• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.281-286
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the correlations among the resting physical factors related to a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and to determine the effects of the resting physical factors on the distance and intensity related to the 6MWT in healthy female subjects. Methods: A total of 43 healthy female subjects ($22.84{\pm}3.90yrs$) participated in this study. They performed the 6MWT, and the physical factors related to the 6MWT were assessed. SPSS 20.0 was used to analyze the data, and the mean and standard deviation were calculated, and the collected data were analyzed by the Pearson's correlation coefficient (among physical factors related to 6MWT) and independent t-test (between six-minute walk distance [6MWD] groups and six-minute walk intensity [6MWI] groups). Results: The 6MWD had a significant negative correlation with the resting HR (beat/min) in healthy female subjects (r=-0.49, p<0.05). The 6MWI had a significant negative correlation with the resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r=-0.45, p<0.01). A comparison of the 6MWD revealed the long distance group (LDG, 700-799 m) to be significantly higher than the middle distance group (MDG, 600-699 m) in the 6MWI (%), %predicted distance (%), predicted VO2max (mL/kg/min), resting HR (beat/min), and resting SBP (mmHg)(p<0.05). In the comparison of 6MWI, the moderate intensity group (MIG, 64-75%HRmax) was significantly lower than the low intensity group (LIG, 50-63%HRmax) in the resting SBP (mmHg) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the resting physical factors are related to the 6MWD and 6MWI of the 6MWT in healthy females. In particular, SBP is associated with not only the 6MWD but also the 6MWI in 6MWT.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.182-190
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• 2021

Rehabilitation dog-walking can be used to improve physical activity and restore QOL in stroke patients. This study investigated the effect of rehabilitation dog-walking on the QOL and physical activity of stroke patients. Twenty-four stroke patients were recruited for this study. Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized 1:1 into two groups. The evaluator measured stroke specific-quality of life (SS-QOL), six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected and non-affected side. The experimental group received gait training with a rehabilitation dog for 30 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. As a result of the study, there was a significant increase in SS-QOL, six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected side in the experimental group after the intervention. In addition, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SS-QOL, six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected side than the control group. Rehabilitation dog-walking may be an intervention method that can improve QOL and physical activity after stroke.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.6
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• pp.269-275
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• 2014

Background: The six-minute walk test has been widely used in people with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders as an outcome assessment with regards to therapeutic or prognostic determinants. This study was undertaken to determine the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) in a sample of healthy Koreans and to create a reference equation. We also compared the 6MWD of our cohort with previously published equations. Methods: Two hundred fifty-nine healthy subjects (95 males) aged 22-59 years performed two walking tests using a standardized protocol. 6MWD was defined as the greatest distance achieved from the two tests. The effect of anthropometrics on the 6MWD was also investigated. Results: The average 6MWD was $598.5{\pm}57.92m$, with significantly longer distances by males ($628.9{\pm}59.51m$) than females ($580.9{\pm}47.80m$) (p<0.001). Age, height, weight, and body mass index were significantly correlated with 6MWD in univariate analysis. Stepwise multiple regression showed height to be single independent predictor of 6MWD ($r^2$=0.205, p<0.001). The reference equations derived in Caucasian and North African populations tend to overestimate the distance walked by Korean subjects, while Asian equations underestimate it. Conclusion: The average 6MWD in these Korean populations was 600 m. The regression equation revealed that individual's height was the most significant predictor of distance, explaining 20.5% of the distance variance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the ring lock type knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) with newly developed 4-bar linkage KAFO on the gait characteristics of persons with poliomyelitis clinically. This 4-bar linkage is the stance control type KAFO which provide the stability during stance phase and knee flexion during swing phase. Two subjects participated in this study voluntarily. We provided the customized 4-bar linkage KAFO then asked the subjects to walk in level surface and stairs under the two different KAFO conditions. The characteristics of gait in the persons with poliomyelitis were evaluated using a 3D motion analysis system and force plate. Additionally 6 minute walk test for physiological cost index were conducted using pulse oximeter to measure the energy consumption. In the results of this study, the differences of 4-bar linkage KAFO compared with ring lock type KAFO are as follows: (1) Walking speed, stride length, and step length on level increased in subjects, (2) The gait symmetry was improved by generated knee flexion and decreased pelvic external rotation on level and stairs walking, (3) Decreased vertical excursion of center of mass and pelvic elevation during swing phase was decreased on level, (4) Knee extension moment, hip flexion moment, hip and knee internal rotation moment of non-braced limb were decreased on level walking, (5) Walking speed in 6-minute walk test was increased and physiological cost index was decreased. These findings indicate that 4-bar linkage KAFO compared with ring lock type KAFO is effective in enhancing pattern, endurance, and energy consumption in level surface and stairs walking.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prove the effects of the PNF patterns combined with whole-body vibration (PWBV) training on muscle strength, balance, walking speed, and endurance in stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned to the PWBV group (n=8) and the whole-body vibration (WBV) group (n=8). The PWBV group performed PNF pattern exercises using sprinter combined with WBV, while the WBV group performed using squatting for 30 minutes. Both groups performed therapeutic interventions five days per week over a period of four weeks. The manual muscle test, timed up and go test (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to assess the muscle strength, balance, and gait of the participants. The SPSS Ver. 19.0 statistical program was used for data processing. Statistical analysis included a pared t-test to compare the pre- and post-intervention, and an independent t-test was used to compare groups. The significance level was set as 0.05. Results: The PWBV group and WBV group showed significant improvements in the TUG, 10MWT, and 6MWT (P<0.05). Significant differences between the PWBV and WBV groups were found (P<0.05). Conclusion: The PWBV improved muscle strength, balance, gait speed, and endurance in stroke patients. Thus, PWBV may be suggested as a therapeutic intervention in patients with stroke hemiplegia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.331-340
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in body composition, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and functional physical ability in urban-dwelling elderly women with or without obesity. Methods: All study participants were assigned to the normal weight group (n=8, BMI<25) and the obesity group (n=7, BMI>25) based on their obesity rate. Anthropometric measurement was conducted and body composition was measured. For the upper and lower limb strength, grip strength and maximal isometric knee extension and flexion were evaluated by a dynamometer. The senior fitness test was performed to measure functional ability. Data analysis was conducted by the independent t-test and the alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The waist, hips, and thighs of obese elderly women were thicker than those of normal-weight elderly women. This physical difference resulted from body fat mass, not muscle mass. Despite a similar level of limb muscle mass between the two groups, the upper limb grip strength was higher (24.00% for left, 19.95% for right) in the normal-weight women than the obese women (p<0.05), but otherwise there was no difference in maximal knee flexion or extension isometric strength. Functional physical ability showed no difference in a 30-second chair sit and stand test and a six-minute walk test, but a 30-second arm-curl (11.00% for left, 14.81% for right), back stretch (8.54cm for left, 8.99cm for right), chair sit and reach (9.22cm for left, 6.24cm for right), and 2.44 meter round trip walk (0.62 sec, 9.39%) were faster in performance for normal-weight elderly women than obese elderly women (p<0.05). Conclusion: Taken together, despite similar levels of upper and lower extremity muscle mass, normal-weight elderly women showed higher performance in upper limb strength, flexibility, and agility than obese elderly women, but there was no difference in lower extremity functional muscle strength and cardiopulmonary endurance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.109-113
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fall experience and task complexity on gait performance in community-dwelling persons with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-three persons who had a history of stroke participated in this study. The participants included 18 persons (aged mean 54.0, mean score of 24.6 points on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) with fall experience (faller group) and 15 persons (aged mean 53.7, mean score of 24.7 points on the MoCA) without fall experience (non-faller group) in the previous six months. This study measured balance and gait performance at two different conditions (with/without 70% of water filled in a 200 cc cup). The participants were clinically assessed using the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Berg Balance scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test. Results: After analyzation, persons in the faller group performed significantly better on the 10MWT, 6MWT, BBS, DGI, and the TUG test in the no-cup-carrying condition than those in the cup-carrying condition (p<0.05). The persons in the non-faller group also performed significantly better in all outcome measures with the no-cup-carrying condition than those in the cup-carrying condition (p<0.05). However, there was no interaction between fall experience and task complexity in the two groups. Conclusions: Our results showed that balance and gait performance depended on fall experience and task complexity but fall experience did not interact with task complexity. Clinicians should consider fall prevention and task complexity during therapeutic approaches in persons with hemiparetic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2014

Objective: In the present study, the effects of progressive body weight support treadmill forward & backward walking training (FBWT), progressive body weight support treadmill forward walking training (FWT), and progressive body weight support treadmill backward walking training (BWT), and on stroke patients' ambulatory abilities were examined. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 36 chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups with 12 subjects in each group. Each of the groups performed one of the progressive body weight supported treadmill training methods for 30 minute, six times per week for three weeks, and then received general physical therapy without any other intervention until the follow-up tests. For the assessment of the step length, total double support, cadence, gait were measured using optogait and the 10-m walk test (10MWT), 6 minutes walk test (6MWT). Results: In the within group comparisons, all the three groups showed significant differences between before and after the intervention (p<0.05). In the comparison of the three groups, there were significant differences among the three groups in stride length, double limb support stance, cadence, 10MWT, and 6MWT in the third week, and only in stride length, 10MWT, and 6MWT test in the sixth week (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study verified that progressive body weight-supported treadmill gait training positively affected the gait ability of stroke patients in an actual gait environment. It also showed that FBWT group was more effective than FWT group and BWT group training.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the FES-gait with augmented feedback training to the FES alone on the gait and functional performance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: This study used a pretest and posttest randomized control design. The subjects who signed the agreement were randomly divided into 12 experimental groups and 12 control groups. The experimental groups performed two types of augmented feedback training (knowledge of performance and knowledge of results) together with FES, and the control group performed FES on the TA and GM without augmented feedback and then walked for 30 minutes for 40 meters. Both the experimental groups and the control groups received training five times a week for four weeks. Results: The groups that received the FES with augmented feedback training significantly showed a greater improvement in single limb support (SLS) and gait velocity than the groups that received FES alone. In addition, timed up and go (TUG) test and six minute walk test (6MWT) showed a significant improvement in the groups that received FES with augmented feedback compared to the groups that received FES alone. Conclusion: Compared with the existing FES gait training, augmented feedback showed improvements in gait parameters, walking ability, and dynamic balance. The augmented feedback will be an important method that can provide motivation for motor learning to stroke patients.