• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1642-1650
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching exercise and joint mobilization on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), plantar pressure, and balance in subjects with stroke. Thirty patients (n=30) were organized into three groups, each of which received different treatments: PNF stretching (n=10), joint mobilization (n=10), and joint mobilization and PNF stretching combined (n=10). Each group received three exercise sessions per week for four weeks. The ankle ROM was measured using a goniometer, and plantar pressure and balance ability were measured using BioResque static posturography. In comparison within each group, the joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group showed significant improvements in ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability (p<.05). In comparison between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found in SECS change between the PNF stretching group, joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group. This study found demonstrates that the joint mobilization and joint mobilization with the PNF stretching methods were effective in improving ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-249
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on increase of H-reflex inhibition and fascilitation of range of motion of spastic ankle joint in chronic stroke patients. Methods : 30 chronic stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, a control group(placebo rTMS group), 5 Hz rTMS group and manual therapy group. The MAS and ROM of ankle joint and H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle were evaluated on each group. Results : The rTMS group decreased MAS of ankle joint and increased H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle, and ROM of ankle joint than manual therapy group. The placebo rTMS group did not affected the change of MAS, ROM of ankle joint and H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle. Conclusion : The rTMS was a good therapeutic tool to improve the foot drop in the chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was intended to examine an effect of taping therapy for adults suffering from ankle pain. Method: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. An experimental group had 32 subjects and a control group 23 subjects. Subjects from the experimental group were taped for 24 hours and thereafter their range of motion [ROM], pain, and discomfort in the injured ankle were evaluated. SPSS Windows was used for data analysis. Result: The degree of ROM of the taped experimental subjects was greater compared to that of non-taped control subjects. The score of ankle pain of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. The score of ankle discomfort of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. Conclusion: This taping therapy can be used independently by nurses as an effective nursing intervention to decrease ankle pain and discomfort after the injury of ankle, which would contribute to expanding a realm of nursing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of the peak plantar pressure distribution under the foot areas and the range of motion (ROM) of ankle joint according to gradients in treadmill gait. Method : Thirty normal subjects (15 male and 15 female) walked on treadmill at three gradient conditions ($0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $15^{\circ}$) in normal speed. The ankle ROM was measured using the CMS70P that is three dimensional analyzer for excursion of ankle ROM, plantar flexion, and dorsi flexion. The peak plantar pressure distribution under the hallux, 1st metatarsal head (MTH) and heel was measured using the F -Scan system with an in-shoe sensor. Data was collected from 9 steps of left sife foot in at each gradient condition while all subjects walked. Result : As the treadmill gradient increased, the excursion of ankle joint was significantly increased (p<.05). Also, plantar flexion and dorsi flexion was significantly increased according to treadmill gradients (p<.05). The peak plantar pressure under the 1st MTH was significantly increased (p<.05) and the peak plantar pressure under the heel was significantly decreased (p<.05) as the treadmill gradient increased. No significant different in the peak plantar pressure under the hallux was observed. Conclusion : This study suggests that physical therapy for patients who have limited ankle ROM should be considered sufficient range of motion for functional ambulation. And individuals that have painful forefoot syndromes, including metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and plantar ulceration should be careful in walking to uphill, as there is high plantar pressure under the forefoot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined whether ankle joint stabilizing taping and muscle control taping influenced the ankle range of motion (ROM), muscle tone, and balance ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Ten stroke patients were assigned randomly to experimental group 1 (joint stabilization taping n = 5) and experimental group 2 (Muscle control taping n = 5). After general physical therapy in both groups, ankle stabilization taping was applied to experimental group 1, and muscle control taping was applied to experimental group 2 three times a week for a total of six weeks (18 times). RESULTS: The muscle tone and stiffness of the gastrocnemius (GCM) showed significant differences between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p < .05). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and ROM also showed significant differences within the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p < .05). The BBS and ROM also showed no significant differences between the experimental 1 and experimental 2 groups (p > .05). CONCLUSION: This study examined the muscle tone, balance, and ROM on the paraplegic side of stroke patients using kinesio taping, and the effect of the taping application method was confirmed from the preceding study. Therefore, it can decrease the paralysis side muscle tone and improve the ROM and balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.8-16
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• 2008

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.79-86
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• 2011

Background : The purpose of this study was to investigate on the ankle pain, Range of Motion(ROM) and balance ability with old man have fall down experience used to ankle strengthening exercise for 6 weeks. We introduced ankle strengthening exercise in this study in order to recover the pain, ankle ROM and balance ability. Methods : Twenty-four old mans have fall down experience were included for the study. Among them, twelve old mans(experimental group) were ankle strengthening exercise and physical science methods(H/P, TENS, U/S), another twelve old mans(control group) were treated by physical science methods(H/P, TENS, U/S). Each group made use of Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) to pain and goniometer to ankle ROM and Berg Balance Test(BBS) to balance ability to compare the possible changes of pain, ROM and balance ability in two groups after treatment. Results : In experimental group, pain reduced, ankle ROM has increased in dorsi-flexion, plantar-flexion and balance ability has increased for 6 weeks. In control group, pain reduced, ankle ROM has not changed in dorsi-flextion, plantar-flextion and balance ability has not changed for 6 weeks. Conclusion : According to the results, we concluded that ankle strengthening exercise for 6 weeks is effective for reducing pain and increasing ankle ROM and balance ability. Therefore, we thought the old man have fall dawn experience need ankle strengthening exercise for prevention repeatedly fall down.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the ankle mobilization with movement (MWM) technique on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait in patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: Thirty patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG; n=15) and the control group (CG; n=15). For five days a week for 3 weeks, participants in the EG were treated with the ankle MWM technique and traditional total knee replacement (TKR) exercise, and those in the CG only performed traditional TKR exercises. The dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait of the patients were before and after exercise. Results: Balance system SD was used compare changes in dynamic balance. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in dynamic balance between the EG and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). STT-IBS was used to compare changes in velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the EC and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that applying the ankle MWM technique with traditional TKR exercises improved ankle dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, and gait in patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the dynamic range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee, and ankle joint when wearing different shoe sole lifts, as well as the limb asymmetry of the range according to the leg length discrepancy (LLD) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The participants were 40 healthy adults. A motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic ROM data. The participants had 40 markers attached to their lower extremities and were asked to walk on a 6 m walkway, under three different shoe lift conditions (without an insole, 1 cm insole, and 2 cm insole). Visual3D professional software was used to coordinate kinematic ROM data. RESULTS: Most of the ROM variables of the short limbs were similar under each insole lift condition (p>.05). In contrast, when wearing a shoe with a 2 cm insole lift, the long limbs showed significant increases in flexion and extension of the knee joint as well as; plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, pronation, eversion, and inversion of the ankle joint (p<.05). Of the shoes with the insole lifts, significant differences in all ROM variables were observed between the left and right knees, except for the knee internal rotation (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As the insole lift was increased, more ROM differences were observed between the left and right limbs, and the asymmetry of the bilateral lower limbs increased. Therefore, appropriate interventions for LLD are needed because an artificial mild LLD of less than 2.0 cm could lead to a range of musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremities, such as knee and ankle osteoarthritis.