• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effect of wearable Electromyography-controlled functional electrical stimulation (EMG-controlled FES) System on Gait Function and cardiopulmonary metabolic efficiency during walking in older adults. Design: Cross-section study Methods: Total 22 older adult participants suitable to selection criteria of this study participated in this study. The EMG-controlled FES System, which functions as a wearable physical activity assist FES system was used. All participations performed randomly assigned two conditions (Non-FES assist [NFA], FES assist [FA]) of walking. In all conditions, spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics and kinetics parameters during walking was collected via 3D motion capture system and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT) and metabolic cost during walking and stairs climbing was collected via a portable metabolic device (COSMED K5, COSMED Srl, Roma, Italy). Results: In Spatio-temporal parameters aspects, The EMG-controlled FES system significantly improved gait functions measurements of older adults with sarcopenia at walking in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). Hip, knee and ankle joint range of motion increased at walking in FA condition compared to the NFA condition (P<0.05). In the FA condition, moment and ground reaction force was changed like normal gait during walking of older adults in comparison to the NFA condition (P<0.05). The EMG-controlled FES system significantly reduced net cardiopulmonary metabolic energy cost, net energy expenditure measurement at stairs climbing (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that EMG-controlled FES is a potentially useful gait-assist system for improving gait function by making joint range of motion and moment properly.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influences on gait features during mobile phone use while ramp walking. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-three healthy adult subjects performed four walking conditions on an outside ramp with a 5 m length, 1.5 m width, and a $5^{\circ}$ angle. All participants were touch screen mobile phone users. Four walking conditions were used: 1) ramp ascent, 2) ramp descent, 3) texting during ramp ascent, and 4) texting during ramp descent. In conditions 3) and 4), subjects texted the words of "Aegukga"-the song of patriotism-while walking. Upon the signal of start, the subjects walked the ramp during texting. Gait parameters were measured at the length of 3 m excluding 1 m of the start and end of the total length. Each situation was repeated three times for each subject, and mean values were calculated. For gait examination, a gait analyzer was used (OptoGait). Results: Subjects ranged in age from 23 to 38 years (mean age, 27.73). Eighty-three percent of subjects in our study had experienced an accident during mobile phone use. Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased ramp gait, speed, cadence, stride length, step length, and single support (p<0.05) and significantly increased stride time, step time, gait cycle, and double support (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in cadence, step length, stride time, step time, and single support during ramp ascent and descent (p<0.05). Conclusions: Texting on a mobile phone while walking significantly decreased gait quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the spatio-temporal gait parameters between paretic and non-paretic limb while stepping over the different obstacle's heights in subjects with stroke. METHODS: Nine subjects with stroke were participated in this study. Subjects were asked to step over obstacles with a different height. 8 camera motion analysis system(Motion Analysis Corporation, Santa Rosa, USA) was used to measure spatio-temporal parameters. The two way repeated measurement ANOVA was used to compare spati-temporal gait parameters between paretic and non-paretic limbs while stepping over a different obstacle's height(0cm, 10cm, 20cm). RESULTS: Step width, velocity, single supoort time, and double support time were not different among obstacle's height(p>0.05) but stride length, step length, and cadence were significantly different(p>0.05). In stride length, cadence, and double support time, the interactions between obstacle's heights and limbs were not different(p>0.05) but it was significantly different in velocity, step length, and single support time(p<0.05). Velocity, stride length, cadence, and double support times were not different between paretic limb and non-paretic limb(p>0.05) but step length and single support times were significantly different between paretic limb and non-paretic limb(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results show that there are differences with spatio-temporal gait parameters among obstacle's heights and between paretic and non-paretic limb during obstacle crossing in subjects with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.587-596
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the effects of somatosensory training on the spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance in patients with stroke patients. Methods : 24 stroke survivors were allocated in this study, and randomly divided into experimental(n=12) and control group(n=12), independently. Experimental group was applied somatosensory training program plus conventional physical therapy, and control group was applied only conventional physical therapy. All subjects were administered for 30 minutes per day during 8 weeks(5 times a week). Results : Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were significant difference between pre and post intervention in experimental group, except of step length asymmetry ratio(SLAR) and single support time asymmetry ratio (SSAR)(p<.05). But control group had no statistical significance(p>.05). And also there was significant difference between experimental and control group(p<.05), except of cadence and SSAR(p>.05). Balance parameters were significant difference between pre and post intervention in experimental group(p<.05). But control group had no statistical significance(p>.05). And experimental timed up and go test was significantly decreased than control group(p<.05), but berg balance scale and functional reach test were not significant difference between experimental and control group(p>.05). Conclusion : This study was suggested that somatosensory training has effectiveness on the spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance in patients with stroke survivors. So this therapeutic intervention will be effectivelyapply to the stroke survivors in the clinical setting.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.194-203
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the gait patterns of cerebellar infarction patients with those of corticospinal tract stroke patients through a follow-up of patients with ataxic gait due to cerebellar infarction and corticospinal tract stroke. Methods: We investigated two cases of patients with cerebellar infarction and two cases each of acute or chronic corticospinal tract stroke who were hospitalized at Wonkwang University Gawangju Medical Center from September 1, 2017 to February 15, 2020 based on medical records and gait analyses. The spatiotemporal gait parameters of each patient were measured three times at 2-week intervals except those of the chronic corticospinal tract stroke patients, which were measured twice at a 1-month interval. Results: Spatiotemporal gait parameters, which include velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, and single support, were consistently increased in the cerebellar infarction patients in comparison to the corticospinal tract stroke patients. The stance phase was decreased in all the patients. Conclusions: The cerebellar infarction patients' gait spatiotemporal parameters were found to consistently improve. Moreover, gait analysis can be used to effectively measure improvement of ataxic gait.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of balance training using a newly developed elastic band orthosis (aider) for improvement of mobility and balance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten patients with chronic hemiplegia participated in this study. There were six males and four females; two patients had right hemiplegia and eight had left hemiplegia. This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance and gait ability compared with bare foot condition. Gait parameters were measured using the opto-gait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. In addition, balance ability in stroke patients was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance compared with bare foot condition. The TUG and BBS showed significant improvement with use of the elastic band orthosis (p<0.05). Use of the Elastic band orthosis resulted in significantly improved velocity, cadence, less-affected step length, less-affected stride length, and less-affected single limb support in stroke patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant improvement in dynamic balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients using the elastic band orthosis. This orthosis may aid in prevention of spastic foot drop, leading to improvement of walking ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.300-309
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training on ankle mobility and gait in patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: 31 patients with stroke were selected and classified into an experimental group (n=16) and a control group (n=15). Both groups were assessed for ankle mobility using the Knee to Wall Test and gait parameters using G-walk before and after the intervention. The intervention was applied five times a week for four weeks. The experimental group performed gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation followed by ankle control exercises, while the control group only applied NMES to the tibialis anterior muscle of the paretic side for 30 min per session five times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Experimental group showed significant improvements in Knee to wall test. and lumbar flexibility after the intervention. both group showed significant improvements in gait parameters after the intervention. However, when comparing between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant effect than the control group. Conclusions: Gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training can be considered an effective approach to improve ankle mobility and gait ability in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.59-79
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to determined the effects of reciprocal inhibition on spatial-temporal gait parameters in spastic hemiplegic patients through GaitRite system. The subjects were consisted 45 patients who had spastic hemiplegia due to stroke. All subjects randomly assigned to 3 group : manual reciprocal inhibition program group(manual group), neuromuscular electrical stimulation group(NMES group) and control group. The manual group received voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle. The NMES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation on tibialis anterior. The control group was not recieved any therapeutic intervention. Before and after experiments, spatial-temporal gait parameters and functional ambulatory profile was measure in all patients. The data of 30 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. The results of this study were as following : 1. The percentage of change of functional ambulatory profile were markedly increased in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 2. The percentage of change of gait velocity and cadence were markedly increased in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 3. Asymmetry ratio of gait elements were more improved in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 4. There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with functional ambulatory profile, gait velocity, cadence and asymmetry ratios in NMES group(p>.01). 5. There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with unctional ambulatory profile, gait velocity, cadence and asymmetry ratios in control group(p>.01). In conclusion, the present results revealed that reciprocal inhibition which produced by voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle can be improved spatial-temporal gait parameters including functional ambulatory profile in hemiplegic patients. Therefore, reciprocal inhibition is useful to improve functional activities in hemiplegic patient. Further study should be done to analyze the effects of intervention duration of reciprocal inhibition, appropriate muscle contraction, optimal time to apply the reciprocal inhibition in more long period.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2014

Purpose: The novelty of intensive mobility training (IMT) is its intensive nature. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of IMT in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Subjects participated in 3 hours/day for ten days (30 hours). Gait parameters of interest were the timed up-and-go test, 10-m walk test, and step length and width. Measures were made at baseline before commencement of training (pre-training) and at the end of the two-week training period (post-training). Results: Seven patients with Parkinson's disease enrolled in the study. On average, participants are able to tolerate 141 minutes of activity during a 180-minute session. Results showed that, after 10 consecutive days training, subjects significantly improved for all parameters; the timed up-and-go test, 10-m walk test, and stride length and step width. Conclusion: This study's findings show that gait properties in patients with Parkinson's disease can be improved with IMT.