• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether backward walking exercise was more effective than conventional physical therapy for balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=9) or control (n=9) group. The experimental and control group performed backward walking exercise and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Stability Index (SI) and Weight Distribution Index (WDI) during standing were assessed using the Tetrax Balance System. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS) were used to evaluate balance and fall risk. Walking speed, stride length, and step length on the affected side were measured using the 10-Meter Walk and ink foot printing tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for within- and between- group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly higher changes in SI (p<.01), WDI (p<.01), TUG (p<.001), and BBS score (p<.001) following intervention compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed significantly greater improvements in walking speed (p<.01), stride length (p<.001), and step length on the affected side (p<.001) after intervention compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Backward walking exercise is an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.517-525
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• 2022

Objective: The rehabilitation protocols for functional recovery have been emphasized after total knee arthroplasty, and Pilates is in the spotlight as a safe and easily modified exercise method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mat Pilates exercise on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the individuals with total knee arthroplasty. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Eighteen older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty was recruited in the study. The subjects were evaluated on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking before and after mat Pilates exercise. All subject performed one hour mat Pilates exercise, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Mat Pilates exercises were focused on core stability and lower extremity strengthening and, more dynamic movements were added to increase the difficulty of movements every two weeks. The lower extremity function was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee joint position sense, and five times sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was assessed by single leg stance test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test. Walking was measured by OptoGait system to temporospatial parameter. Results: The lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking were significantly improved after mat Pilates exercise, except for five times sit-to-stand test (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the mat Pilates exercise was a useful method to improve lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the correlations between muscle strength of the ankle and balance, walking in the elderly. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from a population of female volunteers. Measurement of balance ability included evaluation of timed "up and go", functional reach, and a one leg standing test. Measurement of walking analysis included evaluation of cadence, stride length, step length, and walking speed. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle muscle strength was measured by use of a dynamometer. Results: For balance, there were significant negative correlations between timed "up and go" and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. There were significant positive correlations between one leg standing with the eyes closed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. For walking, there were significant positive correlations between cadence, walking speed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. Conclusion: This study showed that there were close relationships between muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexor and walking and balance in the elderly.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of curved walking training on balance confidence and fall efficacy in early stroke patients. Methods: The study included 16 early stroke patients who were randomly allocated to a curved walking training group (experimental group, N=8) and a straight walking training group (control group, N=8). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: After 3 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG scores in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that curved walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, curved walking training can be used as a recommended walking method in early stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.33-39
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• 2016

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plastic ankle foot orthosis on adult post-stroke hemiplegic patients walking ability and balance. Method : The searched for the case controlled clinical trials about the effects of plastic ankle foot orthosis(pAFO) for walking ability and balance using quantitative gait analysis in adult post-stroke patients. Ten trials were selected from Riss4U databases published until June 2016 in Korea. The selected trials contained a control group with pre-test and post-test design, measured walking ability and balance as a dependent variable. Result : The selected ten trials involved a total of 180 patients. The walking speed, cadence, the portion of double limb supporting, stride length on affected side were improved by plastic ankle foot orthosis. Conclusion : The plastic ankle foot orthosis has some evidence to improve the walking ability and balance in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of side walking on balance confidence, falls efficacy and fall risk in acute stroke patients. Methods: The study included 14 patients with acute stroke who were randomly allocated to a side walking group (Experimental group, N=7) and a forward walking group (Control group, N=7). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using Korean-Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (K-ABC), Korean-Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES), Korean-Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (K-FAB). Results: After 2 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, FAB (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, FAB in the experimental group was significantly better than in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that side walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall down risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, side walking training may be recommended as an intervention in reducing the incidence of falls in acute stroke patient.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of goal-oriented side walking training on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study involved 18 chronic stroke patients who were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). The experimental group performed goal-oriented side walking training, and the control group performed general side walking training. The walking variables assessed were walking speed, stride length, and 10-m walking time. The balance variables assessed were foot pressure, timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). These variables were measured before and after the exercise. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to compare the participants' performances before and after the intervention in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was conducted for between-group comparisons after the intervention. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ Results: Walking speed, stride length, 10-m walking time, TUG, and foot pressure were significantly improved in both groups after the exercise (p<0.05). The between-group comparison showed a significant improvement in the goal-oriented side walking group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in 10-m walking times (p>0.05) and BBS (p=0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that goal-oriented side walking training was effective in improving the balancing and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.133-144
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• 2002

This study aims at examining the effects of strengthening leg muscular strength on increasing elderly's muscular strength, walking ability and balance according to their experience of injury from a fall. It conducts muscular strength exercise for 4 weeks with 19 healthy old people over 65years and as a result of measuring their conditions for 6 weeks, it obtains the following conclusions. 1. Two groups showed a significant difference in their muscular strength, walking ability and balance according to the period(p<0.05). 2. Muscular strength and balance between the two groups showed a significant difference(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in their walking ability(pgt;0.05). 3. Therefore, the exercise of strengthening leg muscular strength in this study has a significant effect on old people's walking ability and balance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistant gait training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the walking and balancing abilities of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 6) that underwent treadmill gait training or an experimental group (n = 6) that underwent resistant gait training using PNF. The interventions were performed five times per week for four weeks. Gait variables were measured using a GAITRite system (CIR System Inc, Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability; the Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance; and the activity-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) was measured to examine changes in confidence about balance. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine intragroup differences before and after the interventions, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparisons of the effects of the interventions. All statistical significance levels were set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, double support time, balance, and confidence about balance after the interventions (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons after the interventions, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, balance, and confidence about balance (p < 0.05). No significant difference in double support time was seen in the intergroup comparison after training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied resistant gait training using PNF to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' walking and balancing abilities. Therefore, resistant gait training using PNF is thought to be applicable as an intervention method for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of obstacle walking training according on gait and balance in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients are randomly assigned to experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8) and control group (n=8). Experimental group 1 performed unexpected obstacle walking training, experimental group 2 performed fixed obstacle walking training and control group performed non obstacle walking training for 12 minutes per session, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The gait analyzer G-walk were evaluated using gait cadence, gait velocity, and stride length, balance was evaluated using FES-K and BBS. Results : In within-group comparison of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length of change, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length pre and post intervention. In within-group comparison of FES-K and BBS scores, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of FES-K and BBS scores pre and post intervention (p<.05). Conclusion : Obstacle walking training can improve the gait, function and balance of stroke patients and obstacle walking training is effective for improving gait and balance compared to non-obstacle walking training.