• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2019

Purpose: This study assessed the current working conditions and job satisfaction on aquatic therapy performed by physical therapists in South Korea. Methods: A total of 139 (managers: 53, staff: 86) physical therapists participated in this survey (90 questionnaires) and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 Windows. Results: The retention conditions of aquatic therapy facilitation was high in the rehabilitation centers (or disabled living facilities) and rehabilitation hospitals. On the other hand, there were regional variations. The physical therapists in this field were likely to have limitations or restrictions of professional aquatic therapy education. The subjects showed a tendency for a career interruption during their fifth working year. The overall job satisfaction on aquatic therapy of physical therapists was high (managers: 94.3%, staff: 95.3%, p=0.276), but the work intensity was higher than the other parts of physical therapy and the relative reward was comparatively low (managers: 60.3%, staff: 66.3%, p=0.865). Conclusion: Based on this study, the current working conditions regarding aquatic therapy by physical therapists were assessed. These results will help enhance aquatic therapy and/or in aquatic therapy facilitation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제7권1호
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an additional weight aquatic exercise program on the balance and lower extremity strength on aquatic environment in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where thirteen subjects were in the additional weight aquatic exercise group, twelve subjects in the aquatic exercise group, and fifteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received a graded aquatic exercise program for 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: The MRC, BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that the additional weight aquatic exercise group had significantly improved in MRC, BBS, and TUG scores compared with the aquatic exercise and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the additional weight aquatic exercise program improves lower extremity and balance in persons with stroke.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2018

Purpose : This meta-analysis was aimed at guiding future research in stroke treatment and to provide real-world data relating to the effects of aquatic exercise therapy on balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods : We performed a meta-analysis comprising 22 studies involving aquatic exercise therapy performed between 2006 and 2017. A meta-analysis software program was used to calculate the mean effect size, effect size by intervention, and effect size by outcome. We also performed a meta-regression analysis and an analysis of publishing bias. Results : The mean effect size was 0.563. The effect size by outcome was observed to be the largest for the functional reach test, followed by the Berg balance scale, balance equipment, the Timed Up and Go test and one leg standing. Meta-regression analysis showed that effect size increased with an increase in the duration, number, length of exercise session. Conclusion : Aquatic exercise therapy appears to show a moderate effect on balance in patients with chronic stroke. A meta-analysis is warranted for further research to determine the effects of aquatic exercise on walking, muscle strength, and range of motion.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.189-201
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to know the effect of aquatic-exercise on muscle atrophy which induced by steroid injection. The forty-eight Sparague-Dawley adult male rats were assigned to the 4 groups; Group I (distilled water injection), Group II (steroid injection), Group III (distilled water injection with aquatic exercise), Group IV (steroid injection with aquatic exercise). We observed their body weight, muscle relative weight, myofibrillar protein content. The results of this study were as follows; 1. Body weight was decreased rapidly on steroid injection groups in comparison with distilled water injection groups after 2 weeks (p<0.01), but that was almost recovered as before test on steroid injection group with aquatic exercise. 2. The relative weight of gastrocnemius muscles was decreased on steroid injection groups in comparison with distilled water injection groups. however, Decrease of it on steroid injection group with aquatic exercise for steroid injection group was fallen. There was very significant difference after 4 weeks (p<0.01). 3. Myofibrillar protein content of gastrocnemius muscles was decreased on steroid injection groups in comparison with distilled water injection groups. however, Decrease of it on steroid injection group with aquatic exercise for steroid injection group was fallen. There was significant difference after 4 weeks (p<0.05).

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of combined conventional exercise therapy plus respiratory exercise program with combined conventional exercise therapy plus aqua exercise program in the pulmonary function of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: The respiratory exercise program group underwent inspiration and expiration training using the Threshold IMT and Threshold PEP three days per week for four weeks. The aquatic exercise program group had aquatic aerobics, halliwick, and bad ragaz ring training three days per week for four weeks. Before and after the experiment, Pony fx was used to examine the FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found after the experiment in the FVC. FEV1, VC, MVV, excepting FEV1/FVC, of the pulmonary function in the aquatic exercise program group. After the experiment, significant improvement was found in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV of pulmonary function in the respiratory rehabilitation therapy group. No significant difference in FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, VC, and MVV of pulmonary function was observed in the inter-group comparison. CONCLUSION: Significant improvement was found after the experiment in both the aquatic exercise program group and the respiratory exercise program group. No difference in pulmonary function was noted in the inter-group comparison. Therefore, combining general exercise therapy and an aquatic or respiratory exercise program is expected to be effective for the pulmonary function of acute stroke patients. These results are expected to provide basic data to help research intervention of aquatic and respiratory exercise programs for subacute stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.67-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare to aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill gait training to improve balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where nine subjects were in the aquatic treadmill group, eight subjects in the anti-gravity treadmill group, and ten subjects in the control group. Subjects in the aquatic treadmill group and the anti-gravity treadmill group received gait training during 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy during 30 minutes, with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas pre-post intervention (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that aquatic treadmill group and anti-gravity treadmill group had significantly improved in BBS, TUG and 10MWT scores compared with the control group (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the comparison between the aquatic treadmill and the anti-gravity treadmill group. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggested that aquatic treadmill and anti-gravity treadmill improves balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.104-109
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of aquatic exercise on balance and depression of stroke patients. Methods: For 12 participants with stroke, six members of the experimental group and six members of the control group were randomly selected and arranged. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) lower extremity aquatic pattern exercise was applied to the experimental group. On the other hand, participants in the control group performed PNF lower extremity pattern exercise on the ground. Both exercises were performed 30 minutes per day, five times per week, for a period of six weeks. Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up to Go test (TUG). Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D). Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant difference for balance and depression after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which aquatic exercise was applied showed more significant change in balance and depression than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, aquatic exercise was proven to enhance the balance and decrease the depression of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.15-22
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effect of aquatic exercise on the improvement in physical and pulmonary function after stroke. Methods: Fourteen candidates, who had experienced stroke, were enrolled in this study. The program was carried out three times weekly, 1 hour per session and for 10 consecutive weeks. At pre-treatment and post-treatment, the subjects were tested with a 10 m and 100 m timed gait test, a timed get up and go test, a functional reach test, the difference in thoracic girth at inspiration and expiration, and breaths per minute. The forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were measured using a spirometer. Results: After ten weekends of an aquatic exercise program, the subjects showed a significant difference in all the test results except for the FEV1 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Intervention with this aquatic exercise program can improve the physical and pulmonary function in people who have had a stroke.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.35-41
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• 2019

Background: Obstacle training affects lower limb muscle activity, balance, reducing the risk of falls, and making gait more stable. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquatic and ground obstacle training on balance and muscle activity in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: The study subjects included 30 patients with stroke, who were divided into aquatic ($n_1=15$) and ground ($n_2=15$) groups. Groups underwent obstacle training three times per week, 30 min per session, for six weeks that went as follows: walking over sites with the paralyzed leg, stepping onto and down from a box step, and walking over obstacles with the non-paralyzed leg. Results: The experimental results were obtained by comparing muscle activity. Activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the aquatic group (p<.05). Activity of the biceps femoris and tibialis anterior were significantly increased in the ground group (p<.05); however, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius were not significantly different. In the comparison of maximal distance regarding the limits of stability, it was significantly increased on the non-affected side, affected side, and anterior and posterior distance in the aquatic group (p<.05). It was significantly increased in the non-affected side and anterior and posterior distance the ground group (p<.05); however, maximal distance on the affected side distance was not significantly different. Conclusion: Gait training with aquatic and ground obstacles is effective for improving balance and gait ability of patients with stroke. However, it was more effective for the aquatic group than for the ground group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.11-22
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic health exercise program for the old. Methods: 20 healthy female with an average age of 71years($71{\pm}4.2$), were participated in this study. The aquatic health exercise program that include warm-up, stretching, strengthening exercise, WATSU and cool-down was performed in the pool two times a week for eight weeks(40min per one session). Body composition, strength of the both knee flexors and extensors, balance ability(sway area and path), whole body reaction time and flexibility(forward reaching test in long sitting) were measured before and after exercise. The data was analyzed with paired t-test to determine significant differences of all suggested factors between pre and post-exercise by make use of the SPSS(ver 10.0) package program. Results: The strength of the both knee flexors and extensors were increased significantly(right knee; p<0.01, left knee; p<0.05). Anteroposterior sway area (p<0.01), and sway path (p<0.001) of both leg were reduced significantly with eyes closed and opened. Whole body reaction time by optical stimulation was increased significantly (p<0.01) but whole body reaction time by auditory stimulation was no significant difference. The flexibility was increased significantly (p<0.01). Conclusion: Aquatic health exercise program can improve muscle strength, balance, whole body reaction, and flexibility.