• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2017

Background: Short foot exercise (SFex) is often prescribed and performed in the sport and rehabilitation fields to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles. However, SFex is difficult to perform because of lack of feedback methods. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of SFex with and without electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of healthy individuals who maintained a static standing position. Methods: All participants (14 males and 12 females) were randomly divided into two groups (biofeedback and non-biofeedback groups). The EMG activity of the abductor hallucis (AbdH) and tibialis anterior (TA) and the MLA angle on the dominant leg side were measured with the participant in the standing position in the pre- and post-intervention conditions. The intervention session consisted of 15 minutes of SFex with (biofeedback group) or without (non-biofeedback group) EMG biofeedback. The groups were compared using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The post-intervention activities of the AbdH muscle (p<.05) and the AbdH/TA ratio (p<.05) were significantly greater in the biofeedback group than in the non-biofeedback group. The activity of the TA (p<.05) and the MLA angle (p<.05) in the biofeedback group were significantly lower in the post-intervention condition than in the pre-intervention condition. Conclusion: The present findings demonstrate that the combination of SFex and EMG biofeedback can effectively facilitate the muscle activity of the AbdH and strengthen the medial longitudinal arch.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of whole body vibratory stimulation on muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy among super-aged women. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-eight super-aged women over 80 years of age were assigned to either the experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=14). The experimental group received an exercise program that used the whole body vibratory stimulation with a frequency of 30 Hz and amplitude of 3 mm, and the control group received an exercise program without vibratory stimulation. Intervention was provided for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 30 minutes per session. In order to measure lower extremity muscle strength the 30-second chair stand test (CST) was used. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure dynamic balance. Static balance was measured by tracking the path length, velocity, and area of the center of pressure (CoP). The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) was used to measure the subjects' fear of falling. Results: Both the experimental and control group demonstrated statistically significant increase in muscle strength, dynamic balance, and fall efficacy (p<0.05). Only the experimental group showed significant improvements in static balance before and after the intervention (p<0.05). The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in CST, BBS, and CoP (path length, velocity) than control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Whole body vibratory stimulation exercise is shown to be a safe and appropriate physical therapy intervention method to enhance muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy of super-aged women.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2008

A decrease in the ability to maintain static and dynamic balance after stroke could be related to the inability to select reliable sensory information in producing relative motor action needed to maintain postural stability. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two different types of surface conditions on the balancing ability of subjects with stroke. Eighteen hemiparetic subjects were assigned to an experimental and control group participating in a six－week rehabilitative therapeutic exercise program focusing on balance and mobility. Exercises were performed 3 to 5 times per week in a stable surface condition by the control group, and in an unstable surface condition by the experimental group. Pre－ and post test assessments involved the measurement of the static balance and dynamic balance, respectively by 7－item Berg Balance Scale－3P and by Pro－3 Balance System. Results showed that under the unstable surface condition, static balance in the experimental group showed more improvement than that of the control group.(Statistically, not very significant.) All the aspects of dynamic balance and mediolateral sway(balance) improved significantly than those of the control group. However, there were no significant differences between two groups. Overall, it can be concluded that under the unstable surface condition, the rehabilitative therapeutic exercise programs are effective in improving the dynamic balance of stroke subjects. The results suggest that the adaptation of the unstable surface in the rehabilitative therapeutic exercises could be effective for the patients with hemiplegia in balance. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the unstable surface on improving balance and postural stability of hemiplegics.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.70-74
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the application of whole body vibration training (WBV) on the balance ability of patients with an American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) type C or D spinal cord injury. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twelve patients with spinal cord injury were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomized to an experimental group (n=6) or control group (n=6). The subjects in the experimental group received WBV exercise and the control group received the sham exercise without vibration. The vibrations were adjusted vertically to the patient at a 30 Hz frequency and 3 mm amplitude. The whole body vibration lasted for 16 minutes in total including 5-minutes warm-up and cool-down at the beginning and end of the program, respectively. The static sitting balance ability was assessed by measuring the postural sway while sitting on the force plate with the eyes opened or closed. Postural sway length was measured for 30 seconds with a self-selected comfortable position. Results: In the static balance test, the anterio-posterior, medio-lateral, and total postural sway length with the eyes open and closed was improved significantly before and after the intervention in the experimental group (p<0.05). The experimental group showed significantly more improvement than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that WBV training has a positive effect on improving static sitting balance and enhanced control of postural sway in patients with an ASIA-C or D type spinal cord injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the differences between the muscle activity of cranio-cervical flexion and extension muscles according to the types of tools used through a short-term intervention of cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises using small tools. METHODS: A total of fifteen male and female adults in their 20s who showed forward head posture in the overall body posture measurement system participated in this study. Each subject performed cranio-cervical static stabilization exercises about flexion and extension while using a sling, a foam roller, a TOGU ball, and without tools separately, and the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, scalenus anterior and splenius capitis was measured. Each value was measured for 10 seconds a total of three times. The maximum voluntary isometric contraction value was computed using the average during the middle four seconds. RESULTS: Cranio-cervical flexion exercises using various tool types, the average activity of the sternocleidomastoid and scalenus anterior muscles was significantly higher when applying the TOGU ball (p<.05). According to the results of implementing cranio-cervical flexion exercise using various tools, the maximum muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly higher for the TOGU ball (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, the provision of an unstable surface using small tools rather than a stable surface is recommended as an exercise scheme for proprioceptive stimulation in a forward head posture. Particularly, we recommend using the TOGU ball for the provision of an unstable surface to increase the muscle activity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and scalenus anterior.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Purpose : To find out how action observation training for chronic stroke patients affects their balance and body control abilities in the posture seated in the rehabilitation of stroke. Methods : This study was conducted on 30 subjects who were diagnosed with stroke. The group conducted motion observation training through video clips, while the control group only conducted physical training, and the general physical therapy was performed equally by both counties. The static balance was measured using Biorescue and the dynamic balance was measured using Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Results : Static balance showed statistically significant difference in foot pressure (p<.05) as a result of comparison between pre and post exercise training. Dynamic balance was statistically significant (p>.05) as a result of comparing pre and post differences using modified functional reach test. The trunk control ability was statistically significant (p>.001). Comparison between the results of before and after motion observation training showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: This study confirmed that exercise training in sitting position was effective for static, dynamic balance ability and trunk control ability of hemiplegic patients due to stroke. These results suggest that the use of motion monitoring in stroke patients may have a positive impact on the diversity and function of rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to comparison of trunk muscle activity during static standing position and standing position on therapeutic climbing wall of adult. Methods: Study subject is arbitrarily classified into 10 of experimental group and 10 control group among 20 of adult. Trunk activity measured as rectus abdominalis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae. Control group maintains that center of gravity of trunk pass the front of shoulder, pelvis, knee and ankle on stable surface with putting legs apart more than shoulder width. Experimental group had static exercise on 4 by 3 meter, 90 degree of Therapeutic climbing wall. Starting position is that putting arms and legs apart more than shoulder width. In order to compare the effect of it between the groups, independent t-test was used. Results: According to the test result, significant difference between among rectus abdominalis, erector spinae the experimental groups. And external oblique, internal oblique muscle atvity is no significant difference experimental groups between among the control groups was observed. Conclusion: Trunk muscle activation is activated to standing position on the Therapeutic Climbing Wall more than static standing position.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-249
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of core program exercise on balance in patients with chronic low back pain. Thirty-four subjects participated in this study, these subjects were assigned into two groups, a control group(n=17) and an experimental group(n=17). Methods: The subjects in the control group were received a conservative physical therapy and in the experimental group carried out the core program exercise for 30 minutes per day, three times a week during 6 weeks. In order to evaluate the progresses of balance ability, corresponding variables were measured at two times, pre and 6th week. The balance ability was assessed using GOOD BALANCE system. The collected data were analyzed by using the paired t-test and ANCOVA. In all statistical analyses, significance level, ${\alpha}$ was set by 0.05. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1) In the position of left standing eye closed, there were significant difference of Y in the control group and X, Y, V in the experimental group. 2) In the position of right standing eye closed, there were significant difference of Y in the control group and X, Y, V in the experimental group. 3) In the position of dynamic balance 1, there were significant difference APV in experimental groups. 4) In the position of dynamic balance 2, there were significant difference MLV in experimental groups. 5) There were significances between the two group of X, V in static balance and APV in dynamic balance. Conclusion: The above results indicated that a core program exercise improved balance abilities in patients with chronic low back. The further studies should be focused at development of various modified forms of the core program exercise in keeping up the improvement effect of this exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.258-263
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated effects of deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercises on pulmonary function and the ability to balance in stroke patients and was conducted to propose an exercise program for improving cardiovascular function. Methods: Study subjects were 20 patients with hemiplegia due to stroke, who were divided into the deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercise group (experimental group), 10, and the control group, 10. Pulmonary function tests measured FVC and FEV1, dynamic balance ability was measured using TUG. Static and dynamic balance ability was measured using BBS. The experimental group performed exercises during a period of 6 weeks, 5 times a week for 40 minutes, whereas the control group did not participate in regular exercise. The difference before and after the exercise was compared using paired t-test, difference in exercise before and after between groups was ANCOVA and level of significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: The changes in FVC and FEV1 within the group showed a significant difference only in the experimental group (p<0.001) (p<0.01), between-group difference was statistically significant only in FVC and FEV1 changes in the experimental group (p<0.001). The TUG changes within the group showed a significant difference in the experimental group and control group (p<0.001) (p<0.05), while BBS changes showed a significant difference only in the experimental group. Between-group difference was statistically significant only in TUG and BBS changes in the experimental group. The experimental group showed a more effective significant difference than the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Can exercise involving a deep abdominal muscle strengthening program be applied in patients with stroke with difficulty in control of trunk and decreased breathing ability?