• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was both to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower leg taping and treadmill training on the gait and balance abilities of patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke and to provide a taping method based on the PNF concept. Methods: Twenty patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke were randomly and equally assigned to a control group (n=10), which received treadmill training, and to an experimental group (n=10), which received PNF lower leg taping and treadmill training. The intervention was conducted five times per week for six weeks. In order to measure changes in the gait ability of the subjects, a 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and a 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were conducted, and in order to measure changes in the subjects' balance ability, a timed up and go test (TUG) was performed. In order to compare differences within each group before and after the intervention, a paired-t test was carried out, and in order to compare differences between the two groups, the analysis of covariance was utilized. All statistical significance levels were set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: There were significant differences before and after the intervention within both groups in changes of 10MWT, 6MWT, and TUG (p<0.01). Regarding differences between the two groups, the experimental group underwent more effective changes than the control group in 6MWT and TUG (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied PNF lower leg taping and treadmill training to patients with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke, and this resulted in improvement in the subjects' gait and balance abilities. Taping and treadmill training based on the PNF concept is considered to be usefully applied as one of the programs to improve hemiplegic patients' gait and balance abilities.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2007

Purpose: The objective of this study is to analyze the activities of muscles importantly functioning when walking with different inclinations and speeds of a treadmill, in order to provide basic data on walking exercise using a treadmill. Method: The selected subjects of this study were 16 men and women who had lower extremity injury. A treadmill was used to provide the activation of muscle, and the electromyography was used to analyze the muscle activity variables. The Biodex was used to measure the value of maximum isometric contraction. The inclinations of the treadmill were 0%, 5% and 10%, respectively, and its speeds were 2Km/h. 3Km/h, 4Km/h, 5Km/h, and 6Km/h, respectively. Result: For quadriceps femoris muscle and trunk muscle, there were significant differences in muscle activity when different speeds were applied at 0%, 5% and 10% inclinations.(p<0.05) The activity of vastus medialis muscle was 9.78% at 0% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 9.32% at 0% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of erector spinae muscle was 24.93% at 0% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 24.84% at 0% inclination and 3km/h, whereas it was 23.99% at 0% inclination and 4km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of vastus medialis muscle was 11.89% at 10% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 10.65% at 10% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of rectus femoris muscle was 10.26% at 10% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 9.77% at 10% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. Conclusion: It was found that the activities of trunk muscle and quadriceps femoris muscle increase as the inclination and the speed of a treadmill increase during treadmill walking.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.50-62
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• 2009

Purpose: to analyze and compare mucsle activity of Quadriceps femoris depending on the existence of taping while normal people walk forward and backward on treadmill when the slope and speed changes on treadmill. Method: Among 40 people who participated in this study, 20 experimenter who apply a taping walk forward and backward to 0%, 5%, 10% gradient per 2km/h and 4km/h using treadmill to give arbitrary walking behavior, 20 experimenter who doesn't apply a taping also walk forward and backward to 0%, 5%, 10% gradient per 2km/h and 4km/h using treadmill. To analyze muscle activity, We use an electromyography and Kinesio tape of good elasticity for obtained suffient effects in the experiment. Result: During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences(p<0.05) when apply a taping. During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris, and Vastus lateralis all showed significant differences(p<0.05). During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences in 10% gradient(p<0.05). During backward walking in 4km/h, Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris, and Vastus lateralis all showed significant differences(p<0.05). During backward walking in 4km/h, By the difference in slope, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences between 0% and 10% gradient(p<0.05). Conclusion: In comparison to muscle activity of Quadriceps femoris when apply a taping according to slope and speed during forward and backward walking on treadmill, when apply a taping and walk backward and 10% gradient on treadmill in 4km/h, maximum of muscle activity is shown.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2009

Background: This study had been carried out with 20 elderly subjects as its object for about one month from November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 in order to observe the effect of Underwater Treadmill on the elderly's walking and balance ability. Methods: Subjects were assigned either experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10), experimental group received Underwater Treadmill program (30 min per course, 3days a week for 6weeks). Subjects were assessed for muscle power (Nicolas Manual Muscle Test), balance (Functional Reach Test), gait ability (Time Up and Go, 10M walking test) before experiments and after experiments. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1. After underwater treadmill exercise, the change of isometric contraction indicated a beneficial increase on lower extremity muscle power of experimental group and functional test of balance function; FRT, TUG indicated beneficial difference between groups. 2. beneficial difference between groups in walking speed of hourly index change of walking function. 3. between muscle power and balance, gait ability, we could find out there's high correlation ship between lower extremity muscle power increasing and balance and gait ability of the elderly. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using underwater treadmill effects on muscle power strengthening of the elderly, and because of this, increase of lower extremity muscle power is very helpful not only to improvement of balance ability, but also to improvement of gait ability, so it will be used as a physical therapy program on clinic and used as an exercise program for protecting the elderly from falling down very well.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relevance of the prediction equations derived from the relationship between metabolic energy expenditure and kinetic energy, for different speeds of walking and running over the treadmill. Seven male subjects participated in this study. A tri-axial accelerometer was attached on between the left and right posterior superior iliac spines. Kinetic energy was calculated by the integration of acceleration data and compared with the metabolic energy measured by a gas analyzer. Correlation coefficients were determined to find a relationship between the kinetic energy and the metabolic energy expenditure. Also, the difference between measured and predicted values was used to find the relevance for individual and group equations. Results showed a relatively good correlation between the measured metabolic energy and the calculated kinetic energy. In addition, a dramatic increase in kinetic energy was observed at the transition speed of walking and running (6 km/h). There was no difference in how to predict the kinetic energy expenditure for individual and group even though people have different physical characteristics. This study would be useful to predict metabolic energy expenditures by the regression analysis with acceleration data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.139-150
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of treadmill gait training with obstacle-crossing on the static and dynamic balance ability of patients with post stroke hemiplegia. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with post stroke hemiplegia were divided into three groups as: treadmill gait training with obstacle-crossing (TOG, n=7), treadmill gait training without obstacle-crossing (TGG, n=7) and a control (CON, n=7). TOG and TGG performed exercise for 20 minutes, three times a week for 8 weeks. Static balance ability (stability typical, ST; weight distribution index, WDI; fourier harmony index, FHI; and fall index, FI) and dynamic balance ability (berg balance scale, BBS and timed up and go test, TUG) were measured before and after 8 -weeks in each exercise group. Statistical analyses were conducted using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Tukey's HSD. RESULTS: FHI and BBS were significantly increased at TOG (p<.01) and TGG (p<.05) after 8-weeks compared to before treadmill gait training with obstacle-crossing. FHI and BBS were significantly increased at TOG compared with CON and TGG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training with obstacle-crossing was more effective than that without obstacle-crossing to improve posture control and independent daily life performance of hemiplegia patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.145-151
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• 2022

Purpose : Stroke patients exhibit abnormal walking patterns such as slow walking speed and asymmetrical walking values. The recovery of symmetrical walking in the stance phase using a treadmill means improvements in walking speed and asymmetrical walking. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of unilateral step treadmill training (USTT) on gait speed and the recovery of symmetrical walking in chronic stroke patients. Methods : Fifteen patients (11 men and 4 women) with chronic stroke participated in this study. The 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and GAITRite system were used to determine the intervention-related changes in gait speed and symmetrical walking values such as non-paretic step length (NSL), non-paretic step time (NST), paretic single-support time (PSST), step length asymmetry (SLA), and step time asymmetry (STA) after USTT. All participants completed USTT and underwent measurements at 3 different times: at pretest, posttest, and the follow-up test. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare walking speed and asymmetrical walking values. The statistical significance level was set at p<.05. Results : Walking speed by 10MWT (p<.05) showed significant improvements after USTT as follows: at pretest and posttest (p<.05), posttest and follow-up test (p<.05), and pretest and follow-up test (p<.05). Recovery of symmetrical walking patterns such as NSL (p<.05), NST (p<.05), and SLA (p<.05) were observed after USTT. However, no significant improvements were found in PSST (p>.05) and STA (p>.05) in symmetrical gait. Conclusion : This study suggests that USTT may have a positive effect on walking speed and symmetrical walking patterns in chronic stroke patients. Thus, this study contributes to the existing knowledge about the usefulness of USTT for the effective management of patients with chronic stroke. Further studies are needed to generalize these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.131-142
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature comparing the differences between task-oriented treadmill training and general treadmill training for stroke patients. METHODS: Literature published in the Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and PubMed was reviewed. A total of 1,163 studies were initially retrieved, of which eight articles were included in the final review. A quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Risk of Bias (RoB) 2.0 tool, and Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill method was used to evaluate publication bias. Data analysis was performed using R studio 4.2.1. RESULTS: According to the quality assessment using RoB 2.0, three articles were evaluated as low risk, two as of some concern, and three as high risk. The overall effect size of task-oriented tradmill training was .35. Regarding gait function, the values were .76, .25, and .40, respectively, for gait endurance, gait speed, and gait pattern. According to Duval and Tweedie's trim and fill method, no publication bias was observed. CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that task-oriented treadmill training is the most effective intervention for improving gait endurance in patients with stroke. Therefore, applying this intervention to patients with stroke in the community is recommended.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2011

We have developed a wearable device that can convert sensor data into real-time step counts and activity levels. Sensor data on gait were acquired using a triaxial accelerometer. A test was performed according to a test protocol for different walking speeds, e.g., slow walking, walking, fast walking, slow running, running, and fast running. Each test was carried out for 36 min on a treadmill with the participant wearing a portable gas analyzer (K4B2), an Actical device, and the device developed in this study. The signal vector magnitude (SVM) was used to process the X, Y, and Z values output by the triaxial accelerometer into one representative value. In addition, for accurate step-count detection, we used three algorithms: an heuristic algorithm (HA), the adaptive threshold algorithm (ATA), and the adaptive locking period algorithm (ALPA). A regression equation estimating the energy expenditure (EE) was derived by using data from the accelerometer and information on the participants. The recognition rate of our algorithm was 97.34%, and the performance of the activity conversion algorithm was better than that of the Actical device by 1.61%.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2017

Purpose: This study compares the effects of treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback and general treadmill gait training on the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke. Methods: A total of 11 patients with chronic stroke were randomly divided into either the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group (six patients) or the general treadmill gait training group (five patients). The gait and balance ability of the two groups were measured before and after the interventions using the functional reach test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test. The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group performed the exercise under the supervision of a therapist after first being provided with a hat and a goal that was devised for the purpose of providing visual feedback information. The interventions were applied to the respective groups for four weeks. For the statistical analysis, we conducted a Mann-Whitney test to compare the results between the two groups. Additionally, the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results from before and after the intervention in each group. Results: The treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a significant difference in terms of the functional reach test after the intervention when compared to the general treadmill gait training group (p<0.05). Although there was no significant difference, the treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback group showed a larger improvement in the TUG test, Berg's balance test, and the Biodex balance test than the general treadmill gait training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that treadmill gait training accompanied by visual feedback can be used as a beneficial intervention scheme for the recovery of the gait and balance ability of patients with chronic stroke.