• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2008

Background: The purpose of this study was to present a practical method of medical treatment to improve the balance and motor ability of the mentally retarded child with a single mentally retarded child-subject. Methods: The subject of the study was a 39-month-old mentally retarded female. This study included a 2-week basic period and a 13-week treatment period. The treatment method was based on the Bobath Approach. Gross motor function measurement (GMFM) was used to examine changes in motor ability, and the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) was used to measure changes in balance ability. The curative program was composed of normalization of muscle tone, strengthening of leg endurance and muscular strength, the improvement of trunk alignment, and the increase of balance. Visual rate of change was used to examine the results. Results: As a result of this study, balance ability increased on the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) by 24 points, and motor function increased in terms of Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM) by 6.9% (18 points). Standing increased by 41% (16 points), and walking, running, and jumping increased by 31.9% (23 points) compared to thebasic period. Therefore, the Bobath Approach appears to be an appropriate method to improve balance and motor ability in mentally retarded children. Conclusion: It is surmised that aggressive intervention by physical therapists and occupational therapists, and a follow-up study, are required for the growth of motor ability in mentally retarded children.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.225-233
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effects of incorporating short-term slow-abdominal respiration (SAR) into an exercise program, on balance and the cardiac-related autonomic nervous system (ANS). Design: Cross-over repeated measures design. Methods: Fifteen young and healthy adults were randomly assigned into two groups (7 in the C-R group, 8 in the R-C group), each of which carried out both control sequence (C) and respiration-experiment sequence (R) in the inverse order. In the C sequence, the subjects performed passive exercises and a general exercise program (P-GEP). In the R sequence, the subjects received a short-term SAR training session and then performed the respiration incorporated general exercises program (R-RGEP). Before and after both C and R sequences, the length and the area of the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) and heart rate variability parameters were measured. Results: The total length of the COP displacement in the left single-leg-standing condition showed a significantly greater reduction after R-RGEP in the respiration-experiment sequence than after the P-GEP in the control sequence (p<0.05). The mean heart rate was significantly reduced only after R-RGEP in the respiration-experiment sequence (p<0.05) Conclusions: The slow-abdominal-respiration, trained in a simple manner and integrated into the exercise program in a single session, showed partially positive immediate effects on balance stabilization. The decrease in heart rate indicated possible involvement of the parasympathetic ANS activation in the stability, although it is not enough to decide whether it is purely due to the controlled respiration.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.12-16
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• 2023

Purpose: Postoperative exercise for acute Achilles tendon rupture is important for a patient's return to daily life and sports. On the other hand, the protocol requires considerable effort to educate patients and continuous checking. This study evaluated the outcome of a new simple and delayed rehabilitation protocol after Achilles tendon rupture repair. Materials and Methods: From July 2014 to November 2020, one hundred eighty-three patients were operated on by one surgeon. The exercise protocol was classified into two methods. One group (immediate protocol, control group) started immediate full weight bearing with a 20° plantar flexion range of motion from two days postoperatively. Ankle dorsiflexion was restricted to 0°. The other group (delayed protocol, case group) started full weight bearing with a controlled ankle motion boot from two weeks postoperatively. No range of motion exercise was allowed until six weeks postoperatively. Age, sex, body mass index, ankle range of motion, muscle power, time to return to previous physical activity, functional score, and complication rate were evaluated. The results of the two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. Results: The range of motion, double heel rising, and one-leg standing were achieved faster in the control group (p<0.05). However, single-heel rising, repeated single-heel rising, return to previous activity (work, run, and sport), and functional scores showed no statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Simple and delayed postoperative rehabilitation of acute Achilles tendon rupture without active range of motion exercises showed satisfactory functional results and a low complication rate.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.18-29
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of hallux valgus (HV) correction taping on the foot arch and balance of young adults with HV of the big toe. Methods: Forty-eight adults volunteered to participate in this study; of them, the 37 feet (11 men, 26 women) with ${\geq}15^{\circ}$ lateral bending of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, on a goniometer, were selected as the target foot. Non-elastic correction tape was applied to the foot with HV, while the target foot was used to evaluate the changes, before versus after taping, in the lateral bending angle of the big toe, navicular drop level, Clarke angle, and static balance using a Gaitview system. Each measurement was performed three times, and the average of each set was used in the analysis. The patients'general characteristics were compared by using an independent t-test, and the measurement values were analyzed by using a paired t-test. Results: After taping, the lateral bending angle of the toe significantly decreased (p<.05), difference in navicular drop level significantly decreased (p<.05), the Clarke angle significantly increased (p<.05), and static balance significantly improved (p<.05). Conclusion: We showed that HV taping resulted in an immediately improved HV angle, arch, and single-leg standing balance on the foot with HV. However, further studies should investigate the correlation between HV and foot arch.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.46-54
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• 2016

Background: Rasch analysis estimates the probability that a respondent will endorse an item and select a particular rating for that item. It has the advantage of placing both the items and the person along a single ration scale and calibrates person ability and item difficulty onto an interval scale by logits. In addition, Rasch analysis is a useful tool for exploring the validity of questionnaires that have been developed using traditional methods. Therefore, it has been recommended as a method for developing and evaluating functional outcome measures. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the item fit, item difficulty, and rating scale of the Korean version of the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (KFAB) using Rasch analysis. Methods: Total 97 subjects (39 males and 58 females) with dwelling elderly adults were participated, but 3 people were excluded for misfit persons. Rasch analysis was then done by means of the Winsteps program to determine the item fit, item difficulty, rating scale, and reliability of the KFAB. Results: In this study, the 'standing with feet together and eyes closed', 'two-footed jump', 'walk with head turns', and 'stand on foam, eyes closed' items shown misfit statistics. The most difficult item was 'stand on one leg', whereas the easiest item was 'turn in full circle'. The rating scale was acceptable with all criteria. Both item and person separation indices and reliability showed acceptable values. This would indicated that each domain covers a useful range of item difficulty that is appropriate for measuring a person with a wide range of functional ability. Conclusion: The KFAB has been proven reliable, valid and an appropriate tool with which to evaluate the balance of the elderly people.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.633-641
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to evaluate a new flight suit in bilateral ways; subjectively and objectively in the improvements of comfort and mobility. Seven healthy males at the age of twenties volunteered in this wearing test. They were over 177 cm in height and 92-95 cm in chest circumference, which satisfies the M95 Special' size described in the Korean Military Specifications and Standards. The subjective satisfaction was evaluated according to the criteria of ease of donning and doffing, fitness of wear, mobility, space between cloth and body, convenience in using restroom. Subjective satisfaction evaluation says that the best improvement of movement are neck circumference, chest breadth, armscye circumference, waist back length, crotch length, crotch height and body rise. According to the evaluation, improvements of mobility were conspicuous especially in parts of body like neck, breast, waist, back, and arms. When evaluating objective satisfaction, we measured a angle difference in a prescribed standard-grid on a photograph that picked up while the subject performed each motion in front of 10 cm-interval grid. As a result, the motion that had angle difference above 5 degrees were arm stretching and standing on single leg holding at forward or at his side. Bending necks and waist, crouching also had angle difference of over 5 degrees. The improvements are discussed from the viewpoint that the increased ease in parts of armscye circumference and crotch in new flight suit pattern.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare muscle structure, balance, and gait parameters between healthy adults and persons with stroke and to analyze the correlation among these variables. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty persons with stroke (11 male, 9 female) and twenty healthy participants (9 male, 11 female) were included. Ultrasound images of the triceps surae and the tibialis anterior were acquired in sitting resting, sitting co-contraction, and standing resting positions and also during the functional reach test (FRT) and single leg anterior reaching test (SLART). Muscle thickness and fascicle length were measured. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using a pressure walkway. Gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, stance time, and swing time were measured. Results: Changes in percent fascicle length were significantly greater in the gastrocnemius and soleus (SOL) muscles of healthy adults in the sitting co-contraction position (p<0.05). The percent fascicle length of the SOL in FRT and SLART were significantly greater in healthy adults (p<0.05). The mid-stance phase of stroke patients was shorter than healthy adults (p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between percent fascicle length of the SOL in the sitting co-contraction position and the proportion of the mid-stance phase (p<0.05). Conclusions: The function of the triceps surae is affected in persons with stroke when compared with healthy adults. This can lead to difficulty in performing tasks that involve forward transfer of weight. If the triceps surae is not sufficiently secured, the possibility of compensation in the stance phase increases during gait.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

Background: Functional massage is a therapeutic massage that incorporates joint motion in non-end-range to reduce pain and improve range of motion (ROM) in patients. This study was aimed at investigating the immediate effect of functional massage on pain, range of motion, balance ability and, gait speed of patients having undergone total hip replacement. Methods: Twenty patients were treated by one participating orthopedic manual physical therapist and randomly assigned to the control group (n=10) or the experimental group (n=10). To treat patients of each group, functional massage and range of motion exercises were used. The experimental group received a functional massage and the control group received range of motion exercise for minutes for one session. The visual analog scale was used for pain assessment. Balance ability was measured using a timed up and go test and a one-leg standing test for patients. The 10-meter walk test was used for the measurement of gait speed assessment of patients. Results: Significant improvements were observed in terms of balance ability (p<.05), gait speed (p<.05), and ROM (p<.05) after functional massage. There was no significant inter-group difference (p>.05). Conclusion: Application of the functional massage showed that statistically significant improvements in ROM, gait speed, and balance ability after a single treatment session. This technique may be a useful treatment in patients having undergone total hip replacement.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2015

Objective : Walking with a Material handling is an activity frequently undertaken by agricultural workers in Korea, due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to investigate differences in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs when walking with a heavy load, and to use this as basic data in the design of various working environments to reduce the skeletomuscular burden on the knee joint. Method : The study subjects comprised of 22 right-foot dominant adult men and women aged between 20 and 23 years. The subjects were divided into a varus or valgus group according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limb by using radiographic findings. The subjects walked without any load and with a load of 10%, 20%, or 30% of their body weight held in front of them. The Kwon3d XP program was used to calculate biomechanical variables. Results : The flexion/extension moment of the knee joint showed a decreasing trend with increased load, irrespective of the mechanical alignment of the lower limb, while the varus group did not show normal compensatory action when supported by one leg at the point of maximum vertical ground reaction force. In addition, in terms of the time taken, subjects showed no difficulties in one-foot support time up to 20%/BW, but at 30%/BW, despite individual differences, there was an increase in single limb. The increased load resulted in a decrease in the ratio of standing phase to ensure physical stability. The valgus group showed a trend of increasing the stability of their center of mass with increasing load, through higher braking power in the early standing phase. Conclusion : In conclusion, although there was no statistical difference in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs, the varus group showed a more irregular walking pattern with a Material handling than the valgus group, partially proving the association between lower limb alignment and walking with a Material handling.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.665-677
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• 2017

This study aimed to examine the evolution of exercise performance and medical assessments in U-12 youth football players. Participants were recruited from an youth football players (YFG, n=15; $11.2{\pm}0.9yrs$) and normal youth (CON, n=15; $11.5{\pm}0.6yrs$). Both groups were tested for exercise performance (health related physical fitness, skill related physical fitness, functional movement screen; FMS and Y-balance) and medical assessments (lower extremity alignment, range of motion; ROM and manual muscle test; MMT). YFG showed a positive effects on pacer in health related physical fitness, 50-m run and Single-leg standing with eyes closed in skill related physical fitness, active straight leg raise and rotary stability in FMS, non-dominant composite score in Y-balance, respectively compared to CON. However, YFG showed a negative effects on Q-angle of dominant and non-dominant in lower extremity alignment, dorsiflexion of non-dominant, plantarflexion of dominant and non-dominan in ROM, hip extension and abduction, knee flexion and extension of dominant, knee flexion and extension of non-dominant in MMT, respectively compared to CON. These results indicated that U-12 youth football players have shown excellent exercise performance, but medical assessments has proved negative effects.