• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.168-174
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between balance control ability and leg circumference, proprioception, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in young adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 university students who were enrolled in D university in Gyeongbuk province. We measured the dynamic balance and static balance using the Biorescue. The muscular strengths of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were measured using a muscle contraction dynamometer. The ROM and proprioception were measured using an inclinometer. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlations between balance control ability and variables. Results: Sway length was significantly correlated with knee and hip joint muscle strength, ROM, and proprioception of hip and ankle joints (p<0.05). Sway speed was significantly correlated with ROM and proprioception in hip joints (p<0.05). Limit of stability was significantly correlated with muscle strength and ROM in ankle joints, and proprioception in hip, knee, and ankle joints (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sway length was most related to hip extension and ankle joint plantar flexion in the range of motion and ankle joint plantar flexion in proprioception. Overall, balance training for young adults will be of effective help if the treatment focuses on the knee and hip joints, range of motion and the ankle and hip joints' proprioception.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.2272-2278
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• 2021

Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to help reduce spasticity during physical therapy. Spasticity includes problems of reduced range of motion (ROM) and stiffness. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the ankle ROM and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Design: A randomized crossover study. Methods: Seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 hours of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, lateral gastrocnemius stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (all P<.05). After NVR, only the lateral gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (P<.05). Furthermore, in the cases of changed values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness were compared within groups, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P<.05) Conclusion: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners need to consider VR as an intervention to improve dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2036-2041
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) is common in fencing athletes, and studies comparing the ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength of both legs are insufficient. Objectvies: To compare the ankle ROM and hip strength between two legs in fencing athletes who has ankle instability in the lead leg side. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: Seven fencing athletes with ankle instability participated in this study, and they randomly assigned into ankle in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) and ankle in the Rear Leg Side (ARLS). Instability was determined by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and then joint ROM and hip muscle strength were measured. Results: There were significant differences in dorsiflexion ROM, hip strength (extension and abduction) between the ALLS with ankle instability and ARLS (P<.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the ankle ROM and hip muscle strength of ARLS are greater than ALLS in fencing athletes with ankle instability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.113-120
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of a specific functional shoe in terms of the range of motion (ROM) of ankle and foot joints during walking when compared to a standardized shoe. METHODS: Kinematic ROM data pertaining to ankle, tarsometatarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints were collected from twenty-six healthy individuals during walking using a ten-camera motion analysis system. Kinematic ROM of each joint in three planes was obtained over ten walking trials consisting of two different shoe conditions. Visual3D motion analysis was finally used to coordinate the kinematic data. All kinematic ROM data were interpolated using a cubic spline algorithm and low-pass filtered with a cutoff frequency of 6 Hz for smoothing. RESULTS: The overall ROM of the ankle joint in the sagittal and coronal planes when wearing the specific functional shoe was significantly decreased in both ankles during walking when compared to wearing a standard shoe (p<.05). Significantly more flexibility was observed when wearing the specific functional shoe in the tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints compared to a standard shoe (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Although clinical application of the specific functional shoe has shown clear positive effects on knee and ankle moments, the results of this study provide important background information regarding the kinematic mechanisms of these effects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.238-244
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of the fascial distortion model (FDM), foam rolling (FR), and self-stretching (SS) on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Methods: Thirty subjects who had no more than 30° of ankle dorsiflexion ROM at the weight-bearing lunge test were recruited in this study. They were divided into three groups: (FDM, FR, and SS), and underwent each intervention for five minutes. Before and after the intervention, the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in the supine (the open-) and standing (the closed-kinetic chain) of the subjects were tested. The changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention and among the groups were analyzed. Results: All groups showed increased ankle dorsiflexion ROM after the intervention in both positions. In the position of the open kinetic chain, the changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention had significant differences among the groups, and the FDM was higher than the FR and SS. In the position of the closed kinetic chain, the ROM after the interventions and the changes in the ROM had significant differences among the groups, and FDM was higher than the FR (ROM after the intervention, the change in ROM) and SS (the change in ROM). Conclusion: These findings showed that FDM had more efficiency than the FR and SS as FDM had a stronger effect on increasing ankle dorsiflexion in a short, limited time. Clinicians who have limited time to treat their patients, particularly trying to increase ankle dorsiflexion ROM, should consider the application of FDM.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.40-47
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• 2010

Purpose : To exam the effects of active ankle range of motion(ROM) exercise on sciatic nerve movement and provide the evidence that use it to patients with hypomobile sciatic nerve as a nerve mobilization technique. Methods : The subjects consist of 32 asymptomatic healthy adults(male; 15, female; 17) who have limited passive straight leg raising(PSLR) ranges below 70 degrees. First, examiner measures PSLR angles at three times. Then, subject was instructed perform the active ankle ROM exercise(dorsiflexion and plantarflextion) at limited angle. After each subject completed the active ankle ROM exercise, return the starting position and examiner measures the PSLR angles at three times again. Results : First, PSLR range was no significant differences between dominant and non-dominant leg(p >.05). Second, active ankle ROM exercise significantly increased PSLR range by mean of degrees(p <.05). Third, there was no learning effects among the measurement trials(p >.05). Conclusion : These data show that active ankle ROM exercise can mobilize the sciatic nerve. Therefore, it can be applied to patients with hypomobile sciatic nerve(sliding dysfunction) as a neural mobilization technique.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.91-97
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the short-term effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on pain, the ankle instability, the ankle function, dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), and dynamic balance in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: Eighteen participants were divided into an experimental (n=9) and control group (n=9). The ESWT in the experimental group was applied to the lateral collateral ligament in combination with the tibialis anterior whereas the ESWT was applied to the lateral collateral ligament of the ankle alone in the control group. Pain, the ankle instability, the ankle function, dorsiflexion ROM, and dynamic balance were measured using the Visual analog scale, Cumberland ankle instability tool, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, weight-bearing lunge, and Y-balance test, before and after ESWT intervention. Results: Significant interactions (group × time) and time effects were observed in the dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance. Bonferroni's post-hoc analysis showed that the experimental group revealed a more significant change in dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance than the control group. There was a significant time effect in the pain, the ankle instability, and the ankle function, but no significant interaction (group × time) was observed. Conclusion: The ESWT could improve the pain, ankle instability, ankle function, dorsiflexion ROM, and dynamic balance in patients with CAI. Furthermore, the ESWT combined with lateral ankle ligaments and tibialis anterior more improves the dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.274-281
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• 2022

Background: The range of motion (ROM) and balance ability of the ankle joint affect the stability of the ankle and prevent injuries or hurts from falling. In the clinical tests conducted recently, the floss band is widely used to enhance the range of joint motion and exercise performance, and there are many studies that have applied it to ankle joint increasing dorsi flexion (DF) angle. Objects: This study compared the effects on the range of ankle motion and static/dynamic balance ability of the ankle through three conditions (before floss band intervention, after floss band intervention, and after active exercise intervention) for adults. Methods: One intervention between floss band and active exercise was applied randomly and another intervention was applied the next day. After each intervention, the ROM of the ankle joints and the static balance was checked by measuring conducting one leg test. And the dynamic balance was checked by conducting a Y-balance test. Results: In the case of DF, the range of joint motion showed a significant increase after floss band intervention compared to before floss band intervention (p < 0.05). Static balance ability showed a significant increase after the intervention of floss band and active exercise compared to before the intervention of floss band (p < 0.05). The dynamic balance ability showed a significant increase after the intervention of the floss band compared to before intervention of the floss band and after active exercise intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, it was confirmed that the application of floss band to the ankle joint increases DF and improves the static and dynamic balance ability. Based on this fact, we propose the application of a floss band as an intervention method to improve the ROM of the ankle joint and improve the stability of the ankle in clinical field.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2020

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) before Mobilization with Movement (MWM) on ankle ROM, pennation angle, balance in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 22 subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received intervention STM before MWM. STM was applied for one minute, MWM was applied one set of six times, in a total 3 sets. The passive ankle joint range of motion (ROM) was measured using a goniometer, the pennation angle was measured using RUSI, and the balance was measured using Timed Up & Go Test. Results: The ROM of the ankle dorsi-flexion, muscle tissue (pennation angle) and balance were significantly increased. Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the ankle dorsi-flexion ROM, pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, and balance were significantly improved in the group where STM was performed before the MWM intervention. Therefore, the physiotherapists should consider these results in their intervention. If MWM is applied to stroke patients, applying STM first is a better intervention.