• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags in stroke patients in order to provide the quantitative data for enhancement of gait movement. Method: Twelve stroke patients, who have been diagnosed with hemiplegia over a year ago, were participated in this study. All subjects were asked to perform normal walking [N], wrist sandbag walking [W], wrist & trunk sandbag walking [WT], and both wrist sandbag walking [B] and both wrist & trunk sandbag walking [BT], respectively. Eight infrared cameras were used to collect the raw data. Gait parameters, arm swing, shoulder-pelvic kinematics, and lower extremity joint angle were calculated to examine the differences during walking. Results: As a result, there were no significant differences in the gait parameters, shoulder-pelvis, and lower extremities joint angles, but significant differences were found in the range of motion and the anteversion in arm swing. Conclusion: Wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags affected the movement of the upper extremities only while it did not affect the movement of the lower extremities. It implies that it can reduce the risk of falling caused by a sudden movement change in lower extremities. In addition, the wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags can induce changes in movement of the upper extremities independently and contribute to functional rehabilitation through resistance training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vibration exercise on balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly. Methods: A total of 24 elderly subjects were recruited and randomized into an experimental (n = 12) or a control (n = 12) group. The experimental group performed both a vibration and a stabilization exercise, and the control group performed a stabilization exercise alone. Balance ability was measured using the functional reach test (FRT), gait ability was measured using the timed up and go test (TUGT), and depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The experimental and control groups showed significant differences for all pre- and post-experiment FRT, TUGT, and CES-D measurements (p <0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which vibration exercise was applied showed more significant difference in FRT, TUGT, and CES-D than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study showed vibration exercise to be effective in balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2015

Objective: This study focused on subacute stroke patients who were asked to kick a ball while walking on a treadmill. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with ball-kicking on muscle strength, balance, and gait. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty stroke patients who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to either the BWSTT combined with ball-kicking (BWSTT-BK; 10 participants) group or the BWSTT group (10 participants). Participants in the BWSTTBK group performed treadmill walking combined with simultaneous ball-kicking for 30 minutes daily for 5 weeks. Participants from the BWSTT group performed only treadmill walking. The muscular strength, balance, and gait ability were measured before and after the 5-week training. To assess for muscular strength, a digital muscle tester was used to measure hip flexor, knee extensor, and dorsiflexor strength. To assess for balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) was used. To assess for gait, the 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) was used. Results: The BWSTT-BK group showed significantly improved muscular strength, balance, and gait according to BBS, TUG, 10MWT, FGA, and digital muscle testing scores compared to the BWSTT group (p<0.05). In addition, within-group comparison showed significant improvement in all variables (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that BWSTT-BK results in more favourable outcomes for stroke patients. Therefore, BWSTT-BK may be useful for the recovery of gait ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if auditory cues velocity has a greater effect on the gait pattern of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) than the cues applied individually. METHODS: The subjects were 15 elderly patients diagnosed with PD, 15 healthy elderly persons. Patients were measured of three conditions performed in random order: slow, general, fast. The auditory cue velocity consisted of a metronome beat ${\pm}20%$ than the subject's general gait speed. Using a motion analysis and a force platform measurement system, changes in spatiotemporal variables, kinetic and kinematic variables were compared to gait analysis. RESULTS: Comparison between the auditory cues velocity, there was a significant difference in the spatiotemporal variables with regard to the cadence, stride length, support time, step length, double support time (p<.05). Comparison between the auditory cues velocity, there was a significant increase general and fast velocity gait than slow velocity gait in the maximum flexion in swing phase of knee joint (p<.05). There appears to be the aspect of an increasing ground reaction force (GRF) on the first peak in the vertical axis (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Auditory cues velocity improved of spatio-temporal factors, kinematic and kinetic factors depending on the velocity of the faster. Therefore at the rehabilitation training of PD patients auditory cues velocity would be used for recovery and gait reeducation, may arise through the patients functional ability.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Objectives : The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of Combined Korean Medicine treatment on a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance. Methods : A 56-year-old, female patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance was treated by Korean Medicine including acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine. The effect of the treatment was evaluated by Manual Muscle Test(MMT), Modified Rankin Scale(MRS), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index(K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by 10m walk test, Timed Up&Go Test(TUG), Functional Ambulatory Category(FAC), GAITRite and Symmetry Criterion(SC). Results : After treatment, MMT, MRS, K-MBI, gait parameters and gait symmetry were improved. Conclusions : This study suggests that Combined Korean Medicine treatment might be effective for a intracerebral hemorrhage patient with hemiplegia and gait disturbance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2019

Background: After stroke, in order to improve gait function, it is necessary to increase the muscle strength and to enhance the propriocetive function of the lower extremity. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) versus closed kinetic chain (CKC) isokinetic exercise of the hemiparetic knee using the isokinetic equipment on lower extremity sensorimotor function and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty participants with chronic hemiplegia (> 6 months post-stroke) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: CKC group and OKC group. Patients from both groups attended conventional physiotherapy sessions 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Additionally, subjects from the CKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the CKC attachment, while those from the OKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the OKC attachment. The isokinetic knee and ankle muscles strength, position sense of the knee joint, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured before and after interventions. Results: The knee muscles peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) and hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio significantly increased in both groups (p<.01). In particular, ankle plantarflexors PT/BW, position sense of the knee, gait velocity, and spatial gait symmetry significantly improved in the CKC group (p<.01, p<.05, p<.01, and p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: CKC isokinetic exercise can be an effective therapeutic intervention for the improvement of sensorimotor function of the lower extremity and gait functions, such as gait velocity and symmetry. CKC position in isokinetic strength training is effective to improve functional ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of dual-task action observation training (AOT) and single-task AOT related with daily living task on walking ability and ADL performance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven chronic stroke subjects were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to three task categorieds as follows: whole dual-task AOT or partial dual-task AOT or single-task AOT rehabilitation. Whole dual-task AOT observed the movement at once and partial dual-task AOT observed the movement divided into 4 parts related functional gait and activities of daily living task for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Single-task AOT observed the movement related functional gait for 2 minutes 30 seconds. Both groups had physical training session for 12 minutes 30 seconds. The study was conducted for four weeks, with three training sessions a week, for twelve weeks. All subjects were evaluated for their walking ability and activities of daily living through devices, 10m walking test (10MWT), dynamic gait index (DGI), and Korea-Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). RESULTS: A significant improvement of walking ability and ADL performance happened among dual-task AOT subjects, compared with a single-task AOT subjects, during the 4-weeks course treatment. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences in 10MWT (p<0.05) and DGI (p<0.05), and K-MBI (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that dual-task AOT has a positive additional impact on recovery of walking ability and ADL performance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2009

Background: This study had been carried out with 20 elderly subjects as its object for about one month from November 3, 2008 to December 14, 2008 in order to observe the effect of Underwater Treadmill on the elderly's walking and balance ability. Methods: Subjects were assigned either experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10), experimental group received Underwater Treadmill program (30 min per course, 3days a week for 6weeks). Subjects were assessed for muscle power (Nicolas Manual Muscle Test), balance (Functional Reach Test), gait ability (Time Up and Go, 10M walking test) before experiments and after experiments. Results: The results of this study were as follows; 1. After underwater treadmill exercise, the change of isometric contraction indicated a beneficial increase on lower extremity muscle power of experimental group and functional test of balance function; FRT, TUG indicated beneficial difference between groups. 2. beneficial difference between groups in walking speed of hourly index change of walking function. 3. between muscle power and balance, gait ability, we could find out there's high correlation ship between lower extremity muscle power increasing and balance and gait ability of the elderly. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise using underwater treadmill effects on muscle power strengthening of the elderly, and because of this, increase of lower extremity muscle power is very helpful not only to improvement of balance ability, but also to improvement of gait ability, so it will be used as a physical therapy program on clinic and used as an exercise program for protecting the elderly from falling down very well.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.407-415
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study is to examine the effects of different types of tasks on gait functions of chronic stroke patients when different types of dual tasks were applied while the patients were implementing practical and continuous circuit tasks using their upper and lower extremities circulating many workbenches. METHODS: Forty-four chronic stroke patients were divided into a dual motor circuit task training group, a dual cognitive circuit task training group and a simple task training group. Before training, all the patients were identically encouraged to receive conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes by a physical therapist were thereafter made to train for 30 minutes, five times a week for a total of eight weeks with individual additional tasks. The dual motor circuit task training consisted of continuous circuit training motor tasks and additional motor tasks and the dual cognitive circuit task training consisted of tasks combining the same circuit training motor tasks and additional cognitive tasks. The simple task training consisted of natural walks on a flat terrain to the front, rear and lateral sides of the terrain. Changes in functional gait abilities made through the training were evaluated using GAITRite. SPSS Win 12.0 was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: As for the gait variables that showed significant differences in comparison between the groups over the training period, the dual motor circuit task training group showed more significant differences than the dual cognitive circuit task training group and the simple task training group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, it could be seen that the practical and continuous dual circuit task training was more effective than simple task training on gait. In comparison between the types of dual tasks, the dual motor circuit task training group showed more effects than the dual cognitive circuit task training group.