• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was conducted to identify the common characteristics of older persons with sarcopenia and to explore the relationship between gait, balance, and stress using an integrated assessment tool. Methods : In this study, 95 people aged 65 years or older were screened using the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation algorithm presented by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia in 2019. Skeletal muscle index, grip strength, and short physical performance battery were used as sarcopenia evaluation measurements. Based on the results of this evaluation, participants were grouped into the 'non-sarcopenia group' (41 participants) or the 'sarcopenia group' (54 participants). Participants underwent further assessment using an integrated evaluation tool capable of measuring gait, balance, and stress. Gait ability was evaluated using the timed up and go test, and balance ability was evaluated using the berg balance scale. And the stress of the last month was measured by modifying the stress index developed by a Korean researcher. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the independent t-test and Mann Whitney-U test. Results : The sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group showed significant differences in all elements of the sarcopenia diagnostic evaluation. There were significant differences in all three integrated evaluation tools. For the evaluation of walking ability, the time measured in the timed up and go test was longer in the sarcopenia group, the berg balance scale score for the evaluation of balance ability was lower in the sarcopenia group, and the stress index was higher in the sarcopenia group. Conclusion : Through sarcopenia analysis using an integrated evaluation tool, it was confirmed that sarcopenia is closely related to decreased walking ability, poor balance, and increased stress. We recommend using this tool to reduce the risk of sarcopenia progression and stress exposure through the planning and implementation of an exercise program for sarcopenia prevention.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 12-week combined cognitive and physical exercise program on cognitive and physical functions in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: A one-group pretest-posttest study. Methods: Twelve participants with MCI engaged in a weekly 60-minute session of combined cognitive and physical exercise program. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while physical function was evaluated through measures of muscle strength, postural balance, and walking capabilities. Muscle strength assessments included the arm curl test, handgrip strength, and the 5 sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was evaluated using the one-leg stance test, timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, and four square step test. Walking function was analyzed through a gait analysis device. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were compared to determine the effects of the exercise program. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in MoCA, arm curl test, timed up-and-go test, walking speed, and cadence following the 12-week intervention (p<0.05). MoCA scores revealed enhanced cognitive performance, while measures of muscle strength, including the arm curl test, exhibited significant changes. Improvements in timed up-and-go test scores indicated enhanced mobility, accompanied by increased walking speed and cadence, as evidenced by gait analysis. Conclusions: This study suggests that a structured 12-week program incorporating both cognitive and physical exercises can lead to meaningful improvements in cognitive and physical functions among older adults with MCI.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Action-observational training program on gait and balance of patients with hemiplegia. Method : The subjects of this study are patients with hemiplegia; 10 patients who agreed with this research, were picked up. Participants were divided randomly into equal groups: experimental group that applied to action-observation training for at least 30 minutes/day for 6 weeks and control group that underwent general task-oriented training. Gait and balance were measured 10 meter walk test(10MWT), gait speed, berg balance scale(BBS) and timed up and go(TUG). The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. Result : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the gait and balance test of those who practiced with the Action-observational training program, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, Action-observational training program is effective in improvement of to improve the gait and balance in patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a whole body vibration-exercise program on the muscle strength, balance, and falling efficacy of super-aged women. METHODS: Thirty participants, who are over 75 years of age, were recruited. They were assigned randomly to an experimental group (n=15), which received whole body vibration exercise, and a control group (n=15), which received an exercise program that did not include vibration. The interventions lasted for four weeks, three times a day, and 25 minutes per session. To compare the effects of the intervention, a 30-second chair stand test (CST), Korean version of Berg balance scale (K-BBS), functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), and Korean version of the falls efficacy scale (K-FES) was used. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant increase (p.<05) before and after the intervention in the chair stand test (CST), Korean version of the Berg balance scale (K-BBS), functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG), and Korean version of the fall efficacy scale (K-FES). Compared to the control group, the experiment group showed a more significant increase (p.<05) in the CST, K-BBS, and FRT. CONCLUSION: A whole body vibration exercise program could be suggested as an effective intervention method for muscle and balance strengthening for super-aged women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.675-683
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Whole body vibration exercise(WBVE) in patient with chronic stroke. Methods : Thirty patients were divided into two groups by randomly experimental group(14 subject) and control group(16 subject) in a single blinded, randomised study. experimental group was conducted for the 6-weeks WBVE program and had a structured exercise program for 16 minutes, 5 days per week and control group was conducted for the shame exercise program. Outcome variables included the knee extensor strength, Berg balance scale, Timed up and go test at 0 and 6 weeks. Results : The experimental group tended to improve more than the control group in balance(Berg balance scale) and walking ability(Timed up and go test). There were no trends in differences in change scores by the knee extensor strength. Conclusion : WBVE program may be helpful to improve knee extensor strengthening, dynamic balance and walking ability for patients with chronic patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2016

Background: Losing balance during locomotive actions becomes an increasing threat to both the community-dwelling elderly and elderly with Parkinson disease (PD). Those with PD may be at a high risk of fall due to particular characteristics during the turn. Turning around during locomotive actions may be one of problematic factors causing losing balance. Objects: This study is part of a larger study, which in part aims to identify turning strategies, to compare the strategies in the elderly with and without idiopathic PD aged 51 years and older and to distinguish whether the turning strategies can predict the elderly at risk of falls. Methods: A total of 22 community-dwelling elderlies (10 elderlies with idiopathic PD and 12 healthy elderlies) were investigated for the turning strategies during the timed up and go test. Results: There were some significant differences between the two groups during turning (p<.05). The idiopathic PD group had a tendency of challenging on taking more number of steps, more time to accomplish and staggering more for the turn relative to the control group. Conclusion: Taking more number of steps and more time to turn may be useful for distinguishing the characteristics of PD from that of the healthy elderly in turning strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2011

Purpose : We studied the correlation between reference voluntary contraction (% RVC) of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM), Berg balance scale (BBS), and timed-up & go (TUG) test. Methods : We recruited 30 stroke patients from a rehabilitation center at a hospital.? All subjects could walk with or without an assisting device. Subjects were evaluated with % RVC of VL and VM, BBS, and TUG. The data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation coefficient. Results : The % RVC of VL and VM and BBS (p<0.01) showed a significant positive correlation. TUG negatively correlated with % RVC of VL and VM and BBS (p<0.01). Conclusion : Lower extremity muscle activity increases balance and walking ability. We recommend the implementation of lower extremity strength exercises in the rehabilitation of stroke patient.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Purpose: We studied the correlation between BBS (Berg Balance Scale), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed-Up & Go test (TUG), Stability Index (STI), MBI (Modified Barthel Index), and Fall History. Methods: We recruited 20 stroke patients from the Gang Dong Gu Health Care Center in Seoul, Korea. All subjects could walk with or without an assisting device. Subjects first completed a questionnaire pertaining to their fall history and Activity of Daily Living (MBI), and then were evaluated with BBS, TUG, FRT, and STI. We used the Tetrax posturography system that calculates a STI based on fluctuations in vertical ground reaction forces. The data were analyzed using a Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: The BBS and FRT (p<0.05) and MBI (p<0.01) showed a significant positive correlation. BBS negatively correlated with STI and TUG (p<0.01). Fall history and BBS, TUG, MBI, FR, STI did not correlate. Conclusion: The BBS helps predict weight shifting, walking, and ADL, but is not good for predicting fall risk. So, we need to study about factors that affect falling.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.291-301
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate homebound status and significant related factors for community-dwelling female elders according to age. Methods: The participants were female elders over 65 years of age registered in public health centers. Data were collected by interviewing the elders, who voluntarily completed the entire survey. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: There were statistically significant differences in homeboundness and related factors between the young-old (65 to 74 years of age) and the old-old (75 years of age or older). The level of homeboundness of the old-old was higher than that of the young-old. Multiple logistic regression showed, timed "up and go", depression, and fear of falling as significantly associated with homebound status of the young-old, while hand grip strength (right), timed "up and go", static balance ability, severity of urinary incontinence, and fear of falling as significant for the old-old. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that homebound status and related factors for elders are different according to age, and therefore, interventions to prevent and help homebound elders get over being homebound should be developed according to age.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the correlations between muscle strength of the ankle and balance, walking in the elderly. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from a population of female volunteers. Measurement of balance ability included evaluation of timed "up and go", functional reach, and a one leg standing test. Measurement of walking analysis included evaluation of cadence, stride length, step length, and walking speed. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle muscle strength was measured by use of a dynamometer. Results: For balance, there were significant negative correlations between timed "up and go" and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. There were significant positive correlations between one leg standing with the eyes closed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. For walking, there were significant positive correlations between cadence, walking speed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. Conclusion: This study showed that there were close relationships between muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexor and walking and balance in the elderly.