• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.70-75
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of static and dynamic balance control ability according to the stability of shoes in elderly woman and female university student. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Six elderly women and seven female university students were recruited for this study. The subject's static and dynamic balance were evaluated while wearing two different types of shoes (comfortable running shoe and masai walking shoe). The BT4 system was used to measure the static (postural sway area and velocity) and dynamic balance (limit of stability on forward, backward and left and right side). The measurement of static and dynamic balance control ability was performed in standing posture wearing comfortable running shoes and masai walking shoes. Results: In the static balance control ability, both female university students and elderly women showed significant increase in postural sway area and velocity when wearing unstable shoes (p<0.05) In addition, in the dynamic balance control ability, both female university students and elderly women showed significant decrease in limit of stability on forward and backward when wearing unstable shoes (p<0.05). Conclusion: In selecting shoes for the elderly, the stability of shoe should be considered for prevention of falls.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.54-59
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• 2017

Background: Light touch cue is a sensory input that could potentially help in the control of posture. The immediate stimulatory effect of light touch cues using a cane during gait is associated with postural stability. This strategy can help post-stroke individuals regain their ability to perform the sit-to-stand (STS) transfer safely. Objects: The effects of light grip on postural control during the STS transfer in post-stroke subjects were investigated. Methods: Eleven participants (6 men, 5 women) with hemiplegia due to stroke were recruited in the study. The subjects with hemiparesis performed STS transfer in three randomly assigned conditions (1) without a cane (2) light grip with a cane (3) strong grip with a cane. Results: The difference in weight-bearing distribution between the left and right feet, when the subjects were instructed to stand up, was $52.73{\pm}2.13%$ without a cane, $42.75{\pm}3.26%$ with a strong grip, and $43.00{\pm}2.55%$ with a light grip (p<.05). The rate of rise in force indicates the peak power provided by subjects during their STS transfers. The rate of rise in force was statistically significantly lower without a cane than that with a light grip or a strong grip (p<.05). The subjects' centers of pressure sway on the mediolateral side during STS transfers statistically significantly declined with a light grip or a strong grip when compared to those without a cane (p<.05). Conclusion: When the subjects with hemiparesis used a cane during STS transfers, their duration, center of pressure sway, and difference in weight-bearing distribution were all reduced. The subjects also exhibited similar results during STS transfers with a cane gripped lightly. This result may provide guidelines for the use of assistive devices when patients with hemiparesis practice STS transfers in clinical settings.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.2767-2772
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• 2013

Balance is the foundation for all active daily livings. Evaluation of balance has been conducted to measure postural sway of center of pressure(COP). The purpose of this study is to introduce the Balancia and to examine the validity and inter-, intra-reliability for measure of balance with stroke patients. COP was measured by Wii balance board. The subjects Participated in this study were 39 stroke patients. Intra- and inter-reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC) with 95% confidence interval. In the result of intra- and inter-reliability, all COP parameters of postural sway showed high to very high reliability with ICC=.793-.939 and ICC=.791-.955. Validity was determined by correlation with Accusway force plate. There were high validity with ICC=.851-.955 between tools. According to these results, the Balancia showed high validity and reliability. It is a useful clinical tool for evaluating balance in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.59-68
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of visual and auditory biofeedback during sit-to-stand training in patients with stroke. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects with chronic stroke were divided into three groups: a visual feedback group (12 subjects), an auditory feedback group (12 subjects) and a control group (11 subjects). All Groups received neurodevelopmental treatment, and sit-to-stand training for 30minutes three times a week for four weeks. During the sit to stand training, the experimental groups received visual feedback and auditory feedback, whereas the control group performed sit-to-stand training without feedback. Five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), motion analysis and postural sway during sit-to-stand were used to evaluate sit to stand performance ability. In addition, Berg balance scale (BBS) was performed for evaluation of balance function in participants. RESULTS: All groups showed significant increase on FTSST and BBS between pre- and post-intervention. The BBS scores in visual feedback group was significant increase than control group. The motion analysis and postural sway, more improvement was observed in the visual and auditory feedback groups compared with the control group. The only visual feedback group was a better performance of midline excursion during sit-to-stand than control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that sit-to-stand training using a biofeedback may help to improve sit to stand performance and balance ability of stroke patients.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.499-515
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• 2011

Low-frequency building vibration is known to induce symptoms of motion sickness in some occupants. This paper examines how the adoption of a theory of motion sickness, in conjunction with a dose-response model might inform the real-world problem of managing and designing standards for tall building motion sway. Building designers require an understanding of human responses to low-dosage motion that is not adequately considered by research into motion sickness. The traditional framework of Sensory Conflict Theory is contrasted with Postural Instability Theory. The most severe responses to motion (i.e., vomiting) are not experienced by occupants of wind-excited buildings. It is predicted that typical response sets to low-dosage motion (sleepiness and fatigue), which has not previously been measured in occupants of tall-buildings, are experienced by building occupants. These low-dose symptoms may either be masked from observation by the activity of occupants or misattributed to the demands of a typical working day. An investigation of the real-world relationship between building motion and the observation of low-dose motion sickness symptoms and a degradation of workplace performance would quantify these effects and reveal whether a greater focus on designing for occupant comfort is needed.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Interferential current stimulation therapy(ICT) on pain, balance, and walking ability of elderly patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Twenty participants were randomly assigned to ICT group (2 males and 8 females) and placebo ICT group (3 males and 7 females). Participants were ICT and placebo ICT for 20 minutes, and the pre- and post-VAS, TUG and postural balance were measured. Results: The ICT group showed significantly decreased pain scores in the elderly patients with chronic low back pain (p<.05) than the placebo ICT group. The postural fluctuation with eyes opened and closed was significantly lower than the placebo ICT group(p<.05), and the ICT group showed remarkable improvement (p<.05). Conclusion: ICT was expected to improve decrease pain, improve postureal sway and walking ability remarkably. Therefore, It was expected that the application or ICT would be an effective method for elderly patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a balance training program could improve the balancing ability of elderly patients with type II diabetes mellitus. If yes, the results could lead to development of a method to prevent falls in elderly patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Subjects were 28 elderly patients with type II DM. Subjects were divided into a control and an experimental group with 14 patients in each group. The experimental group had a balance training program consisting of balance training and lower extremity muscle strengthening exercises. The exercise group met twice a week for 8 weeks. All subjects were evaluated using a force plate for the amount of postural sway. To determine the degree of diabetes, we measured Hemoglobin A1c. Results: Balance in the experimental group (p<0.05) increased significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that a balance training program should be recommended for improving balance and preventing falls in elderly type II DM patients.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.491-499
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• 2018

Background: Advances in surgical techniques, implant technology, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have increased the recovery chances of patients with bone sarcomas. Accordingly, patients' expectations on life quality have also increased, highlighting the importance of objective evaluation of the functional results of reconstruction. Methods: Thirteen patients with distal femoral endoprosthesis, who had been followed for an average of 2.9 years were evaluated. Postural stability, daily energy expenditure, muscle power, and range of motion were the four parameters analyzed in this study. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) were used to assess postoperative function and examine correlations with other parameters. Results: Patients had sedentary activities in 84% of their daily lives. They exhibited a slower speed in the walk across test and a higher sway velocity in the sit-to-stand test (p = 0.005). MSTS scores were significantly correlated with the daily energy expenditure and walking speed. Conclusions: Objective functional results acquired from various clinics will provide significant data to compare reconstruction techniques, rehabilitation protocols, and surgical techniques. In this way, it will be possible to satisfy the expectations of patients that increase in relation to enhanced recovery.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2022

Objective: Flexed posture commonly increases with age in older adults and is characterized by kyphosis and forward head posture. Changes in the posture with age affect both balance and mobility. This study was conducted to examine the effects of a cervical stabilization exercise for community-dwelling older adults to improve balance. Design: Two groups pretest-posttest design. Methods: Fifty older adults were randomly assigned into the cervical stabilization exercise group (n=24) and control group (n=25). The cervical stabilization exercise group (n=24) participated in group exercise for 60 minutes twice a week over 4 weeks. Timed up and go test (TUG), four square step test (FSST), functional reach test (FRT), postural sway, cervical range of motion (CROM), proprioception, craniovertebral angle (CVA) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: TUG, FSST, FRT, CROM, Proprioception, CVA showed significantly greater improvement, compared with a control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study demonstrate that cervical stabilization exercise can help improve not only neck functional capacities but also balance. Therefore, it may be used as an effective balance exercise program for community-dwelling older adults.