• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a visual feedbackbased balance training, using force platform biofeedback, on the postural balance of elderly faller. Methods: Fifty one community-dwelling older adults (aged 66-88 years) with a recent history of fall participated in the study. Participants were randomized to an experimental group (EG, n=25) and to a control group (CG, n=26). The EG participated in training sessions three times/week for 6 weeks. Visual feedbackbased balance training with the a computerized force platform with visual feedback screen was used in the experimental group. Static balance (center of gravity) and dynamic balance (Functional reach test, Timed "Up & Go" test, Berg balance scale) were assessed before and after end of training. Results: A significant improvement in static balance and dynamic balance were demonstrated within the EG (p<.05), but not in the CG. Conclusion: Visual feedback-based balance training may be an effective intervention to improve postural balance of elderly fallers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2023

Purpose: Recently, many studies on robotic rehabilitation have been conducted, but such studies on patients with ankle sprains are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of robot-assisted rehabilitation on the range of motion of the ankle and balance in patients with ankle sprain. METHODS: This study used the A-B-A' design and was conducted for a total of fifteen days. The subjects performed general physical therapy for five days each, during the baseline A and A' periods. In period B, robot rehabilitation was performed for five days, along with general physical therapy. The subjects were evaluated based on weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT), single leg stance (SLS), and functional reach test (FRT). RESULTS: The WBLT, STS, and FRT showed significant improvement in periods B and A' compared to period A, but there was no significant improvement in period A' compared to period B. Conclusion: This study confirmed that robot-assisted rehabilitation was an effective intervention for improving the function of patients with ankle sprain. In the future, a study with a control group comparison should be performed.

• 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.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.533-539
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• 2024

This study investigated the effects of two exercise programs, which include exercise methods to increase muscle strength, balance, and endurance, on the balance ability and fall efficacy of elderly people, and the differences in effects according to preference. Twenty-one elderly people were divided into a group using assistive devices using elastic bands (Experimental Group 1) and a group using the body (Experimental Group 2) and an exercise program was conducted for 4 weeks. The single leg stand (SLS) and functional reach test (FRT) were used to evaluate the elderly's balance ability, and the fall efficacy scale (FES) was used to evaluate the degree of fear of falling. A pre-evaluation was conducted after a 2-week integrated exercise program, and a post-evaluation was conducted after applying the exercise program for 4 weeks. In the study results, within-group SLS, FRT, and FES analyzes all showed statistically significant improvement in the post-assessment compared to the pre-assessment. However, there were no significant differences in the comparison between groups regarding exercise program and between groups according to preference. In conclusion, in order to increase the balance ability and fall efficacy of the elderly, an exercise program must be applied, and it is necessary to use a program that is easy to apply and includes exercise methods that the elderly can easily perform.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

Objective: To study the effects of gait training with additional weight and gait training with non-additional weight on balance ability and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke through comparative analysis. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: additional weight group (AWG, n=12), and non-additional weight group (NAWG, n=10). Both groups received general physical therapy for 30 min in 1 session, 5 sessions per week during 6 months. The AWG practiced gait training with additional weight of 0.1 and 0.5 kg for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months and the NAWG practiced gait training with non-additional weight for 20 min a day, 3 days per week for 6 months. Patients in both groups were instructed to walk as fast as they could along a 35 m long track (straight for 20 m and curved for 15 m). Patients walked with their hemiplegic side on the inside of the track while a physical therapist followed along to instruct patients to maintain a straight posture. Balance ability was tested with the Functional Reach Test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Berg Balance Scale, and gait ability was tested with GAITRite. The results of balance and gait ability were analyzed before and after interventions. Results: A significant increase in FRT, TUG, BBS was seen in both groups after intervention (p<0.05). A significant increase in gait ability was seen in the AWG after intervention (p<0.05). For balance and gait ability, the results from the AWG was significantly improved compared with the NAWG (p<0.05). Conclusions: Gait training with additional weight improves balance ability and gait ability in stroke patients, this gait training method is effective and suitable for stroke patients to increase the ability of functional performance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.75-83
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training with upper extremity exercise on the improvement of balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Eighteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke, were living in Dong-Gu, Ulsan and were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 7 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with 7 m and 100 m Timed Gait Test (sec), Timed Get Up and Go Test (sec), Functional Reach Test (cm) and 5 items of Berg's Balance Test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance index and balance ratios were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The balance training program performed by sitting on a chair and gymnastic ball and standing on stable and unstable surfaces during upper extremity exercises such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) upper extremity pattern, picking a ball up from floor, throwing and catching it. After seven weekends of balance training, subjects showed a significant difference in balance test results. The exceptions were three items of Berg's Balance Test (p<.05). Balance index score and affected and unaffected side balance ratio had a larger improvement than pre-training (p<.05). The result of this study showed that intervention of this balance training program could improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.58-72
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• 2005

The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of rehabilitation programs on functional performance of the lower extremities and whether additional therapeutic exercise with routine rehabilitative therapy improves functional performance more than just routine rehabilitative therapy by it self for inpatients who have suffered a stroke with below moderate severity within 3 to 6 months after the onset of the stroke. Fifty-eight subjects were divided into two groups. Group I was given routine rehabilitative therapy and group II was given additional therapeutic exercise along with the routine rehabilitative therapy. Each group received 6 weeks of rehabilitation. The timed get-up and go test (TUG), the Fugl-Meyer score (FMS), functional independence measure (FIM), functional reach (FR), gait velocity (GV), and the strength of knee extensor and flexor were selected to measure effect of rehabilitation programs. The main results were measured and analysed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks after the start of the rehabilitation programs. The results revealed that all of functional performance of the lower extremities in 3 weeks after the start of the rehabilitation programs were significantly improved compared with before the rehabilitation programs in both groups. In 6 weeks, TUG, FIM, FR, GV, and the strength of knee extensor in group I, TUG, FMS, FIM, FR, GV, and the strength of knee extensor and flexor in group II were significantly improved compared with the results after 3 weeks. At 3 weeks after rehabilitation programs, group II made significantly greater gains in TUG, FR, GV, and the strength of the knee flexor compared to the group I. At 6 weeks, group II made significantly greater gains in TUG, FR, GV, and the strength of the knee extensor and flexor compared to the group I. In conclusion, rehabilitation programs for stroke patients within 3 to 6 months after stroke onset significantly contributed to improve functional performance of the lower extremities. It is desirable for improvement of functional performance of the lower extremities to perform additional exercise with routine rehabilitative therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise on balance and gait in elderly women. Methods : Subjects 19 elderly women were randomly divided by the swiss ball exercise group (n=10) and the core stabilization exercise group (n=9). In a period of 4 weeks, they took trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise for 60 minutes 3 times a week. Balance and gait were measured by Functional Reach Test (FRT), One Leg Stand Test with Open Eye (OLSTOE), One Leg Stand Test with Closed Eye (OLSTCE), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and 6 m Walking Test (6MWT). These tests were measured at before exercise, 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks. Results : As a result, in all measurement values there was no significant difference in two groups (p>.05). In FRT, TUG, OLSTOE and 6MWT before exercise and 4 weeks after exercise, there was significant difference in both of two groups (p<.05). Moreover, according to results from 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks, without any particular exercise, in FRT and 6MWT there was no significant difference (p>.05). Conclusion : These finding indicate that trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball could improve balance and gait in elderly women. Accordingly, In this study trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise is judged to be used for elderly people with gait and balance problems to prevent hurts from fall.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.683-690
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• 2014

This study purposed to provide a scientific base for understanding the effect of therapeutic intervention using motivation on chronic stroke patients' balance and determining whether it is applicable as a new therapeutic intervention. For this study, we sampled 38 chronic stroke patients, and divided them randomly into a motivation training group(n=20) and a control group(n=18). To the control group was applied neurological physiotherapy 5 times a week, and 30 minutes each time, and to the motivation training group was applied neurological physiotherapy and then, additionally, a Nintendo Wii-Fit program 3 times a week, and 30 minutes each time. Before and after the experiment, the subjects' dynamic balance was measured with functional reach test(FRT), timed up & go test(TUG), and 10m gait test, and their static balance was measured with the Romberger Test. When dynamic balance ability was compared between before and after the experiment and between the motivation training group and the control group, significant difference was observed in the results of FRT, TUG, and 10m walking test between before and after the intervention(p<.05). As to static balance, in addition, body balance movement distance was not significantly different. Therapeutic intervention using dynamic motivation was found to be more effective than the control group in improving dynamic balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Tai-Chi exercise (TCE) and resistance exercise (RE) when used as part of a community-based exercise program on improvement of physical function in elderly women with knee arthritis. Methods: Forty-seven women with knee arthritis participated in this study. They were assigned to one of two groups: the TCE group (n=22) or the RE group (n=25). Tai-Chi exercise and resistance exercise sessions were held for 1 hour per session, twice per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. At pre-treatment and post-treatment, subjects were tested using the following measurements: one-legged stand test (sec), a functional reach test (cm), a test of the strength of the knee extensor and flexor muscles, determination of the pathway of center of foot pressure and vertical ground reaction force for stance phase at pre and post treatment time points. An independent t-test and a ${\chi}^2$ were used to determine the significance of differences between group means using SPSS 12.0. Results: After 8 weeks of participation in the exercise programs, there were significant improvements for both groups in joint pain, difficulty of performing activity, muscle strength of knee extensor and flexor. Also, vertical ground reaction force increased at the loading response phase for both groups. The RE group was significantly different from TC group on the eyes-closed one-legged stand test (sec). Conclusion: Tai-Chi exercise and resistance exercise programs improve physical functioning and reduce pain and locomotion difficulties.