• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and assess the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the balance ability of young college studets with low back pain after having performed spinal stabilization exercise by using 3-dimensional air-balance system and gym ball. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 low back patients in their early twenties. They were divided into two groups: 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17) and gym ball lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17). The period of the intervention was for five weeks. VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) for pain test, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index) for ADL limitation test, Tetrax system for static balance test, and Air-balance system 3D for dynamic balance test were used as evaluation tools for this study. Results: Pain showed significant decrease in both groups after having performed the experiment, but ADL limitation of the groups did not show any remarkable difference between before and after the experiment. Dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional angle comparison test significantly increased in all directions except for the backward, left-backward, and right-backward directions. As for dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional postural test, 3D exercise group showed statistically significant reduction in every direction while gym ball exercise group did not(p<.05). However, when it comes to static balance ability in the weight distribution and stability test, there was not significantly change between pre and post test in both groups. Conclusion: This study shows 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise is more effective in the lumbar stabilization of coordinated movement than gym ball exercise, which may imply that 3D air-balance system can be used for the therapeutic treatment of body imbalance for patients with low back pain.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.297-306
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• 2017

The study was performed to determine the impact of the gastrocnemius taping with balance training on spasticity and balance ability of the ankle joint. A total of 25 stroke subjects were divided into two groups: a taping with balance training (n=14), a sham taping with balance training (n=11). Spasticity assesment was scored by modified ashworth scale. Balance ability assesment was performed by functional reach test (FRT), the timed up & go test (TUG). The stability index (SI), the left-right weight distribution (left-right WD), the toe-heel weight distribution (toe-heel WD) were analyzed in the eyes open conditions(EO) and eyes closed conditions(EC) conditions using by the Tetrax interactive balance system. The experimental group showed a significant improvement in SI, left-right WD and toe-heel WD in the EO and EC, MAS, FRT, TUG. In comparison between the groups, a significant improvement was detected in FRT, TUG, SI and left-right WD in the EO, and left-right WD and toe-heel WD in the EC. It was found out that a short period of balance training with taping is effective on spasticity and balance ability in stroke patients. Therefore, any stroke patient without skin damage is encouraged to use the gastrocnemius taping for balance rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces in terms of the fall risk, balance, and gait abilities in patients with stroke. METHODS: Twenty patients with stroke were divided randomly into a stable surface group (SSG, N=10) or unstable surface group (USG, N=10). The participants in the SSG and USG performed task-oriented balance training on stable and unstable surfaces, respectively. All participants were evaluated using the Tetrax, Berg balance scale (BBS), and 10-meter walking test (10MWT) before and after the intervention. Both groups received training 30 min per day, five times per week, for six weeks. RESULTS: The within-group changes in the fall risk, BBS, and 10MWT were significantly different in both USG and SSG (p<.05). USG showed significantly more improvement in the BBS and 10MWT compared to SSG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Task-oriented balance training on an unstable surface is more beneficial in improving the balance and gait abilities of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.424-431
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Otago exercise program on physical function and risk of falling in elderly who have experienced falls. Thirty-six elderly people who had experienced falls more than once were randomly classified into an experimental group and control group. Each group exercised 30 minutes three times per week for a total of 8 weeks. Measurements were made using Tetrax to assess risk of falls. In addition, to measure physical function, static balance was measured using Biorescue, dynamic balance was measured using TUG, walking ability was measured using 10 MWT, and lower extremity strength was measured using FTSST. A paired t-test was conducted to verify the difference between before and after exercise in each group, and an independent t-test was performed for comparison between the groups. Regarding the experimental and control groups, static balance ability and dynamic balance ability increased significantly after exercise, and risk of falls decreased (p<.05). Lower extremity strength and gait ability increased significantly after exercise only in the experimental group (p<.05). Based on these results, the Otago exercise program is effective in improving physical function and reducing risk of falls in elderly people who have experienced falls.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether backward walking exercise was more effective than conventional physical therapy for balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=9) or control (n=9) group. The experimental and control group performed backward walking exercise and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Stability Index (SI) and Weight Distribution Index (WDI) during standing were assessed using the Tetrax Balance System. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS) were used to evaluate balance and fall risk. Walking speed, stride length, and step length on the affected side were measured using the 10-Meter Walk and ink foot printing tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for within- and between- group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly higher changes in SI (p<.01), WDI (p<.01), TUG (p<.001), and BBS score (p<.001) following intervention compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed significantly greater improvements in walking speed (p<.01), stride length (p<.001), and step length on the affected side (p<.001) after intervention compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Backward walking exercise is an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.63-72
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• 2022

Purpose : Several studies have investigated the effects of dynamic stretching (DS) and self-mobilization (SM), however, studies comparing the two interventions are rare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of DS and SM on ankle strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), and balance to determine which is superior. Methods : Thirty-two healthy young adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (SM and DS). DS was performed for the purpose of stretching the medial gastrocnemius muscle. For the SM group, ankle joint SM was performed in three ways. For all participants, the following measurements were performed as pre- and post-tests: isometric strength of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) to evaluate DFROM, Tetrax system to evaluate static balance, and y balance test (YBT) to evaluate dynamic balance. Differences before and after the intervention within each group were compared using paired t-test. Also, the variable's variation was compared between groups using an independent t-test. Results : Significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor strength, WBLT, YBT, weight distribution index (WDI) (pillow and opened eyes; PO), and stability index (ST) (normal and closed eyes; NC) before and after intervention in the SM group (p<.05). In the DS group, significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength, WBLT, YBT anterior, WDI (normal and opened eyes; NO, PO), and ST (NO, NC, PO, pillow and closed eyes) before and after the intervention (p<.05). Ankle plantar flexor strength and WDI (PO) were significantly different between groups. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, DS or SM can be considered as a possibility for selective use according to variables for improving ankle joint function (DFROM, muscle strength, balance).

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.371-378
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• 2021

This study examined the effects of combined exercise training for preventing falls on the physical performance, falling index, and balance in elderly women. All subjects (N = 32) were recruited and divided randomly to either a combined exercise group (n= 16, EX) or non-exercise control group (n = 16, CON). During 12 weeks of training, the subjects in the EX performed the combined exercise programs (three times/week, 60min/session), and the subjects in the CON maintained their ordinary lives. At the PRE, MID, POST tests, All subjects completed senior fitness tests(dynamic balance, two minutes walking, sit and stand for 30 seconds), tests for falling risk with Tetrax, and tests for posture balance with the spine balance 3D. After the baseline tests, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with contrast testing was used with SPSS 21.0. Alpha was set to 0.05. In the results, the dynamin balance (p=.001), two minutes walking (p=.001), sit and stand for 30 seconds (p=.001), falling risk (p=.002), and posture balance (p=.034) in the EX were significantly different, but not in the CON. Thus, elderly females who performed combined exercise training for 12 weeks can increase their physical fitness & posture stability and reduce their falling risk.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of training ankle joint and hip joint thera-band exercise on balance. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups of 11 each. Group A performed hip exercise after ankle exercise, and Group B performed ankle exercise after hip exercise. Using a green thera-band, the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion and hip flexion and hip extension were exercised repeatedly for 15 seconds three times with a five-second rest between each set. After the exercise and measurement of one area were complete, the exercise and measurement of the other area were performed at one-day intervals. The balance ability was assessed using a Tetrax and Y-balance test and repeated three times; the best values were taken. RESULTS: In the stability index (ST) of the static balance, the hip joint exercise group (HTG) during the follow-up of normal eye open (NO) revealed notable improvement over the ankle joint exercise group (ATG), and in the follow-up of the normal eye closed (NC), the ATG showed significant improvement over the HTG. In the pillow with eye closed (PC) follow-up, the ATG showed significant improvements over the HTG. At the left (Lt) and Y-balance test (YBT), the ATG showed significant improvements in the follow-up over the HTG (p <.05). CONCLUSION: In static balance, the ATG showed significant improvement in the follow-up of NC and PC over the HTG. In the dynamic balance, the Lt. dynamic balance on the non-dominant side in the ATG showed significant improvement in the follow-up over the HTG.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.194-203
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• 2011

This study investigated the effectiveness of visual biofeedback simulation training for patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. Fifteen people with an ASIA impairment scale of C and D, according to the intervention method, were studied. They were randomly divided into two groups, seven people in the experimental group and eight people in the control group. They were studied three times a week for six weeks using a Tetrax Interactive Balance System, for a total of eighteen times, and each test took fifteen minutes. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate the changes before and after intervention. The difference between the groups was compared using an independent t-test. The experimental group showed significantly increased general stability, fall risk index, weight distribution (A, C, D, LEFT, HEEL) and weight distribution index, except for synchronization AC, BD. However, the control group only showed significantly increased weight distribution (A, C, LEFT). In a variation, experimental and control groups showed significantly increased weight distribution (A, B, C, HEEL), general stability, fall risk index and synchronization AD. Consequently, it was found that visual biofeedback simulation training was effective for the balance ability of incomplete spinal cord injury patients, and further studies are required.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2008

Purpose: We studied the correlation between BBS (Berg Balance Scale), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed-Up & Go test (TUG), Stability Index (STI), MBI (Modified Barthel Index), and Fall History. Methods: We recruited 20 stroke patients from the Gang Dong Gu Health Care Center in Seoul, Korea. All subjects could walk with or without an assisting device. Subjects first completed a questionnaire pertaining to their fall history and Activity of Daily Living (MBI), and then were evaluated with BBS, TUG, FRT, and STI. We used the Tetrax posturography system that calculates a STI based on fluctuations in vertical ground reaction forces. The data were analyzed using a Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: The BBS and FRT (p<0.05) and MBI (p<0.01) showed a significant positive correlation. BBS negatively correlated with STI and TUG (p<0.01). Fall history and BBS, TUG, MBI, FR, STI did not correlate. Conclusion: The BBS helps predict weight shifting, walking, and ADL, but is not good for predicting fall risk. So, we need to study about factors that affect falling.