• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine risk factors and methods in balance assessment associated with fall in older adults. Methods : This article describes many of the tools that can be used to evaluate the physical parameters associated with fall risk in older adults. Results : Composite ratings of performance(Tinetti balance assessment, Guralnik test battery, Berg balance scale, modified-physical performance test) measures the score compounding the balance measure to determine fall risk. Static balance instruments are composed of FICSIT-4 that measures the ability of maintaining foot positions and CTSIB that measures postural stability. Dynamic balance instrument is composed of functional reach test. To measure walking velocity and mobility, 8-foot up-and-go test and walking around two cones are used. We can use 1-RM and to measure muscular strength, isokinetic dynamometery, and 30-second chair stand to measure lower extremity muscle strength. Conclusion : The described instruments are easy to use and widespread. To select and use these tool kits carefully is considered to be helpful in identifying those who are most likely to fall. The final part of the article includes a brief discussion of the potential role of exercise training interventions to improve these physical parameters and prevent falls.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.378-382
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• 2012

The purpose of this study effectiveness of core strengthening exercise programs on symmetric double limb support and balance ability for elderly. The subjects that 30 persons between the ages of 65~80 elderly participated were divided into two groups randomly for 8 weeks. Tetrax interactive balance system and Berg's balance scale were used to assess support and stability. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate the changes before and after intervention. The difference between the groups was compared using an independent t-test. The experimental group showed significantly increase weight support, stability, balance(p<.05). However, the control group not showed significantly increase weight support, stability, balance(p>.05). In a variation, experimental and control groups showed significantly increased rate of weight support, stability, balance(p<.05). Consequently, core strengthening exercise program should be considered as a therapeutic method for the elderly to improve the balance ability and effectiveness on falls.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a visual feedbackbased balance training, using force platform biofeedback, on the postural balance of elderly faller. Methods: Fifty one community-dwelling older adults (aged 66-88 years) with a recent history of fall participated in the study. Participants were randomized to an experimental group (EG, n=25) and to a control group (CG, n=26). The EG participated in training sessions three times/week for 6 weeks. Visual feedbackbased balance training with the a computerized force platform with visual feedback screen was used in the experimental group. Static balance (center of gravity) and dynamic balance (Functional reach test, Timed "Up & Go" test, Berg balance scale) were assessed before and after end of training. Results: A significant improvement in static balance and dynamic balance were demonstrated within the EG (p<.05), but not in the CG. Conclusion: Visual feedback-based balance training may be an effective intervention to improve postural balance of elderly fallers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.9-16
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on static and dynamic balance performance with unstable supporting surface and an even surface. Methods : The subjects of this experimental study were 30 patients among hospitalized stroke patients. They were randomly divided into two groups: unstable supporting surface group(USS; n=15) and an even surface group(ES; n=15). The lumbar stabilization exercise program for patients in two groups went through 40 minute exercise sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. To analyze the effects of a variety of supporting surface, Functional reaching test(FRT), Berg's balance scale(BBS), and Overall stability index(static balance) were measured before and after the exercise. The paired t-test was used to compare mean differences between before and after exercis and the independent t-test was used to compare mean differences between groups. Results : After 8 weeks exercise program, there were significant differences between before and after exercise in FRT, BBS, and static balance. But there were not significant differences in balance between two groups. Conclusion : This study suggest that lumbar stabilization exercise on unstable supporting surface and an even surface can improve FRT, BBS, and a static balance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2012

Background: Hemiplegic patients have the problems of the balance and weight shifting to the affected leg in walking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback on balance and walking ability of the hemiplegic patients. Methods: Thirty hemiplegic patients were allocated in study group (n=15) or control group (n=15). General exercise and weight supporting exercise were conducted for the control group, and general exercises and unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback were conducted for the study group. Exercise were conducted three times a week for six weeks. Balance ability was measured by Berg Balance Scale (BBS), postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA). Walking ability was measured by time up and go test (TUG), 10m walk test (10mWT), and six minutes walk test (6MWT). Results: Balance and walking ability were significant increased in both group (p<.05). Balance and walking ability of the study group were more increased than that of the control group (p<.05). Conclusions: Unilateral stepping exercise combined with auditory feedback is more effective than weight supporting exercise to increase on balance and walking ability for the hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.61-71
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of whole body vibration exercise on balance, muscle strength and falls efficacy in the elderly. METHODS: In this blinded randomized allocation study, 27 elderly were assigned to a whole-body vibration exercise group (n=14), consisting of 25 min structured exercises for 2 days per week for 6 weeks and a control group (n=13) performing the same program without vibration. At baseline and after the 6-week intervention, balance was measured using the Korean version of the Berg balance scale (K-BBS), timed up and go (TUG) test and functional reach test (FRT). Muscle strength was determined using the 30-s chair stand test (CST). Fear of falling was assessed using the Korean version of falls efficacy scale (K-FES). Paired t-test and independent t-test were used for within and between group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: After the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly higher changes in all the parameters (K-BBS score, TUG test, CST, K-FES score) (p<.05) compared with the control group. However, there was no significant change in all parameters in the control group (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The whole-body vibration exercise program may be helpful to improve balance, mobility, muscle performance and fear of falling in the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how gait training with shoulder-back assistive device affects dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke and to help improve body alignment, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods: Measurements were taken of the 20 subjects before intervention without shoulder-back assistive device, after intervention with device, and follow up after an hour compared. Berg balance scale used to evaluate dynamic balance; wii balance board was used to measure static balance; and gait ability were measured by timed up and go test and 10-meter walk test. To analyze the results, a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was implemented to compare the measurements. Results: The results showed that, after wearing the shoulder-back assistive device, the subjects' dynamic balance statistically significantly improved; no statistically significant difference was observed in static balance, although their balance ability was enhanced; and their increase in gait ability was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study proved that gait training combined with a shoulder-back assistive device positively impacted dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.171-181
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curl-up and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercises on stroke patients' trunk muscle activity, ability to control the trunk, and balance by comparing two exercise methods. Methods : The study involved patients who had been diagnosed with stroke based on the results of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at O Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, between January and July 2020. In total, 30 subjects were selected and by flipping a coin, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) that performed PNF neck flexion exercises and a control group (n=15) that performed curl-up exercises. Both groups received traditional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day five times a week for a six-week period. In addition, the experimental group performed PNF neck flexion exercises and the control group curl-up exercises for 15 minutes a day five times a week over the same period. The subjects' muscle activity in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) were measured before and after the experiment. The subjects' trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were also assessed. Paired t test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change before and after intervention in both groups. An independent sample T test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change between the two groups. Results : Both groups experienced statistically significant increases in their RA, IO and EO muscle activity, total TIS scores, and total BBS scores after the intervention. No statistically significant differences in the changes before and after the intervention were found for any of the resulting values between the two groups. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of the study's results suggested that neck flexion exercises using the PNF irradiation concept and curl-up exercise are effective in increasing stroke patients' abdominal muscle activity and improving trunk control ability and balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.81-91
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• 2018

This study to investigate the effects of proprioceptive motor program on proprioceptive and balance ability for patients with chronic stroke. Twenty nine subjects were recruited by means of a convenience sampling from Gyeonggi-do B hospital. The subjects were divided into two group: a proprioceptive motor program and general physical therapy(n=15), general physical therapy(n=14). The stimulation and exercises were conducted for 30 min per day, three days, per week for six weeks. All participants were assessed before and after taping training using proprioceptive, berg balance scale(BBS), timed up and go test(TUG), and balance ability was measured using a BioRescue. After training, the change values of the proprioception and balance ability in experimental group were significantly greater than control group(p<0.05). This findings show that progressive and proprioceptive motor program training convergence can be effective for stroke patients proprioception and balance ability. Continued development of convergence interventions for chronic stroke patients with proprioception and balance ability in the practice are suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of task oriented circuit exercise(TOCE) on the balance and cognition in mild dementia patients. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 30 patients with mild dementia and assigned to the TOCE(task oriented circuit exercise) group(n=15) and aerobic exercise(AE) group(n=15). TOCE group performed six task three times weekly for 12 weeks. AE group underwent the cycle ergometer and treadmill exercise three times a week during the experimental period respectively. Timed up and go test(TUG), Berg balance scale(BBS) and AP1153 Biorescue were used to assess the parameters for the balance. Korean-mini mental state examination and Global deterioration scale(GDS) were used to assess the parameters for the cognition. For the statistical analysis, paired t-test and independent t-test were used to compare the differences among two groups. RESULTS: Each group showed improvement in balance and possibility for improving cognitive function. TOCE group especially, there were significant improvements in limit of stability. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that TOCE is a more diverse exercise programs introduced in the study. Furthermore, TOCE can be a helpful to improve the balance and cognition in mild dementia patients.