• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vibration exercise on balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly. Methods: A total of 24 elderly subjects were recruited and randomized into an experimental (n = 12) or a control (n = 12) group. The experimental group performed both a vibration and a stabilization exercise, and the control group performed a stabilization exercise alone. Balance ability was measured using the functional reach test (FRT), gait ability was measured using the timed up and go test (TUGT), and depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The experimental and control groups showed significant differences for all pre- and post-experiment FRT, TUGT, and CES-D measurements (p <0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which vibration exercise was applied showed more significant difference in FRT, TUGT, and CES-D than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study showed vibration exercise to be effective in balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.285-291
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to propose clinical criteria to differentiate patients who are able to perform the step-through-step gait pattern in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic stroke patients participated this study. To differentiate patients who could perform the step-through-step gait pattern, age, gender, and causes of stroke were noted, a Chedoke-McMaster (CM) damage list, Fugl-Meyer (FM) assessment scales and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were determined. A 10 meter gait test and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test were conducted to determine the differences in gait speed and dynamic balance between patients walking with or without canes in the step-through-step gait pattern group. RESULTS: There was no significant statistical difference in age, gender, and stroke type between all subjects. There were significant differences in the CM scale for postural and lower extremities, and FM scale for lower extremities and BBS. The dynamic balance ability and gait speed showed significant differences between the subjects in the step-through-step gait pattern with or without a cane during gait. CONCLUSION: CM and FM scales for the lower extremities and postural control, as well as BBS scales, can be used as criteria to differentiate patients who are able to perform the step-through-step gait pattern. These results can also be used to provide beneficial information to patients that are walking with canes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.221-226
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on static and dynamic balance in older adults. Methods: A total of 30 older adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to the neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) (n=15) or the trunk stabilization exercise group (TSG) (n=15). The NTSG performed a trunk stabilization exercise added to a neck stabilization exercise that included biofeedback. Both groups received training for 30 minutes per day three times per week for eight weeks. The anterior, posterior limit of stability and sway length was used to measure static balance ability, while the timed up and go (TUG) test was used to measure dynamic balance ability. Results: Participants showed significant differences in sway length, anterior limit of stability, posterior limit of stability, and the results of the TUG test between their pre- and post mediation evaluations (p<0.05). The NTSG showed a more significant increase than the TSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, both exercises effectively improved static and dynamic balance ability. However, the neck and trunk stabilization exercise is more efficient for increasing the balance ability of older adults.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1992-1998
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• 2020

Background: The foot drop stimulator is designed to improve the walking ability of foot drop in patients after stroke, however, studies on clinical effects are still lacking. Objective: To investigate the effect of a foot drop stimulator on the walking and balancing abilities of foot drop patients after a stroke. Design: One-Group (Pretest-Posttest) Design. Methods: All subjects walked in all three conditions: foot drop stimulator (FDS) ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and barefoot. Primary outcome measures were assessed for walking and balance using a 10-m walking test (10MWT) and a timed up and go test (TUG). Secondary outcome measures consisted of a brief user interview, and the patients recorded the advantages and disadvantages of each condition. Results: FDS, AFO, and barefoot conditions showed a statistically significant difference in 10MWT and TUG (P<.001) as a result of comparing three conditions. FDS and AFO were significantly different from the barefoot condition as post-hoc results; however, there was no significant difference between the two conditions (P>.05). Conclusion: In this study, the foot drop stimulator contributed to improving the balance ability, and the walking ability was similar to the effect of the ankle-foot orthosis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.384-390
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2014

PURPOSE: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect and examine the feasibility of an intervention of ankle strategy exercise on balance of patients with hemiplegia. METHODS: The subject were randomly allocated to three groups: ankle strategy exercise (group A), balance exercise (group B) and control (group C). Group A was received the conventional physical therapy plus ankle strategy exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Group B was received the same conventional physical therapy plus balance exercises for 20 minutes in one session. Two active groups were performed in the session 3 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. and Group C was only received the same conventional physical therapy. Balance test was assessed using center of pressure (COP) in the anteroposterior (A-P), mediolateral (M-L) direction, Berg balance scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). RESULTS: All groups showed improvements in balance parameters. In especial, the Group A was statistically significant differences in almost part evaluation items and showed more improvements in BBS and TUG parameters than Group B and Group C. and moving distance of M-L COP was more improvements than Group B. CONCLUSION: Ankle strategy exercises had more influence on balance than balance exercises and neurodevelopmental treatment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.34-43
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of underwater treadmill gait training (UTGT) and overground treadmill gait training (OTGT) on the gait, balance ability and pulmonary function of stroke patients. Twenty subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: UTGT ($n_1$=10) and OTGT ($n_2$=10). The 10 m walk test (10 MWT), Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, center of pressure, pulmonary function of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume after 1 sec (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC were measured before and after 4 weeks of training. Both groups undertook the gait training for 30 min a day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks, and rating of perceived exertion of the groups were measured and compared. All the studied variables were significantly improved in both groups (p<.05) at the end of the study, except in the FEV1 of OTGT (p>.05). There was significant between-group difference in all of the variables, except in the 10 MWT (p>.05). These findings suggest that UTGT is more effective than OTGT in improving the balance and pulmonary functions of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose : Kinesio taping is a therapeutic method used in the treatment of various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits limited evidence the effects of gluteus medius kinesio taping in neurologic patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of gluteus medius kinesio taping on balance ability and gait function in after a stroke. Methods : Twenty-four post-stroke patients were included in this study. Gluteus medius taping group and sham gluteus medius taping group were divided into intervention. Kinesio tape was applied the gluteus medius muscles. In all the subjects, the balance ability was measured using the force plate and timed up & go test (TUG) and gait function was assessed using the 10-meter walking test at time points of both before and after the taping. Result : There was a significant difference in balance ability and gait function between the two groups before and after gluteus medius taping group (p<.05). The gluteus medius taping group showed a significant difference between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The results suggest that taping may be a useful method during rehabilitation programs for stroke patients. Application of Kinesio taping to the gluteus medius muscles was found to be useful especially in improving balance ability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2019

Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FES with abdominal muscle contraction before virtual reality training on balance and gait ability in patients of stroke patients. Methods : The subjects were 30 stroke patients who satisfied the selection criteria. They were randomly assigned to a group receiving functional electrical stimulation with a virtual reality training program (the experiment group, n=15) and placebo functional electrical stimulation with a virtual reality training program (the control group, n=15). The program consisted of three 30-min sessions per week for six weeks. The timed up and go test (TUG), the BT4, the G-WALK were used to estimate subjects' balance, gait before and after the program. For the experiment group, the functional electrical stimulation was applied to the external oblique and the rectus abdominis, For the control group, the same program and the placebo functional electrical stimulation were applied. Results : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the balance and gait ability test of those who participated in the functional electrical stimulation, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, functional electrical stimulation with virtual reality effectively improved the balance and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.202-208
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• 2020

Body balance necessary for ordinary daily activities can be undermined by diverse causes. In this study, as a way to control such a problem, we have produced smart insole as a wearable device in the form of insole and developed analysis software evaluating body balance, which measures ground reaction force applied to each area of sole and Center of Pressure (COP). The software visualized changes in COP positions while a user was moving and average COP positions, and it is also capable of measuring the COP values in the Anterior-Posterior (AP) and Medial-Lateral (ML) areas of feet. Through gait analysis, it can analyze the time of walking, strides, speed, COP trajectory while walking, etc. In addition, we have developed training contents for body balance improvement designed in consideration of Y-Balance Test and Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test. They were established in virtual reality similar to daily living environment so that people can expect more effective training results regardless of places.