• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the blocked practice and random practice of task-oriented training in patients with chronic stroke to determine the effect of lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability. Methods: The thirty participants were randomly assigned to either the block practice group (BP) group or the random practice group (RP) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. Surface electromyography was used for measurement of lower extremity muscle activity. Static balance was to measured the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI) using the Tetrax. The four square step test (FSST) was used to measure dynamic balance. The paired t-test was used for determination of differences before and after intervention, and the independent t-test was used for determination of differences between groups. Results: Lower extremity muscle activity, RA and GCM was improved in the RP group after intervention and between groups. TA was significantly improved in the RP group compared with the BP group. In comparison of before and after interventions, SI was reduced in BP and RP. WDI in OS was reduced in comparison of BP and RP before and after intervention. CS was reduced in BP and RP. The OS and CS was improved in RP compared with BP. In comparison of before and after intervention, FSST was improved in BP and RP. Conclusion: Task-oriented training methods using random practice was found to be effective in promoting lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) on balance ability in poststroke hemiparetic subjects. Methods : The subjects of this study were 12 patients with hemiplegia who volunteered to participate in the experiment which was carried out over the course of 4 weeks. The Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is applied to group with three positions (sidelying, half-standing, modified plantigrade). The tests between before and after the intervention were measured by FSST (Four Square Step Test), FICSIT-4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques), BBS(Berg Balance Scale). The data were analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test to determine the statistical significance. Results : The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. After intervention, the score of BBS and FICSIT-4 significantly were increased compared with before intervention. 2. After intervention, the time of FSST were reduced significantly compared with before intervention. Conclusions : According to above results, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation improved with balance ability of patients with hemiplegia. This study provided basic data for effects Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation on balance ability. In conclusion, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with other interventions is effective way to improve balance ability of patients with hemiplegia.