• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Tai Chi exercise on pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain. Method: This study was designed one group pretest-posttest design. Tai Chi exercise was conducted by researcher and carried out for sixty minutes per one time and two times a week for six weeks. The subjects of this study consisted of 23 low back patients. Using the SPSS win 10.0 program was used for data analysis, which included frequency, percentage and paired t-test. Result: Tai Chi exercise decreased pain, improved balance and gait, increased physical function(back muscle strength, leg muscle strength and flexibility). Conclusion: The results suggested Tai Chi exercise can be effective nursing intervention to improve pain, balance, gait and physical function of patients with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of obstacles gait on balance and fall-efficacy in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Methods: The 24 subjects of this study were recruited from individuals diagnoses with degenerative arthritis who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. The 24 patients were randomly divided into a control groups and experimental groups, obstacles gait exercise was conducted for 4 weeks three exercises. Balance and falls-efficacy were measured to compare the effects of the exercises. Results: The results of the balance ability and falls-efficacy showed that the experimental group showed significantly enhanced results than the control group(p<.05). Conclusions: Based on these results, Obstacles gait exercise effectively improves the recovery of patients with total knee arthroplasty.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and to verification of changes that the effect of treadmill and body weight support treadmill training on balance and gait ability for sub-acute stroke patients during 4 week. Method: 16 subjects who was diagnosed stroke were divided into 2 groups(8-treadmill training group, 8-body weight support treadmill group) by randomized control trial. Both training programs were consisted with 40 minuted, 5 times a week for 4 weeks and after training programs. Analysis: We analysed effects and changes on balance and gait ability. Analyses were performed using PASW ver. 18.0 and results were reported as mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation (S.D.). To investigate within group comparisons and to verification on effects of exercise, we did paired t test and repeated measured ANOVA test. Significance was set at p<.05. Result: Both training programs showed positive changes in Limit of Stability but significant results which is area of hemiside, area of intact side, area of posterior, total area were reported in body weight support treadmill training group. Changes of Berg Balance Scale was significantly increase and it had significant correlation between groups. Changes of 6 Minutes Walking Test was significant increase in both groups but there was no significant changes on Foot print and Romberg test. Conclusion: After considering all factors, both training programs showed effect on improvement of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, but body weight support treadmill training group had better improvement in dynamic balance than treadmill training group. For the increase of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, we need to continues study on difference of treadmill and body weight support treadmill and then we will give stroke patients a better satisfaction if we develop and provide a rehabilitation program for improvement of balance and gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a three dimensional balance trainer in combination with a video-game system and visual feedback on balance recovery and gait function in subacute stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-three subacute stroke patients were assigned to either an experimental (n=12) or a control group (n=11) using a random permuted block design and sealed envelopes. The experimental group received additional 3-dimensional balance training combined with visual feedback and a game program for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Both groups received 30-min of conservative physical therapy sessions based on neurodevelopmental therapy. Before and after the 20 sessions, walking abilities were evaluated by the the GaitRite system and balances were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) was used to assess trunk muscle performances. Results: After the 4-week intervention, BBS and TIS scores were significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05), and increases in these scores were significantly greater in the experimental group (p<0.05). After the 4-week intervention, gait speed and cadence were significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05), and as was observed for BBS and TIS scores, changes of gait speed and cadence were significantly greater in the experimental group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study shows that the 3-dimensional balance trainer combined with visual biofeedback and a video-game system provides a therapeutic means for improving balance and gait ability in subacute stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistant gait training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the walking and balancing abilities of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 6) that underwent treadmill gait training or an experimental group (n = 6) that underwent resistant gait training using PNF. The interventions were performed five times per week for four weeks. Gait variables were measured using a GAITRite system (CIR System Inc, Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability; the Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance; and the activity-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) was measured to examine changes in confidence about balance. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine intragroup differences before and after the interventions, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparisons of the effects of the interventions. All statistical significance levels were set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, double support time, balance, and confidence about balance after the interventions (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons after the interventions, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, balance, and confidence about balance (p < 0.05). No significant difference in double support time was seen in the intergroup comparison after training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied resistant gait training using PNF to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' walking and balancing abilities. Therefore, resistant gait training using PNF is thought to be applicable as an intervention method for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of emphasized initial contact gait training on balance and gait ability in hemiplegia patients. METHODS: Twenty-four hemiplegic patients were randomly allocated to an experimental group or control group. All participants received 30-min neurodevelopmental treatment. Furthermore, the experimental group received initial contact-emphasized auditory feedback gait training, whereas the control group received gait training without auditory feedback. The intervention was performed 3 times per week, 20 min per each time, for a total of 6 weeks. Balance was assessed using the center of pressure path length, center of pressure velocity, and limitation of stability path length, whereas gait ability was assessed using the 10-m walking test and functional gait assessment. RESULTS: In both groups, center of pressure path length and center of pressure velocity significantly decreased after training. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a 10% significant improvement (p<.05). In the limitation of stability path length of both sides, the experimental group showed a significant increase compared to that before intervention. Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a 7% significant improvement in results of the 10-m walking test and functional gait assessment (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Emphasized Initial contact gait training is considered an effective treatment for improving gait ability and balance ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.372-378
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of side walking training with an elastic-band on gait and balance ability of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty three patients with stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the side walking with elastic-band group (n=7), the side walking without elastic-band group (n=8), and the walking on the treadmill group (n=8);. 10 m walking test (10MWT), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and modified Functional Reach Test (mFRT) were performed for evaluatione of pre- and post-intervention in gait and balance ability of participants. Results: Significantly differences in 10 MWT, DGI, BBS, and mFRT were observed between pre- and post-intervention in three groups (p<0.05). Improvement of pre- and post-intervention of mFRT showed significant difference (p<0.05). The highest rate of change was observed in the side walking with elastic-band group and rate of change showed in the order of the side walking without elastic-band group, walking on the treadmill group. Conclusion: This study suggests that side walking training with an elastic-band may help to improve gait and balance ability of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of unilateral muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joints on balance and gait in healthy adults. Methods: Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the knee joint consisted of concentric and eccentric contraction of dominant knee extensors in healthy adults by using the Leg Extension Rehap exercise machine (HUR, Finland). Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the ankle joint was composed of voluntary contractions and forced contractions of the dominant plantar flexors in healthy adults. Exercises to induce muscle fatigue in the knee and ankle joints were performed until the subject complained of fatigue or pain, the occurrence of muscle fatigue was confirmed by electromyography. We measured static and dynamic balance using the Good Balance system and gait performance by RS-scan. Results: Static and dynamic balance ability and spatial-temporal gait decreased significantly after muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joint. Conclusion: These results show that unilateral muscle fatigue of the lower extremities affected postural control and gait. Therefore, therapists and sport trainers should minimize the risks of fall and injuries related to unilateral muscle fatigue.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

Background: In the present study to investigate the immediate effects of standing position of the trunk stabilization exercise on Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's balance and gait abilities were examined. Design: Case report and conducted as a single-blind. Methods: Standing position of trunk stabilization exercise was conducted for five Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's who met the selection criteria were recruited. The subjects were conducted conservative exercise and trunk stabilization exercise. Conservative exercise was implemented for thirty min, five times for 8 weeks, and trunk stabilization exercise was implemented for 15 min. The participants' balance was measured via force plate (COP), functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), gait was measured using the 10 m walk test, and 6 minute walk test. Results: After training, the change values of the balance and gait ability in the subjects were significantly greater than pre-test. participants showed significant improvements in COP, FRT, TUG, 10 m walk test and 6 minute walk test pre and post the training (p<0.05). Conclusions: standing position of the trunk stabilization exercise was effective on Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's balance (COP, FRT, TUG) and gait (10 m walk test and 6 minute walk test) abilities were examined.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to determine how inclined-treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation affects balance and gait in stroke patients. Methods: Ten chronic stroke patients, admitted to B hospital in Gangwon-do between August and October 2015, were trained 5 times per week for 4 weeks; each session lasted 30 minutes. To assess balance and gait before and after the training, the timed up and go (TUG) test, Berg balance scale (BBS), six minute walking test (6MWT), and three-dimensional spatiotemporal gait ability were used to measure the relevant variables. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test, and the statistical significance level was 0.05. Results: There were significant differences in the TUG, BBS, 6MWT, gait speed, cadence, single limb support (SLS), and symmetric index (SI) before and after training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the inclined-treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation was effective at improving the balance and walking ability of stroke patients. Hearing training, using one of the basic procedures of proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation, is considered to be an important aspect.