• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the dynamic peak plantar pressure under the foot areas in those with a functional leg length inequality. Methods: The dynamic peak plantar pressure under the foot areas in an experimental group with a functional leg length inequality (n=20) and a control group (n=20) was assessed a using the Mat-Scan system (Tekscan, USA). The peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3-4th and 5th metatarsal head (MTH), mid foot, and heel was measured while the subject was walking on the Mat-Scan system. Results: The experimental group had significantly higher peak plantar pressure under all foot areas when the dynamic peak plantar pressure in the short leg and long leg sides was compared. The control group had a significantly higher peak plantar pressure under the 1st, 2nd, 3-4th, and 5th MTH when the dynamic peak plantar pressure in the short leg and long leg sides were compared. The experimental group showed a significantly larger difference in the dynamic peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3-4th and 5th MTH, mid foot and heel than the control group. Conclusion: A functional leg length inequality leads to an increase in the weight distribution and dynamic peak plantar pressure in the side of the short leg.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foot reflexzone massage on state - anxiety and discomfort of ovarian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Method: A quasi experimental design with a non equivalent control group and non synchronized design was used. The experiment was conducted from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004. The subjects consisted of 40 patients admitted to C University Hospital. Twenty subjects were assigned to the experimental group and received foot reflexzone massage everyday for 3 days. The other 20 subjects were in the control group and received routine care. Foot reflexzone massage was done on both feet of the subjects for 30 minutes for 3 days using standard protocol. The 'State-Anxiety Inventory' developed by Spielberger was used to measure the degree of state-anxiety. Discomfort was assessed using the 'Symptom Distress Scale' of McCorkle and Young. Data was analyzed by a SAS program using t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank sum test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: State-anxiety and discomfort of subjects receiving foot reflexzone massage were significantly lower than those of the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that foot reflexzone massage could be an effective nursing intervention for relieving state-anxiety and discomfort in ovarian cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 16-week upright body exercise program on body balance and plantar pressure balance in elderly women. Method: The subjects included elderly women in B Metropolitan city who participated in an upright body exercise program twice weekly for 16 weeks. The subjects' physical characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI]), posture balance, and foot plantar pressure were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The upright body exercise program showed positive changes in posture balance and foot plantar pressure balance in seven elderly women. Conclusion: The second version of the upright body exercise program improved and may prevent postural imbalance in elderly women. This program could be utilized to improve posture and foot balance in elderly persons.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.159-163
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• 2017

Objective: Persons with stroke have a tendency to exhibit asymmetric weight-bearing during sit-to-stand because due to the attempt to support themselves with the non-paretic foot. However, there are few devices that can assist with sit-to-stand (STS) performance. This study was designed to investigate the use of the elastic band with rings (EBR) in improving weight-bearing effectively in persons with stroke during STS training. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen stroke survivors participated in the study. An EBR was applied onto the patient during STS activity. The foot pressure was measured before and after wearing the EBR, with a 5-minute rest period between measurements. Subjects were asked to perform each test twice with and without the EBR. Bilateral feet pressures were measured with standing posture being divided into the forward and backward aspects. The foot contact pressure during STS activity was measured with the CONFORMat System. Results: With EBR, the forward pressure of the affected foot significantly increased while the less-affected forward foot pressure significantly decreased (p=0.015 and p=0.023, respectively). The backward foot pressure did not differ significantly in the two limbs, and there was no difference with and without the EBR in terms of the total pressure of the affected foot. There was a significant difference with and without the EBR in the total pressure of the less-affected foot (p<0.05). Conclusions: STS training with the EBR has been shown to improve weight-bearing of both feet while decreasing the total pressure of the less-affected foot in stroke survivors. Therefore, we suggest that the EBR is a useful tool for STS training for persons with stroke in the clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pressure distribution on the both foots with gluteus medius muscle intensive strengthening exercise in 4week. Methods: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of gluteus medius muscles strengthening exercise on the pressure distribution of the foot in 20 healthy adults. Four gluteus medius muscles strengthening exercise programs were conducted three times a week for four weeks. The pressure distribution changed of the right and left foot parts of the experimental group and the control group were measured and analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in F1, F2, M1, M2, and H1 among the pressure distribution of the right foot of the experimental group (p<.05). There was a significant difference in F1, M1, M2, H1 and H2 among the pressure distributions of the left foot of the experimental group (p<.05). There was a significant difference in H1 among the pressure distribution of the right foot of the control group (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the pressure distribution of the left foot region of the control group (p>.05). There was a significant difference in H1 among the pressure distribution of the right foot between the group (p<.05). There was a significant difference in M2, H1 among the pressure distribution of the left foot between the group (p<.05). Conclusions: In the healthy adults, it was confirmed that the application of the gluteus medius muscles strengthening exercise had an effect on the weight shift during the walking due to the overall foot balance and the pressure distribution change of the foot part.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of foot angles on plantar pressure and the center of pressure (COP) trajectory length during level walking. Methods: The study subjects were 30 female university students without orthopedic diseases in the foot. The foot angle was divided into three forms (out-toeing, normal, in-toeing). The subjects practiced each type of gait, and then performed each of level walking, three times, and their averages were calculated. A plantar pressure measurement instrument was used, and the maximum force was obtained by dividing the foot into nine regions covering the anterior medial-lateral, middle medial-lateral, and posterior medial-lateral. The COP trajectory length was statistically processed by obtaining medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and entire travel distance. Results: During normal walking, the maximum force was significantly higher in the anterior lateral than in the other areas, and the COP trajectory length was significantly shorter in the front-back and entire travel distances (p<0.05). During stair climbing. Conclusion: Walking at abnormal foot angles does not cause appreciable problems in the short term as pressure is concentrated on a specific plantar part. However, it becomes the cause of deformed foot structures and can result in musculoskeletal disabilities in the long term. Therefore, a kinesiatrics-based intervention is required to maintain normal foot angles.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to analyze the trend of foot reflexology research in nursing in Korea. Method: Of studies published in nursing literature between January 1990 and August 2007. The 74 articles were analyzed according to the published year and journal, type of research and study design, subject, and the outcome variables of interventions. Result: Prevailing research designs were experimental research (nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design). Prevailing characteristics of subjects were patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hemodialysis, cancer and others disease (osteoarthritis, cerebral vascular accident, pneumoconiosis). The most frequently performed intervention was Foot-Reflexo-Massage (FRM). The most frequently used outcome variables were fatigue and sleep. The effect of foot reflexology was inconclusive. Conclusion: The finding suggests that a robust research design in foot reflexology research is needed to accumulate a strong scientific evidence and to adopt nursing intervention from the foot reflexology modalities. Meta analysis of foot reflexology research should be done to analyze and integrate the results of various studies.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.411-420
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• 2011

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether correlations exist between balance and impact velocity, angular position, and maximum velocity of a club during drive swing. Twelve skilled golfers were recruited in this study. They were asked to perform ten swing trials and two trials were selected for analysis. Balance parameters were calculated via the force platform while kinematic variables were determined by using the Qualisys system. The results of the present study demonstrated that the average of COP velocity was faster in the medio-lateral direction rather than the anterio-posterior direction. Also, left foot's COP velocity and free torque were greater than the right foot's before impact. The range of the right foot's COP in the anterio-posterior direction before impact were correlated with the club velocity and angular position at impact. There was a negative correlation between the left foot's COP velocity before the impact and the velocity at impact. Additionally, the range and RMS of the left foot's free torque affected on the club angular position at impact and the maximum velocity at release, respectively. Finally, a negative correlation existed between the range of the right foot's free torque after the impact and club's maximum velocity at release.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2007

Purpose: This study examined the effects of foot-reflexology massage on body weight, lower extremity edema, and serum lipids in postpartum women. Method: This study was a nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design. Postpartum women were assigned to the experimental group (n=16) or a control group (n=15). Foot reflexology massage was applied 5 times a week, for a total of 2 weeks to the experimental group. The tool for measuring lower extremity edema was the girth of the thigh, and the calf. The measuring tool for serum lipids was total cholesterol and TG in blood serum by clinical process. Data was analyzed by $x^2$-test, t-test, and paired t-test, ANOVA using SPSS/Win PC 14.0. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in levels of TG in blood serum in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Foot reflexology massage is a useful nursing intervention that decreases serum lipids level in postpartum women. Therefore foot reflexology massage is recommended as a nursing intervention strategy for serum lipids reduction in postpartum women.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of foot reflexology on arthralgia, ankylosis, depression and sleep in community-dwelling elderly women with osteoarthritis. Methods: The research adopted a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Participants were 47 elderly women: 22 in the experimental group and 25 in the control group. The experimental group received foot reflexology twice a week for 4 weeks. The results were analyzed using $x^2$-test, t-test, and ANCOVA with the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: The results showed that foot reflexology was statistically significantly effective in reducing arthralgia, ankylosis, and depression and in improving the quality of sleep as evidenced by differences between two groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that foot reflexology is an effective nursing intervention in reducing arthralgia, ankylosis, and depression, and improving the quality of sleep. Therefore, it is necessary to develop foot reflexology as an independent nursing intervention for elderly women with osteoarthritis in community.