• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.233-246
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• 2022

Purpose : The study aims to determine the effects of virtual and non-virtual realities in a normal person's mirror walk on gait characteristics. Methods : Twenty male adults (Age: 27.8 ± 5.8 years) participated in the study. Reflection markers were attached to the subjects for motion analysis, and they walked in virtual reality environments with mirrors by wearing goggles that showed them the virtual environments. After walking in virtual environments, the subjects walked in non-virtual environments with mirrors a certain distance away after taking a 5 min break. To prevent the order effect caused by the experiential difference of gait order, the subjects were randomly classified into groups of 10 and the order was differentiated. During each walk, an infrared camera was used to detect motion and the marker positions were saved in real time. Results : Comparison between the virtual and non-virtual reality mirror walks showed that the movable range of the leg joints (ankle, knee, and hip joints), body joints (sacroiliac and atlantoaxial joints), and arm joints (shoulder and wrist joints) significantly differed. Temporal characteristics showed that compared to non-virtual gaits, the virtual gaits were slower and the cycle time and double limb support time of virtual gaits were longer. Furthermore, spacial characteristics showed that compared to non-virtual gaits, virtual gaits had shorter steps and stride lengths and longer stride width and horizontally longer center of movement. Conclusion : The reduction in the joint movement in virtual reality compared to that in non-virtual reality is due to adverse effects on balance and efficiency during walking. Moreover, the spatiotemporal characteristics change based on the gait mechanisms for balance, exhibiting that virtual walks are more demanding than non-virtual walks. However, note that the subject group is a normal group with no abnormalities in gait and balance and it is unclear whether the decrease in performance is due to the environment or fear. Therefore, the effects of the subject group's improvement and fear on the results need to be analyzed in future studies.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.292-297
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.227-238
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects on using Virtual reality exercise program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) for dynamic balance and walking ability in patients with stroke. Methods : The 22 subjects were randomly selected from the patients of the S hospital who met the study conditions. They were divided into a $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group of 12 patients and a conventional physical therapy group of 10 patients. The $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group received $Wii-Fit^{TM}$ balance game group general physiotherapy for 5 days a weeks, 30 minutes a day, for a 4 weeks and the conventional physical therapy group received general physiotherapy for the same period. The subjects were measured and compared for Brunel balance assessment, functional gait assessment, 6 minute walk test, GAITRite system before and after the program. Results : The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in shifting the weight to the affected side(p=0.040) and tap test(p<0.001). The experimental group tend to improve more than control group in FGA(p=0.016). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in 6MWT(p=0.008). The experimental group improved significantly more than control group in gait speed, cadence, stride length. Conclusions : Virtual Reality program($Wii-Fit^{TM}$) with conventional physical therapy shows the benefits on dynamic balance and gait parameters in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.430-435
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was a virtual reality-based balance training program effective for improvement in physical function, examined the balance ability and fall efficacy of elderly women with experienced falls, intending to examine the program's usefulness as an exercise program to prevent the recurrence of a fall. Methods: The participants were 30 elderly women aged 65 or older who met the conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to either a balance training group (BT) or a virtual reality-based balance training group (VT) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. To measure static balance, the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) were used. To measure dynamic balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) was used, and regarding fall efficacy, the Korean Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES) was used. Results: Tetrax significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT group and the VT group (p<0.05). The comparison between the two groups was not significantly. BBS and FRT result significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT and VT groups (p<0.001), while K-FES was significantly ameliorated in the VT group only (p<.05). Comparing the groups, there were more significant changes in the BBS (p<0.05) and FRT (p<0.01) result of the VT group than the BT group. Conclusion: A virtual reality-based balance training program is considered to be usable as an exercise program to prevent recurrence of falls in elderly women.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.183-194
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• 2020

Purpose: Functional ankle instability (FAI) causes tension in the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and the impact on visual and vestibular organs leads to imbalance. This study compared the effects of a traditional balance training program to virtual reality training to improve FAI. Methods: Twenty-four participants with FAI (CAIT score < 24) were assigned to a virtual reality training group (n = 13) and a traditional balance training group (n = 11). Both groups pursued their respective training program for four weeks. After a ten-minute warm-up, participants completed a 30-minute training session, three times per week. The traditional balance training group underwent static and dynamic training using a balance board and a stability trainer pad while the virtual reality group underwent balance training using a virtual reality program. Biorescue was used to measure changes in the speed and length of center of pressure (COP) for single-leg stance pre- and post-training. Results: The speed and length of COP improved significantly in both groups after training as compared to before (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these outcomes between the virtual reality training group and the traditional balance training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study findings confirm the effectiveness of both virtual reality training and traditional balance training in reducing ankle instability, with no difference in treatment effects.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제18권2호
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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.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.7-11
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• 2013

Objective: Final goal of nerve advancement therapy is to provide maximum ability to function independently in life to patients. This paper appraises and describes basic concepts of the virtual reality (VR) based exercise program to improve functional movement for neurologically impaired patients. Design: Review article. Methods: Stroke patients from the physical therapy department while wearing comfortable clothing receive therapy and also VR based motion therapy administered by the therapist in charge. After evaluation of stroke patients, therapy includes an exercise program that is suitable for use with stroke patients; stroke patients wear head-mounted display while in front of the computer, where the camera is located; they follow the action on the screen and the computer perceives the operation of the stroke patients according to subject accomplishment. Results: According to obstacle condition of stroke patients using the method, which is various environments after setting, in stroke patients, there is a possibility of presenting suitable therapeutic environments. The display presentation of the method, which is identical, causes difficulty for all stroke patients. According to subject accomplishment; stroke patients result in execution of repetition training and deepening study, which leads to mobility. Conclusions: The VR based rehabilitation training programs is a difference of the existing video training program, is immediate feedback and compensation method. It will provide rehabilitation training services for the family of the patient whose condition could be improved with rehabilitative therapy where it is a continuous circumstance as a matter of the social welfare facility therapy.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.4564-4571
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• 2012

본 연구는 산업체 만성요통환자의 자가요통관리를 위하여 가상현실 운동프로그램을 실시하고 산업체 만성요통관련 신체기능 및 건강관련 삶의 질을 측정하여 분석하였다. 대상자는 K산업체 만성요통환자 30명으로 Nintendo Wii Sports군(실험군) 15명, 일반 물리치료군(대조군)15명으로 구성되었으며, 신체기능은 배근력, 유연성, 균형능력, 통증으로 측정하였고, 건강관련 삶의 질은 SF-36을 측정하여 운동 전과 운동 후, 군간을 비교분석하였다. 집단 내 운동 전 후의 차이를 비교하기 위하여 대응표본 t-검정을 사용하였고, 집단간의 차이를 비교하기 위하여 독립표본 t-검정을 실시하였다. 실험결과 균형능력과 통증에서 두군 모두 통계학적으로 유의하게 개선된 것으로 나타났으며, 군간 비교에서는 Nintendo Wii Sports군이 일반물리치료군에 비해 통계학적으로 유의하게 향상된 것으로 나타났다. 또한 건강관련 삶의 질은 Nintendo Wii Sports군에서만 통계학적으로 유의하게 향상된 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 가상현실운동프로그램이 산업체 만성요통환자의 요통에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳐 요통관리를 위한 재가운동 프로그램으로 고려되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제9권3호
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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.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.49-60
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• 2023

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the impact of a exercise with kinect-based mixed reality device (KMR) on physical function, upper extremity disability, fatigue, and quality of life in breast cancer survivors. We hypothesized that this exercise program would improve physical function, physical activity, fatigue, and quality of life. Methods : Thirty-nine breast cancer survivors were randomized to either the KMR exercise group (KE) or the home stretch group (HS). The KE participated in 8 weeks of exercise, exercising 3 times per week, while the HS performed 8 weeks of stretching exercises, also 3 times per week. Before and after the intervention period, participants underwent assessments of physical function, including body composition, chester step test (CST), and hand grip strength (HGS). Additionally, participants completed questionnaires including the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ), disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire, and functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast (FACT-B) questionnaire to measure their physical activity levels, upper extremity disability, and quality of life, respectively. Results : Overall, significant improvements were observed in several shoulder movements, body weight, and physical activity, with no significant interaction effects between groups and time. Furthermore, there was a significant group by time interaction for body weight, left flexion, right flexion, right abduction, and left adduction, as well as for upper extremity disability (K-DASH) and quality of life (FACT-B). Conclusion : In conclusion, the KMR exercise program was found to be effective at improving physical function, upper extremity disability, quality of life, and overall well-being in breast cancer survivors. The significant improvements observed in multiple measures and the significant group by time interactions for various outcomes highlight the potential benefits of this KMR exercise program in promoting a better quality of life for breast cancer survivors.