• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2021

Objectives: This study reported about a patient with a right middle cerebral artery infarction whose gait disturbance was improved by Korean medicine treatment. Methods: The patient was treated with a Korean herbal medicine (Gami-yukmijihwang-tang) along with acupuncture, electroacupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, and physical therapy. The treatment effect was evaluated with the manual muscle test (MMT) and the Korean version of the modified Barthel index (K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by a 10-m walk test (10MWT), the timed up and go (TUG) test, the functional ambulation profile (FAP) score, and the functional ambulatory category (FAC) score. Spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated using a walkway system (GAITRite®, CIR Systems, Inc., USA). Results: After 83 days of traditional Korean medicine treatment, the K-MBI and FAC scores improved from 50 to 70 and from 1 to 4, respectively. The 10MWT and TUG tests also improved from 24.86 to 16.66 sec and from 22.35 to 17.62 sec, respectively. GAITRite® measurements reflected gait improvements: the FAP score improved from 55 to 86 sec; the step time improved from 0.72 to 0.669 sec; the step length improved from 31.076 cm to 41.284 cm; the gait velocity improved from 42.8 cm/sec to 64.1 cm/sec; the cadence improved from 93.6 steps/min to 90.8 steps/min. No adverse effects resulting from treatment or evaluation occurred during the admission period. Conclusions: This study suggests that traditional Korean medicine treatment may reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with cerebral infarction.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical therapists' perception of the use of gait measures, the frequency of the gait measures used, and also to identify the barriers that limit the use of these assessment tools. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Physical therapists from the Seoul, Gyeonggi area from March to July 2016 were included in the study. Over the course of 18 weeks, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a self-report questionnaire. A total of 700 questionnaires were distributed and 350 questionnaires (50%) were collected, however with the exclusion of 140 questionnaires due to non-consent, a total of 210 questionnaires (30%) were analysed. Results: Out of the 10 standardized assessment tools, the therapists showed the highest perception for the timed up and go test (TUG [n=153, 72.9%]) and they also had high perception for the 10 meters walk test (10MWT [n=149, 71.0%]), and 6-minute walk test (6MWT [n=123, 58.6%]). The respondents answered that the TUG (n=116, 55.2%), 10MWT (n=100, 47.6%), and 6MWT (n=51, 24.3%) was used the most often. On the contrary, only four (1.9%) therapists have used the Chedoke-McMaster stroke assessment and the Rivermead Mobility Index. The lack of time was considered as the most important barrier to the use of assessment tools in clinical practice. Conclusions: Through this study, it has been shown that the domestic physical therapists used the TUG and the 10MWT mainly due to high recognition and evaluation status; however, the lack of time was the greatest impediment to the clinical application of the gait assessment tools.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.23-33
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (>24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) ($n_1$=7) and control (FES) ($n_2$=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p<.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.993-1003
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• 2010

his study was to investigate effects of improvement of balance abilities through 8-weeks Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and balance training in the women elderly. 42 women elders who were participated in silver college. Randomized study design of two groups was used: TENS group (21 women, 84.53 years old) and balance training group(21 women, 79.93 years old). Each group had a application of TENS, balance training by a researcher three times per week for 8 weeks. Measurements of static postural sway velocity on the floor and foam, timed get up and go test (TUG), functional reach test (FRT), and lateral functional reach test (LFRT) were evaluated at initial presentation (pretest) and after completion of the each intervention program (posttest). The results showed that the TUG was significantly decreased in all groups (p<.05) and the postural sway velocity using force plate in all conditions was significantly decreased in all groups (p<.05). FRT and LFRT were significantly increased in all groups (p<.05). There were significantly differences in TUG and postural sway velocity on the eye closed condition between two groups (p<.05). In conclusion, the application of TENS to older adults whose somatosensory were deteriorated was effective for improvement balance ability.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.3353-3357
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of visual rhythmic stimulation in gait ability and proprioception in chronic stroke patients. Twenty-one persons after six months post stroke participated in pre and post test control. The subjects were randomly assigned to a rhythmic visual stimulation(RVS) group (n=10) and control group (n=11). Training process was practiced with exercise on thirty minutes a day, three days a week for four weeks. To find out the effect, inspected the proprioception test and gait characteristics by gait analysis. In gait characteristics, the walking speed, cadence and the TUG time were significantly different from RVS group. The proprioception were significantly different RVS and control group. This study showed that the RVS training increased better functional activity by postural adjustment and gait learning of chronic stroke patients than that of control group. And so, the RVS training of hemiplegic patients was very important to successive rehabilitation. A continuous examination of RVS training could be practical use of physical therapy with exercise.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.783-786
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• 2015

Background: Utilizing geriatric screening tools for the identification of vulnerable older patients with cancer is important. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hospitalization risk of elderly hematologic cancer patients based on geriatric assessment and laboratory parameters. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 61 patients with hematologic malignancies, age 65 years and older, were assessed at a hematology outpatient clinic. Standard geriatric screening tests; activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), timed up and go test (TUG), geriatrics depression scale (GDS) were administered. Demographic and medical data were obtained from patient medical records. The number of hospitalizations in the following six months was then recorded to allow analysis of associations with geriatric assessment tools and laboratory parameters. Results: The median age of the patients, 37 being males, was 66 years. Positive TUG test and declined ADL was found as significant risk factors for hospitalization (p=0.028 and p=0.015 respectively). Correlations of hospitalization with thrombocytopenia, vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency were statistically significant (p=0.004, p=0.011 and p=0.05 respectively). Conclusions: In this study, geriatric conditions which are usually unrecognized in a regular oncology office visit were identified. Our study indicates TUG and ADL might be use as predictive tests for hospitalization in elderly oncology populations. Also thrombocytopenia, and vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies are among the risk factors for hospitalization. The importance of vitamin B12 and folic acid vitamin replacement should not be underestimated in this population.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.45-54
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• 2014

Fall is one of the most intimidating health conditions in elders. Comprehensive assessment is necessary to understand the individual and environmental aspects of the falls such as balancing abilities, depression, and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to compare the balancing ability, depression, and quality of life between elderly fallers and elderly non-fallers. Thirty-two community-dwelling elders (fifteen males and seventeen females between 65 and 83 years old), who have experienced fall on walking during last twelve months, were involved in the elderly fallers group. And twenty-four males and twenty-two females between 65 and 83 years old of community-dwelling elders, who have no experienced fall on walking during last twelve months, were involved in the elderly non-fallers group. Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and functional reach test (FRT), were used to evaluate the ability of the physical balance. 'Beck depression scale in Korean' questionnaire was used to assess the depression. 'Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument-Bref' questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life. The results were as follows: 1) Balancing abilities measured by the BBS, TUG in the elderly fallers group were meaningfully lower than that of the elderly non-fallers group (p<.05), whereas no significant difference in the FRT was found (p>.05). 2) Depression level in the elderly fallers group was significantly higher than that of the elderly non-fallers group (p<.05). 3) Quality of life in the elderly fallers group was significantly lower than that of the elderly non-fallers group, excluding environment domain (p<.05). Therefore, in order for clinical evaluation of the community-dwelling elders those with reduced balancing ability, it is necessary to evaluate and understand the fall experience, depression, and quality of life.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.730-741
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise on a chronic intracerebral hemorrhage patient with a severe gait disturbance. Method: The patient was treated with Korean herbal medicine (Gami-sibjeondaebo-tang) along with acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitation exercise. The treatment effect was evaluated through the Manual Muscle Test (MMT) and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated by a walkway system (GAITRite(R) system) and gait symmetry was evaluated by Symmetry Criterion (SC). Results: After 111 days of traditional Korean medicine treatment, the spatiotemporal parameters and symmetry of the patient's gait improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise could be effective for gait disturbance in patients with chronic intracerebral hemorrhage.

• 재활복지
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.383-399
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to comparison the effects of aqua-and-land based obstacle training on balance of chronic stroke patients. Subjects were randomly divided into an aqua group(n=15) and d land group(n=15). Both group received obstacle training for 40 minutes, 3 times a week during 12 weeks. Static balance was assessed by measuring the mean velocity of mediolateral, anteroposterior and sway area with the eyes open using Good Balance System. Dynamic balance was assessed by measuring Functional Reaching Test(FRT) and the Timed Up and Go test(TUG). Following the intervention, both groups showed significant changes static balance(the mean velocity of mediolateral, anteroposterior and sway area) and dynamic balance(FRT and TUG). There were significant difference in the mean velocity of mediolateral, anteroposterior, sway area, FRT and TUG between the two groups after the interventions. The results of this study suggest that the aqua group and land group were increase balance functions of chronic stroke patients. The aqua group was significantly higher than the land group for patients with chronic stroke patients. We hope that aquatic training can be useful for patients with chronic stroke patients to improve balance functions and the aqua training research for improve balance functions will be conducted continuously.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.103-111
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the effects of the whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization on the gait and balancing ability in patients with hemiplegic stroke. METHODS: A total of 19 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization, n=10) or control group (whole-body vibration exercise, n=9). All participants underwent 30 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 6 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group performed the whole body vibration exercise and ankle joint mobilization (15 minutes each, 30 minutes total, 3 × / week for 6 weeks). In the control group, only the whole- body vibration exercise was performed in the same manner and not the ankle joint mobilization. The gait and balancing abilities were measured before and after the 6-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walk test, timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP path velocity in the experimental group (p < .05). The experimental group showed a larger decrease in the COP path length and velocity than the control group (COP path length, -10.27 mm vs. -3.67 mm, p < .05; COP path velocity, -.33 cm/sec vs. -.13 cm/sec, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: The whole-body vibration exercise combined with ankle joint mobilization could be effective in improving the gait and balancing ability of stroke patients and could also be more effective for improving the static balance ability than the general whole-body vibration exercise alone.