• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.61-67
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of balance training through various ankle inclination on dynamic balance in healthy adults. Methods: This study was participated in 20 healthy subjects. Twenty healthy adults were randomly divided into 10 ankle inclination group and 10 flat group, 3 kinds of exercised were performed in $30^{\circ}$ of the plantar flexion, $0^{\circ}$ of the neutral angle and $30^{\circ}$ of the dorsiflexion. Above 3 kinds of exercises were also performed in the flat group. Dynamic balance of each group was evaluated using a Figure-of-8 hop test, Up-down hop test, and Functional reach test before and after the experiment. Results: In the ankle inclination, the post-experiment showed a significant difference in Figure-of-8 hop test, Up-down hop test, and Functional reach test in comparison to pre-experiment(p<.05). Conclusion: The exercise applied in the ankle inclination is effective in improvement of the dynamic balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the fascia distortion model (FDM), one of the fascia treatments, on unstable ankle subjects. This was done through the chronic ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire on maximum isometric muscle strength, proprioception, dynamic balance, and maximum angle. Methods: An experiment was conducted using the chronic ankle instability tool questionnaire on males and females in their twenties who suffered from ankle instability. Before the experiment, maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle were measured. The fascia distortion model was applied and then measurements were taken again to compare and analyze the changes. Analysis was carried out using the paired t-test. Results: After applying the fascia distortion model, maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle significantly improved (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study found that the fascia distortion model method was effective in improving maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle. The results suggest that the fascia distortion model method is a new intervention that could be used for subjects with chronic ankle instability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of cryotherapy on the ankle joint muscle strength and balance ability in stroke patients with ankle joint muscles. Methods: In this study, 20 patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: a cryotherapy group (10 patients) and a control group (10 patients). The cryotherapy group performed sit-to-stand training for 15 minutes and then cryotherapy for the minutes. In the control group, after sit-to-stand training for 15 minutes, blocked cryotherapy was provided for three minutes. In both groups, the interventions were provided five times a week for three weeks. The strength of the ankle joint muscles was measured before and after the training using the Biodex systems 3. The static balance ability was measured using balancia software, and the dynamic balance ability was measured by performing the sit-to-stand test (FTSST) five times. Results: After the training periods, the cryotherapy group showed significant improvement in the ankle dorsiflexor strength, ankle plantarflexor strength, weight distribution of the affected side, and FTSST compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, cryotherapy could be considered an effective method to improve the strength of ankle joint muscles. Cryotherapy improves muscle strength as it increases the motor neuron excitability. Therefore, cryotherapy may be considered to improve the strength of the ankle joint muscles of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2022

Background: Older adults use different ankle muscle activation patterns during difficult static balance conditions. It has been suggested that this is related to a decline in proprioception with age, resulting in reduced postural balance. However, the association between proprioception and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing has not been directly assessed. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of age and sensory condition on ankle muscle activity and the association between ankle proprioception and ankle muscle activity. Methods: We recruited 10 young women and 9 older women. Ankle proprioception was evaluated using joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) divided by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles was collected during quiet standing. Results: Older women activated GCM muscle more than young during quiet standing and when performing difficult tasks. Older women had more errors in JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion than did young. The GCM muscle activity is related to JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion. Conclusion: Lower proprioception of the GCM with age leads to increased muscle activity, resulting in reduced postural balance. There was no difference in TA proprioception or muscle activity among older women with frequent physical activity.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2023

Objective: Although balance training has been used as an effective ankle injury rehabilitation program to restore neuromuscular deficits in patients with chronic ankle instability, it is not effectively used in terms of motor learning. Attentional focusing can be an effective method for improving ankle kinematics to prevent recurrent ankle injuries. This study aimed to 1) evaluate the effects of attentional focus, including internal and external focus, and 2) determine a more effective focusing method for patients with chronic ankle instability to learn balance tasks. Method: Twenty-four patients with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to three groups (external focus, internal focus, and no feedback) and underwent four weeks of progressive balance training. The three-dimensional ankle kinematics of each patient were measured before and after training as the main outcomes. Ensemble curve analysis, discrete point analysis, and post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to identify interactions between groups and time. Results: The results showed that (1) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed and everted than the internal focus group; (2) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed than the no feedback group; and (3) the no feedback group was more dorsiflexed than the internal focus group. Conclusion: Because dorsiflexion and eversion are ankle motions that oppose the mechanism of lateral ankle sprain, using the external focus method during balance training may be more effective in modifying these motions, thereby reducing the risk of ankle sprain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.376-380
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was to investigate the short-term effects of spiral taping (ST) on performance on the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in individuals with unilateral chronic ankle instability (CAI). Methods: This study was single-group pre - post measures experimental design. The subjects with CAI were 39 (range, 20-31 years; male 16, females 23) were enrolled in the study. The discomfort had in unilateral ankle and Cumberland ankle instability score was 19.56 (${\pm}3.29$). Spiral tape (a width of 3 mm) was applied $3{\times}4$ cross shape on medial malleolus, lateral malleolus and dorsal of talocural joint of unstable ankle. SEBT was measured baseline and 30 min later in stable ankle and unstable ankle. Results: SEBT showed significantly improved after applying the ST (p<0.05, ES=0.74) on unstable ankle. In comparison the difference of stable and unstable ankle, between the pretest and posttest were significant differences (p<0.01, ES=1.88). Conclusion: These results indicated that ST improves performance on the SEBT. Therefore, it suggests that ST may be a suitable intervention to dynamic balance in patients with CAI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of applying ankle eversion taping using kinesiology tape in chronic stroke patients-design: a randomized cross-over trial. METHODS: Seventeen stroke patients underwent three interventions in random order. The subjects were initially assigned randomly to an ankle eversion taping, placebo taping, or no taping for each intervention. Ankle eversion taping was used for mechanical correction and was involved in ankle dorsiflexion and eversion. The tape was stretched by 30-40%. Placebo tapping was applied in the same form as eversion tapping but was not stretched. The balance ability was assessed using the Y-balance test. The gait ability was assessed by maximum foot pressure and time of stance phase, and gait speed was assessed using a 10 m walk test (10MWT). All measurements were performed immediately after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed that the dynamic balance and stance phase time in chronic stroke patients was improved after ankle eversion taping. The ankle eversion taping conditions increased significantly (p < .05) compared to the placebo and no taping conditions. CONCLUSION: The application of ankle eversion taping that uses kinesiology tape instantly increased the gait ability of chronic stroke patients. On the other hand, more research will be needed to identify the long-term effects of ankle eversion taping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to determine an intervention that involves proprioceptive exercises combined with cognitive task completion for adults with chronic ankle instability and to investigate the effects of the exercises on the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of such individuals. METHODS: A total of 30 adults suffering from the aforementioned condition were randomly divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed proprioceptive exercises in combination with cognitive tasks for 15 minutes in each session that was held three times a week for four 4 weeks, whereas the control group carried out only proprioceptive exercises. A Wii Balance Board, which enables examining the fluctuation area distance, and speed, was used to determine static balance; a Y-balance test kit was employed to measure dynamic balance; and the side hop, figure-of-8 hop, and square hop tests were conducted to ascertain ankle function. RESULTS: The results showed that the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle function of both the experimental and control groups significantly improved. The participants were instructed to perform one-leg postural exercises with and without vision blocking for the affected leg. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than did the controls in terms of the fluctuation distance, speed, and area of static balance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, although combined proprioceptive exercises and cognitive tasks were insufficient to enhance all types of balance among the subjects, it effectively reinforced their static balance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.91-101
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of balance exercises accompanied by ankle fixation on the healthy side on the balance control ability and gait of patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: The study was conducted on 23 patients with subacute stroke. Eleven people were assigned randomly to the experimental group who performed balance exercises with ankle fixation on the healthy side, and 12 were assigned to the control group who performed balance exercises without ankle fixation. The intervention was conducted for 30 minutes three times a week for four weeks. The Berg Balance Scale, a weight-bearing ratio measurement, was performed to evaluate the balance ability before and after intervention. The gait symmetry, walking speed, cadence, step length, and 10-meter walk test were conducted to evaluate the walking ability. RESULTS: A significant difference in the Berg Balance Scale was observed between before and after the intervention in the experimental group. A comparison of the two groups also revealed a significant difference. Significant differences in the gait symmetry, walking speed, and step length measurements were observed before and after the intervention in the experimental group, and significant differences in the gait symmetry and step length measurements were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Through this study, balance exercises with the healthy side ankle fixed showed qualitative improvement in the balance and walking ability, suggesting future directions for the rehabilitation treatment of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.430-433
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a four week unilateral isokinetic exercise program applied to ankle on the one-leg stance balance performance of ipsilateral and contralateral lower-limbs. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to either a right ankle training program (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The training group received unilateral ankle isokinetic exercise of the dominant side for 4 weeks, whereas control group did not. Ipsilateral and contralateral one-leg balance were measured before and after intervention using the Biodex Balance System. Results: Improvements of stability scores, such as APSI, MLSI, and OSI, from pre-test to post-test were significantly different greater for the training group when the control. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest unilateral ankle strengthening exercise transfers benefit to the untrained limb by a cross-education effect, and that this type of exercise should be considered to improve one-leg standing balance of trained and untrained lower-limbs.