• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.106-112
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• 2017

Objective: Robot assisted gait training is implemented as part of therapy for the recovery of gait patterns in recent clinical fields, and the scope of implications are continuously increasing. However clear therapy protocols of robot assisted gait training are insufficent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training applied with guidance force on balance and gait performance in persons with hemiparetic stroke. Design: Two group pre-test post-test design. Methods: Nineteen persons were diagnosed with hemiparesis following stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to the unilateral guidance group or bilateral guidance group to conduct robot-assisted gait training. All participants underwent robot-assisted gait training for twelve sessions (30 min/d, 3 d/wk for 4 weeks). They were assessed with gait parameters (gait velocity, cadence, step length, stance phase, and swing phase) using Optogait. This study also measured the dynamic gait index (DGI), the Berg balance scale (BBS) score, and timed up and go (TUG). Results: After training, BBS scores were was significantly increased in the bilateral training group than in the unilateral guidance group (p<0.05). Spatiotemporal parameters were significantly changed in the bilateral training group (gait speed, swing phase ratio, and stance phase ratio) compared to the unilateral training group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that robot-assisted gait training show feasibility in facilitating improvements in balance and gait performance for subacute hemiparetic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise on gait and balance in patients with stroke. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 20 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise, n = 11) or control group (treadmill gait training without the thoracic mobility exercise, n = 9). All the participants underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 4 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group underwent 20 min of treadmill gait training combined with 10 min of a thoracic mobility exercise (3 × / week for 4 weeks) and the control group underwent the former but not the latter. Gait and balance were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walking test (10 MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) velocity, and COP length in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and COP velocity than the control group (10 MWT, -3.02 sec vs. -1.68 sec, p < .05; COP velocity, -.07 mm/sec vs. .08 mm/sec, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training, combined with the thoracic mobility exercise, could be effective in improving the gait and balance of stroke patients. It could also be more effective in improving walking speed and static balance than the treadmill gait training alone.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of obstacle walking training according on gait and balance in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients are randomly assigned to experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8) and control group (n=8). Experimental group 1 performed unexpected obstacle walking training, experimental group 2 performed fixed obstacle walking training and control group performed non obstacle walking training for 12 minutes per session, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The gait analyzer G-walk were evaluated using gait cadence, gait velocity, and stride length, balance was evaluated using FES-K and BBS. Results : In within-group comparison of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length of change, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length pre and post intervention. In within-group comparison of FES-K and BBS scores, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of FES-K and BBS scores pre and post intervention (p<.05). Conclusion : Obstacle walking training can improve the gait, function and balance of stroke patients and obstacle walking training is effective for improving gait and balance compared to non-obstacle walking training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.425-431
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of visual control on gait speed and balance in patients with stroke. Static balance and gait speed were investigated with comparison and fixed direction of visual. METHODS: We included twenty-six patients with stroke. Participants were measured static balance while standing on a forceplate with one of 4 different visual direction in front, floor, non-affected side and affected side for 30 seconds. To compare of the gait speed, participants had to walk with one of fixed visual direction. And to compare of gait speed with visual dispersion, gait speed were measured with visual change in left and right, up and down direction every 5m, 2m and 1m intervals. RESULTS: The result of the static balance with fixed visual showed that the affected side and the non-affected side were shown significantly increased sway of total sway length, mediolateral distance, anteroposterior distance, average velocity(p<.05). The gait speed with fixed visual showed that affected side was significantly slower(p<.05). And the gait speed significantly increased as interval of visual dispersion decrease in the sagittal and horizontal plane(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results from this study showed that the visual direction effected on static balance and the faster visual movement made to increase the gait speed. Therefore the rehabilitation training with visual control may be implemented for stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.203-213
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• 2015

Purpose: Deficits in lower-extremity function and trunk control ability have a negative impact on individuals with hemiplegia. This case report aimed to describe the effect of trunk stability exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on trunk control ability, balance, and gait in a patient with hemiplegia. Methods: A 77-year-old man with hemiplegia and trunk and lower extremity impairment participated in this four-week training intervention. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in trunk control ability, balance, and gait performance. Outcome measures (Fugl-Meyer Assessment Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Trunk Control Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, 10 Meter Walk test) were measured before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggest that a trunk stability exercise using a PNF program may improve trunk control ability, balance, and gait in a patient with hemiplegia.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of Task-oriented training for Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), gait and balance function in cerebral palsy. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: Twenty four subjects were recruited by means of a convenience sampling from Kangseo-Gu G rehabilitation center. Subjects were 24 inpatients and were randomly divided into a task-oriented training group and a conventional group. Twelve patients were experimental group who executed the task-oriented training (5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. The task-oriented program mainly focused on the capabilities of independent walking, with the angle of inclination set at 0 degrees and walking at a self-selected comfortable speed. In addition, balance training included the one-legged standing with weight-shifting and task-oriented training. Twelve patients were control group who executed only general conventional therapy (5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. All subjects were evaluated about the motor function, gait and balance function. Subjects have conducted the measured variables, GMFM, GAITRite, PDM Multifunction Force Measuring Plate after treatment. Results: There was statistically significant increase of Gross Motor Function Measure scores of the experimental group and control group after 4 weeks (p<.05). There was statistically significant increase of gait and balance function of the experimental group after 4 weeks of task-oriented training (p<.05). The experimental group showed a significantly improvement in GMFM, gait, and balance compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study proved that task-oriented training after stroke can improve Gross Motor Function Measure, gait and balance. Thus this study can suggest that task-oriented training for gross motor function, gait and balance be effective on the cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of neck stabilization exercise combined with trunk stabilization exercise on balance and gait function in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-two chronic stroke patients were included in this study. The experimental group subjects (n = 11) performed neck stabilization (15 min) and trunk stabilization (15 min) exercises, while the control group subjects (n = 11) performed trunk stabilization exercise only for 30 min. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent static balance and gait testing. RESULTS: The 95% confidence ellipse area, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP average velocity were significantly lower in both groups after the intervention compared to before intervention (p < .05). The average stance force on the affected side increased significantly in both groups after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the static balance variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. The cadence, gait velocity, and single leg support increased significantly in both groups after intervention (p < .05). The changes in the gait variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Trunk stabilization is a beneficial intervention, but the combination of neck stabilization with trunk stabilization is a more effective method to increase the gait and static balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2010

Purpose : This study investigated to find the therapeutical effects of functional weight bearing exercise on the balance and gait in stroke. Methods : The subjects of this study were 13 hemiplegia was exercised using functional weight support exercise for 5 weeks, all of whom agreed to participate in the study. All subjects were measured to see their balance and gait with a Pro-3 balance system and Gait analysis. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, we used for SPSS 12.0 for windows. Results : The results of this study were as follows : 1) There were statistically significant difference in medial-lateral stability and overall stability index. 2) There were statistically significant in distance and gait velocity index. Conclusion : According the results of this study, functional weight bearing exercise is effect on the balance and gait for hemiplegia.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2028-2035
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of study was to measure stroke patients' ability to balance and their degrees of clinical function and to examine the effect of the aquatic exercise method using tasks related to these features. Methods: Twenty stroke patients were randomly assigned to an aquatic task exercise group and a land task exercise group. Both groups used the same exercise method for 60 minutes each session, three times a week for 12 weeks at the same time point and with the same amount of exercise. Results: Before and after the exercise, static balance was measured using balance measuring instruments locomotive faculties, muscular strength, and dynamic balance were assessed through the Berg balance and 10 m gait tests. Finally, gait abilities were measured, and the data obtained were analyzed to generate the results. Conclusion: Both groups showed significant improvement, but the aquatic exercise group showed slightly more significant results in static balance, Berg balance, and upright walking tests. It is thought that the improvement of stroke patients' balance and gait ability can be triggered through the application of aquatic exercise programs in the future.