• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of BeHaS exercise program on pain, balance, and falling efficacy in elderly with osteoarthritis. Method: A convenience sample of 52 elderly people with osteoarthritis who lived in C city were recruited through the public health center. For this quasi-experimental study design, 31 of the elders were assigned to the experimental group which received the BeHaS exercise program twice week for eight weeks, and 24 were assigned for the control group (no intervention). Outcome measures were numeric pain scale, standing on one leg for balance, fall efficacy scale. Analysis was performed with SPSS version 12.0 program. Results: Pain was decreased significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group, Balance and fall efficacy were improved significantly in the experimental group as compared to the control group. Conclusion: The BeHaS exercise program can be effective in improving pain, balance, and fall efficacy in elders with osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined whether various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball in the standing position could improve balance, muscle strength, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, each with seven participants. For four weeks, experimental group 1 performed various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball, while experimental group 2 executed the same exercises without a Swiss ball, and the control group underwent general physical therapy. The subjects' knee extensor muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were evaluated before and after the intervention using portable muscle strength measurement, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), G-walk, and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES). Results: Knee extensor strength increased significantly in all three groups after the intervention; in particular, a significant increase was seen in experimental groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group. Moreover, all three groups had significantly better BBS scores and higher cadence after the intervention; notably, experimental group 1 had better scores and increased cadence than the control group. Additionally, gait speed was significantly increased in the experimental group 1 than in the control group. The step length of the non-affected leg was also significantly higher in the same group. The K-FES score improved significantly in all three groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that lower extremity exercises with or without a Swiss ball could be effective interventions to improve muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of falls and identify risk factors associated with falls. Methods: The participants were 233 community-dwelling elderly people in two cities. Data were collected by interviewing the elderly with structured questionnaires from May to June, 2012. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: Age, educational level, living arrangement, health status, the use of assistive devices, the number of medication, hypertension, arthralgia, dizziness, fall efficacy, fear of falling, activity of daily living, and quality of life were significant associated with fall experience. Through multiple logistic regression analysis, arthralgia, dizziness, fall efficacy, and fear of falling were identified as significant predictors of falls. Conclusion: It is important to identify the risk factors for falls among the elderly living in community. Fall prevention interventions should be multifactorial, especially for the elderly who were identified as the high risk group.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.333-343
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that affect the fall prevention awareness of care-givers working at long-term care hospitals. A convenience sampling method was used to select care-givers who worked at 7 different long term care hospitals which were located in D city and N city. Data were collected from July 2014 to August 2014. 200 data were used for analysis out of 215 data which were collected. The hierarchical regression analysis reveals the following results: Firstly, the effects of care-givers' education level, certificate status, period of work experience and fall-related learning hours on their fall prevention awareness level were statistically significant. Secondly, among fall prevention health beliefs, perceived benefit, perceived disability, perceived sensitivity and self-efficacy were positively related to the level of fall prevention awareness. Thirdly, while such factors as perceived benefit, perceived sensitivity and self-efficacy showed positive effects on the fall prevention awareness, the period of work experience had negative effects. The regression model shows the power of explanation of 31.7 percents. In conclusion, the study suggests a fine-tuned program to improve care-givers' fall prevention awareness in a way of promoting fall prevention self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived sensitivity while considering the care-givers' period of work experience.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.62-76
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• 2003

This study was a quasi-experimental study of non-equivalent control group pretest and posttest design. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Tai Chi exercise program on physical functions, psychological functions, and fall among the fall-prone elderly. The data were collected from September 19, 2001 to January 31, 2002. The study, conducted at two facilities located in Kwang-ju, was targeted to the ambulatory aged 60 years or older who had at least one of the key fall risk factors. Experimental group participated in Tai Chi exercise for 40 minutes per one time and three times a week for 12weeks at an auditorium. Fifty nine fall-prone elderly were assigned to 12-week Tai Chi exercise program (n=29) and control group (n=30). They underwent tests of lower muscle strength, time for chair stand, balance, flexibility, depression, falls efficacy, fear of falling, and numbers of fall at the baseline and at the 12th week. Numbers of fall and fall injuries were monitored for 16 weeks(12-weeks intervention plus 4-week follow-up periods) using fall calendar. Each participant was given a calendar to record the numbers of fall per day for a month. The calendars were collected at the last week of each month. 1. Tai Chi exercisers showed significant improvement in the strength of knee flexors, and ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors compared to the control group. The experimental group had improvement in the strength of knee extensors while the control group did not, with no statistical significance. 2. Tai Chi exercisers reported positive change in the average time of chair stand as compared to the control group. 3. Tai Chi exercisers had significant improvement in flexibility as compared to the control group. 4. There was no significant difference in the depression between the two groups, even though the Tai Chi exercisers maintained depression score in the same level while the others were increased. 5. Tai Chi exercisers showed significant improvements in the falls efficacy as compared to the control group. The falls efficacy was significantly improved among the experimental group while the opposite was identified among the control group. 6. The experimental group reported the significant reduction of the fear of fall, whereas control group reported the opposite. 7. Of the 59 subjects for 16weeks(12weeks intervention period and 4weeks follow up), 9 (31.0%) of the 29 in exercise group and 15 (50%) of the 30 in the control group fell (relative risk=0.62. 95% CI 0.32-1.19), even with no statistical difference. The results suggest that the Tai Chi exercise program can improve the strength of knee flexors, ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors, chair stand. flexibility, falls efficacy, and fear of falling for the fall-prone elderly.

• 한국노년학
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.1107-1116
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• 2010

The elderly people with advancing years have many problems such as the decline of the proprioceptive, visual & vestibular function and muscle weakness. Furthermore the decrease of the reflex which influences the balance ability in sudden change of the movement could cause the falls. The difficulty of the balance caused by the fear releated to the fall aggravates the Falls Efficacy and causes a lot of the disability of the independent activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was the effect of a Virtual Reality Program on Static Balance control and Fall efficacy of Elderly people. 14 elderly people(subjects) who were ≥65years of age partiripated in this study and they were divided into VR(Virtual Reality) group(n=7) and Control group (n=7). VR group took the general physical therapy & IREX and only the general physical therapy was carried out in the control group. VR group of intervention was carried out for 30min. total 8times. They were evaluated by BIO-Rescue, Fall Efficacy Scale before and after treatment. The Static Balance control and Fall efficacy were assessed by Bio-Rescue & Falls Efficacy Scale. The analysis of the resulf was assessed by Wilcoxon signed test & Mann-Whitney U test. The result showed that the static balance of VR group with the open eyes was improved in a static balance test and range of the movement was increased in limited of stability. And Falls Efficacy was also efficacious. IREX was effective to static balance control and Falls Efficacy of the elderly When we think about these effects, various treatments and objective assessments using VR program will be needed for the elderly

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.105-112
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of Interactive Metronome training on the plantar pressure and fall efficacy in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-two hemiplegic patients were allocated randomly to an experimental group and control group. The experimental group received conventional physical therapy and emphasized weight-bearing interactive metronome training, whereas the control group received conventional physical therapy. The training was performed three times per week, 40 minutes per each session, for a total of seven weeks. The plantar pressure was assessed using the contact area and contact pressure, whereas the fall efficacy was assessed using the FES (Fall Efficacy Scale), ABC (Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale) and FOFQ (Fear of Falling Questionnaire). RESULTS: After training, a significant increase was observed in the paretic side of the contact area and the paretic and non-paretic side of contact pressure in both groups (p<.05). The between-group differences in the changes before and after training were statistically significant in the paretic side of the contact pressure (p<.05). After training, both the FES of the between-group and ABC of the experimental group were increased significantly (p<.05), but the between-group differences in the changes before and after training were not statistically significant in the FES, ABC, and FOFQ (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Interactive Metronome training is considered an effective treatment for improving the contact pressure of the paretic side in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2007

Purpose : This article was a quasi-experimental study that applies to external -feedback weight-bearing training among hemiplegic patients with a stoke. Methods : It examined whether position sense and balance can improve fall efficacy and prevent a fall. The subject of study was divided in two; Experimental group had 18 people and control group had 16 people. It took 8 weeks to finish training. Experimental group provides external-feedback weight-bearing training for ten minutes after neurological treatment for 20 minutes and control group provides nerves treatment for 30 minutes. To find the effect of a fall assessed position sense, balance and fall efficacy of the lower limbs before the fact, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Results : According to the conclusions, external-feedback weight-bearing training to prevent a fall was more effective intervention in experimental group than in control group. Conclusion : This study suggests that external-feedback weight-bearing training is a intervention to prevent the fall of hemiplegic patients with a stroke effectively.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether virtual reality-based exercise could improve on balance, gait and fall efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods : Ten patients with Parkinson's disease were randomly divided into either an experimental or control group. The experimental subjects performed vertual reality-based exercise, whereas the control subjects performed conventional physical therapy for 4 weeks. The balance, gait and fall efficacy of all subjects were assessed by using the Measurement Training and Documentation (MTD) balance system, force platform system, Korean version of Berg Balance scale (K-BBS), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Korean version of Fall efficacy scale (K-FES) at pre training and post training. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze change before and after intervention in intra-group. Mann Whitney U test was used to analyze changes of all variables in inter-groups. Results : Subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvements in difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, antero-posterior and medio-lateral sway length, ground reaction force (GRF), 6MWT, and step length following training. The changes of difference of weight distribution, K-BBS scores, AP Sway Length, GRF, 6MWT, step length and K-FES scores in the experimental group were significantly more than them of the control group. Conclusion : The result of this study suggest that virtual reality-based exercise training is an intervention to improve on balance, gait, and falls efficacy in patients with Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a convergence approach, which applies both home environment modification applied with assistive technology and task-oriented intervention using a fall safety checklist, on the fall efficacy and activity level of stroke patients. 41 persons with stroke(21 experimental groups and 20 control groups) were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group was applied environmental modification and the task-oriented intervention using the fall safety checklist for 4 weeks. The control group was provided only the environmental modification. Before and after the intervention, the Korean Activity Card Sort (KACS) and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-Korean version (FES-K) were used for evaluation. There was no significant difference in fall efficacy and activity level change between the experimental group and the control group. Both the experimental group and the control group significantly improved the fall efficacy and activity level after the intervention. By applying the results of this study to the clinical field, it will be possible to support stroke patients to live safely and actively participate in the community.