• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2015

Purpose: This study examined the effects of space fabric type air insole pressure differences on young adults' dynamic balance ability. Method: The subjects of this study were 17 young female adults without musculoskeletal system disease. Balance ability was measured by dividing the subjects into three groups: an experimental group which did not wear an air insole (insole-off group), an experimental group which wore an air insole to which air pressure of $0.55kg/cm^2$ was applied (insole-0.55 group), and an experimental group which wore an air insole to which air pressure of $0.75kg/cm^2$ was applied (insole-0.75 group). For dynamic balance, the subjects stood on a balance pad, and perimeter length and medium speed were measured three times. The averaged values were recorded and statistically processed. Result: There were significant differences in average speed, and the insole-0.75 group's average speed decreased compared to the insole-off group and the insole-0.55 group. Although the total movement distance did not statistically differ, the insole-75 group's movement distance decreased compared to the insole-off group and the insole-0.55 group. Conclusion: Application of a space fabric type air insole, in particular insole-0.75, was helpful in improving balance ability. This is considered to occur because the space fabric structure was conducive to decreasing sway and producing balance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the virtual reality-based squat and conventional squat exercise. Methods : Twenty four participants were randomly assigned to the virtual reality-based squat (VRS) group (n=12) or conventional squat (CS) group (n=12). The static balance (C90 area, C90 angle, trace length, sway average velocity) and dynamic balance (forward, rearward, leftward, rightward) were measured using a force plate by BT4. The VRS group used the virtual reality system during 4 weeks, while the CS group underwent classical squat training. Independent t-test was used to test the homogeneity of the general characteristics of the subjects. The collected data was analyzed using the paired t-test for static and dynamic balance comparisons before and after exercise in both groups and Pearson's test for the correlation between static and dynamic balance according to the measured time. The significance level was set to 0.05. Results : There was no significant correlation between group and static and dynamic balance related variables (p>.05). There was a significant correlation between measurement time and static and dynamic balance related variables (p<.05). According to the measurement time, the static balance parameter C90 area in the VRS group after exercise was significantly decreased (p<.05). The values of forward, leftward and rightward in the VRS group were significantly increased after exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : It is suggested that 20 normal healthy adult men and women who have normal balance ability can improve their ability to control their posture by improving the balance ability when applying virtual reality-based squat exercise.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.488-492
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study is to find out the reliability and validity of the newly updated Balancia 2.5 program using Wii balance board through equipment that can measure center of pressure data with the precision. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adults participated in the study. The subjects were assessed for static balance ability by Accusway, and were assessed for static balance ability on Wii balance board connected to theBalancia 2.5 program.To limit postural fluctuations due to stare, the subjects were asked to look at a 15 cm dot drawn 3 m in front of them for 30 seconds with their eyes open. Static balance ability data such as path length and sway velocity were extracted from all measurement tools.Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability and validity were extracted through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The intra-rater reliability that the same rater shows consistent results through test-retest was a high level at ICC=0.968 (0.926~0.986), and inter-rater reliability that the requires consistent results even when measured by different raters was a high level at ICC=0.943 (0.870~0.975). The validity was a high level at ICC=0.948 (0.881~0.977), which shows whether the measurement tool is properly measuring what it is intended to measure. Conclusions: The Balancia 2.5 program, newly updated through this study, proved to be a program with high reliability and validity in evaluating static balance ability like the existingBalancia 2.0 program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.156-161
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of subjective visual vertical perception and head orientation on static balance control. Methods: The subjects were 25 young and healthy adults. The vertical perception was measured using a subjective visual vertical (SVV), and the Center of pressure (COP) parameter was analyzed by continuously measuring the movement of the COP to determine the changes in static postural control. The group was divided based on a deviation of 3° in SVV (11 of SVV≥3°, 14 of SVV<3°) and measured with different head orientations: front, up, down, left, and right in the upright and tandem positions, respectively. Results: In the upright position, the SVV≥3° group had significantly larger values for all COP parameters (Sway length, Surface, Delta X, Delta Y, and Average speed) compared to the SVV<3° group (p<0.05). In the tandem stance, only the Ellipse Surface value was significantly larger among the COP parameters in the group with SVV≥3° compared to the group with SVV<3°(p<0.05). In contrast, the other COP parameters were not significantly different (p>0.05). The effects of static balance control on the head orientation were not statistically significant (p>0.05), and the interactions between the subjective vertical perception and head orientation were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that pathological deviations in SVV are associated with impaired static balance performance. This study can provide a therapeutic rationale for using visuospatial cognitive feedback training to improve the static balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.115-126
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate plantar foot pressure and static balance according to the type of insole in the elderly. Methods: Thirteen elderly (mean age: $67.08{\pm}2.25years$, mean height: $159.63{\pm}9.64cm$, mean body weight: $61.48{\pm}9.06kg$) who had no previous injury experience in the lower limbs and a normal gait pattern participated in this study. Three models of insoles of the normal, 3D, and triangle types were selected for the test. The Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 3.3 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 20 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Static balance test was conducted using Gaitview AFA-50, and balance (opening eyes, closing eyes) was inspected for 20 s. One-way ANOVA was conducted to test the significance of the results with the three insoles. p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean foot pressure under the forefoot regions was the lowest with the 3D insole during treadmill walking (p<.05). The mean value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (left: p<.05, right: p<.01). The mean value under the rearfoot was the lowest with the 3D insole (p<.001). The maximum foot pressure value under the foot regions was the lowest on both sides of the forefoot with the 3D insole. A statistically significant difference was seen only in the left foot (p<.01). The maximum value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (p<.001). No statistically significant difference was detected on the values under the rearfoot. In the case of vertical ground reaction force (GRF), statistically significant difference was seen only in the left side rearfoot (p<.01). However, static balance values (ENV, REC, RMS, Total Length, Sway velocity, and Length/ENV) did not show significant differences by the type of insole. Conclusion: These results show that functional insoles can decrease plantar pressure and GRF under the forefoot and rearfoot. Moreover, functional insoles can dislodge the overload of the rearfoot and forefoot to the midfoot. However, functional insoles do not affect the static balance in the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of self-sit-to-stand training on balance ability and sit-to-stand ability in hemiplegic stroke patients using a multisensory feedback device. Methods: A total of 19 stroke patients participated in this study, and they were divided into two groups: 10 underwent self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device, and 9 underwent sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. In both groups, sit-to-stand training was performed for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The subjects also underwent physical therapy twice a day for 30 min, 10 times a week, for a total of 60 sessions. Balance ability was evaluated using the AFA-50 and Berg Balance Scale. Sit-to-stand ability was evaluated using the five times sit-to-stand test. Results: Sway length, pressure, and total pressure all significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The Berg Balance Scale results showed that balance ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The five times sit-to-stand test results showed that sit-to-stand ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. It was found that the self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device had a positive effect on balance control and sit-to-stand ability. When the two groups were compared, no difference in balance ability or sit-to-stand ability was observed. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device is as effective as sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. Hence, self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device could be an effective home-based exercise protocol for hemiplegic stroke patients to improve their balance and sit-to-stand abilities.