• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.85-96
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathy accompanied by sensory disturbance, such as limb paralysis and hemiplegia, is mainly caused by acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This case study aimed to determine the effect of ankle strengthening exercises that use proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability on a patient with ADEM. Methods: A 10-year-old male with quadriplegia and ankle-control impairment participated in this 4-week training intervention. The patient, diagnosed with ADEM, was treated with ankle strengthening exercises that used PNF. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in balance, ankle-control ability, sit-to-stand ability, and gait performance. Outcome measures (manual muscle test, modified Ashworth scale, sensory assessment, coordination assessment, Berg balance scale, 5 time sit-to-stand test, and 10 m walk test) were taken before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that an ankle strengthening exercise that uses PNF can improve the gait, balance, ankle-control ability, and sit-to-stand ability in patients with ADEM. In ADEM, the initial treatment is important, and the use of ankle strengthening exercises with PNF could lead to meaningful results. However, there is limited research due to an insufficient number of cases. In the future, more patients will need to be studied.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of kinesio taping of tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training on balance and gait ability in post-stroke patients. METHODS: This study was a single-blinded, randomized control design. Thirty post-stroke patients were allocated randomly to two groups: 1) kinesio taping of tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training (KTCDT group, n = 15) and cognitive dual-task training (Control group, n = 15). Both groups were given training for 30 minutes, five days a week for four weeks. The Berg balance test and timed up-and-go test were used to measure the balance ability. GaitRite was used to analyze the gait ability. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in balance and gait ability. The KTCDT group showed significantly greater improvement in balance ability after four weeks than the control group (p < .05). In addition, the KTCDT group showed significantly greater improvement in gait ability after four weeks compared to the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Kinesio taping of the tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training effectively improves the balance and gait abilities in post-stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.250-260
• /
• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of balance training using fully immersive VR devices on the balance and walking abilities of stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: This study involved 54 stroke patients divided into three groups: VRT(VR and traditional physical therapy), VR(VR only), and TPT(traditional physical therapy only). Interventions were administered twice daily for 30 minutes over eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 10-meter walk test, gait analysis, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Results: The VRT and VR groups showed significant effects on spatiotemporal variables and confidence compared to the TPT group (p<0.05). Specifically, the VR group demonstrated superior effects in TUG, 10MWT, velocity, stride length, single-leg support, and ABC compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Fully immersive VR balance training had a positive impact on balance, walking, and confidence in chronic stroke patients. Traditional physical therapy alone showed limited effectiveness, highlighting the potential of VR-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation. These findings underscore the importance of integrating VR technology into clinical practice to enhance outcomes for stroke survivors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the effects of robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback on gait, balance, and balance confidence in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The experimental group performed robot-assisted gait training for 30 minutes and the control group performed gait training with assisted devices training for 30 minutes after both groups performed conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions for 5 days per week, for a period of 4 weeks. For assessment of the 10 m walking test (10 MWT), Figure of 8 on the walk test (F8WT), Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to test the gait and balance, and the Korean version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale was used to test the balance confidence. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in the 10 MWT and the K-ABC (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the BBS and the TUG (p<0.05). In four measurements, there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the F8WT at pre and post intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback is an effective intervention for improving straight gait abilities and balance confidence, while the control group showed some improvement in curve gait and balance. Thus, we suggest both Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback and gait training with assisted devices training exercise as a therapeutic intervention in chronic stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.325-333
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity between Figure-of-8 Walking Test (F8W), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Four Squared Step Test (FSST), and Timed UP and GO Test (TUG) in patients with stroke. Methods: Forty two participants (26 men, 16 women, $55.0{\pm}11.72$) with at least three months post stroke who were able to walk at least 10 m without walking aid participated in this study. Assessment of concurrent validity between the F8W (time and steps) and BBS was performed using Spearman rank order correlation and between the F8W (time and steps), FSST and TUG assessed using Pearson correlation. Results: The time of the F8W showed correlation with BBS (r=-0.46, p<0.01), FSST (r=0.64, p<0.01), and TUG (r=0.81, p<0.01), and steps of the F8W showed correlation with BBS (r=-0.43, p<0.01), FSST (r=0.47, p<0.01), and TUG (r=0.51, p<0.01). Conclusion: The F8W is a valid measure of balance and walking skill among patients with stroke and may provide complementary information with regard to dynamic balance and functional walking for the real life of stroke patients.

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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Rhythmic Stabilization(RS) and Combination of Isotonic(CI) of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods : Ten patients with hemiplegia were trained with RS and CI for six weeks. Two Standard Scale(TSS), Functional Reach Test(FRT), Time Up and Go test(TUG) and Berg Balance Scale(BBS) were used to prove their improvement of balance. Results : Body weight bearing decreased on less affected side and increased on more affected side. Distance of forward reaching for FRT increased. Time for TUG decreased. BBS score increased. They all showed significant difference. Conclusion : This study suggests that balance training with RS and CI of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation improved balance in patients with hemiplegia.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.384-390
• /
• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of clinical balance tests through the correlation of balance evaluation using by forceplate in elderly. Methods : Thirty nine healthy elderly subjects (14 males, 25 females) participated in the study. The subjects were evaluated with clinical balance tests [(Berg balance scale (BBS), Functional reach test (FRT), Tinetti's performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA), and one leg standing (OLS)]. Static balance evaluation was assessed by using forceplate. Center of pressure (COP) parameters were obtained using it as total path distance, total sway area, X mean frequency and Y mean frequency for 20 seconds in the following conditions: (1) comfortable standing with eyes opened and closed, (2) uncomfortable standing with eyes opened and closed. After static balance evaluation tested, dynamic balance evaluation was assessed. COP parameters were error distance and area during sine curve trace. COP parameters were movement time, error distance, and maintained time in the circle during COP movement task. Results : Clinical balance tests showed statistically significant correlation between static and dynamic balance evaluations. Among the clinical balance tests, the BBS, POMA, and OLS showed significant correlation with to assess the balance ability of elderly in clinical setting both evaluations. Conclusion : Clinical balance tests can be recommended in clinical setting because of low costs and simplicity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2011

Background: To determine effects of mobilization with movements (MWM) application on stroke patient with hypomobility on sacroiliac joint. Methods: The subject was 47years old male who have left hemiplegia because of right intra-cerebral hemorrhage. The subject was have hypomobility on sacroiliac joint. MWM using during 4weeks and using Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go (TUG), 10meter walking (10MW) test for evaluation. Results: The results of this study were summarized below; BBS score for evaluating balance ability was increased, and TUG time, 10MW test time was decrease. Conclusion: We consider that MWM application on stroke patient with hypomobility on sacroiliac joint is not only regain mobility on sacroiliac joint but also increase in balance ability and walking speed.