• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The objective of this study is to effect of an aquatic rotation control and obstacle avoidance when conducted underwater on hemiplegia patient's balance ability and vestibular function. Methods : Twelve hemiplegia patients participated and were randomly assigned to a control group(I) with standard physical therapy and an aquatic group(II) with an aquatic rotation control, obstacle avoidance and standard physical therapy as well. The aquatic group trained using a Halliwick rotation control and obstacle avoidance through 3 times per week over 6 weeks. For all subjects, vestibular function, their balance, the change of electrooculogram (EOG), the change of accelerometer axis and torsiometer according to visual sense, vestibular sense with galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) or not during leg close stance were measured. Results : The EOG in the vertical and horizontal (p<0.05) were both significantly lowered. The change was significantly lower in the trajectory range of motion of trunk and spine with torsiometer when leg close stand (p<0.01) and leg close stand with GVS (p<0.01). The centre of gravity accelerated, there were reduced significantly difference X and Y axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg without vision (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg with GVS (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg and close eyes with GVS (p<0.05). Conclusion : The balance ability, vestibular system and postural control is improved.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.46-55
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of goniometric measurement of joint motion. Subjects were 40 healthy university students. Measurements were performed by 4 inexperienced physical therapy students. Four different instruments were used and three readings were taken with each instrument in random order making a total of 12 readings for flexion of the right elbow of each subject. Goniometers used were 1. universal 2. fluid-based goniometer/inclinometer 3. digital LCD goniometer 4. electronic goniometer/torsiometer. The results were as follows: Concurrent validity was highest (r= .94) with the universal and digital LCD tools. Interrater reliability (Pearson Product Moment Correlation) was good for each tool. Interrater reliability calculated by ICC(2,1) was highest (.96) with the tensiometer and lowest (.78) with the digital LCD goniometer. Intrarater reliability calculated by ICC was excellent (${\geq}.90$) for all instruments. These results show that concurrent validity, intrarater and interrater reliability are very good in the used of all four types of goniometers/inclinometer/tensiometer, even with inexperienced raters. These results confirm the almost universal reliance on hand held goniometers for joint measurement by physical therapists as being a reliable practice. Further research should be done clinically with actual patients.