• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.305-314
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• 2024

Purpose: This study examines the correlations between neck pain, neck range of motion, static and dynamic balance abilities, and walking abilities in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: A total of 29 participants were selected from patients with chronic stroke experiencing moderate to severe neck pain. Their neck pain, neck range of motion, static and dynamic balance abilities, and walking abilities were assessed and measured. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the measurements and determine the correlations between neck pain, neck range of motion, static and dynamic balance abilities, and walking abilities. Results: Neck pain significantly correlated with static and dynamic balance and walking abilities. Regarding neck ROM, neither neck flexion nor extension showed significant correlations with static balance and walking abilities. However, except for left-lateral flexion, neck lateral flexion showed significant correlations with static and dynamic balance and walking abilities. Left-lateral flexion did not show a significant correlation with dynamic balance ability. Except for left rotation, neck rotation showed significant correlations with static and dynamic balance and walking abilities. Left rotation did not show a significant correlation with dynamic balance ability. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that there are correlations between neck pain, neck range of motion, balance abilities, and walking ability.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces in terms of the fall risk, balance, and gait abilities in patients with stroke. METHODS: Twenty patients with stroke were divided randomly into a stable surface group (SSG, N=10) or unstable surface group (USG, N=10). The participants in the SSG and USG performed task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces, respectively. All participants were evaluated using the Tetrax, Berg balance scale (BBS), and 10-meter walking test (10MWT) before and after the intervention. Both groups received training 30 min per day, five times per week, for six weeks. RESULTS: The within-group changes in the fall risk, BBS, and 10MWT were significantly different in both USG and SSG (p<.05). USG showed significantly more improvement in the BBS and 10MWT compared to SSG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Task-oriented balance training on an unstable surface is more beneficial in improving the balance and gait abilities of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2014

PURPOSE: Improving elderly people's balance ability through pilates which may be easily applied in ordinary life is considered an important intervention method for elderly people. Therefore, this study examines the effects of pilates training on elderly people's static and dynamic balance abilities and provides clinical data to improve this ability. METHODS: The pilates program was applied to 19 elderly subjects three times per week for 8 weeks. Their training level took into consideration their age and was set so that the rating scales of perceived exertion became 13 to 14. Prior to the initiation of the experiment, the subjects had an adaptation period in order to practice the order and motions of pilates. After the adaptation period, the subjects received training. The program was conducted three times per week, for eight weeks. Their dynamic balance ability was observed through the timed up and go (TUG) test and tandem walk test (TWT), and their static balance ability was evaluated by the center of pressure (COP) area, medial-lateral displacement, and anterior-posterior displacement. RESULTS: The results of the TUG test and TWT and evaluations of the COP area and medial-lateral displacement were significantly different after the pilates exercise program compared to those before the program began. CONCLUSION: The results show that an 8-week pilates exercise program is an effective method to increase elderly people's static and dynamic balance abilities. In addition, the application result of the pilates exercise program will provide useful information for future research on elderly people's balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of training using a trunk control robot (TCR) system combined with conventional therapy (CT) on balance and gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the TCR group (n=17) or the trunk extension-training (TET) group (n=18). Both groups performed CT for 30 minutes, after which the TCR group performed TCR training and the TET group performed trunk extension training for 20 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Balance ability was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Gait ability was measured using the 10 m Walk Test (10MWT) and the NeuroCom Smart Balance Master. Results: TCR group showed significant improvements in static balance (weight bearing) and dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width (p<0.05); step length was not significant. The TET group showed a significant partial improvement of dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and 10MWT (p<0.05), but the improvements in static balance, TUG, gait speed, and step width and step length was not significant. Additionally, significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance (weight shifting speed, weight shifting direction, BBS, and TUG), 10MWT, gait speed, and step width were detected between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: TCR training combined with CT is effective in improving static and dynamic balance, as well as gait abilities in persons with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare to aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill gait training to improve balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where nine subjects were in the aquatic treadmill group, eight subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group, and ten subjects in the control group. Subjects in the aquatic treadmill group and the anti-gravity treadmill group received gait training during 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy during 30 minutes, with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas pre-post intervention (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that aquatic treadmill group and anti-gravity treadmill group had significantly improved in BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison between the aquatic treadmill and the anti-gravity treadmill group. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggested that aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill improves balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and identify variables for the standing balance of elderly subjects with different balancing abilities by using Kinect and Wii Balance Board. Method: The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) test was performed in 40 elderly subjects aged ${\geq}65years$ who can perform daily activities. The participants were divided into two groups, the healthy seniors (n = 20, BBS score ${\geq}52$) and the seniors with balancing problems (n = 20, BBS score < 52). Each group performed two standing tests (eyes open and eyes close) with two devices (Kinect and Wii Balance Board). The root mean square (RMS), mean distance (MDIST), range of distance (ROD), mean velocity, and 95% ellipse area were calculated from the measured data. Results: Among the calculated variables, RMS, MDIST, and ROD in the mediolateral direction showed significant differences between the two groups and a negative correlation with BBS scores. Conclusion: The results of the present study show that simple standing balance of the elderly can be measured with Kinect and Wii Balance Board, which are low-cost, easy to carry, and easy to use, by using the selected variables.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.639-640
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• 2009