• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular training on the uneven surface that stroke patients encounter in their daily life on their ankle joint muscle activity and balance ability. They were divided into two groups: the gait training group on uneven surfaces and the gait training group on normal surfaces. Methods: In this study, 30 patients diagnosed with stroke and undergoing rehabilitation were selected. 15 people in the uneven surface gait training group and 15 people in the flat gait training group were selected. The muscle activation of the ankle muscles was measured when walking again on a even surface after walking on an uneven surface and on a flat ground. After each gait training, the limit of stability and Romberg test were performed to evaluate the balance ability. Results: As a result of the experimental results before and after walking by group, the tibialis anterior muscle activity of the paralyzed side was significantly decreased in the uneven surface walking group. As a result of measuring balance ability after training, the limit of stability in all directions was significantly increased in the uneven surface gait training group, and the area and length moved significantly decreased in the uneven surface gait training group in the Romberg test as well (p<0.05). Conclusion: After walking on uneven surface, it was confirmed that the muscle activity of the ankle joint decreased in normal flat walking, and thus the efficiency of muscle activity was increased. In addition, it was possible to confirm the improvement of the balance ability of the gait training on the uneven surface, and in conclusion, it could be confirmed that it had an effect on the improvement of the walking ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) balance exercise on the ability to balance and walk in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Following baseline measurements, patients (n=24) with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups: the PNF balance group (n=12) that received PNF balance exercise and the balance group (n=12) that received general balance exercise. Each group joined the intervention for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, as well as the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for walking. The data were collected both before and after the intervention. The paired t-test was used to compare the post-intervention changes compared with pre-intervention data. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the 6-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) parameters (p<0.05). The patients in the PNF balance group showed greater improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) than those in the balance group (p<0.05). Conclusions: PNF balance exercise shows improvements in balance and walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.371-376
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to develop a walking assistance system with mobility support and life support functions so that the elderly with reduced physical ability and patients who are uncomfortable when moving can move comfortably indoors and outdoors, and help social life. An obstacle recognition sensor module that can be applied indoors and outdoors is installed on a lightweight walking aid. The purpose of this study is to develop a walking assistance system with mobility support and life support functions so that the elderly with reduced physical ability and patients who are uncomfortable when moving can move comfortably indoors and outdoors, and help social life. An obstacle recognition sensor module that can be applied indoors and outdoors is installed on a lightweight walking aid. It is a system structure of an integrated actuator and brake system that can avoid obstacles in consideration of the safety of the elderly and is easy to install on the device. In this paper, the design of a lightweight walking aid was designed to increase the convenience of the socially disadvantaged and the elderly with reduced exercise ability. In addition, in order to overcome the disadvantage of being inconvenient to use indoors due to the noise and vibration of the motor during operation, an In-Wheel type motor is applied to develop and apply a low noise, low vibration and high efficiency drive system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine effect of Medical Exercise therapy on walking ability and ankle muscles activation after stroke. Method : Participants were randomly divided into either MET training group(n=12) and control group(n=12). All of participants had been receving a traditional rehabilitation program, 5 days a week. MET training group have additionally undergone for six weeks, 3 days a week, the MET program. But control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The 10 mWT, F8WT and 2 MWT to measure walking ability were carried out twice before and after training. Muscular activity of the ankle was estimated by analyzing the RMS of action potential for EMG in terms of tibialis anterior muscle(TA), soleus(SO), gastrocnemius medial head(GM), gastrocnemius lateral head(GL). Rresults : At the walking ability, MET training group demonstrated a significant improvememt in the score of the 10 mWT(p<0.001), 2 MWT(p<0.05), but F8WT was not significant improvement(p>0.05). At the ankle muscle activation, MET training group demonstrated a significant improvememt in the RMS of the TA(p<0.01) and SO(p<0.05) but GM(p>0.05) and GL(p>0.05) were not significant improvement. Conclusion : From these results of this study, MET training for 6 weeks has an effect on improvement of walking ability and ankle muscles activation after stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of side walking training combined with squats on the balance and gait ability of stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of side walking training combined with squats among stroke patients. Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) that underwent side walking training combined with squats and a control group (n=15) that performed general rehabilitation exercises. Both groups performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. Balance was assessed using the functional reach test and timed up and go test, while gait ability was evaluated using the 10-meter walk test. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the intervention. Differences between the experimental and control groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: After the exercise, significant within-group improvements in balance and gait ability were observed in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was also a significant between-group difference in balance and gait ability following the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: While general rehabilitation is commonly employed in treating stroke patients and is relatively effective, the application of side walking training combined with squats may offer additional benefits in terms of improving balance and gait ability in these patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2021

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of Kinesio taping with backward walking training (KTBW) on muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post-stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants included 27 post stroke patients and were randomly distributed into two groups: KTBW group received Kinesio taping with backward training (n=13), control group receive general physical therapy (n=14). Intervention was given five times a week, a total of four weeks. The subjects evaluated the muscle strength test and walking ability before and 4 weeks after the experiment. Muslce strength of lower extremity was measured by digital manual muscle test. Gait ability was measured by G-walk. Result: After training, the KTBW group showed significant improvement in muscle strength of the lower extremity compared to the control group (p<0.05). KTBW group showed significant improvement in gait ability compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These finding show the benefits of the Kinesio taping with backward walking training on the muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.99-104
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• 2017

PURPOSE: Gait disturbances in patients with hemiplegic stroke involve asymmetry of stance time. Step box training is used to supplement the limitations of stair walking training and increasing the torque value of the paralyzed lower leg's strength. This study aimed to investigate whether step-up training on unstable support could change walking ability in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to the step-up training group (experimental group), that performed training on an unstable surface, and the control group, that performed training on a stable surface. Walking speed, step length, and cadence were measured before and after training. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention data, while the independent samples t-test was used to determine intergroup differences. Values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in walking ability before versus after the intervention in both groups, although the experimental group showed greater differences than the control group (walking velocity by 8.1%; step length of the non-paralyzed side by 6.9%, respectively; p<.05). CONCLUSION: Step-up training might be more effective on an unstable surface than on a stable surface for increasing walking speed and step length of the non-paralyzed side.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.788-794
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• 2015

This study examines changes in walking ability among patients with stroke after applying dual-task training under the condition of visual control and unstable supporting ground; the purpose is to provide reference data for selecting intervention methods that enhance the walking ability of patients with stroke. Among the patients with stroke who received rehabilitation treatment(at Rehabilitation Hospital B in Gyeonggi, South Korea from May 2014 to July 2014), 29 patients were selected as research subjects; all of them understood the purpose and contents of this research and agreed to participate in the experiment. The research subjects were divided into a visual control and unstable supporting ground dual-task(VUDT) group(10 patients), a visual control dual-task(VDT) group(10 patients), and an unstable supporting ground dual-task(UDT) group(9 patients); all of the subjects received 30-minute trainings, three times a week for a total of four weeks. A Timed-Up-and-Go(TUG) test was performed to investigate the change of walking function among the subjects, and a 10m walking test was conducted to measure their walking speed. According to the study results, all three groups showed significant differences after dual-task training; the dual-task training group under the condition of visual control and unstable supporting ground showed the most prominent change. This study confirmed that dual-task training using visual control and unstable supporting ground has a positive impact on the walking ability of patients with stroke. Through the study results, we found that implementing dual-task training under the condition of visual control and unstable supporting ground can more effectively improve the walking ability of patients with stroke, rather than performing visual control dual-task training or unstable supporting ground dual-task training only.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.99-114
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a walking program developed by applying the flow learning method in order to improve children's attitude toward nature and their empathy ability among other five-year-olds. Methods: A total of 49 five-year-olds attending classes at two kindergartens located in B city participated in this study. There were 24 children in the comparative group and 25 children in the experimental group. Before and after the program, all participants individually took a child's nature-friendly attitude test and rated their empathy ability with a teacher. Using the SPSS 25.0 version program, data were analyzed by conducting means, standard deviation, t-test, and ANCOVA(Analysis of Covariance). Results: Children who participated in the walking program using flow learning showed significantly higher nature-friendly attitudes than those of the comparative group. And empathy abilities in the experimental group were higher than in the comparative group in all areas. Conclusion/Implications: The results of this study suggest that a walking program applying flow learning is effective in improving young children's nature-friendly attitude and their empathy abilities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of treadmill training applied simultaneously with gait related action observation on walking ability in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into either the treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation training group (TAG) or treadmill applied simultaneously with landscape observation training group (TLG). The participants in both group underwent treadmill training for four weeks (a total of twelve minute, once a day, three times weekly for a four week period). All participants were measured to gait speed (10 m walking test, 10 MWT), gait endurance (6 minute walk distance, 6 MWD), dynamic gait index (DGI). In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, we used for SPSS 15.0 for windows. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare pre-test and post-test result, and the Mann-Whitney U-test was employed for comparison between groups. Results: The 10 MWT, 6 MWD, DGI was significantly different between the TAG and the TLG group. Conclusion: According the results of this study, treadmill applied simultaneously with action observation (TAG) is effective intervention for improvement of walking ability in chronic stroke patient.