• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2001

이 연구는 성인 편마비 환자를 대상으로 PLS (Posterior Leaf Spring) 착용이 기립 균형에 미치는 영향을 알아보는 것이었다. 신발만 착용하였을 때의 기립조건과 신발과 PLS를 동시에 착용한 기립조건의 평균평형지수가 맨발로 서 있을 때의 기립조건에 비하여 높았다. 그러나 신발만 착용한 기립조건과 신발과 PLS를 함께 착용한 기립조건하에서의 평균평형지수의 차이는 없었다. 따라서 편마비 환자의 기립균형과 관련하여 PLS만을 착용한 효과와 신발만을 착용한 효과를 비교하는 연구가 필요하다.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1999

The Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) has been used for hemiplegic patients in order to help their walking and to increase their balance function. Past studies have mainly focused on the PLS's influence on patients' walking without taking balance function into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effect of PLS on the standing balance in hemiplegic patients. Fifteen hemiplegic patients participated in this study: 10 men and 5 women, with an average age of 53.8 years. Standing balance was measured using a computerized dynamic posturography device under three conditions namely bare-foot standing, standing in shoes without PLS, and standing in shoes with PLS. The results were as follows: 1) The composite equilibrium scores of patients who stood in shoes only and stood in shoes with PLS were higher than those of patients who stood bare-foot. 2) There were no statistical difference in the composite equilibrium scores between the standing condition of patients who stood bare foot and that of patients who stood in shoes with PLS. In conclusion, it is not clear whether or not the PLS affects the standing balance of hemiplegic patients. Further study is required to determine the precise effect of the PLS on standing balance in hemiplegic patients who are not wearing shoes. This is particularly relevant in Korea culture where custom demands the removal of shoes when entering any house or even many restaurants.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.55-76
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• 1996

The objective of this study was to identify the immediate effects of the short leg brace on the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients who had been hospitalized or visited out-patient department of Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, from January 5, 1996 through March 23, 1996. PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring) on and off changes in gait patterns were measured using ink foot print as well as by recording weight bearing distribution using a limb load monitor. The data were analyzed by the correlation and paired t-test. The findings were as follows: 1. Eighteen subjects were more weighted on the affected leg when PLS was put off(42.74%) than on(40.08%). 2. The defference in gait patterns between PLS on and off was statistically significant, with an increase in step length by 1.7cm on the involved side; a decrease in foot angle by 4.41 degree on the involved side; and a narrowing of base of support by 1.46cm when PLS were off. In conclusion, this study showed that PLS did not affect the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. Since, the evaluation method used in this study has limitations in regard to temporal distance gait values. Further studies are required to numerous experiments for subject and extensive study.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Background: Hemiplegic patients usually have difficulty maintaining balance. Balance training is a major component of there habilitation program for patients with neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring), FES(Functional Electrical stimulation), treadmill training, and neurodevelopmental treatment on the improvement of balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: We looked into published studies from Dankook University’s electronic library databases of RISS4U, KMbase, NCBI, and MEDLIS concerning the effectiveness of any form of intervention leading to improvement of balance. All types of studies relevant to the topic that were published in English during the time period of 1986 to 2005 were included. Results: 1. There were significant differences in standing balance, dynamic activity balance, and gait speed between barefoot subjects and subjects who wore SPAFO and HPAFO(p<.05). 2. The changes in ROM and FRT related to sex, age, height, and weight part of the diagnosis, as well as experience relapse, was of meaningless value. Changes in ROM related to the duration of pain and experiences of falling down were also meaningless. However, FRT showed significant static differences(p<.05). 3. The body-weight-support treadmill training scoring of standing balance, step length, and a timed 10m walking test showed definite improvement. 4. The proprioceptive control approach improved dynamic balance in patients with hemiplegia. Conclusion: Consequently, further study is needed to verify methods when physical therapists are researching balance ability in hemiplegic patient.