• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: 10 subjects who participated in this research undertook the 12-week the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise program, which consisted of a series of mat exercises and sling exercises. The statistical significances were examined by using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non-parametric test, for evaluating the improvement of balance and ambulation of the subjects. In order to evaluate the correlation among the variables, Pearson's correlation coefficients were also calculated. In all statistical analyses the significance level was selected as ${\alpha}$=0.05. Results: Berg balance scale(BBS) was significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). Percentage weight bearing(PWB) was decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference. Time up and go test(TUG) value was significantly decreased(p<.05). Gait velocities was increased after the intervention, but there was no significance. Stride length, step lengths of the affected side and the sound side were significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). In the correlation analyses of the measures before the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). In the correlation analyses of the measures after the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). BBS revealed significant positive correlations to stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). Conclusion: Based upon the outcomes as above, it is likely that the muscle strength exercises have substantial effects on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Thus various lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise programs are required to be studied and developed in order to contribute to functional improvements of children with cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.365-371
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of training in vestibular sensory stimulation on balance and gait of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=10) or the control group (n=10). Patients in the experimental group received rotational stimulation training, vertical-horizontal stimulation training, gait training on a flat surface with vestibular sensory stimulation, and gait training on soft ground with vestibular sensory stimulation. Patients in the control group received general treadmill gait training. The intervention was applied four times per week, 25 minutes each time, for a period of four weeks. We measured Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Biodex Balance System, Timed up to Go (TUG) test and Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) to evaluate balance and gait ability. Results: BBS differed significantly in both groups between before and after the intervention (p<0.05) and changes in BBS after the intervention differed between the two groups (p<0.05). According to the Biodex Balance System test result, only the experimental group showed significant changes in balance in the conditions of static eyes open (SEC), dynamic eyes open (DEO), and dynamic eyes closed (DEC) (p<0.05). TUG test results differed significantly between prior to and after the training in both the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05) and changes in TUG after the intervention differed significantly between the two groups (p<0.05). DGI results showed significant change after the intervention in the experimental group only (P<0.05). Conclusion: Training in vestibular sensory stimulation was effective in improving static-dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of dual motor task training and simple task training on the balance of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 23 subacute stroke patients participated in the study. The subjects were allocated randomly to two groups: an experimental group and a control group. Both groups received conventional treatment for 50 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. In addition, the experimental group stacked blocks, moved catch cups, and moved rings while standing and gait. To evaluate the effects of the exercises, subjects were evaluated by using the balance system and the timed get up and go test(TUG) for balance measurement. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test to determine the statistical significance. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant decrease on the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior stability index compared to the control group (p<.05) for the simple task and a significant decrease on the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior stability index compared to the control group for the dual task. In addition, the experimental group showed a significant increase in TUG time compared to the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results support the perceived benefits of dual motor task training to augment the balance of subacute stroke patients. Therefore, dual motor task training is recommended for subacute stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to improve the asymmetrical weight-bearing ratio, by applying different repetitive sit-to-stand training methods to the paretic-side foot of hemiplegic patients, as well as to provide the necessary information for applying balance training with hemiplegic patients. Methods: The subjects were divided into two groups: a spontaneous foot group and an asymmetrical foot group. They all performed repetitive sit-to-stand training five times a week for a total of six weeks. The sit-to-standing movement was studied using standardized clinical tests. The Biodex Balance System, Time up and go test (TUG), 5 times sit-to-stand test (5XSST), and functional reach test (FRT) were used to measure the static and dynamic standing balance of the patients. Results: In the balance system measurement, the results for the overall index, ant-post index, med-lat index, fall risk index, 5XSST, and FRT after the training differed significantly between the comparison groups (p<0.05). In the evaluation of dynamic balance, the differences in TUG did not differ significantly between the comparison groups after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found that the asymmetrical group showed significant increases in static and dynamic balance in comparison to the spontaneous group after repetitive sit-to-stand training. Based on this result, it is clear that training in an asymmetrical position with the paretic foot back can increase the left-right stability limit and the anterior-posterior stability limit, thus improving balance control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.369-379
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the initial effect of nerve mobilization (NM), static stretching (SS), and contract-relax (CR) techniques to find the best method in improving hamstring flexibility and gait function in patients with hemiplegia. Methods : Eleven patients with hemiplegia were included in this study. Passive knee extension (PKE) range of motion and the sit and reach (SR) test were used to measure hamstring flexibility, while timed up and go (TUG) and the 10m walking (10MW) test were used to measure the subject's gait. Measurements on each test were assessed prior to the experiment, immediately following the experiment, and 30 minutes after the experiment. Analysis of the results utilized a repeated measures analysis of variance to examine hamstring flexibility and the difference in walking ability. Results : The results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to hamstring flexibility (p<.05) following (both immediate and 30 minutes post experiment) PKE range of motion and the SR test, but post-hoc showed no significant difference between the three techniques (p>.05). Additionally, the results suggest significant increases in NM, SS, and CR techniques as they relate to gait function (p<.05) following the TUG test, but found no significant difference in the 10MW test (p>.05). Post-hoc analysis between the three techniques suggests that only the NM technique significantly changed gait function. The time of TUG and 10MW test showed no significant difference between the three techniques before an experiment, just after an experiment, and 30 minutes following the experiment according to the measurement points in time (p>.05). Conclusion : This study suggests NM, SS, and CR techniques immediately improve hamstring length and flexibility while improving gait function in patients with hemiplegia.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

Many daily activities require people to complete a motor task while walking. Substantial gait decrements during simultaneous attention to a variety of cognitive tasks have been shown by a group of severely injured neurological patients of mixed etiology. And previous studies have shown that the attentional load of a walking-associated task increased with its level of difficulty. The purpose of this study was to analyze subjects' gait changes are affected by the effects of arithmetic task difficulty and performance level. Participants performed a walking task alone, three different Arithmetic tasks while seated, and among them, two kinds of the simillar Arithmetic tasks in combination with walking. Reaction time and accuracy were recorded for two of the Arithmetic tasks. The mean values of the gait were measured using a Timed Up and Go test among 11 with post-stroke patients while walking with and without forward counting (WFC) and backward counting(WBC).There was significant Arithmetic Task Difficulty level between the 10-forward counting task condition(FC) and the 10-backward counting task condition(BC)(p=0.008). The mean values of T.U.G time were significantly higher under backward counting dual-task condition than during a simple walking task(p=0.009) and WFC(p=0.009). The change in T.U.G time during WFC was higher when compared with the change during a simple walking, but there was no significant difference (p=0.246). This study suggesting that a high interference could be linked with a high level of difficulty, whereas adaptive task enabled participants to perfectly share their attention between two concurrent tasks. Future research should determine whether dual task training can reduce gait decrements in dual task situations in people after stroke. And the dual-task-based exercise program is feasible and beneficial for improving walking ability in subjects with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-162
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• 2012

Purpose: This study is to identify the effect of Ankle Joint Taping applied to patients with chronic hemiplegia on their gait velocity and joint angles. Methods: We randomly extracted a clinical sample from 30 patients with hemiplegia resulting from stroke and classified them into two groups of a control group including 15 patients offered a regular therapeutic exercise and a test group including 15 patients offered taping. We also conducted the comparative analysis and pretest of the affected ankle joint angles by the normal characteristics of all subjects, Time to up and go test (TUG), 3D movement analyzer before the intervention. We applied taping to a test group for eight hours a day, five days a week during two weeks and conducted the comparative analysis of the gait velocity and the affected ankle joint angles by a comparison between and within two groups of before and after the intervention by conducting a posttest after the intervention. The result is as followings. Results: It indicated that there was a significantly decreased time with the increased gait velocity that a test according to a result of comparing the gait velocity within two groups (p<0.05). It indicated that there was a significantly increased angle in a comparison within two groups of test that inversion angle of a control group according to a result of comparing the ankle joint angles by 3D movement analyzer within groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found that TUG will help patients walk independently because it met a test group's need in the change of the gait velocity between two groups by recording less than 14 seconds which is the standard of using assistive aids and also found that ankle joint taping will help the joints prevent their function change considering that a control group showed an increased inversion angle in the change of the ankle joint within two groups.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.187-192
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• 2018

Purpose: This study compared the functional fitness and brake response of elderly and young drivers to confirm the correlation between the functional fitness and brake response. Methods: This study was a cross sectional observational design. Older drivers (>65age, n=21) and young adult drivers (20-40aged, n=20) were enrolled as subjects. The functional fitness of the subjects was measured using a senior fitness test consisting of a back scratch (BS), chair sit and reach (CSR), arm curl (AC), chair stand up (CSU), foot up and go (8-FUG), and 2-minute step (2-MS). The brake response used the virtual driving simulator to measure the brake reaction time (BRT) and braking distance (BD) according to the pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. Results: The older drivers had a lower BS (p<0.000), CSU (p=0.040), and 8-FUG (p=0.011) than the young adult drivers. BS and 8-FUG showed a significant positive correlation with the BRT and BD of pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. CSU showed a significant negative correlation with the BRT of pedestrian protection and traffic signal compliance. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the flexibility of the upper extremity, lower extremity strength, and agility are strongly correlated with the driving performance of elderly drivers.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2016

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sit-to-stand (STS) imagery group training (IGT) on STS movement and balance performance for chronic hemiparetic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 people with chronic hemiparetic stroke (15 for STS-IGT group and 15 for control) were recruited in this study. The STS-IGT group participated in a videotape-based STS-IGT for 30 minutes a day, five days a week for six weeks, while the control group watched a documentary on television for the same period. The STS-IGT focused on a five-stage protocol. Specifically, external imagery was used during the four phases of the STS movement from the seat of the chair to standing up. All of the participants also participated in a regular rehabilitation program. STS movement and balance performance were assessed using three clinical measures. Results: After training, time to perform the 5-repetition STS test significantly increased in the STS-IGT group (change value, $4.0{\pm}2.0$ sec) compared with the control group (change value, $0.9{\pm}0.7$ sec) (p<0.05). There was a greater improvement in Berg balance scale scores in the STS-IGT group (change value, $0.2{\pm}4.1$ points) compared with the control group (change value, $0.3{\pm}0.9$ points) (p<0.05). There was a greater improvement in Timed Up and Go scores in the STS-IGT group (change value, $2.6{\pm}1.5$ sec) compared with the control group (change value, $0.9{\pm}1.0$ sec) (p<0.05). Conclusions: STS-IGT can be considered as a useful option for restoration of STS movement and balance performance for individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke who are unable to fully participate in physical activities.