• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.110-115
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sling exercise on pain, trunk strength, and balance in patients with chronic low back pain in their 40s and 50s. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic low back pain were divided into two groups, 10 patients in the exercise group using a sling and 10 patients in the waist stabilization exercise group, applying a random assignment, draw-out method, and sling exercise was applied for 50 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for a total of 5 weeks. For data analysis, a corresponding t-test was performed for within-group changes and an independent t-test was performed for inter-group changes, and the significance level was α=0.05. Results: After 5 weeks, there were significant differences in all items of within-group changes, and the inter-group changes after 5 weeks demonstrated significant differences in pain, trunk flexion strength, and balance. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that exercise using a sling had positive effects on pain, trunk flexion strength, and balance changes in chronic low back pain patients. It is suggested that sling exercise can be used as an intervention method for pain reduction and functional improvement of patients with chronic low back pain in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.253-262
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of performing the half squat exercise with Kinesio taping (HSEKT) on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in general university students. Methods: The 32 participants were randomly assigned to either the HSEKT group (half squats with Kinesio taping) or the control group (half squats with sham Kinesio taping). Both groups performed half squats with either Kinesio taping (HSEKT group) or sham Kinesio taping (control group) for 30 min/day, 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The Noraxon mini direct transmission system (DTS) electromyography (EMG) system was used to evaluate trunk and lower extremity muscle activity. BioRescue equipment was used to measure the movement area of the center of pressure with eyes open and eyes closed. The muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities and the balance ability of all participants were measured before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to statistically analyze the pre- and post-intervention EMG and balance ability results. Results: The trunk and lower extremity muscle activity was found to have significantly improved in the HSEKT group and the control group after the intervention (p < 0.05). Also, the balance ability of the HSEKT group differed significantly after 6 weeks of training compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study show that performing half squats with Kinesio taping had a positive effect on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in general university students.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1734-1738
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• 2019

Background: Stroke patients usually have arm weakness, which affects trunks and arms. Objective: To investigate the effects of paretic side and non-paretic side arm training on trunk control and upper limb functions. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind). Methods: Twenty patients with stroke in hospital were enrolled in the study. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to paretic side arm training group (PATG, n = 10) or non-paretic side arm training group (NATG, n = 10). Trunk impairment scale (TIS) was used for trunk control, and box and block test (BBT) was used for upper limb function. Training was conducted for 4 weeks. Results: PATG showed significant difference in TIS (static balance, dynamic balance, coordination, total score) and BBT. NATG showed significant differences in static balance, and dynamic balance and total score except for coordination and BBT. PATG also showed a more significant difference in BBT and coordination and total score than NATG. Conclusions: The arm training performed on the paretic side are more effective than those performed on the non-paretic side in improving both upper limb function and trunk control in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.2509-2515
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• 2009

This study compared the relative effectiveness of trunk stability exercise with general balance exercise on dynamic balance for patients with chronic patients. Thirty eight subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. One group was trained trunk stability exercise and the other group was trained general balance exercise. This process was carried out three times a week for seven weeks. Dynamic balance was measured prior to commencement of the exercise programs, and again after seven weeks, when the programs were completed, in order to establish the effectiveness of both exercise programs. Both the trunk stability exercise and the general balance exercise increased BBS and TUG(p<.001). The trunk stability exercise was more effective at increasing BBS(p<.05). We suggest that trunk stability exercise is effective in the improvement of balance ability in the persons with chronic stroke. Therefore, the trunk stability exercise is considered to important when the stroke patients are trained. Further studies of effectiveness of trunk stability exercise should be carried out to increase our understanding of this area of study.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of trunk control rehabilitation robot training (TCRRT) on the dynamic balance, lower extremity strength, gait ability and pain for bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Methods: Hemiarthroplasty (n=28) patients participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into two groups: trunk control rehabilitation robot training group and control group. Results: The TCRRT group showed significantly more improvement in the MFRT, MMT, 10MWT, TUG, and VAS compared to that before intervention (p<0.05). In addition, all tests were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that TCRRT is feasible and effective for improving the dynamic balance, lower extremity strength, gait ability, and pain efficacy after bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2017

Background: Patients with chronic stroke often shows decreased trunk muscle activity and trunk performance. To resolve these problems, many trunk stabilizing techniques including the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and the diaphragmatic breathing maneuver (DBM) are used to improve trunk muscle strength. Objects: To compare the effects of the ADIM and the DBM on abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control, and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to the ADIM ($n_1=10$) and DBM ($n_2=9$) groups. The ADIM and DBM techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique muscle, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score were used to assess changes in motor development after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the training periods, the TrA thickness on the paretic side, TIS score, and BBS score improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline (p<.05). TIS score was significantly greater in the DBM group than in the ADIM group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ADIM and DBM are beneficial for improving TrA muscle thickness in the paretic side, trunk control, and balance ability. Intergroup comparison revealed that TIS score was significantly improved in the DBM group versus the ADIM group. Thus, DBM may be an effective treatment for low trunk muscle activity and performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of training using a trunk control robot (TCR) system combined with conventional therapy (CT) on balance and gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the TCR group (n=17) or the trunk extension-training (TET) group (n=18). Both groups performed CT for 30 minutes, after which the TCR group performed TCR training and the TET group performed trunk extension training for 20 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Gait ability was measured using the 10 m Walk Test (10MWT) and the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master. Results: TCR group showed significant improvements in static balance (weight bearing) and dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width (p<0.05); step length was not significant. The TET group showed a significant partial improvement of dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and 10MWT (p<0.05), but the improvements in static balance, TUG, gait speed, and step width and step length was not significant. Additionally, significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width were detected between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: TCR training combined with CT is effective in improving static and dynamic balance, as well as gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1031-1037
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• 2016

This study was to verify the effect of complex training programs on the postural balance and trunk muscle strength of the elderly. We recruited 40 elderly participants aged 60 to 75 years. Subjects were evaluated before, and 12 weeks after. The participants underwent complex training programs, including free exercise, elastic band and unstable plate. Exercise were performed as follows: 10 repeats in 50 minutes (0 to 4 weeks), 13 repeats in 50 minutes (5 to 8 weeks), and 15 repeats in 50 minutes (9 to 12 weeks). The training group underwent complex training, including warm up, thrice a week for twelve weeks. The control group did not perform any complex training. Results indicate that the postural balance and trunk muscle strength in the training group significantly increased. Data generated from this study could be applied to develop a complex training program to efficiently build whole body muscle strength.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Purpose : To find out how action observation training for chronic stroke patients affects their balance and body control abilities in the posture seated in the rehabilitation of stroke. Methods : This study was conducted on 30 subjects who were diagnosed with stroke. The group conducted motion observation training through video clips, while the control group only conducted physical training, and the general physical therapy was performed equally by both counties. The static balance was measured using Biorescue and the dynamic balance was measured using Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Results : Static balance showed statistically significant difference in foot pressure (p<.05) as a result of comparison between pre and post exercise training. Dynamic balance was statistically significant (p>.05) as a result of comparing pre and post differences using modified functional reach test. The trunk control ability was statistically significant (p>.001). Comparison between the results of before and after motion observation training showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: This study confirmed that exercise training in sitting position was effective for static, dynamic balance ability and trunk control ability of hemiplegic patients due to stroke. These results suggest that the use of motion monitoring in stroke patients may have a positive impact on the diversity and function of rehabilitation.