• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to determine effects of a task-oriented circuit training(TOCT) for lower limb on walking ability after stroke. Methods : Twenty one chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly divided into either TOCT group or control group(11 experimental, 10 control). All of participants were in-patients at local rehabilitation centre and had been receiving a traditional rehabilitation program, five days a week. TOCT group have additionally undergone for four weeks, three days a week, the TOCT program but control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The 10 m walking test (10MWT), the 2 min walking test (2MWT), the step test (ST) and the figure-8 walking test (F8WT) to measure a walking ability were carried out twice before and after training. Results : After participation in the program, subjects of TOCT demonstrated a significant improvement in the scores of the 10MWT, 2MWT, the ST, the F8WT. The control group had no change on the any tests. After the training, the results to improve significantly in TOCT group compared to post-test of control group were the time of 10MWT and the time and the step of curved walking of F8WT. Conclusion : The present study suggests that the TOCT program may become a useful strategy for enhancing walking ability in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.437-445
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of whole-body vibration exercise for life care on balance and walking ability in the fall risk stroke patients. 30 stroke patients were divided into two groups, Otago exercise group(n=15) and whole-body vibration exercise group(n=15). Walking ability were measured by 10m walking and Tinetti mobility test with stroke patients and balance ability were measured by BBS and TUG on comparative analysis of pre, post exercise. To compare differences before and after the program, a paired t-test was used and to compare differences between both groups, an independent samples t-test was used. As a result of the test, it was discovered that BBS and Tinetti mobility test of the both groups were increased statistically significantly and TUG and 10m walking test of the both groups were decreased statistically significantly. balance ability and walking ability of the whole-body vibration exercise group were improved statistically significantly in comparison with those of the Otago exercise group. The results of this study showed that whole-body vibration exercise for the improvement of life care had significant effects on improving BBS, TUG, 10m walking and Tinetti mobility test of fall risk stroke patients. Therefore, it is recommended to apply whole-body vibration exercise to improve life-care through improving balance ability and walking ability of fall risk stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.134-139
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• 2017

Objective: Dual-task interference is defined as decrements in performance observed when people attempt to perform two tasks concurrently, such as a verbal task and walking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait ability according to the dual task interference in chronic stroke survivors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten chronic stroke survivors (9 male, 1 female; mean age, 55.30 years; mini mental state examination, 19.60; onset duration, 56.90 months) recruited from the local community participated in this study. Gait ability (velocity, paretic side step, and stride time and length) under the single- and dual-task conditions at a self-selected comfortable walking speed was measured using the motion analysis system. In the dual task conditions, subjects performed three types of cognitive tasks (controlled oral word association test, auditory clock test, and counting backwards) while walking on the track. Results: For velocity, step and stride length, there was a significant decrease in the dual-task walking condition compared to the single walking condition (p<0.05). In particular, higher reduction of walking ability was observed when applying the counting backward task. Conclusions: Our results revealed that the addition of cognitive tasks while walking may lead to decrements of gait ability in stroke survivors. In particular, the difficulty level was the highest for the calculating task. We believe that these results provide basic information for improvements in gait ability and may be useful in gait training to prevent falls after a stroke incident.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.292-297
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of backward walking training with task orientation on the functional walking ability of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design conducted at a single rehabilitation facility with cross-over to the other intervention arm following a two-week break. For a total of 12 children with spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy, the forward walking training group (n=6) underwent training three times a week for three weeks, 40 minutes a day, and the backward walking training group (n=6) was also trained under the same conditions. To identify the functional walking ability, variables, such as the walking speed, stride length, and step length, were measured using a walk analyzer (OptoGait, Microgate S.r.l, Italy). Results: Both groups showed significant increases in walking speed, stride length, and step length (p<0.01). The backward walking group showed more significant improvement in the walking speed from pre- to post-test (p<0.05). The gait characteristics were similar in the two groups (stride length and step length) but the walking speed in the backward walking group showed a mean difference between the positive effects higher than the forward walking group. Conclusion: Task-oriented backward walking training, which was conducted on the ground, may be a more effective treatment approach for improving the walking functions of spastic hemiplegia children than forward walk training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of a vestibular stimulation training program on the walking ability of chronic stroke patients over a six month period. METHODS: Forty stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided randomly into a control group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). A general exercise program was applied to Group I and vestibular stimulation training was applied to Group II(30 min, three times a week for six weeks). The changes in straight walking ability, curved walking ability, and functional walking ability were measured using a 10 m walking test figure-of-eight-walking test, and dynamic gait index, respectively. The measures before and after the program were compared using a paired t-test for a comparison of each group and an independent t-test for a comparison between groups. RESULTS: The changes in each group were examined according to the measurement period. The Experimental group showed significant functional improvement in all three tests after the vestibular stimulation training program, but the control group did not show significant improvement in any of the tests after the general exercise program. A comparison of the changes between groups revealed the experimental group to show significantly higher improvement than the control group in all tests. CONCLUSION: The vestibular stimulation training program helps improve the gait function of stroke patients. Based on the results of this study, it is expected that various vestibular stimulation training programs will be developed and applied in a range of places.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.287-301
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• 2021

Purpose: Gait training for stroke patients focuses on adjusting to new environments to facilitate outdoor walking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of various ground obstacle walking combined with treadmill walking on the gait parameters and functional gait ability of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients were divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). The experimental group received a combined gait training using various ground obstacle walking and treadmill walking (VGOW) five times/week for four weeks. The control group received traditional treadmill training (TW) five times/week for four weeks. Patients were evaluated using the figure-8 walk test (F8WT) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) before and after each intervention. Results: The ANCOVA results showed that both treatments significantly influenced F8WT steps, F8WT time, and FGA score. The paired t-test results showed a significant improvement in F8WT steps, F8WT time, and FGA score in the experimental group compared to those in the control group. Conclusion: Combined gait training using various ground obstacle walking and treadmill walking can improve gait ability in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2024

Purpose: This study was conducted to verify the effect of applying a pressure biofeedback unit on walking ability and knee joint function while performing knee joint extensor strengthening exercises using resistance exercise equipment in total knee replacement (TKR) patients. Methods: This study was conducted on twelve patients receiving rehabilitation treatment after being admitted to a rehabilitation hospital post-TKR. Of these, six were allocated to a feedback group with a pressure biofeedback unit, and the other 6 were allocated to a control group without a pressure biofeedback unit. The subjects performed an exercise program for 45 minutes per session, five times a week, for two weeks. Walking ability and knee joint function were evaluated and analyzed before and after exercise. Results: The feedback group showed significantly better improvements in walking speed, gait cycle, step length on the non-operation side, time on the foot on the operation side, K-WOMAC stiffness, and K-WOMAC function than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: When strengthening the knee joint extensor muscles using resistance exercise equipment in TKR patients, the provision of a pressure biofeedback unit was found to improve walking ability and knee joint function by inducing concentric-eccentric contraction of the knee joint extensor muscles. Therefore, the study shows that exercise based on the provision of a pressure biofeedback unit should be considered when strengthening knee joint extensor muscles to improve the walking ability and knee joint function of TKR patients in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.181-186
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was to applied to stretching plantar flexor and invertor at the same time to observe the effect of balance and walking ability. Methods: Subjects were instructed patients with ankle limited of motion, 6 months after stroke. We classified 20 subjects into two groups (experimental group: stretching plantar flexor and invertor at the same time, control group: only stretching plantar flexor). each group included 10 subjects and applied ankle stretcher for 20 minutes, 5 times/week during 4 weeks (total 20 times). Results: Both experimental group and control group showed significant increases in static balance, however, the significantly increases in step length and gait speed was observed only in the experimental group. There was no significant increases in step length and gait speed in the control group. Conclusion: Simultaneous stretching of ankle invertor and plantar flexion is effective in improving balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1090-1094
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of indirectly applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to the scapular adductor muscles of stroke patients on their scapular movements and walking ability. Five patients who were diagnosed with stroke participated in this study as a single group. PNF patterns were applied to the scapulae anterior elevation and posterior depression patterns and upper limbs patterns of the patients in side lying and sitting positions together. The data were analyzed with a paired t-test in order to identify within-group differences in the measurements before and after the intervention. The scapular movements of the upper and lower parts, weight bearing and walking speed were significantly improved in the stroke patients after the application of PNF (p<0.05). These results suggest that PNF training effective in improving the scapular movements and walking ability in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular training on the uneven surface that stroke patients encounter in their daily life on their ankle joint muscle activity and balance ability. They were divided into two groups: the gait training group on uneven surfaces and the gait training group on normal surfaces. Methods: In this study, 30 patients diagnosed with stroke and undergoing rehabilitation were selected. 15 people in the uneven surface gait training group and 15 people in the flat gait training group were selected. The muscle activation of the ankle muscles was measured when walking again on a even surface after walking on an uneven surface and on a flat ground. After each gait training, the limit of stability and Romberg test were performed to evaluate the balance ability. Results: As a result of the experimental results before and after walking by group, the tibialis anterior muscle activity of the paralyzed side was significantly decreased in the uneven surface walking group. As a result of measuring balance ability after training, the limit of stability in all directions was significantly increased in the uneven surface gait training group, and the area and length moved significantly decreased in the uneven surface gait training group in the Romberg test as well (p<0.05). Conclusion: After walking on uneven surface, it was confirmed that the muscle activity of the ankle joint decreased in normal flat walking, and thus the efficiency of muscle activity was increased. In addition, it was possible to confirm the improvement of the balance ability of the gait training on the uneven surface, and in conclusion, it could be confirmed that it had an effect on the improvement of the walking ability.