• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to establish intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of figure-of-8 walk test in people with stroke. Methods : The subjects of this study were 17 patients who were diagnosed with a stroke. Subjects were tested twice by the same raters, with 1 day between tests. Subjects were assessed by two physical therapists. Test-retest reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The concurrent validity was demonstrated by spearman correlation of F8WT with 10m walking test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS), dynamic gait index (DGI) and four square step test (FSST). Results : Intra-rater, inter-rater, test- retest of F8WT time, showed high reliability. Intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest of F8WT steps demonstrated high reliability. Intra-rater, inter-rater, test-retest of F8WT total smoothness score showed below moderate reliability. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT, TUG, FSST. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT time with DGI, BBS. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT steps with 10MWT, TUG, FSST. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT steps with DGI. There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT test total smoothness score with BBS. Conclusion : The time, and number of steps in F8WT show high inter, intra-rater, test-retest reliability. The F8WT smoothness shows below moderate reliability. The F8WT shows high concurrent validity with other comparable balance, and walking tests. The F8WT is a valid and reliable measure for assessing walking function in patients with a stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Augmented Reality-based Postural Control (ARPC) training on balance and gait function in patients with stroke. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty participants who experienced a stroke were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to the ARPC (n=10) or control group (n=10). Subjects in both groups received conventional physical therapy for 60 min per session, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks. In addition, subjects in the ARPC group received ARPC training for 30 min per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. The participants watched established normal postural control patterns on a head-mounted display and repeated the movements in ARPC training. Outcome measurements were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) before and after 4 weeks of training. Results: Of the 20 randomized participants, only 18 completed the 4-week training program. The ARPC group showed significant improvement in the BBS and 10MWT after training (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the control group did not exhibit improvement in either variable. In addition, the ARPC group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in the 10MWT (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the groups for the BBS. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the benefits of ARPC training on dynamic balance and functional gait ability. Additionally, this study may provide evidence supporting the use of an ARPC training program for improving balance and gait ability in patients after a chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.356-366
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to compare gait ability through gait evaluations in indoor and outdoor environments according to the general characteristics and walking ability of stroke patients. Design: Crossed-sectional study. Methods: The subjects of this study were 57 hospitalized stroke patients.The study subjects were asked to select an indoor environment and an outdoor environment in random order, and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Figure-Eight Walk Test (F8WT) and the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) were used to assess each environment. Results: The TUG, 10MWT, F8WT time and number of steps, and FGA showed a significant decrease in gait ability in the outdoor environment compared to the indoor environment (p<0.05). Although the TUG, 10MWT, and the time required for the F8WT were statistically higher in the outdoor compared to the indoor environment at points 2, 3, and 4, but not 5 of the functional ambulatory category (FAC), significant increases in the number of steps of the F8WT were found in the outdoor compared to the indoor environment for only points 2 and 3 of the FAC (p<0.05). In the FAC 3 and 4, there was a statistically significant decrease in the outdoor compared to the indoor environment only in the FGA (p<0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, it has been shown that the gait ability of stroke patients is reduced in the outdoor environment compared to the gait ability in the indoor environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system on the gait and balance of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group, who received treadmill gait training in an adjusted position, or the control group, who received regular treadmill gait training. Both groups underwent a 30-minute comprehensive rehabilitation treatment before receiving an additional 20-minute treadmill gait training. This routine was repeated five times a week for four weeks. To measure the difference before and after training in walking and balance, patients were scored on the following: 10 m walking test (10 MWT), 6 minute walking distance (6 MWD), timed up and go test (TUG), and static standing balance test (stability index). RESULTS: While post-training scores of 10 MWT, 6 MWD, TUG, and stability index for both groups increased significantly compared with pre-training (p<.05), the experimental group showed greater improvement than the control group (p<.05). The scores of the experimental group increased significantly by 9% in the 10 MWT, 11% in 6 MWD, 13% in the TUG, 8% in the stability Index (eye opened), and 10% in the stability index (eye closed). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training in an adjusted position from the functional training system would be a useful gait training method to improve walking and balance of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise on gait and balance in patients with stroke. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 20 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise, n = 11) or control group (treadmill gait training without the thoracic mobility exercise, n = 9). All the participants underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 4 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group underwent 20 min of treadmill gait training combined with 10 min of a thoracic mobility exercise (3 × / week for 4 weeks) and the control group underwent the former but not the latter. Gait and balance were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walking test (10 MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) velocity, and COP length in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and COP velocity than the control group (10 MWT, -3.02 sec vs. -1.68 sec, p < .05; COP velocity, -.07 mm/sec vs. .08 mm/sec, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training, combined with the thoracic mobility exercise, could be effective in improving the gait and balance of stroke patients. It could also be more effective in improving walking speed and static balance than the treadmill gait training alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2017

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of weight shift training with Hula Hoop on weight shift change and gait in stroke patients. METHODS: Ten stroke patients were enrolled in this study, and randomly divided into 2 groups. The study group underwent weight shift training with Hula Hoop, while the control group received general physical therapy that included weight shift training. All the studies were performed over a period of 4 weeks. Before and after the intervention, plantar pressure and performance in the 10 m walk test (10MWT) were assessed. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare the change from before to after the intervention in each group. The differences between the study and control groups were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, the change in weight shift and performance in the 10MWT from before to after the experiment showed no statistical significance (p>.05). In addition, the comparison between the groups showed no significance in terms of weight-shift change, and performance in the 10MWT (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Although the difference was not statistically significant, the degree of improvement was similar to that attained with the conventional exercise treatment related to weight- shift training. During the course of the treatment, the patients received feedback through repeated training by themselves. Weight-shift training with Hula Hoop would be effective in improving the walking ability and weight-shifting on the paralyzed side of stroke patients. In the future, the effectiveness of this training would need to be validated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.121-129
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effect of dual-task training (based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health; ICF) on walking ability and self-efficacy in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: 22 chronic stroke patients participated in this study. Participants were randomly allocated into either the single-task group (n=11) or the dual-task group (n=11). Both groups had physical training three a week for 4 weeks, and at a three-week follow-up. Outcome measures included the 10m walking test (10MWT), figure of 8 walk test (F8WT), dynamic gait index (DGI), and Self-efficacy scale. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 for Windows. Between-group and within-group comparison were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon singed-rank test respectively. RESULTS: In the dual-task group, the 10MWT, time and steps of F8WT, DGI, and self-efficacy showed significant differences between pre- and post-test (p<.05). The Changes between the pre- and post-test values of 10MWT (p<.05), DGI (p<.05), and self-efficacy scale (p<.05) showed significant differences between the dual-task group and single-task group. CONCLUSION: Participants reported improved walking ability and self-efficacy, suggesting that dual-task training holds promise in the rehabilitation of walking in chronic stroke patients. This study showed that ICF-based on a dual-task protocol contiributes to motor learning after chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.10-19
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• 2019

Background: In patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), lumbar flexion exercise (LFE) is considered a standard therapeutic exercise that widens the space between the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen. However, some researchers have reported that lumbar extension exercise (LEE) may improve lumbar pain and functional ability in patients with LSS. Although exercise intervention methods for patients with LSS have been widely applied in clinical settings, few studies have conducted comparative analysis of these exercise methods. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of LFE, LEE, and lumbar flexion combined with lumbar flexion-extension exercise (LFEE) on pain, range of motion (ROM), pelvic tilt angle, and functional gait ability in patients with LSS. Methods: A total of 30 patients with LSS, LFE (n1=10), LEE (n2=10), and LFEE (n3=10) were assigned to each of the three exercise groups. The numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), modified-modified schober test (MMST)-flexion, MMST-extension, pelvic tilt inclinometer, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were measured. Results: After the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed in the NPRS (p=.043), MMST-flexion (p<.001), MMST-extension (p<.001), and 6MWT (p=.005) between groups. According to the post hoc test, the NPRS was statistically significant difference between the LFEE and LEE groups (p=.034). The MMST-flexion was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LEE (p=.000), LFE and LFEE (p=.001), and LEE and LFEE (p=.001) groups. The MMST-extension was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LEE (p<.001), LFE and LFEE (p=.002), and LEE and LFEE (p=.008) groups. The 6MWT was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LFEE (p=.042) and the LEE and LFEE (p=.004) groups. Conclusion: This study suggested that LFEE was the most effective exercise for pain and functional gait ability in patients with LSS, LFE was the most effective exercise for lumbar flexion ROM, and LEE was the most effective exercise for lumbar extension ROM.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of visual feedback training-for gradual weight shift in sit-to-stand training-on the balance and walking abilities of chronic hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental group received visual feedback for gradual weight shift in the sit-to-stand training, while the contrast group followed the standard process for the sit-to-stand training. The evaluation of the balance and walking ability was conducted with the functional reach test (FRT), Berg balance scale (BBS), five time sit-to-stand (FTSTS) test, timed up and go (TUG) test, 10 m walk test (10MWT), balancia, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, and falls efficacy scale (FES). Results: In the results before and after intervention, there was a significant difference in TUG, 10MWT, ABC, and FES in the visual feedback training group (p < 0.05). In the control group, there was a significant difference in the 10MWT and ABC (p < 0.05). Also, in the evaluation of the postural fluctuations, the control group data showed a significant increase in Covar. The visual feedback group showed a significant difference in the W average. Conclusion: The visual feedback training group showed some improvement in terms balance and walking ability and on the ABC scale and FES. Therefore, if the diagonal progressive weight bearing exercise is combined with the various patterns and basic principles of PNF, it may be a more efficient intervention method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.95-103
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation on balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: In this blinded randomized controlled study, 26 stroke patients were assigned to either experimental group (n=13) consisting of 30 min of gait training 5 days per week for 4 weeks while performing functional electrical stimulation gait training with rhythmic auditory simulation, or a control group (n=13) performing the same gait training program, also consisting of 30 minutes 5 days a week and lasting for 4 weeks, but without functional electrical stimulation and rhythmic auditory stimulation. At baseline and after the 4 week intervention, balance was measured using the timed up and go test (TUG). Gait velocity was measured using the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT) and gait ability was assessed using the functional gait assessment (FGA). RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group showed statistically significant differences in gait velocity and ability (10 MWT, FGA) (p<.05). Between-group differences were statistically significant in gait velocity and ability (10 MWT, FGA) (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that functional electrical stimulation gait training with a rhythmic auditory stimulation gait training program may help improve gait ability in stroke patients.