• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.27-37
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate muscle activity and foot pressure during gait, and isokinetic strength and balance in persons with functional ankle instability (FAI). METHODS: Nine healthy subjects (CON, n=9) without FAI and 11 patients (FAI, n=11) with FAI participated in the study after having been screened with an ankle instability instrument and a balance error scoring system. In addition, FAI was classified as non-involved (FAI-N) or involved (FAI-I), and CON was classified as dominant or non-dominant. All subjects were evaluated for isokinetic strength (plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion and eversion of $30^{\circ}/sec$ and $60^{\circ}/sec$), balance (static and dynamic), muscle activity (tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and gastrocnemius) and foot pressure (static and dynamic) during gait. RESULTS: Results showed that plantar flexion (p<.05), dorsiflexion (p<.05), inversion (p<.01) and eversion (p<.00) of $60^{\circ}/sec$ were significantly decreased in FAI-I compared to those in FAI-N and CON. C 90 of static balance with eyes open (p<.01) and closed (p<.00) were significantly increased in FAI compared to those in CON. Forward position of dynamic balance (p<.01) was significantly decreased in FAI compared to that in CON. Gastrocnemius and peroneus longus of dynamic muscle activity (p<.01), left and right weight distribution of static foot pressure (p<.00) and pressure distribution of dynamic foot pressure (p<.00) were significantly decreased in FAI-I compared to those in FAI-N. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that ankle strength, balance, muscle activity and foot pressure were significantly correlated with FAI.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined whether various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball in the standing position could improve balance, muscle strength, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, each with seven participants. For four weeks, experimental group 1 performed various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball, while experimental group 2 executed the same exercises without a Swiss ball, and the control group underwent general physical therapy. The subjects' knee extensor muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were evaluated before and after the intervention using portable muscle strength measurement, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), G-walk, and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES). Results: Knee extensor strength increased significantly in all three groups after the intervention; in particular, a significant increase was seen in experimental groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group. Moreover, all three groups had significantly better BBS scores and higher cadence after the intervention; notably, experimental group 1 had better scores and increased cadence than the control group. Additionally, gait speed was significantly increased in the experimental group 1 than in the control group. The step length of the non-affected leg was also significantly higher in the same group. The K-FES score improved significantly in all three groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that lower extremity exercises with or without a Swiss ball could be effective interventions to improve muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2022

Background: Ankle sprains, and the resulting ankle instability worsen to chronic due to recurrent ankle injuries or sprains, 78% of which are accompanied by posture instability and damage due to changes in the position of the talus of the ankle. The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effect of applying MWM taping on the patient's muscle strength and balance ability in patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: 15 people with MWM taping and 15 people with Kinesio taping were applied, and after applying the taping of the ankle, 10 minutes of walking treadmill and 10 times of forward lunge operation, the change in ankle muscle strength and balance ability was confirmed. The strength test of the ankle was performed using a test device called Biodex system 4 (USA) for the movement of the dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion of the foot, and the balance of the two groups was measured using Biodex balance system (USA) to test balance ability. Results: The comparison of muscle strength changes in the ankle does not show a significant increase in the group applying MWM compared to the group applying kinesio taping (p<.05). In the comparison of equilibrium capabilities, the MWM taping group also showed a significant increase in the MWM taping group compared to the kinesio taping group (p<.05). Conclusion: When applying MWM taping and kinesio taping to patients with chronic ankle instability, there was no significant difference in comparison of muscle strength changes, but there was a significant difference in comparison of balance ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.121-131
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ice and hot packs on proprioception, balance, and muscle strength in knee extensor muscle fatigue. METHODS: A total of 31 male and female students in their twenties from a university in A, Chungnam, Korea, were selected as participants. Three experiments were conducted to assess static balance, dynamic balance, proprioception, and muscle strength before and after induction of muscle fatigue, and following intervention. RESULTS: In the case of stability typical (ST), a significant difference was observed in pillow with eye open (PO) when a Hot pack was applied (p < .05). The weight distribution index (WDI), showed significant differences in normal eye open (NO) and Normal eye closed (NC) tests when ice packs and hot packs were applied (p < .05). In the dynamic balance assessment using Y-balance, significant differences were observed in all values except for pre- and post-intervention in the medial and lateral directions (p < .05). The recovery of proprioceptive sensation showed a significant difference when ice packs were applied (p < .05). In muscle strength, significant differences were observed in all comparisons between measurement time points (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Rest was most effective for static balance, and cold and warm compresses were most effective in recovering dynamic balance. For proprioception, cold compresses were most effective. Muscle strength had a positive effect on recovery in all three intervention methods. These results show that cold and warm compresses can be useful in the recovery of various functions related to muscle fatigue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study investigated the immediate effects of gluteus medius strengthening training and relaxation therapy on the static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception. METHODS: In this research, 38 healthy adults were assigned randomly to strengthening groups (SG) and relaxation groups (RG). The static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception were measured as a pre-measurement. The same measurements were performed after the intervention and follow-up. An independent sample t-test was used to compare each group, and one-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare the changes within the group. RESULTS: In the static balance, the comparison between groups SG was more significant than RG, and only SG showed significant differences in the intra-group comparisons. There was no significant difference in muscle strength asymmetry between SG and RG. On the other hand, the comparison within the group revealed only SG to be significant. In proprioception, SG produced more significant results than RG, and only SG had significant values in the within-group comparison. CONCLUSION: Strengthening training affects the changes in static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether gym-ball exercise in standing position was an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized into three groups: experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8), and control group (n=8). Experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group performed the gym-ball exercise in standing position, same exercise without a gym-ball, and general physical therapy for 4 weeks, five times a week in 30-minute sessions. Muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were assessed using a handheld dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the wearable BTS G-WALK® sensor, and the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES), before and after training, respectively. Comparisons within and between groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Bonferroni correction was performed when significant differences between groups were identified (p<.017, .05/3). Results : Regarding muscle strength, BBS score, cadence and FES-K were significantly improved after intervention in all three groups. The weight bearing rate, gait speed and step length in experimental group 1 and 2 were significantly improved after the intervention. The stride length in experimental group 1 were significantly improved after the intervention. Experimental group 1 had significantly improved BBS score and stride length after intervention than experimental group 2 and control group. Experimental group 1 and 2 improved muscle strength, weight bearing rate, and FES-K score more than the control group. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in cadence, gait speed, and step length after the intervention than control group. Conclusion : This study showed that exercise with gym-ball in standing position can be an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in stroke patients than the same exercise without gym-ball.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.15-27
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• 2018

Purpose : This study aims to present a rehabilitation exercise and physical education program (REPEP) for local community stroke patients by examining an exercise program provided from traditional physical therapeutic perspectives. Methods : The subjects were 40 stroke patients residing in a local community and managed by a public health center (the group-exercise group: 20, the individual-exercise group: 20). In the case of the group-exercise group (GEG), the subjects were divided into small groups composed of five members each to participate in the program. The individual-exercise group (IEG) took part in the program individually. The subjects received a REPEP that included a warm-up exercise, an elastic band exercise, a leg exercise, a balance and gait exercise, an arm and trunk exercise, and a cool-down exercise twice per week for 20 weeks. They had their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the bilateral knee joints tested before and after the experiment. Results : Compared to before the experiment, both groups' gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the knee joints increased after the experiment. After the experiment, the GEG experienced more improvement in their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the bilateral knee joints, excluding their gait velocity and $300^{\circ}/sec$ flexion and extension, than the IEG (p<.05). Conclusion : An exercise program provided from the traditional physical therapeutic perspectives may be applied to stroke patients as their REPEP. In addition, a REPEP was more effective in improving their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the knee joints when the subjects formed a group and took part in the program than when they partook in it individually.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1031-1037
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• 2016

This study was to verify the effect of complex training programs on the postural balance and trunk muscle strength of the elderly. We recruited 40 elderly participants aged 60 to 75 years. Subjects were evaluated before, and 12 weeks after. The participants underwent complex training programs, including free exercise, elastic band and unstable plate. Exercise were performed as follows: 10 repeats in 50 minutes (0 to 4 weeks), 13 repeats in 50 minutes (5 to 8 weeks), and 15 repeats in 50 minutes (9 to 12 weeks). The training group underwent complex training, including warm up, thrice a week for twelve weeks. The control group did not perform any complex training. Results indicate that the postural balance and trunk muscle strength in the training group significantly increased. Data generated from this study could be applied to develop a complex training program to efficiently build whole body muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The present study aims to determine the effect of lower extremity muscle strength exercise at the non-paralyzed side of patients of stroke using a mirror on gait and balance. METHODS: Subjects were assigned randomly to a group of lower extremity exercise without using a mirror (n=10), a group of lower extremity motion exercise using a mirror (n=10), and a group of lower extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror (n=10). The exercise is added to a physiotherapy program conducted at the hospital and subjects conducted their designed lower extremity exercises 30 times a day (5 sets), five days per week for four weeks. RESULTS: The study result showed that BBS(Berg balance scale)(p<.05) and TUG(timed up and go test)(p<.05) had a significant difference. In the comparison on gait ability, stride length, step length, step width and single support was a significant difference within two groups using a mirror before and after the intervention(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, low extremity motion exercise using a mirror and low extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror conducted along with general physiotherapy exercises had a positive effect on functions of lower extremity in patients with stroke and the recovery of paralyzed side thereby incurring a significant difference in balance and gait abilities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2021

Objective: The weakness of muscle strength due to stroke affects the posture control and gait in the patients with stroke. Stroke This study examined the effects of the stair climbing training with functional electrical stimulation on muscle strength, dynamic balance, and gait in individuals with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Total forty-eight patients were randomly assigned to the 3 groups. Participants randomly divided to stair climbing training with functional electrical stimulation group (SCT+FES group, n=16), stair climbing training group (SCT group, n=16) and control group (n=16). Subjects in the SCT+FES group and SCT group performed stair walking training with and without functional electrical stimulation for 30 minutes, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks and all subjects received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes with 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements were assessed using the sit-to stand Test for strength, timed up and go test and modified-timed up and go test for dynamic balance, and 10m walk test and GaitRite system for gait. Results: In the SCT+FES group, subjects have been shown the significant increase in lower extremity strength (p<0.05), significantly improve in dynamic balance (p<0.05), and significantly improve in their temporal gait parameter (p<0.05). The SCT+FES group was significantly better than other groups in all parameters (p<0.05). Conclusions: This result suggested that the SCT+FES may be effective strategy to improve muscle strength, dynamic balance, and gait for individuals with chronic stroke.