• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2009

Background: This study had been carried out with 20 elderly subjects as its object for about one month from November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 in order to observe the effect of Underwater Treadmill on the elderly's walking and balance ability. Methods: Subjects were assigned either experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10), experimental group received Underwater Treadmill program (30 min per course, 3days a week for 6weeks). Subjects were assessed for muscle power (Nicolas Manual Muscle Test), balance (Functional Reach Test), gait ability (Time Up and Go, 10M walking test) before experiments and after experiments. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1. After underwater treadmill exercise, the change of isometric contraction indicated a beneficial increase on lower extremity muscle power of experimental group and functional test of balance function; FRT, TUG indicated beneficial difference between groups. 2. beneficial difference between groups in walking speed of hourly index change of walking function. 3. between muscle power and balance, gait ability, we could find out there's high correlation ship between lower extremity muscle power increasing and balance and gait ability of the elderly. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using underwater treadmill effects on muscle power strengthening of the elderly, and because of this, increase of lower extremity muscle power is very helpful not only to improvement of balance ability, but also to improvement of gait ability, so it will be used as a physical therapy program on clinic and used as an exercise program for protecting the elderly from falling down very well.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.2060-2064
• /
• 2020

Background: Recently, the kinesiology taping (KT) method was reported to be effective in improving walking ability in foot drop patients after stroke, but the clinical basis is still unclear. Objectives: The KT method was compared with ankle-foot orthotics (AFO) to investigate gait ability in foot drop patients after stroke. Design: Crossover study design. Methods: In this study, 11 stroke patients with foot drop participated. Walking ability of all subjects for both conditions (KT and AFO) was measured using the GAITRite system. The order of application of the two conditions was determined randomly by drawing lots. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare walking ability between the two conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at P<.05. Results: There were no significant differences between the KT and AFO methods in terms of velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length (P>.05, all). Conclusion: This study recommends KT as an alternative to the AFO, since KT provides evidence of preventing of foot drops and improving gait ability in stroke patient.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1992-1998
• /
• 2020

Background: The foot drop stimulator is designed to improve the walking ability of foot drop in patients after stroke, however, studies on clinical effects are still lacking. Objective: To investigate the effect of a foot drop stimulator on the walking and balancing abilities of foot drop patients after a stroke. Design: One-Group (Pretest-Posttest) Design. Methods: All subjects walked in all three conditions: foot drop stimulator (FDS) ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and barefoot. Primary outcome measures were assessed for walking and balance using a 10-m walking test (10MWT) and a timed up and go test (TUG). Secondary outcome measures consisted of a brief user interview, and the patients recorded the advantages and disadvantages of each condition. Results: FDS, AFO, and barefoot conditions showed a statistically significant difference in 10MWT and TUG (P<.001) as a result of comparing three conditions. FDS and AFO were significantly different from the barefoot condition as post-hoc results; however, there was no significant difference between the two conditions (P>.05). Conclusion: In this study, the foot drop stimulator contributed to improving the balance ability, and the walking ability was similar to the effect of the ankle-foot orthosis.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to provide basic data on physical therapy intervention by comparing the physical ability and fall efficacy and depression of elderly and hospitalized elderly. Method: This study was carried out with 22 hospitalized elderly who can live in Y-Hospital and 22 elderly people in Busan. We measured body mas index, time up & go test, function reach test, 10m walking test, bracket lifting test, fall efficacy and geriatric depression scale. The data collection period was from November to December 2017. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Win 18.00 program. Results: There was a significant difference between the elderly and hospitalized elderly form physical ability and depression(p<.05). But Fall efficacy was no significant difference(p>.05). 10m walking with TUG, heel with fall efficacy showed quantitative correlation and 10m walking with fall efficacy, depression with fall efficacy, heel with TUG, 10m walking showed amulet correlation. There was a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Elderly showed better results in physical ability and depression than hospitalized patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.266-278
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of reinforced walking exercise on dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in heart failure patients. Methods: This study used a randomized controlled trial design. The participants (experimental group=16, control group=25) were recruited from a university hospital in Kyeong-nam area. Data were collected from March to September, 2015. The reinforced walking exercise included goal setting and feedback (telephone and text message) provided for 12 weeks. Dyspnea-Fatigue Index, Korean Activity Scale/Index (KASI), six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and HRQoL were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Fisher's exact test, $x^2$ test, and Kolmogrove-Smirnov test. Results: Prior to the intervention there were no differences in the research variables between two groups. The exercise compliance in the experimental group was 100% (walking for 50 minutes per day, 5 times per week). The experimental group had improved dyspnea-fatigue symptoms (t=8.63, p<.001), daily activities (t=-4.92, p<.001), longer 6MWD (t=-5.66, p<.001), and increased HRQoL (t=-9.05, p<.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The reinforced walking exercise could be a cost-effective intervention in heart failure patient, which could enhance patients' outcomes, such as improving dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability, and quality of life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of dual-task action observation training (AOT) and single-task AOT related with daily living task on walking ability and ADL performance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven chronic stroke subjects were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to three task categorieds as follows: whole dual-task AOT or partial dual-task AOT or single-task AOT rehabilitation. Whole dual-task AOT observed the movement at once and partial dual-task AOT observed the movement divided into 4 parts related functional gait and activities of daily living task for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Single-task AOT observed the movement related functional gait for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Both groups had physical training session for 12 minutes 30 seconds. The study was conducted for four weeks, with three training sessions a week, for twelve weeks. All subjects were evaluated for their walking ability and activities of daily living through devices, 10m walking test (10MWT), dynamic gait index (DGI), and Korea-Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). RESULTS: A significant improvement of walking ability and ADL performance happened among dual-task AOT subjects, compared with a single-task AOT subjects, during the 4-weeks course treatment. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences in 10MWT (p<0.05) and DGI (p<0.05), and K-MBI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that dual-task AOT has a positive additional impact on recovery of walking ability and ADL performance in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was intended to discover the effect of the turning training on figure of 8 tract on stroke patients' static and dynamic balance, as well as walking. Methods: A total of 42 stroke patients participated in this study. The training group was trained on the figure of 8 tract, while the control group was trained on the straight path for 30 minutes per day, for 4 weeks. Berg balance scale was used to measure the balance of the patients, before and after the training, and Good balance system was used to measure the sway speed and the distance of COG while standing. To measure the ability of walking, TUG and FSST were also used. Results: There were significant increases in the average score of Berg balance scale, in both groups after the training, and also significant difference between both groups were observed. The training group showed significant differences in the static balance ability, as well as anteroposterior and mediolateral sway speed. Further, there were significant increases in the dynamic balance ability, COP total distance, and TUG in both groups. The results showed more differences in comparing the control group with that of the training group. In FSST, there was no change in the control group, but there was a significant increase in the training group. Conclusion: Turning training on figure of 8 tract in stroke patients significantly increased the static and dynamic balance and walking ability. Based on the results, it can be seen that the training on the figure of 8 tract can influence the ability of balance and walking, which can lead to appropriate reactions to the change of environment and various tasks. Thus, it is assumed that turning training on figure of 8 tract as a means of improving the condition of stroke patients can be a meaningful program.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.63 no.2
• /
• pp.440-452
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine if an 8-week therapeutic riding (TR) program was effective in improving the walking ability of students with intellectual disabilities. Thirteen students diagnosed with intellectual disabilities participated in the TR program. TR sessions were conducted twice a week (30 min per session), with a total of 16 rides taking place over an 8-week period. A gait measurement analyzer was used to measure progress based on a turn test (6-m walking and turning test), walk test (10-m walking), and timed up and go (TUG) test. Measurements were made three times: before horse-riding (P0), after 4 weeks (8 rides) of horse-riding (P1), and after 8 weeks (16 rides) of horse-riding (P2). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software (ver. 22.0). Descriptive statistics were generated on the general characteristics of the subjects, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normality of the data. Because of the lack of normality, the data were analyzed using a nonparametric method and the significance level was set to 0.05. Measurements of the duration of the forward gait cycle (s) in the turn test and the forward gait speed (m/s) in the walk test indicated improved walking ability after the TR program (p < 0.001); the stride length (% height) also increased significantly (p < 0.05). The walk test revealed a significant effect of the program on the duration of the forward gait cycle (p < 0.05), while there were significant improvements on the left and right of the elaborated strides (p < 0.001). No significant improvement in TUG test performance was observed after the TR program. In this study, an 8-week TR program had positive results on gait. Therefore, further research is merited, where TR programs are likely to improve the walking ability of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.49-53
• /
• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to examine differences in the association between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients in the subacute phase and walking independence level. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into an independent group and a supervised group (n=10 each) by walking independence level within the ward decided by physical therapists. Inclusion criteria comprised the ability to ambulate independently within the ward, regardless of the use of walking aids. Straight walking abilities (walking velocity, stride length, and cadence) were evaluated using the 5-meter walk test. Curved walking abilities were evaluated using the Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) and the 3-meter zigzag walk test (3ZW). Differences in associations between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients were examined by calculating correlation coefficients between straight and curved walking abilities. Results: Age, walking velocity, stride length, F8W and 3ZW varied markedly between independent and supervised groups. In the independent group, F8W and 3ZW correlated significantly with walking velocity and cadence (p<0.05). In the supervised group, F8W correlated significantly with walking velocity and stride length (p<0.05), but 3ZW did not correlate significantly with straight walking abilities. Conclusions: The association between straight and curved walking abilities varied between inpatients who could ambulate independently and inpatients requiring supervision for ambulating. These differences may depend on skill on straight and curved walking abilities. There is a possibility that curved walking exercise is necessary for supervised group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.50-54
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This investigation aimed to determine the effects of treadmill training (TT) and high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on pulmonary function and walking ability in stroke patients as well as propose an exercise program to improve cardiovascular function. Methods: Twenty hemiplegic stroke patients were randomized to either the control group (CG) (n=10) or the experimental group (EG), which received TT and HFCWO (n=10). Pulmonary function was quantitated using patient forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) while walking speed was assessed by the 10m walking test (10MWT). Further, walking endurance was determined utilizing the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Subjects of the EG performed the study protocol for 60 minutes, five times a week for six weeks; CG patients did not participate in regular exercise. To determine significance for the differences observed before and after exercise, within-group and between-group comparisons were conducted utilizing paired and independent t-tests, respectively, with the level of significance set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Within-groups, significant differences were observed in both FVC and FEV1 (p<0.01) following completion of the study protocol. Further, between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences in both FVC (p<0.05) and FEV1 (p<0.01). Post-exercise, significant changes in the 10MWT and 6MWT score were observed between the EG and CG (p<0.01). Further, statistically significant differences were observed in 6MWT scores between-groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The TT and HFCWO effectively improved pulmonary function and walking ability in subjects with stroke. The proposed program can be applied to stroke patients as a useful therapy.