• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.119-127
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to show the effect of elastic band on balance and functional ability in chronic stroke patients living in community. Methods: The subjects who participated in the study were 9 patients with chronic stroke. One of them gave up during the study, finally 8 patients performed. The intervention was conducted once a week for 10 weeks. In this study functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), Tinetti performance oriented mobility assessment (Tinetti-POMA) were measured for balance. The coordination training of arms and legs using the elastic band was performed in three positions as supine, side lying, sitting. One arm performed flexion-adduction- external rotation with elbow flexion pattern and the opposite side(diagonal) leg was performed flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion pattern, the other arm's pattern was extension-abduction-internal rotation with elbow extension and the opposite side (diagonal) leg was in extension-abduction-internal rotation with knee extension pattern. The training was performed in each position for 15 minutes in per position. The participants had a five minute break after each training. Results: The results are as follows. FRT and Tinetti-POMA showed significant increase statistically in each position. The TUG showed significant decrease statistically in each position. Conclusion: Even though the coordination training with elastic band had performed once a week, it showed positive effects on balance in chronic stroke patients. Therefore, if we can suggest the appropriate frequencies of coordination training of arms and legs using the elastic band, it can be a method to improve daily life and life quality to patients with chronic stroke.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of balance control in virtual moving surround stimulation using head mount display (HMD) device and force platform in patients with brain injury. Fifteen patients with stroke (mean age 54.47 yrs) and fifteen healthy normal persons participated. COP parameters were obtained total path distance, frequency of anterior-posterior and medial-lateral component by FFT analysis, weight-spectrum analysis in the two different conditions; (1) during comfortable standing with opened or closed eyes, (2) during virtual moving surround stimulation delivered using HMD with four different moving pattern. Moving patterns consisted of close-far, superior-inferior lilting (pitch) , right-left tilting (roll) and horizontal rotation (yaw) movement. In all parameters, the test-retest reliability was high. Also, the construct validity of virtual moving surround stimulation was excellent (p＜0.05). A posturographic balance assessment system equiped with virtual moving surround stimulation using HMD is considered clinically useful in evaluation of balance control in patients with brain injury.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.172-178
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to show the temporary effects of performing jumping lunges on a sand surface on static balance and dynamic balance. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects volunteered in the study and was randomly assigned into either the sand group (n=10) or the control group (n=10). The subjects in the sand group performed jumping lunges on a sand surface and the subjects in the control group performed jumping lunges on a firm surface. The intervention was performed for 3 sets of 8 repetitions by both groups. To measure static balance, the force plate was employed to measure the center of pressure (CoP) area, and the CoP velocity during one-legged standing. Anterior, postero-medial, postero-lateral movements was assessed using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) to measure dynamic balance. Results: After the intervention, the sand group showed statistically significant improvements on all variables (CoP area, CoP velocity) in static balance (p<0.05). There were statistically significant changes in CoP area and CoP velocities between the two groups (p<0.05). In the sand group, there were significant improvements in the postero-medial and postero-lateral directions (p<0.05) except for anterior direction on dynamic balance. In the control group, there was a significant improvement in the postero-lateral and anterior directions (p<0.05). In comparison of the two groups, there was no statistically significant improvement in all variables. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that performing jumping lunges on a sand surface was effective in improving static and dynamic balance temporarily.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.294-300
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of yoga exercise on balance ability and gait velocity in stroke patients. Subjects were categorized in to a control group and yoga program group with 9 for each group. Yoga program was conducted for 60minute for 8weeks, three times a week. For the purposes, the study measured Stability Index(SI, postural sway) and Weight Distribution Index(WDI) using Tetrax, Functional Reach Test(FRT), Dynamic Gait index(DGI) and 10 meter walking test. At pre- and post-exercise after appling the yoga exercise, the data was analyzed. Yoga exercise group's SI and WDI were decreased, FRT and DGI were increased in comparison with control group. But 10 meter walking test was no significance. It suggests that the yoga exercise could promote recovery from balance disorder after stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the radial bone strength, sitting balance ability and global self-esteem of wheelchair martial arts practitioners and healthy control participants. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Nine wheelchair martial art practitioners with physical disabilities and 28 able-bodied healthy individuals participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius was assessed using the Sunlight Mini-Omni Ultrasound Bone Sonometer; sitting balance was quantified using the modified functional reach test (with reference to a scale marked on the wall); and the self-administered Rosenberg self-esteem (RSE) scale was used to measure the global self-esteem of the participants. The velocity of the ultrasound wave (speed of sound, m/s) traveling through the outer surface of the radial bone was measured and was then converted into a T-score and a Z-score. These ultrasound T-score and Z-score that represent bone strength; the maximum forward reaching distance in sitting (cm) that represents sitting balance; and the RSE total self-esteem score that indicates global self-esteem were used for analysis. Results: The results revealed that there were no statistically significant between-group differences for radial bone-strength, maximum forward reaching distance, or self-esteem outcomes. Conclusions: The wheelchair martial arts practitioners had similar radial bone strength, sitting balance performance and self-esteem to able-bodied healthy persons. Our results imply that wheelchair martial arts might improve bone strength, postural control and self-esteem in adult wheelchair users. This new sport-wheelchair martial arts-might be an exercise option for people with physical disabilities.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2019

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is a postural alignment of the cervical vertebrae that leads to increased gravitational load on cervical segmental motions. The overhead arm lift test assesses the ability to actively dissociate and control low cervical flexion and move the shoulders through overhead flexion. Objects: The purpose of this study was to explore muscle activities in the upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and lower trapezius (LT) alongside changes in head position during the overhead arm lift test in individuals with FHP. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen subjects with normal subjcects were enrolled in this study. The patients performed the overhead arm lift test, and muscle activities of the UT, SCM, SA, and LT were measured using surface electromyography and by evaluating changes in head position. Independent t-tests were used to detect significant differences between the two groups and Cohen's d was calculated to measure the size of the mean difference between the groups. Results: The FHP group demonstrated significantly increased muscle activity of the UT ($32.46{\pm}7.64$), SCM ($12.79{\pm}4.01$), and LT ($45.65{\pm}10.52$) and significantly decreased activity in the SA ($26.65{\pm}6.15$) than the normal group. The change in head position was significantly higher in the FHP group ($6.66{\pm}2.08$) than the normal group. Effect sizes for all parameters assessed were large between the two groups. Conclusion: The subjects with excessive FHP displayed were unable to fix their heads in position during the overhead arm lift test. The overhead arm lift test can thus be used in clinical settings to confirm control of the neck in these subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2009

Objective : Purpose of this study is to study how Sensory Integration (SI) Intervention Program affect body-scheme and praxis ability of children with Developmental Disability (DD). Method : The SI intervention was programmed based on the theory of SI by Jean Ayres. Thirty children with DD underwent the SI program for six weeks. The effect of the SI intervention was evaluated in terms of body-scheme and praxis ability. Assessments used in this study are One-Point Imitation Test (OPIT) and 6 Body Puzzle Test (6BPT) for body-scheme; Praxis Test Sheet (PTS) for linguistic order, oral motor control, sequential praxis and Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) for postural praxis. Data of this study was analyzed by the paired t-test to compare before- and after the SI intervention. Results : Results of this study are (1) in the OPIT, there is significant difference on body-scheme ability (p<0.01); (2) in the PTS, there is significant difference on all three items (p<0.01); and (3) in the SIPT, there is significant difference on sensory integration and praxis function. Conclusions : From the results, it is concluded that sensory integration intervention is effective on body-scheme and praxis functions for children with developmental disability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2020

Background: Stroke patients have reduced trunk control compared to normal people. The ability to control the trunk of a stroke patient is important for gait and balance. However, there is still a lack of research methods for the characteristics of stroke control in stroke patients. Objects: The aim of this research was to determine whether trunk position sense has any relation with balance and gait. Methods: This study assessed trunk performance by measuring position sense. Trunk position sense was assessed using the David back concept to determine trunk repositioning error in 20 stroke patients and 20 healthy subjects. Four trunk movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) were tested for repositioning error and the measurement was carried out 6 times per move; these parameters were used to compare the mean values obtained. Subjects with stroke were also evaluated with clinical measures of balance and gait. Results: There were significant differences in trunk repositioning error between the stroke group and the control group in flexion, lateral flexion to the affected side, lateral flexion to the unaffected side, rotation to the affected side, and rotation to the unaffected side. Mean flexion error: post-stroke: 7.95 ± 6.76 degrees, control: 3.32 ± 2.27; mean lateral flexion error to the affected side: 6.13 ± 3.79, to the unaffected side: 5.32 ± 3.15, control: 3.57 ± 1.92; mean rotation error to the affected side: 8.25 ± 3.09, to the unaffected side: 9.24 ± 3.94, control: 5.41 ± 1.82. There was an only significant negative correlation between the repositioning error of lateral flexion and the Berg balance scale score to the affected side (-0.483) and to the unaffected side (-0.497). A strong correlation between balance and gait was found. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that stroke patients exhibit greater trunk repositioning error than age-matched controls on all planes of movement except for extension. And lateral flexion has correlation with balance and gait.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.205-209
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• 2016

Objective: Children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy show weakness especially in the lower-extremity rather than upper-extremity muscles and display characteristics such as asymmetric alignment, deficits in postural control or balance ability, and slow walking speed. Various therapeutic interventions are applied to children with cerebral palsy, of which taping is widely used in the field of rehabilitation, however, there are few studies of the effects of kinesio taping on gait patterns of children with cerebral palsy. The present study investigated the effects of kinesio taping on gait parameters of children with cerebral palsy. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Four children with spastic diplegia participated in this study. The participants' gait parameters while walking 10 m with and without kinesio taping (tibialis anterior, quadriceps femoris, and gluteus maximus) were recorded. Gait parameters including gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single support time, and double support time were evaluated using the GAITRite. Mean values were obtained after having the subjects walk three times in each condition with a 5-minute rest period between each condition. The order of each condition was assigned randomly. Results: There were significant improvements in gait velocity, step length, stride length, and single support time of the right leg with kinesio taping condition compared to the without kinesio taping condition taping (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in cadence, single support time of the left leg, or double support time. Conclusions: The results show that kinesio taping may have a positive effect for improving gait parameters of children with spastic diplegia. However, its usefulness in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy needs to be further investigated.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.35-42
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• 2010

Purpose: To investigate the rater reliability of a Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) for children with cerebral palsy, and to investigate possible differences among raters according to their clinical work experience and testing experience. Methods: Study participants included 18 children with spastic cerebral palsy who could walk. They were instructed by pediatric physical therapists, two of whom had ten years of clinical work experience and two who had less than one year of experience. The children's ability to achieve physical balance was videotaped for PBS items. The raters watched the tapes and evaluated each child twice. Rater reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Differences between experienced and novice raters were analyzed using a paired t-test. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: The total PBS scores averaged 45.78~48.00 and 45.72~47.67 for first and second tests. Intra-rater reliability was very high (ICC=0.89~0.99), and the repeated measurement coincidence was high (p>0.05). Inter-rater reliability was high (ICC=0.83~0.84), but there was a bit of a difference in the coincidence (p<0.05). The experienced raters' reliability and coincidence were higher than those of the novices, and there were differences in reliance and coincidence between experienced and novice raters (p<0.05). Conclusion: Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability is very high. However, rater reliability showed defferences depending on clinical work experience and testing experience. When testing pediatric patients with the PBS, the rater's clinical experience and test experience may affect the test results.