• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.90-97
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of virtual reality-based continuous slow exercise on muscle strength and dynamic balance capacity, in older adults over 65 years of age. Methods: Twenty-six volunteers were randomly divided into two groups; a Virtual Reality (VR) exercise-group ($67.8{\pm}4.1$ yrs) and a Control group ($65.5{\pm}5.2$ yrs). The VR group participated in eight weeks of virtual reality exercise, utilizing modified Tai-Chi provided by a motion capture system, and the Control group had no intervention. The hip muscle strength and dynamic balance of the members of both the VR group and the Control group were measured at pre- and post-intervention, using a multimodal dynamometer, and backward stepping test, respectively. Results: 1. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of hip strength, compared to the control group: hip extension (p=0.00), flexion (p=0.00), abduction (p=0.00), and adduction (p=0.00). 2. After the 8-week VR-based exercise, the VR group showed significant improvement of dynamic balance capacity as ground reaction force, compared to the control group. Eyes opened backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.00), Fy (-) (p=0.02), Ver (+) (p=0.02) direction. Eyes closed backward stepping test: Fx (+) (p=0.04), Fy (-) (p=0.04), Ver (+) (p=0.03) direction. Conclusion: The VR group showed improvement of their hip muscle strength, and dynamic balance capacity. Therefore VR-based continuous slow exercise would contribute to reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) therapy with compensation inhibition and feedback (CIF) on upper extremity function in chronic stroke patients. Seven chronic stroke patients participated in this study, which was a randomized controlled trial with a crossover design. Self upper extremity exercise, conservative VR therapy, and VR therapy with CIF were performed for one hour per session, 5 times per week, over a 3 week period. The main outcome measures involved range of motion (ROM) including shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints, a Manual Function Test (MFT), and a Motor Activity Log (MAL). Data were calculated as posttest and pretest changes in every session and were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests at p<.05. The results were as follows: 1) Statistically significant increase in ROM measurements of shoulder and elbow joints were seen with VR therapy with CIF compared to VR therapy and self upper extremity exercise (p<.05), whereas no significant increasing was noted for the wrist joint (p>.05). 2) Statistically significant increase in the MFT was seen with VR therapy with CIF compared with VR therapy and self upper extremity exercise (p<.05). 3) VR therapy with CIF also resulted in statistically significant increase in both activity of use (AOU) (p<.05) and quality of movement (QOM) (p<.05) on the MAL test when compared with VR therapy and self upper extremity exercise, respectively. In conclusion, VR therapy with CIF was more effective than conservative VR therapy and self upper extremity exercise in improving the upper extremity function in hemiplegic patients with chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was an investigation of the effect of unstable supporting exercise in young adults with functional ankle instability. The study tested the use of a jumper and virtual reality (VR) training via a VR-head mounted display (HMD) system to provide functional improvement in proprioception, range of motion (ROM), ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance. Methods: The subjects comprised 61 young adults (in their twenties) with functional ankle instability to decide as less than 24 points using Cumberland ankle instability tool. The subjects were divided into three groups: VUS (VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 20), VSS (VR-HMD and stable supporting exercise, n = 19), and NUS (non-VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 22). The exercise program was conducted three times per week for three weeks. VR training via a VR-HMD system and a VR application on a smart mobile device were used with the VUS and VSS groups, and unstable supporting exercise was used in the VUS and NUS groups for 30 minutes. Proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance were measured before and after training. Results: The VUS group showed significant differences in most results, including proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance to compare before and after, and the VSS and NUS groups partially. Moreover, the VUS group had significant differences in most results when compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Unstable supporting exercise and VR training via a VR-HMD system improved functional ankle instability in terms of proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.710-719
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study an examination was done of the effect of self-efficacy promoting vestibular rehabilitation (S-VR) on dizziness, exercise self-efficacy, adherence to vestibular rehabilitation (VR), subjective and objective vestibular function, vestibular compensation and the recurrence of dizziness in patients with vestibular hypofunction. Methods: This was a randomized controlled study. Data were collected 3 times at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks after beginning the intervention. Outcome measures were level of dizziness, exercise self-efficacy, and level of adherence to VR. Subjective and objective vestibular function, vestibular compensation and the recurrence of dizziness were also obtained. Data were analyzed using Windows SPSS 21.0 program. Results: After 4 weeks of S-VR, there was no difference between the groups for dizziness, subjective and objective vestibular functions. However, exercise self-efficacy and adherence to VR were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. After 8 weeks of S-VR, dizziness (p =.018) exercise self-efficacy (p <.001), adherence to VR (p <.001), total-dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) (p =.012), vision analysis ratio (p =.046) in the experimental group differ significantly from that of the control group. The number of patients with recurring dizziness were higher in the control group than in the experimental group (p <.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that continuous 8 weeks of S-VR is effective in reducing dizziness, and improving exercise self-efficacy, subjective vestibular function and adherence to VR. Objective vestibular function and vestibular compensation were also improved in the experimental group at the end of 8 weeks of S-VR.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based core stabilization exercise on upper extremity function, postural control, and depression among persons with stroke with hemiplegia. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was conducted with the inclusion of 24 participants and were randomly assigned to either the VR-based trunk stability exercise group (n=12) or control group (n=12). The VR-based trunk stability exercise group performed core stabilization exercises in a VR environment for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the control group conducted general core stabilization exercises for 30 minutes. The participants trained 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The manual functional test (MFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used to assess all participants before and after the intervention. Results: The VR-based core stabilization exercise group had a significant improvement in upper extremity function (MFT, BBT) and postural control (BBS) compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VR-based core stabilization exercise showed a significant difference after intervention in the TIS and GDS scores (p<0.05), but they did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: The result showed that VR-based core stabilization exercise can be effective in improving upper extremity function and postural control among patients with stroke more than the sole application of general physical therapy.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.5578-5584
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• 2014

In this study, 46 patients from a local hemodialysis center were enrolled to assess the effects of a self-motivated virtual reality (VR) exercise program on the heart rate variability and quality of life control in hemodialysis patients. The VR group (n = 23) completed a VR exercise program, where the subjects performed the exercise 40 min per session, 3 sessions per week, for 8weeks. After the exercise program, the heart rate variability and quality of life were measured. The VR group showed significant improvement in the heart rate variability and quality of life. The self-motivated VR exercise program provided both the role of supervisor as well as feedback, which is important for hemodialysis patients.Therefore, a self-motivated VR exercise program may be a useful tool for improving the psychosocial function in chronic disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

• Journal of IKEEE
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.978-984
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• 2018

Currently, virtual reality technology is actively applied in the entertainment and game fields, and development of professional programs is gradually increasing due to the rapid development of Internet and web technologies. As the current paradigm for healthcare changes from treatment to prevention, it is more important to take good care of it in advance so it doesn't get sick. This paper allows users to monitor the amount of exercise directly after using VR sports games. By using this system, users can exercise more interestingly and manage their own fitness by receiving an analyzed amount of exercise.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.3826-3832
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• 2010

This study was aimed at determining the effect of virtual reality(VR) based exercise programs on energy expenditure during gait in chronic stroke patients. Thirty-two stroke patients were participated for this study. They underwent stroke for more than 6 months and were assigned to a VR-exercise group (n=16) or a control group (n=16). The VR-exercise group executed a rehabilitation exercise three times a week during 6 weeks. The VR-exercise was performed by PS2 for one hour. Control group maintained their usual life without application of exercise. Energy expenditure index(EEI) during gait was calculated from heart rate and gait velocity. After the completion of the VR-exercise, the EEI was decreased significantly (p<0.05). These results showed that the rehabilitation exercise using a virtual reality is effective in the improvement of energy efficiency during gait in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.891-895
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• 2015

We investigated the effects of a Virtual reality(VR) program on the proprioception and instability of functional ankle instability(FAI) patients. Among the 20s old individuals who lived in Republic of Korea; 20 people were selected through a public participation process. The 20 participants were then randomly divided into two groups, one of strength exercise(n=10) and one of balance exercise(n=10). Of the patients who had experienced an ankle sprain in the past and currently felt ankle instability, those who recorded 24 points or less on the Cumberland ankle instability tool(CAIT) were determined to have FAI. We selected the strength exercise and balance exercise in the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus as a VR program. The subjects used the program on the Wii Balance Board three times per week for 20 minutes and total 10-minute warm-up and down for four weeks. Proprioception and CAIT of the balance exercise group were improved significantly after the exercise compared to before the exercise(p<.05). Authors recommend that the balance exercise in the VR program be used as an aid for physical therapeutic intervention.