• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prove the effects of coordinative locomotion training (CLT) on walking speed, walking endurance, and balance for incomplete spinal cord injury patients. Methods: Ten subjects were randomly assigned to the CLT group (n = 5) and the treadmill (TM) group (n = 5). The CLT group performed PNF pattern exercise using the motions of the sprinter and skater for 30 minutes, while the TM group performed using a treadmill for 30 minutes. Both groups performed these therapeutic interventions for five days per week, for a period of four weeks. A 10 meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 6 meter walking test were used for the assessment of gait speed, balance, and gait endurance. The SPSS Ver. 18.0 statistical program was used for data processing. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the comparison of pre- and post-intervention performance and a Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison between the groups. The significance level for the statistical inspection was set at 0.05. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the 10 meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale, and 6 meter walking test (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CLT had an effect on the improvement of walking speed, walking endurance, and the balance of incomplete spinal cord injury patients. Thus, we suggest that CLT is a therapeutic intervention for incomplete spinal cord injury patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to examine differences in the association between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients in the subacute phase and walking independence level. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into an independent group and a supervised group (n=10 each) by walking independence level within the ward decided by physical therapists. Inclusion criteria comprised the ability to ambulate independently within the ward, regardless of the use of walking aids. Straight walking abilities (walking velocity, stride length, and cadence) were evaluated using the 5-meter walk test. Curved walking abilities were evaluated using the Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) and the 3-meter zigzag walk test (3ZW). Differences in associations between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients were examined by calculating correlation coefficients between straight and curved walking abilities. Results: Age, walking velocity, stride length, F8W and 3ZW varied markedly between independent and supervised groups. In the independent group, F8W and 3ZW correlated significantly with walking velocity and cadence (p<0.05). In the supervised group, F8W correlated significantly with walking velocity and stride length (p<0.05), but 3ZW did not correlate significantly with straight walking abilities. Conclusions: The association between straight and curved walking abilities varied between inpatients who could ambulate independently and inpatients requiring supervision for ambulating. These differences may depend on skill on straight and curved walking abilities. There is a possibility that curved walking exercise is necessary for supervised group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Background: The method of measuring the walking function of patients with chronic stroke differs depending on patients walking capability and environmental conditions. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the influences of walking capacity and environmental conditions on the results of short- and long-distance walk tests in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Forty patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study, and allocated to group-1 (<.4m/s, household walking, $n_1=13$), group-2 (.4~.8m/s, limited community ambulation, $n_2=16$), and group-3 (>.8m/s, community ambulation, $n_3=11$) according to their walking capacity. The 10-meter walk test (10MWT) and 6-min walk tests, (6MWT) were used to compare the short- and long-distance walk tests results, which were randomly performed under indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. Results: The comparison of the results obtained under the indoor and outdoor conditions revealed statistically significant differences between the groups in the 6MWT and 10MWT (p<.05). Post-hoc tests' results showed significant differences between groups-1 and -2 and between groups-1 and -3 in the 10MWT, and between group-1 and -3 in the 6MWT. Furthermore, in group-2 the 10MWT and 6MWT results significantly differed between the indoor and outdoor conditions, and the values measured under the indoor and outdoor conditions significantly differed between 10MWT and 6MWT (p<.05). Group-3 showed a significant difference in 10MWT results between the indoor and outdoor conditions (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the results of the short- and long-distance walk tests may differ depending on the walking capacity of patients with chronic stroke and the environmental condition under which the measurement is made, and these effects were greatest for the patients with the limited community ambulation capacity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.137-146
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study examine the effect of community ambulation training on gait, depression and self - efficacy of stroke patients in order to develop more effective training methods of community rehabilitation. METHODS: In the experimental group, community ambulation training combined with indoor and outdoor walking was performed for 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks. In the control group, general indoor walking training was performed. The physical factors were assessed by a 10-meter walking test, six-minute walking test and community gait test. Psychological factors were assessed by the Korean version of the Epidemiology Center Depression Scale and Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale. RESULTS: In the 10-meter walking test, the normal walking speed was significantly improved after the intervention in both the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). However, the fast walking speed was significantly improved only in the experimental group (p <.05). ln the community gait test, the experimental group showed significant improvement (p<.05), but the control group did not. Depression and self-efficacy were significantly improved in the experimental group (p<.05) but not in the control group. CONCLUSION: Community ambulation training may improve the gait ability of stroke patients and reduce their depression and improve self-efficacy.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2024

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of simultaneous application of gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training on the balance and gait ability in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with stroke within 3-6 months were randomly assigned, and the experimental group (n = 18) to which both gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training were applied and the control group (n = 17) to which only gaze stabilization exercise was applied were targeted. It was performed for 30 minutes at a time, three times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, 10Meter Walking Test, and Walking symmetry were evaluated. RESULTS: In the comparison of changes between Berg Balance Scale, Time Up and Go test, 10 Meter Walking Test, and Gait symmetry, both experimental and control groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention, and in the evaluation of Gait symmetry, significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, when gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training were allied simultaneously, it was possible to improve the balance and gait ability of subacute stroke patients, and had a more significant effect on gait ability. In considered that training that simultaneously applies gaze stabilization exercise and cognitive training can be presented as a balance and gait rehabilitation for stroke patients on the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stability techniques on walking speed, trunk stability, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Ten stroke patients volunteered to participate in the study, and each of subjects was randomly assigned to either the stability technique (ST) group (n=5) or to the treadmill (TM) group (n=5). Each therapeutic exercise program was provided for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The ST group performed a PNF pattern combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of the PNF stability technique. Walking speed (measured using a 10-meter walking test), trunk stability (TIS), and balance (BBS, FRT) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. The significance level for statistical inspection was set at 0.05. Results: Both groups showed improvements on the 10-meter walking test, the trunk impairment scale, the Berg balance scale, and the functional reaching test. Conclusion: PNF stability techniques are effective for improving trunk stability, balance, and walking speed in stroke patients. For stroke patients, PNF stability techniques are very useful and effective, including in clinical practice.

• 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 Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.541-548
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Side walking training on the balance (Functional Gait Assessment; FGA, Timed Up & Go Test; TUG) and gait (10 meter Walking Test; 10 mWT) of stroke patients. 28 stroke patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group(side walking Training) and control group(forward walking training) of 14 patients each. both groups received rehabilitative physical therapy for during 4 weeks. The experimental group was asked to participate in Side walking training for 20 minutes per day 3 times per week during 4 weeks. The control group was asked to participate in forward walking training for 20 minutes per day 3 times per week during 4 weeks. There were significantly increase by side walking training in outcome of the balance from the FGA was increase from 16.86 score to 18.64 score(p<.05), TUG was decrease from 26.03 sec to 22.43 sec(p<.05) and 10 mWT was decrease from 21.90 sec to 19.10 sec(p<.05), Therefore side walking training is to promote balance and gait in stroke patients will be able to offer useful training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2010

Purpose : This study achieved to search the effect of the circuit exercise and conventional exercise on walking ability(walking speed, endurance, dynamic balance, speed, endurance and pedestrian crossing) in chronic stroke. Methods : Since is diagnosed by stroke, to 30 chronic stroke patients who more than 1 year past the 15 circuit exercise group, the 15 conventional exercise group random the circuit exercise group applied circuit exercise 3th 8 weeks each week after neurological treatment because assigning and the conventional exercise group executed round trip walk exercise in parallel bar 3th 8 weeks each week after neurological treatment. The data of 25 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. Results : The results of this dissertation were as following : 1) There were significantly increased after experimental of 10 meter walk test, 6 minutes walk test and Timed "Up and Go" test in circuit exercise group (p<.001). 2) There were significantly increased after experimental of 2, 4 and 6 lane road crossing mobility in Walking circuit exercise group(p<.01). 3) There were significantly differences after experimental of 10 meter walk test, 6 minutes walk test and Timed "Up and Go" test change quantity between circuit exercise group and conventional exercise group(p<.05). 4) There were correlations were found between the TUG test and 2, 4 and 6 lane road (2 lane road; r=.463, p<.01., 4 lane road; r=515, p<.01., 6lane road; r=.710, p<.01), and there were correlations were found between the 10 meter walk test and 6 minutes walk test(r=.595, p<.01), TUG test(r=.662, p<.01) and 6 lane road(r=.527, p<.01). Conclusion : Even if improvement of walk function through training consists in room, transfer of actuality pedestrian crossing is no change outside the room. Because it is much variable of the weather, seasonal factor, temperature, pedestrian number, state of underneath etc. outside the room. Then, in room after direction promotion of walk function to be promotion of walk function in actuality life and need development of connectable training method consider.