• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effect of Balance Trainer training with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on spasticity and balance in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into the Balance Trainer training with TENS group (n=15) and Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (n=15). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with TENS for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per a week during 4 weeks and the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS for the same period. Spasticity and balance were assessed by ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and were measured before and after the 4-week programs. Results: The result of spasticity and dynamic balance were improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in spasticity of the gastrocnemius & dynamic balance, compared to the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (p<0.05). The Balance trainer training with TENS group showed a significant improvement in static balance, especially during the eye-closed condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Balance Trainer training with TENS was effective in improving spasticity and balance in subjects with chronic stroke. Based on these results, it is suggested that Balance Trainer training with TENS could clinically be used more actively in conjunction with conventional physical therapy.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body balance according to insole height and to provide basic information about body balance by insole height. Method : We examed 40 university students who had healthy body without balance impairment. Plantar pressure was measured by EMED system and the measurement of MTD balance used the MTD-balance master in static stance posture. Both of equipments are various measurement method. We measured plantar pressure and MTD balance each three different height insole(0cm, 3cm, 7cm) and each trial was 30 second in duration. Result : The results were as follows : 1) It showed significantly differences between bare foot and height insole. The anterior plantar pressure with 3cm or 7cm insole were more higher than bare foot(P<.05). 2) There were no significantly differences between barefoot and height insole with MTD-balance master(P<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, the measurement of MTD balance showed right and left balance ability didn't change by insole height, but plantar pressure was moved on anterior side of foot so we could know insole's height cause the effect to anterior and posterior balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.82-91
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• 1996

Normal balance is defined as state in which the body is equlilibrium. It is complex motor control task, requring integration of sensory information, neural processing, and biomechanical factors. There are major two factors contribute to balance control, the neurological and the musculoskeletal. The neurological factor provides the sensory processing and motor output mechanisms that are the neurophysiological basis for response. The musculoskeletal factor provides the mechanical structure for response. When all components of two factors are operating effectively, the postural response should be appropriate and effective for good balance control. Therfore, balance can be influenced by above all factors. In addition, balance can be also influenced by muscle tone, hearing, physiological factors, and environmental factors. Physical therapists must understand factors of balance control so that we can accurately assess balance. Therefore, physical therapists have to develop useful balance measurement tools to evaluate balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 2016

Objective: The aims of this study were 1) to develop easy-to-use rhythmic balance training equipment for the elderly and 2) to investigate the effect of training with the equipment on balance and physical function. Method: Twenty-one elderly individuals (age: $75.4{\pm}3.34yrs$, height: $152.07{\pm}4.81cm$, weight: $58.35{\pm}8.34kg$) participated in this study. Each participant underwent balance and physical function testing before and after 12 weeks of training with the equipment. Y-balance (i.e. dynamic balance) and one leg static balance tests were used for balance testing, and timed up- and-down-stairs and five times sit-to-stand tests were used for physical function testing. A paired t test was used to determine whether there was a significant pre- and post-training difference. Results: The rhythmic balance training equipment provided a fun and motivating training program with age-friendly music, dance movements for lower extremity strength training, and touch screen controls with simple features. Post-training left foot dynamic balance was significantly greater (p<.05), and static balance with eyes open was significantly improved (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Completion of the timed up-and-down-stairs and the five times sit-to-stand tests was significantly shorter (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Conclusion: Training using the equipment developed in this study improved balance and physical function in elderly participants.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effect on balance during core and ankle muscle strengthening exercises using the Thera-Band. Methods: 21 healthy college students were recruited. The participants were divided into a core strengthening group (CSG), an ankle strengthening group (ASG), and a non-exercise group (NEG). CSG and ASG were performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks, and static and dynamic balance were measured before and after the intervention. The static balance were measured as stability index and weight distribution index using Tetrax^®. The dynamic balance was measured in each direction by the Y balance test. The Thera-Band intensity was increased after 2 weeks of exercise, and the exercise was subsequently performed. Results: Participants showed static balance with Tetrax^®, a significant difference was noted between normal eye closes and pillow with eye closes in ASG (p<0.05). In the case of dynamic balance with the Y balance test, a significant difference was observed in posterolateral direction (PL) and composite score (CS) between each group for the pre- and post-intervention differences (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed between PL and CS in CSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that the progressive Thera-Band exercise had a positive effect on balance abilities. It was confirmed that core strengthening was effective for dynamic balance, and ankle strengthening was effective for static balance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.250-260
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of balance training using fully immersive VR devices on the balance and walking abilities of stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: This study involved 54 stroke patients divided into three groups: VRT(VR and traditional physical therapy), VR(VR only), and TPT(traditional physical therapy only). Interventions were administered twice daily for 30 minutes over eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 10-meter walk test, gait analysis, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Results: The VRT and VR groups showed significant effects on spatiotemporal variables and confidence compared to the TPT group (p<0.05). Specifically, the VR group demonstrated superior effects in TUG, 10MWT, velocity, stride length, single-leg support, and ABC compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Fully immersive VR balance training had a positive impact on balance, walking, and confidence in chronic stroke patients. Traditional physical therapy alone showed limited effectiveness, highlighting the potential of VR-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation. These findings underscore the importance of integrating VR technology into clinical practice to enhance outcomes for stroke survivors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of study was to investigate effects of dual task balance training on balance and activities of daily living(ADL) in Stroke patient. Methods : The purpose of study was to investigate effects of dual task balance training on balance and activities of daily living(ADL) in Stroke patient. Results : The results of this study were summarized as follows: There were significant improvement in balance and ADL following the training in experimental group. There were significant improvement in a part of balance following the training in control group, whereas there were no significant improvement in ADL following the training in control group. There were significant difference following training in both groups in balance and ADL. The level of statistical significance was <05. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, dual task balance training have an effects on balance and ADL in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out how gait training with shoulder-back assistive device affects dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke and to help improve body alignment, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Methods: Measurements were taken of the 20 subjects before intervention without shoulder-back assistive device, after intervention with device, and follow up after an hour compared. Berg balance scale used to evaluate dynamic balance; wii balance board was used to measure static balance; and gait ability were measured by timed up and go test and 10-meter walk test. To analyze the results, a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance was implemented to compare the measurements. Results: The results showed that, after wearing the shoulder-back assistive device, the subjects' dynamic balance statistically significantly improved; no statistically significant difference was observed in static balance, although their balance ability was enhanced; and their increase in gait ability was statistically significant. Conclusion: This study proved that gait training combined with a shoulder-back assistive device positively impacted dynamic and static balance, gait of patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2016

Background: Instability due to ankle sprains will be accompanied by a problem of balance and pain change. Balance trainer is used to improve the ankle strength and balance ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of pain and postural balance ability in ankle joint after balance trainer application in patients with ankle sprain and instability. Methods: Twenty patients in K hospital in Incheon were enrolled. Balance trainer was applied to 10 subjects in the experimental group and 10 subjects in the Balance cushion under the same conditions as the experimental group to compare the pain and balance ability. Results: In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change of the pain variation. In the postural balance ability comparison, there was a significant difference in total and post - posterior comparison compared to the control, but there was no significant difference in the postural balance ability comparison. Conclusion: Pain and postural balance ability of patients with instability due to ankle sprain improved the pain and balance ability of the Balance trainer group compared to the Balance cushion training group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.105-109
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ankle dual task including motor training on the static balance, dynamic balance in the elderly. METHODS: 30 elderly people were randomly divided into 3 groups: 10 people in the single motor task group, 10 people in the double motor dual task group and 10 people in the motor-cognitive dual task group. In the double motor dual tasks group was performed ankle balance motor task additional motor task. Motor-cognitive dual task group was performed ankle balance motor task additional cognitive task. Single motor task group was performed ankle balance motor task. It was performed three times intervention a week for six weeks. Statistical analysis method was performed using one way ANOVA for comparison between groups, and the paired t-test was used for comparison pre and post intervention. RESULTS: Static and dynamic balance were significant differences between pre and post intervention by three groups (p<.05). In static balance, there was a significant difference among groups (p<.05), but there was not a significant difference between groups in dynamic balance (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the research, the ankle balance dual task including motor or cognitive task was more effective than single motor task on static balance in the elderly.