• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

Objective: Kinesio tape has been applied to the ankle to improve balance and gait. Stroke patients show abnormal gait patterns due to foot drop. This study aimed to determine the effects of ankle balance taping which to support the ankle joint on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients were selected and randomized into experimental group (n=12) and control group (n=12). The experimental group applied kinesio taping three times a week for three weeks, and the control group applied placebo taping for the same amount of time. To evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, the subjects' walking ability, static balance, and dynamic balance were assessed before and after the experiment. Gait speed and spatiotemporal gait ability were measured to examine walking ability, postural sway velocity and velocity moment for static balance, and Timed-Up and Go test and Berg Balance Scale were conducted to check dynamic balance. Results: The experimental group showed a significant increase in walking ability, static balance, and dynamic balance in the within-group pre-post difference (p<0.05). In the between-group comparison, the experimental group had a significant difference in walking ability than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Ankle balance taping can help improve gait, and this study can be used as a basis for future studies of ankle balance taping.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the ankle mobilization with movement (MWM) technique on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait in patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: Thirty patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG; n=15) and the control group (CG; n=15). For five days a week for 3 weeks, participants in the EG were treated with the ankle MWM technique and traditional total knee replacement (TKR) exercise, and those in the CG only performed traditional TKR exercises. The dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait of the patients were before and after exercise. Results: Balance system SD was used compare changes in dynamic balance. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in dynamic balance between the EG and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). STT-IBS was used to compare changes in velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the EC and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that applying the ankle MWM technique with traditional TKR exercises improved ankle dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, and gait in patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1163-1167
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Kinesio taping in each area of the ankle versus the knee to improve balance abilities and proprioception sense. The healthy twenty eight students were divided into two groups, Group A and B. Ankle taping was applied to Group A, and knee taping was applied to Group B. In the ankle taping group, significant increase of dynamic balance abilities was appeared in the forward, left ward and right ward (p<.05). In the knee taping group, there was significant increase of dynamic balance abilities in the forward and left ward (p<.05). There was no significant increase of static balance abilities in both groups. In both groups of ankle and knee taping, there was significant increase of proprioception sense. These findings suggest that ankle and knee taping was helpful for improving dynamic balance abilities and proprioception sense.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.168-174
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between balance control ability and leg circumference, proprioception, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in young adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 university students who were enrolled in D university in Gyeongbuk province. We measured the dynamic balance and static balance using the Biorescue. The muscular strengths of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were measured using a muscle contraction dynamometer. The ROM and proprioception were measured using an inclinometer. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlations between balance control ability and variables. Results: Sway length was significantly correlated with knee and hip joint muscle strength, ROM, and proprioception of hip and ankle joints (p<0.05). Sway speed was significantly correlated with ROM and proprioception in hip joints (p<0.05). Limit of stability was significantly correlated with muscle strength and ROM in ankle joints, and proprioception in hip, knee, and ankle joints (p<0.05). Conclusion: The sway length was most related to hip extension and ankle joint plantar flexion in the range of motion and ankle joint plantar flexion in proprioception. Overall, balance training for young adults will be of effective help if the treatment focuses on the knee and hip joints, range of motion and the ankle and hip joints' proprioception.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 2011

This study was designed to investigate the effects of an ankle foot orthosis(AFO) with variable ankle joint angles on balance performance in healthy adults. Eighteen healthy adults were recruited in this repeated measures design with subjects as their own controls. An AFO with four kinds of ankle joint angles(-5, 0, 5, and 10 degree) were used and balance performance was measured during single limb standing. Three trials were obtained and then averaged for data analysis. Foot pressure was measured using an F-scan system and muscle activity was measured using an MP150 system. There were significant differences in balance performance with ankle joint angles. An AFO with -5 degrees was associated with significant increases in postural sway(anterior-posterior), and in muscle activity for the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior compared with other degrees of angle. Findings of this study show that angles of an AFO are related to balance performance and a joint angle of 10 degree is effective for promoting joint stability and postural control. This information can be used by clinicians to prescribe AFOs.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Background: This study examined the effects of adding fibular repositioning taping (FRT) to ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on the ankle range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: The participants were randomized into the control (n=15) and AMT+FRT groups (n=15). The control groups applied only non-elastic taping on the affected ankle, and the AMT+FRT groups also applied non-elastic taping to the inferior tibiofibular joint. Both groups performed treadmill walking for 10 minutes. The ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention in the dorsiflexion ROM (p<.01), balance (p<.01), and gait performance (p<.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion: AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence in patients with chronic stroke, but there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, the addition of FRT to AMT does not influence the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.182-191
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of board training and complex training on ankle stability in taekwondo college students with a history of ankle sprain. Methods: Twenty-seven taekwondo college students were randomly assigned into a board training (BTG, n=9), complex training (CTG, n=9), or control groups (CG, n=9). BTG carried out disk and trampoline training 3 times a week for 8 weeks. CTG carried out resistive and plyometric training 3 times a week for 8 weeks. All subjects completed ankle stability test for static and dynamic balance in anterior/posterior and medial/lateral stability with New Balance System (BIODEX Medical System, USA). Results: There were no significant differences between three groups in ankle stability. Those who participated in BTG significantly improved static balance of left foot in anterior/posterior stability, and dynamic balance of both feet in mediolateral stability, but there were no change in CTG. Conclusion: Board training is more improved ankle stability in taekwondo college students with a history of ankle sprain than complex training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate changes in the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and the dynamic balance in asymptomatic subjects using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) after ankle balance taping (ABT) and placebo ABT with kinesiology tape METHODS: A total of 23 active participants (11 men, 12 women) volunteered for this study. Ankle flexibility was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test, and dynamic balance was assessed using the modified SEBT. Participants were asked to respond to questions regarding their perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence when performing modified SEBT. RESULTS: The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM did not show a significant decrease after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the ROM prior to ABT. The anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach distances of SEBT did not increase significantly after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the distances prior to ABT. However, the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence, when performing SEBT with real ABT, was increased compared to that during the control trial. CONCLUSION: This study showed that although real ABT did not immediately improve the reach distances in the 3 directions during modified SEBT, it improved the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence without decreasing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1608-1613
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on muscle activity and balance on football players with chronic ankle instability. Eight subjects performed Biodex and sling exercises for four weeks and compared the muscle activity and balance ability of the uninjured and injured feet. Stable and unstable foot % MVIC did not change significantly after treatment in all muscles. The total balance ability was not significantly different between the two groups, however, increased only in the unstable side. The anterior/posterior balance ability also represented no significant difference between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. The medial/lateral balance ability was not significantly different between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. This study suggests that sling exercise contributes to improving % MVIC, total balance ability, anterior/posterior balance ability, and medial/lateral balance ability of the unstable side.

• 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.