Comparison of the Effects on Balance Abilities in the Women Elderly with Application TENS versus Balance Training

TENS 적용과 균형운동이 여성노인의 균형능력에 미치는 효과 비교

  • Lee, Seung Won (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science and Social Welfare, Sahmyook University) ;
  • Lee, Wan Hee (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science and Social Welfare, Sahmyook University)
  • 이승원 (삼육대학교 보건복지대학 물리치료학과) ;
  • 이완희 (삼육대학교 보건복지대학 물리치료학과)
  • Received : 2010.05.31
  • Accepted : 2010.08.25
  • Published : 2010.08.30

Abstract

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.

본 연구는 여성노인을 대상으로 8주간의 경피신경자극(TENS)과 균형운동을 적용하여 균형 능력의 개선 여부를 알아보고자 하였다. 노인대학에 참여한 65세 이상의 여성노인 42명을 연구대상자로 선정하였다. 대상자는 무작위로 두 그룹으로 나누어 TENS군(21명, 84.53세)과 균형운동군(21명, 79.93세)으로 진행하였다. TENS의 적용과 균형운동은 8주 동안 주 3회에 걸쳐 연구자에 의해 실시하였다. 실험 전과 후에는 동적균형검사로 일어나 걸어가기 검사 (TUG)와 정적균형검사로 힘판을 이용하여 맨 바닥과 foam 위에서의 자세 동요 속도와 기능적 팔 뻗기 검사 (FRT)와 측방 기능적 팔 뻗기 검사 (LFRT)를 시행하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. TUG는 두 군 모두 유의하게 감소되었고(p<.05), 힘판을 이용한 자세동요 속도에서도 두 군 모두 모든 조건에서 유의하게 감소되었다(p<.05). FRT와 LFRT는 두 군 모두 유의하게 증가하였다(p<.05). TUG와 눈 감은 상태의 자세동요 속도는 두 군 간의 유의한 차이를 나타냈다(p<.05). 체성감각이 떨어져 있는 여성노인에게 적용한 TENS는 균형능력 증진에 효과적인 것으로 나타났다.

Keywords