• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study is to prove the effects of mental practice in balance ability of elderly population, and to investigate the possibility of application as an effective intervention method for fall prevention. Methods : This study provided mental practice to 3 subjects over 65 years old who have experienced fall, but do not have cognitive dysfunctions and independent in gait without any use of assistive devices from July to October, 2013. Within the individual case study, 4 sessions of initial baseline process (A), 5 sessions of mental practice (B), 4 sessions of re-initial baseline process (A') were proceeded using ABA design. Independent variable used mental practice for enhancing balance ability and fall efficacy in elderly population, and dependent variable were Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to find out the change in overall balance ability, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES) to see the change in fall efficacy, One-Leg Standing test(OLS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) to determine the changes in both static and dynamic balance. Analysis of the results were provided via mean value and graph. Results : After the application of mental practice method, all of the subjects have shown increase in fall efficacy baseline values, and in addition, overall balance ability and both static and dynamic balances either increased or maintained. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that mental practice has positive effects on fall efficacy improvement and maintenance in elderly, thereby suggesting mental practice for fall prevention in elderly populations.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether gym-ball exercise in standing position was an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized into three groups: experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8), and control group (n=8). Experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group performed the gym-ball exercise in standing position, same exercise without a gym-ball, and general physical therapy for 4 weeks, five times a week in 30-minute sessions. Muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were assessed using a handheld dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the wearable BTS G-WALK® sensor, and the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES), before and after training, respectively. Comparisons within and between groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Bonferroni correction was performed when significant differences between groups were identified (p<.017, .05/3). Results : Regarding muscle strength, BBS score, cadence and FES-K were significantly improved after intervention in all three groups. The weight bearing rate, gait speed and step length in experimental group 1 and 2 were significantly improved after the intervention. The stride length in experimental group 1 were significantly improved after the intervention. Experimental group 1 had significantly improved BBS score and stride length after intervention than experimental group 2 and control group. Experimental group 1 and 2 improved muscle strength, weight bearing rate, and FES-K score more than the control group. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in cadence, gait speed, and step length after the intervention than control group. Conclusion : This study showed that exercise with gym-ball in standing position can be an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in stroke patients than the same exercise without gym-ball.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2012

Purpose: This study is to identify how eye movement influences the static balance and fall efficacy of the elderly who have experienced fall-related injuries. Methods: Thirty nine elderly who scored 24 points in the Korean mini mental state examination, were able to walk, and had no specific disease, were selected as the research subjects among elderly who have experienced fall-related injury more than once in the past year. Thus, 20 for the experimental group, and 19 for the control group were selected as subjects. The experiment was conducted for 6 weeks, including periods of evaluation before and after intervention. Results: The results with respect to the dependent variables are as follows: Substitute sample t-testing showed significant differences between each group in eye movement to check difference in balance performance and fall efficacy. When independent sample t-tests were conducted to compare static balancing performance and fall efficacy between the two groups after intervention, they showed significant differences in statistical terms (p<0.05). Conclusion: From the above results of the study, it was found that the application of eye movement combined with diverse fall prevention programs is effective, when enhancing static balance performance power and improving fall efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.798-808
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aquatic exercise on rehabilitation in home stroke patients. Method: A quasi-experimental pretest and posttest design was used to examine the change of balance, ADL, IADL, pain, depression and self-efficacy atthe completion of 6-weeks aquatic exercise program. The subjects consisted of 25 adults who had a stroke. Thirteen experimental and twelve control subjects completed pre and post test measures. Outcome variables were balance, ADL, IADL, pain, depression and self-efficacy. Chi-Square test(Fisher's exact method) was used to examine the equality of the subjects and Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test used to examine the group difference by using SAS. Results: There was no significant difference in balance and depression between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in ADL, IADL, pain and self-efficacy between the two groups. Conclusion: Aquatic exercise can improve ADL, IADL, self-efficacy and reduce pain. Therefore, further research is recommended by increasing the length of aquatic exercise and number of subjects, so that its effects can be more generalizable.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of curved walking training on balance confidence and fall efficacy in early stroke patients. Methods: The study included 16 early stroke patients who were randomly allocated to a curved walking training group (experimental group, N=8) and a straight walking training group (control group, N=8). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: After 3 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG scores in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that curved walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, curved walking training can be used as a recommended walking method in early stroke patients.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of side walking on balance confidence, falls efficacy and fall risk in acute stroke patients. Methods: The study included 14 patients with acute stroke who were randomly allocated to a side walking group (Experimental group, N=7) and a forward walking group (Control group, N=7). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using Korean-Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (K-ABC), Korean-Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES), Korean-Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (K-FAB). Results: After 2 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, FAB (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, FAB in the experimental group was significantly better than in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that side walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall down risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, side walking training may be recommended as an intervention in reducing the incidence of falls in acute stroke patient.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anon-contact complex exercise program on muscle strength, fall efficacy, quality of life, and balance ability in older over 65 years of age. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 37 people in older over 65 years of age participated in the study. Random program was conducted and assigned to the experimental group (n=19) and the control group (n=18). Both groups performed the older people welfare center program. In addition, in the experimental group, a non-contact complex exercise program for muscle and balance exercise was performed. All interventions were performed 2 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. chair stand test (CST), fall efficacy scale (FES), Euro quality of life 5 dimension (EQ-5D), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB) were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in CST, FES, EQ-5D, BBS, and TUG before and after intervention (p<0.05). FAB showed significant differences before and after intervention in all items except for FAB 8 and 9 items in the experimental group. In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in CST, FES, BBS, TUG, FAB (except 1, 7, 8, 9) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The non-contact complex exercise program is an effective intervention method that has clinical significance in improving muscle strength, fall efficacy and static and dynamic balance abilities for the older over 65 years of age.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of a community-based fall prevention exercise program for older adults on lower extremity muscle strength, balance ability, and fall efficacy. Methods: This study recruited 30 participants, and the program was conducted for 10 weeks. The program included sessions on strength and balance exercises, conducted for 50 minutes a day and at least three times a week. The collected data were analyzed using non-parametric (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, generalized estimated equation) and parametric statistics (paired t-test, rmANOVA). Results: After 12 weeks of exercise program, lower extremity muscle strength and static-dynamic balance ability significantly increased. The fall efficacy increased from an average score of 2.48 points before the test to an average score of 2.91 points after the test. Regarding general characteristics, there were no significant differences in effect before and after the program, except for fall efficacy. Conclusion: The above results showed that the intervention of a community-based fall prevention exercise program for older adults was effective. Therefore, it is suggested that this exercise program be organized regularly within the center to provide periodic and long-term services.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.207-214
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the effects of the Qi-gong Exercise program on the physical health status, the fear of falling, balance efficacy, and Hwa-Byung in the elderly. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used in 52 elderly subjects who were assigned to the experimental group and the control group (26 subjects in each group). Study out-comes were measured by structured questionnaires from July 2015 to October 2015. For data analysis, the Chi-square test, the Fisher's exact probability test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the paired t-test, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test were performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: There were significant differences in the physical health status (Z=12.000, p<.001), balance efficacy (Z=60.500, p=<.001), and Hwa-Byung (Z=20.500, p=<.001) between the two groups in pretest and posttest. Conclusions: The findings confirmed that the Qi-gong Exercise program is effective in improving the physical health status, balance efficacy, and Hwa-Byung in the elderly subjects in the community. It can be recommended as a public health program for the elderly population in the community.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.569-576
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was aimed at determining the effects of community-based exercise program to improve leg muscle strength and balance for elderly women. Methods : This study was nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. Subjects were assigned to two different groups(exercise group=11, control group=7). Exercise group performed community-based exercise program for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included leg muscle strength, balance, walking velocity, activities of daily living(ADL), exercise self-efficacy and health-related quality of life(QoL). The collected data analyzed by independent t-test and paired t-test. Results : Leg muscle strength, walking velocity and mental component summary(QoL) were significantly improved in the exercise group. But balance and exercise self-efficacy were significantly worsened in the control group. There were no significant difference between groups after 8 weeks of community-based exercise. Conclusion : These results suggested that the community-based exercise program is effective for elderly women in improving leg muscle strength, walking velocity and mental component summary(QoL).