• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.288-296
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to determine whether mechanical horseback-riding training depending on velocity can improve vestibular function and static postural balance on standing in healthy adults. Methods: For evaluation of vestibular function, electrooculography (EOG) of vertical and horizontal was performed for identification of the motion of eyes. For evaluation of static postural balance, COP distance, time spent on the sharpened Romberg test with neck extension (SRNE) were measured. Measurements were performed three times before training, three weeks after training, and six weeks after training. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: fast velocity-mechanical horse -riding training (FV-MHRT, n=12), moderate velocity-mechanical horse-riding training (MV-MHRT, n=12), and slow velocity-mechanical horse-riding training (SV-MHRT, n=12). Results: According to the result for vertical, horizontal EOG, there was significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time (p<0.05). The FV-MHRT group showed a significant decrease compared with the MV- MHRT, SV-MHRT groups (p<0.05). According to the result for static postural balance, the time spent, COP distance in SRNE showed significant interaction in each group in accordance with the experiment time (p<0.05). The time spent on the SRNE showed a significant increas in FV-MHRT, SV-MHRT (p<0.05). The COP distance of SRNE showed a significant increase in MV-MHRT (p<0.05). Conclusion: The MHRT velocity activated mechanism of vestibular spinal reflex (VSR), vestibular ocular reflex (VOR), also helped to strengthen vestibular function and static postural balance. In addition, it should be applied to different velocity of MHRT according to the specific purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.435-443
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• 2010

Purpose : The goal of this study was to identify the effects of treadmill walking training (TW) and ergometer bicycle training (EB) on gait and balance in stroke patients. Methods : The subjects consisted of 42 stroke patients. They were randomly divided to two groups: TW(n=20) and EB(n=22). Each group trained along with the conventional physical therapy, three times a week for six weeks. The ability of gait was assessed by the 10m walk test and Timed Up and Go test(TUG). The ability of balance was assessed by Berg Balance Scale(BBS) and Balance Performance Monitor(BPM). Results : There was no significant difference between the 10m walking test and TUG groups, but there was a statistical difference between before and after the training for all groups. The result of BBS that assessed balance showed a significant reduction between before and after the training for all groups, but there was no difference between the two groups. While the two groups showed no difference in the BPM assessment, only the EB showed a significant improvement of before and after the training in each group. Conclusion : The outcomes suggest that stroke patients can improve their gait and balance performance through the TW and EB trainings. Although dynamic mean balance showed significance from EB, no significant difference was found between two groups. Even though it cannot be determined through this study which training group is more effective among the above mentioned two, it could be suggested that each training is effective to gait ability and the ability of balance of stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The ability for backward walking is considered to be necessary for the neuromuscular control and maintenance of balance in daily ambulatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of backward walking training on the walking speed and balance control in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fourteen patients with hemiplegia were randomly allocated to an experimental and control groups of seven patients each. For the experimental group, we performed both conventional training and backward walking training, and conventional training only for the control group. The conventional training programs for the 2 groups were conducted for 30 min, twice a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and backward walking training for the experimental group was conducted for 30 min, 3 times a week. The outcomes were assessed using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG) Test, and the 10 meter walk time test (10mWT). Result: A comparison of the FRT, TUG test, and 10mWT scores obtained before and after the 4-week treatment revealed statistically significant differences (p<.05) for the experimental group; however, there was no such difference in the case of the control group (p>.05). On assessment after the 4-week treatment, statistically significant differences were noted in the TUG test and 10mWT scores of the experimental group (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that backward walking training is an effective clinical strategy for improving the walking speed and functional mobility of patients with hemiplegia.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of gluteus medius (GM) strengthening training using the pressure biofeedback unit for lower extremity muscle function and balance ability in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-seven stroke patients (14 men, 13 women) volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups: pressure biofeedback unit GM training, general GM training, and control group. Experimental group 1 performed GM strengthening training using PBU in the sidelying position. Experimental group 2 performed GM strengthening training without PBU in the sidelying position. The training program lasted 4 weeks (20-minute sessions, three times a week). Muscle function was assessed by measuring muscle strength and endurance, and Berg balance scale (BBS), Lateral Reach Test (LRT), and limited of stability (LOS) velocity were measured for evaluation of balance ability. Results: Enhancement of muscle strength and endurance was significantly higher in experimental group 1 than in the other two groups (p<0.05). In comparison of the balance function, experimental group 1 showed a significantly enhanced ability to balance (p<0.05). After the intervention, experimental group 1 showed a significant reduction of LOS velocity in the anterior direction and affected direction (p<0.05). There was no significant difference than the other two groups but a large reduction was observed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that selective gluteus medius strengthening training using the pressure biofeedback unit is effective for lower extremity muscle function and balance ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine, in stroke patients, differences between backward walking training applied on a treadmill and the same training applied on the ground. Methods: Twenty seven stroke patients were divided into a treadmill backward walking group of 14 patients and a ground backward walking group of 13 subjects. Each group performed their respective training method for 8 weeks (15 min per day, 4 days a week). Walking ability was measured using a 10 m MWS (Maximal Walking Speed) test and the GAITRite system to examine changes in walking. Cadence, stridelength, step time, step length and symmetry index of the less affected side were measured to examine changes in stance phase of the lower extremity of the more affected side. Results: 10 m MWS, cadence, stride length, step time and step length of the less affected side significantly increased and symmetry index significantly decreased after training in both groups. The treadmill backward walking group experienced a significantly greater increase in step time and step length and a significantly greater decrease in symmetry index than the ground backward walking group. Conclusion: The two walking training methods were effective for improving stability in stance phase of the lower extremity of the more affected side, but the treadmill method was more effective. The present study is meaningful in that it analyzed the effects of backward walking training methods on walking and the differences of the training methods to provide information necessary for effective treatment of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was conducted to examine the effects of unstable surface training and galvanic vestibular stimulation on balance and proprioception. Methods : 4-week training was applied to 40 normal adults in their twenties (unstable surface training group 10, galvanic vestibular stimulation group 10, unstable surface training and galvanic vestibular stimulation group 10, control group 10). Balance and proprioception was measured before the experiment, after two weeks, and after four weeks. Repeated ANOVA was used for balance and proprioception analysis. Results : As a result of repeated ANOVA on balance changes in double support, a significant difference was found in open sight in interaction among groups and periods (p<0.05). As a result of repeated ANOVA on balance changes in double support, there was a significant difference in closed sight and interaction among groups and periods (p<0.05). As a result of repeated ANOVA on balance changes in proprioception, there was no statistically significant difference in interaction among groups and periods. Conclusion : In conclusion, both unstable surface training and galvanic vestibular stimulation had positive effect on balance control and proprioception improvement, and their excellence was not greatly different. Thus, it is possible to use unstable surface training and galvanic vestibular stimulation for physical therapy intervention to improve balance and proprioception. Since the results showed that simultaneous application of two methods had greater effects on difference compared with a single application, it is suggested to use this intervention in the clinical field.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to apply treadmill training through motor learning to cerebral palsy children and examine its effects on their Gross Motor Functions. The subjects of this study were 13 spastic diplegia children who had difficulty in independent gait, and GMFCS level III, IV. We performed treadmill gait training using the principle of weight bearing, based on 4times a week for 30 minutes before and after each session physical therapy we gave weight bearing treadmill training 5 to 10 minutes, during 7 weeks(April 9, 2012~May 26, 2012) fittingly for the children's gait characteristics. In order to test how the weight bearing treadmill training affects spastic diplegia children's gross motor functions, we measured body mobility with Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). These data were collected before and after the experiment and analyzed through comparison. Data collected from the 13 spastic diplegia children the results were as follows. For evaluating with regard to change in body mobility, significant difference was observed between before and after the experiment in measured gross motor functions, which were crawling, kneeling, standing, walking, jumping and running(p<0.05). According to the results of this study, when gait training through motor learning was applied to spastic cerebral palsy children, it made significant changes in their body mobility. Accordingly, for the effective application of gait training through motor learning to cerebral palsy children, it is considered necessary to make research from different angle on how such training affects children's mobility, activity of muscles in the lower limbs, and gait characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and conventional inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction. METHODS: This study measured diaphragm movement, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and thoracic mobility (upper, middle, and lower trunk) under two different conditions. Forty young women between 19 and 24 years of age who had no history of orthopedic symptoms for the last 6 months were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing, and the control group performed conventional inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing. RESULTS: The control group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility and PEF. The experimental group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility. Particularly, the experimental group showed significant increases in diaphragm movement (p<.05), FVC (p<.05), FEV1 (p<.05), and PEF (p<.05) relative to the control group. CONCLUSION: We recommend inspiratory muscle training with a virtual reality program over conventional training to improve diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of action observational training with acoustic stimulation (AOTA) on the balance and gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: Forty-five chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups. The AOTA group (n = 15) received training via a video that showed a normal gait with the sound of footsteps. The action observation training (AOT) group (n = 15) received AOT without acoustic stimulation. The control group (n = 15) received physical training. Each intervention was applied once per day, three times per week for six weeks. The participants in the AOTA and AOT groups had five minutes of AOT. The participants in the all group had 20 minutes of physical training. All participants were measured using the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Functional Reaching Test, 10 Meter Walk Test, six Minute Walk Test, and Dynamic Gait Index. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. The between- and within-group comparisons were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and a paired t-test, respectively. For all statistical analyses, the significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: The one-way ANOVA test identified significant differences among the measurement results of the three groups (p < .05). Post hoc analyses indicated the AOTA group to undergo more significant balance and gait changes than the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The gait and balance abilities could be improved effectively for patients with stroke when action observation training and acoustic stimulation were applied simultaneously.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to investigate pulmonary function among smokers and non-smokers, and effect on respiratory muscle training in smoker. Methods : Twenty participants were allocated into smokers group(n = 10) and non-smokers group(n = 10). Pulmonary function was measured by spirometry(Pony FX, COSMED Inc., Italy). The smoker group was compared pulmonary function before and after respiratory muscle training. Results : The results were as follows; There was significant difference on PEF, FEV1/FVC%, FEF25~75%, MEF75% and MEF50% among smoker and non-smokers(p<.05). But, there was not significantly difference after intervention in smokers. Conclusion : The present study found that smoker decreased pulmonary function than non-smokers.