterior were also reduced (p<.05). When the subjects' attentional focus was on the postural task, there were no differences in the mean displacement and %RVC of the biceps brachii between attentional focuses. The performance of each task was enhanced when subjects focused on the respective task. The suprapostural task goals had a stronger influence on postural control than vice versa. These results reflect the propensity of the motor system to optimize control processes based on the environmental outcome, or movement effect, that the performer wants to achieve.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of patellar taping on balance and gait abilities in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients who have been diagnosed at least six months or before were recruited from R hospital. These study subjects were randomized to the experimental group (n=15) or placebo group (n=15). In the experimental group, patellar taping was applied while for the placebo group, placebo taping was applied. The Balance System SD was used for measuring dynamic standing balance in these two groups. In addition, the GAITRite (CIR System Inc.) system was utilized for calculating gait performance in these patients. Results: After application of taping, the patellar taping group showed a significant decrease in dynamic standing balance in their sway area (p<0.05). However, in the placebo group, there was no significant difference in dynamic standing balance ability and gait ability before and after application of taping. Comparison of the patellar taping group and placebo group showed significant differences in dynamic standing balance ability and gait performance (p<0.05). Conclusions: From the results of this study, it appears that application of patellar taping in chronic stroke patients significantly improved dynamic standing balance ability and gait ability in these patients. Based on these results, patellar taping is thought to be useful in real clinical settings where there are many chronic patients who are in need of improvement in their balance and gait ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2008

Purpose: We compared T-type and I-type canes on postural balance in 28 hemiplegic patients. Methods: Subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: a T-shape cane group (n=14) and an I-shape cane group (n=14). Before the test, subjects were trained by a physical therapist to walk with a cane for 6 weeks. The Main Outcome Measures were measured as maximal sway velocity, sway path, sway area, and partial weight bearing using a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) and ambulation velocity using a 'Timed up and go test'. We also measured the maximal ambulation velocity. Results: The distribution of weight bearing on the affected side without the cane was 35% in the I-shape cane group and 36% in the T-shape cane group. After training, weight bearing on the affected side increased by 45% in the I-shape cane group and 40% in the T-shape cane group. With the cane held in the hand, weight bearing on the affected side in the T-shape cane group decreased by 3%. Conclusion: The I-shaped cane increased static standing balance, including hemiplegic side weight bearing. Therefore, I-shape canes can improve the balance of hemiplegic patients.