• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.198-201
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• 2012

Purpose: We investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of water-based exercise (WE) program on respiratory functions for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP were randomly assigned, to either the experimental group (EG, n=7), or the control group (CG, n=7). Respiratory function was measured by a spirometer, a CardioTouch 3000S ( Bionet, Seoul, Korea) at a chair-sitting posture. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured. The intervention program will last 8 weeks, with three 40 minutes sessions per week (24 training session). The usual care and the addition of a WE program, were compared in the CG and EG, respectively. Results: The EG showed a significant increase in the FVC, FEV1, PEF after training (p<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the CP after training. In the EG, FVC increased significantly, compared to the control group (p<0.05), but not FEV and PEF. Conclusion: These findings suggest that WE program have an effect on the respiratory function in children with spastic diplegic CP.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quality of life (QoL) of the caregiver and disease severity with motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Research data were collected in the Rehabilitation Clinic of Daegu University. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and the functional independence measure (FIM) were used for assessment by three occupational therapists, and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) were applied to the caregivers. One hundred six caregivers of under 18 years who were diagnosed with CP completed a survey and interview. The caregivers' QoL was evaluated using Medical Outcomes Study SF-36. The children's motor function was scored using GMFM-88 in five dimensions: lying and rolling; sitting; crawling and kneeling; standing and walking, running and jumping and CP's FIM scores. Results: Out of the 8 domains of the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, the "physical functioning", "physical role functioning", "mental health", and "bodily pain" domains were significantly correlated to "total" percentage scores of the GMFM-88 (p<0.05). In addition, the "mental health" domain was correlated to each subdomain of the GMFM-88, which includes, "lying and rolling", and "crawling and kneeling". Similarly, of Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, "physical functioning", "bodily pain", and "mental health" domains were significantly correlated with "transfer" and "locomotion" of FIM scores (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that the QoL of the caregivers were well correlated with the motor function of children with CP. It is also important to support not only physical health but also psychological health of caregivers of children with CP, especially those with severe motor function.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.58-65
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• 2017

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired postural control, but critically require the control of stability. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for enhancing postural control in children with CP have undergone extensive research. One intervention is sensorimotor training (SMT) using a Flexi-bar, but this has not previously been studied with respect to targeting trunk control in children with CP. Objects: This study was conducted to determine the effect of SMT using a Flexi-bar on postural balance and gait performance in children with CP. Methods: Three children with ambulatory spastic diplegia (SD) participated in the SMT program by using a Flexi-bar for forty minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale (PBS), trunk control movement scale (TCMS), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), and 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. Results: The SMT provided no statistically significant improvement in PBS, TCMS, 10MWT, or 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. However, positive changes were observed in individual outcomes, as balance and trunk control movement were improved. Conclusion: SMT using a Flexi-bar may be considered by clinicians as a potential intervention for increasing postural balance and performance in children with SD. Future studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of Flexi-bar exercise in improving the functional activity of subjects with SD.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.103-116
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• 2008

Cerebral palsy children represent abnormal vocalization pattern caused by respiration problem and paralyzed oral motor muscle that are the basics of speech production. Thus, this study examined the effect of respiration and articulator training programs on the basic ability of speech production in CP children. The subjects of this study were 4 children with 3 of spastic CP and 1 of ataxia CP. The respiration and articulator program was conducted in 30 sessions for 30 minutes each. Pre-test was administered twice before the program, ongoing test was administered every 5 session during the period of experiment, and post-test was administered twice. The program included speech production such as respiration training, lips, jaw, cheek, and tongue exercise, and velopharyngeal training, and related articulator training. The following results were obtained. First, all subject children were less than 5 seconds in maximum phonation time before the experiment and 2 were improved by more than 4$\sim$5 seconds during the experiment, but 2 had relatively low rising width. Second, while children with less than 30dB before the experiment became bigger in strength during the experiment, children with more than 35dB before the experiment showed a minor change. Subject child 4 had lower vocal strength in the post-test period. Finally, although each subject had individual difference in syllable diadochokinetic ability, the function was improved and the number of repetition in one respiration was also increased.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2019

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of comprehensive art therapy on physical function and activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods : Ten ambulant children with diplegic (n=8) or hemiplegic (n=2) CP participated in this study. All were randomly assigned to either the art therapy group (n=5) or the control group (n=5). Both groups received physical therapy based on neurodevelopmental techniques for 20 minutes a day, 1 day a week, for a period of 12 weeks. Children in the art therapy group received additional comprehensive art therapy for 70 minutes once a week for 3 months. Tests for various measurements-Motricity Index (MI) for strength, Trunk Control Test (TCT) for trunk ability, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) for gross motor function, Denver Developmental Screening Test-II (DDST-II) for developmental milestones, Functional Independence Measure of Children (WeeFIM) for abilities to complete daily activities, Leg and Hand Ability Test (LHAT) for limb function-were performed before and after treatments. Results : The upper extremity and whole extremity strengths of MI, self-care and total scores of WeeFIM, and leg and arm functions of LHAT improved significantly only for individuals in the art therapy group after the art therapy (p<.05). The value of MI after treatment was at the upper extremity and whole extremity strengths the leg function of LHAT was also significantly improved compared to the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : This study revealed that comprehensive art therapy along with physiotherapy was effective in increasing upper extremity strength and leg ability in children with CP. This suggests that comprehensive art therapy may be a useful adjunctive therapy for children with CP.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.122-131
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• 2019

The majority of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have feeding difficulties and are especially prone to malnutrition. The early involvement of a multidisciplinary team should aim to prevent malnutrition and provide adequate nutritional support. Thorough nutritional assessment, including body composition, should be a prerequisite for the nutritional intervention. As in typically-developed children nutritional support should start with dietary advice and the modification of oral feeding, if safe and acceptable. However, for prolonged feeding, in the presence of unsafe swallowing and inadequate oral intake, enteral nutrition should be promptly initiated and early gastrostomy placement should be evaluated and discussed with parents/caregivers. Gastrointestinal problems (oropharyngeal dysfunction, gastroesophageal disease, and constipation) in children with CP are frequent and should be actively detected and adequately treated as they can further worsen the feeding process and nutritional status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.391-398
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of gluteal taping on posture and balance during standing in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects of this study were 13 children (six females, seven males; mean aged 8.5) with hemiplegic CP who were gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level I. The change of posture and balance during standing before and after gluteal taping were measured using inclinometer, gross motor function measure, and functional reaching test. The collected data were analyzed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows : 1) There were statistically significant decrease in the ant. tilt angle of pelvis after gluteal taping in children with hemiplegic CP (p<.05). 2) There were statistically significant increase in functional reaching test after gluteal taping (p<.05). 3) There was no statistically significant difference in gross motor function measure, but significant increase in one leg standing was observed (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As the above results, we suggest that gluteal taping could be effective on improving body alignment and dynamic balance ability during standing in children with hemiplegic CP. Further studies will be required for the short and long term effects of gluteal taping on improving postural symmetry and balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale were used to assess balance function in patients with balance problem. These multidimensional clinical balance scales provide information about potential risk factors for falls. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of the PBS and FAB scales relative to fall risk in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Methods: In total, 49 children with CP (boy=21, girl=28) who were diagnosed with level 1 or 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this study. The PBS and FAB were performed, and verified cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity, and the area of under the curve (AUC). Results: In this study, the PBS scale was as a predictive measure of fall risk, but the FAB was not significant in children with CP. A cut-off score of 45.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .69 on the PBS, and a cut-off score of 21.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .62 on the FAB. Both scales showed moderately accurate of AUC with .79 and .76, respectively. Conclusion: The PBS is a useful screening tool for predicting fall risk in children with cerebral palsy, and those who score 45.5 or lower indicate a high risk for falls and are in need of balance intervention.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.16-23
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• 2012

This study examined the effects of custom-made foot orthotics on the temporal-spatial gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. Twenty spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (spastic CP) children (11 boys and 9 girls) participated in this study. GAITRite was used to examine the velocity, cadence, step length differential, step length, stride length, stance time, single support time, double support time, base of support, and toe angle while walking with and without foot orthotics. The differences in temporal-spatial parameters were analyzed using paired t-test. The significance level was set at .05. The velocity, cadence, both step lengths, both stride lengths, both bases of support and right toe angle significantly increased when the children with spastic CP with foot orthotics compared to without foot orthotics (p<.05). The step length differential between the two extremities, left stance time and left single support time, significantly decreased with foot orthotics (p<.05). Right stance time, right single support time, both double support times and left toe angle showed little change (p>.05). This study demonstrated that foot orthotics were beneficial for children with spastic CP as a gait assistance tool.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2017

Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) was developed to assess of balance ability in children with balance problem. The PBS was translated into Korean and its reliability had been studied. However, it had need to be verified using psychometric characteristics including item fit and rating scale. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the item fit, item difficulty, and rating scale of the Korean version of PBS using Rasch analysis. Methods: In total, 40 children with cerebral palsy (CP) (boy=17, girl=23) who were diagnosed with level 1 or 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this study. The PBS was performed, and was verified regarding the item fit, item difficulty, rating scale, and separation index and reliability using Rasch analysis. Results: In this study, the 'transfer', and 'turning to look behind left and right shoulders while standing still' item showed misfit statistics. in total 40 children with CP. Also, 'transfer', 'standing unsupported with feet together' and 'standing with one foot in front' items showed misfit statistics in diplegia CP group. Regardless of the classification of CP, the most difficult item was 'standing on one foot', whereas the easiest item was 'sitting with back unsupported and feet supported on the floor'. The 4 rating scale categories of PBS were acceptable with all criteria. Both item and person separation indices and reliability showed acceptable values. Conclusion: The PBS has been proven reliable, valid and is an appropriate tool, but it needs to modify the items of PBS according to CP classification.