• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2017

Purpose: Balance and walking ability are important elements of functional independence for people with stroke and are major goals in rehabilitation. These abilities require trunk performance, but most chronic stroke patients reach a plateau in their rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a self-training trunk program to improve balance and walking ability in people with stroke, and to suggest such a self-training program for integrated rehabilitation of people with stroke. Methods: The study recruited 7 people with stroke. The subjects performed trunk training for 30 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks. Participants were measured on the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC) scale, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and a gait analysis to measure the training effects. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test as a non-parametric statistical test. Results: TIS was not significantly different after the self-training trunk program, but BBS (p>0.05), K-ABC, and FES were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05). Furthermore, the 6MWT, stride/height %, and one-leg stance were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05), but cadence, stance, and swing duration were not significantly different after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a self-training trunk program should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to improve balance and walking ability, and further research is needed to develop the program to be more effective for chronic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.311-320
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• 2022

Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of static balance measurements using an acceleration sensor and a gyroscope sensor in smart phone inertial sensors. Design: Equivalent control group pretest-posttest. Methods: Subjects were forty five healthy adults aged twenty to fifty-years-old who had no disease that could affect the experiment. After pre-test, all participants wore a waist band with smart phone, and conducted six static balance measurements on the force plate twice for 35 seconds each. To investigate the test-retest reliability of both smart phone inertial sensors, we compared the intra-correlation coefficient (ICC 3, 1) between primary and secondary measurements with the calculated root mean scale-total data. To determine the validity of the two sensors, it was measured simultaneously with force plate, and the comparision was done by Pearson's correlation. Results: The test-retest reliability showed excellent correlation for acceleration sensor, and it also showed excellent to good correlation for gyroscope sensor(p<0.05). The concurrent validity of smartphone inertial sensors showed a mostly poor to fair correlation for tandem-stance and one-leg-stance (p<0.05) and unacceptable correlation for the other postures (p>0.05). The gyroscope sensor showed a fair correlation for most of the RMS-Total data, and the other data also showed poor to fair correlation (p<0.05). Conclusions: The result indicates that both acceleration sensor and gyroscope sensor has good reliability, and that compared to force plate, acceleration sensor has unacceptable or poor correlation, and gyroscope sensor has mostly fair correlation.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2012

Background : The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of ankle joint taping on balancing abilities of the elderly and to provide preliminary data on preventing falls among the elderly. Methods : In this study, 20 students(8 male, 12 female) in their 20s from D University as well as 14 elderly(4 male, 10 female) in their 70s from S community center have participated. The participants were well informed about the experiment and voluntarily participated. We measured the difference in balancing ability before and after taping between the two groups using methods such as standing on single-leg stance, TUG, and plantar pressure. Kinesio taping, a stop-watch, and the EMED-system were used as equipment along with the SPSS 12.0 program, with a significance level of 0.05, to test the difference before and after taping between the two groups. Result : First, the 70s group showed a significant increase in the dorsal flexion angle after taping. Second, the 70s group showed a significant increase in duration time of standing on one foot after taping. Third, the 70s group's TUG time was significantly shorter. Fourth, the maximum peak value for static and dynamic plantar pressure showed a significant decrease after taping; and dynamic plantar pressure area value decreased as well within significant range. Conclusion : The study has shown that taping is effective on static dynamic balancing ability of the elderly.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2021

Gait kinematics and kinetics have a similar tendency between men and women, yet it remains unclear how walking while carrying a load affects the gait mechanism. Twenty adults walked with preferred velocity on level ground of 20 m relative to change of a load carriage (no load, 15%, 30% of the body weights) aimed to observe gait mechanism. We measured gait posture using the three-dimensional image analysis and ground reaction force system during stance phase on left foot. In main effect of gender difference, men showed increased displacement of center of gravity (COG) compared to women, and it showed more extended joint angle of hip and knee in sagittal plane. In main effect of a load difference, knee joint showed more flexed postuel relative to increase of load carriage. In main effect of load difference on the kinetic variables, medial-lateral force, anterior-posterior force (1st breaking, 2nd propulsive), vertical force, center of pressure (COP) area, leg stiffness, and whole body stiffness showed more increased values relative to increase of load carriage. Also, men showed more increased COP area compared to women. Interaction showed in the 1st anterior-posterior force, and as a result of one-way variance analysis, it was found that a load main effect had a greater influence on the increase in the magnitude of the braking force than the gender. The data in this study explains that women require little kinematic alteration compared to men, while men in more stiff posture accommodate an added load compared to women during gait. Additionally, it suggests that dynamic stability is maintained by adopting different gait strategies relative to gender and load difference.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between the faller and the non-faller in the test for balance and fear of falling. This was also done to determine whether the balance and the fear of falling are correlated in the elderly. Method: Forty eight subjects participated in this study, who attended the senior center in Daegu. Prior to the test, demographic data was collected. As for the balance test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up & Go (TUG), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Functional Reach Test (FRT), and One Leg Stance (OLS) were used. For measuring the fear of falling, Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) were used. Independent t-test and Pearson's correlation was performed using PASW 18.0 for windows. Result: All balance tests, except OLS, and fear of falling could discriminate between the faller and the non-faller. There existed a significant correlation between some balance test and fear of falling (r=0.64~0.86). Conclusion: The findings indicate that assessing the falling in the elderly, there needs to be a consideration of multiple aspects including the fear of falling and not only the balance test.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensorimotor training in unstable surface on balance ability of elderly women. METHODS: Total of 40 subject were recruited from two separated institution for elderly women in Changwon and conveniently allocated into experimental and control groups. Twenty women were included into experimental group and another twenty women were into control group. Experimental group performed sensorimotor training in unstable surface and control group were only activities of daily living during eight weeks. To assess static balance ability used One leg stance test (OLST) and to assess dynamic balance ability used timed up and go test (TUGT) and Functional reach test (FRT). RESULTS: Control group did not show any difference in balance ability. However static balance ability in experimental group improved on hard or soft surface only eye open condition. Also dynamic balance ability in experimental group improved TUGT or FRT. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training in unstable surface improved balance ability of elderly women.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a 12-week combined cognitive and physical exercise program on cognitive and physical functions in older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: A one-group pretest-posttest study. Methods: Twelve participants with MCI engaged in a weekly 60-minute session of combined cognitive and physical exercise program. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while physical function was evaluated through measures of muscle strength, postural balance, and walking capabilities. Muscle strength assessments included the arm curl test, handgrip strength, and the 5 sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was evaluated using the one-leg stance test, timed up-and-go test, functional reach test, and four square step test. Walking function was analyzed through a gait analysis device. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were compared to determine the effects of the exercise program. Results: The results demonstrated significant improvements in MoCA, arm curl test, timed up-and-go test, walking speed, and cadence following the 12-week intervention (p<0.05). MoCA scores revealed enhanced cognitive performance, while measures of muscle strength, including the arm curl test, exhibited significant changes. Improvements in timed up-and-go test scores indicated enhanced mobility, accompanied by increased walking speed and cadence, as evidenced by gait analysis. Conclusions: This study suggests that a structured 12-week program incorporating both cognitive and physical exercises can lead to meaningful improvements in cognitive and physical functions among older adults with MCI.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a training program using virtual reality on the balance and lower muscular strength of Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: The study included 22 patients with Parkinson's disease who were arbitrarily classified into 2 groups: 11 patients in the experimental group and 11 patients in the control group. Balance was measured with the Berg balance scale (BBS), the functional reach test (FRT), one-leg stance test (OLST), and the timed up and go test (TUG); whereas, lower muscular strength was measured with the sit-to-stand test (STS). Ping-Pong, bowling, and tennis were selected for virtual reality training for the experimental group, and were performed for 30 minutes 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group did not undergo any of the virtual reality training programs. Results: A significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS results within the experimental group that underwent the virtual reality training program. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS values within the control groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the virtual reality training program positively affects the balance and lower muscular strength in Parkinson's disease patients. This result indicates the possibility of application of the virtual reality training program to the management for Parkinson's disease patients, and highlights the need for the development and application of more efficient virtual reality training programs in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk stability and balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain. Subjects : Thirty-two elderly people ($73.78{\pm}8.49$ years of age) who had complaints of CLBP were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. Methods : Subject trained with combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for 4weeks with aim of improving trunk stability and balance. Weight distribution, trunk muscle balance, static balance ability and dynamic balance ability were measured before, at the end of training. Results : Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. After the exercise programs, there were significant differences in the weight distribution, trunk muscle balance and dynamic balance ability between the experimental and control group. However there was no significant difference in the one leg stance test(p<.05). Conclusion : This study suggest that PNF programs may be appropriate for improving trunk stability and balance in elderly people with CLBP.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.189-196
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) upper and lower limb coordinated exercises on balance in elderly women. Methods: The study was conducted with 27 elderly women who were at least 65-year-old. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF upper and lower limb coordinated exercise group consisting of 14 subjects and an aero step balance exercise group consisting of 13 subjects, and the exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times per week, for eight weeks. One Leg Stance Tests (OLST), Functional Reaching Tests (FRT), Four Square Step Tests (FSST), and Timed Up and Go (TUB) tests were conducted before and after the exercises to evaluate the subjects' static balance ability and dynamic balance ability. Among the collected data, the subjects' general characteristics were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the intra-group differences of the test results before and after the intervention were compared using paired sample t-tests, and the inter-group differences in the results before and after the intervention were evaluated using independent sample t-tests. The statistical significance level was set to 0.05. Results: Among the OLST, FRT, FSST, and TUG tests, the experimental group showed positive FSST results that were statistically significantly greater than the control group; the results of the other tests were also more positive for this group, but the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. The magnitude of the effects for both groups was clinically significant. Conclusion: Since inter-limb coordinated exercises for PNF applied to elderly women were found to produce good results for both static balance ability and dynamic balance ability, these exercises can be used in exercise programs to improve balance in elderly women.