• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1992-1998
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• 2020

Background: The foot drop stimulator is designed to improve the walking ability of foot drop in patients after stroke, however, studies on clinical effects are still lacking. Objective: To investigate the effect of a foot drop stimulator on the walking and balancing abilities of foot drop patients after a stroke. Design: One-Group (Pretest-Posttest) Design. Methods: All subjects walked in all three conditions: foot drop stimulator (FDS) ankle foot orthosis (AFO) and barefoot. Primary outcome measures were assessed for walking and balance using a 10-m walking test (10MWT) and a timed up and go test (TUG). Secondary outcome measures consisted of a brief user interview, and the patients recorded the advantages and disadvantages of each condition. Results: FDS, AFO, and barefoot conditions showed a statistically significant difference in 10MWT and TUG (P<.001) as a result of comparing three conditions. FDS and AFO were significantly different from the barefoot condition as post-hoc results; however, there was no significant difference between the two conditions (P>.05). Conclusion: In this study, the foot drop stimulator contributed to improving the balance ability, and the walking ability was similar to the effect of the ankle-foot orthosis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.95-109
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• 2019

Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FES with abdominal muscle contraction before virtual reality training on balance and gait ability in patients of stroke patients. Methods : The subjects were 30 stroke patients who satisfied the selection criteria. They were randomly assigned to a group receiving functional electrical stimulation with a virtual reality training program (the experiment group, n=15) and placebo functional electrical stimulation with a virtual reality training program (the control group, n=15). The program consisted of three 30-min sessions per week for six weeks. The timed up and go test (TUG), the BT4, the G-WALK were used to estimate subjects' balance, gait before and after the program. For the experiment group, the functional electrical stimulation was applied to the external oblique and the rectus abdominis, For the control group, the same program and the placebo functional electrical stimulation were applied. Results : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the balance and gait ability test of those who participated in the functional electrical stimulation, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, functional electrical stimulation with virtual reality effectively improved the balance and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of observing a self-video or a video of another person performing balance and gait training, followed by actual performance of the observed movements on the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty patients, who had experienced a stroke and were admitted to S rehabilitation hospital for treatment, were selected randomly and divided into three groups with 10 patients each: self-action observation (SAO) group, other-action observation (OAO) group, and treadmill walking training (TWT) group. The training program was conducted five times per week for four weeks. The GAITRite system, 10 m walking test, and timed up and go test were performed to measure the subjects' gait and balance ability. RESULTS: The velocity, cadence, double support, and stride length were increased significantly in the SAO and OAO groups (p<.05) but the T group showed no significant changes; no significant difference was observed among the groups (p >.05). The 10MWT decreased significantly in the OAO group (p<.05), but there were no significant changes in the SAO and T groups, and no significant difference was observed among the groups (p>.05). The TUG decreased significantly in the SAO and OAO groups (p<.05), but there were no significant changes in the T group, and no significant difference was observed among the groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The self or other action observation training helps improve the balance and gait ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) of combined on gait ability in hemiplegic gait. Methods : The subjects of this study were 13 hemiplegic patients. Each subjects was taken PNF pattern and FES of combined with 5 times per week for 4weeks. Pre- and Post-intervention change in gait ability were measured using an Timed up and Go test, stride length of the affected side, step length of the affected side. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test. Results : The results of this study were showed significantly improvement in TUG, stride length of the affected side, step length of the affected side after intervention. Conclusion : These results suggest that the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) and Functional Electrical Stimulation(FES) of combined exercise is an effective way of improving gait ability for hemiplegic patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.104-109
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study is to identify the problems and stability of a study to investigate "Effects of Squat Exercise according to Weight Support on Balance and Gait in Patients after Total Hip Replacement." before proceeding with the study. Methods: Twenty-two rehabilitation patients after THR surgery who met the selection criteria participated. The study subjects were randomly assigned to a squat group using a slider or a squat group using a reformer. The interventions were applied for two weeks. The patients were assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-meter walking test (10MW). Results: Although twenty-two study subjects participated in this study, eight study subjects participated dropouts occurred during the study period. There was a significant difference within the group in BBS and TUG in two groups (p<0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant in all outcome measures (p>0.05). The largest effect size was 1.21 and the smallest effect size was 0.39, all from the BBS. Conclusion: This pilot study suggest that it is feasible with minor adjustment to conduct a larger scale, powered RCT to examine the efficacy of squat exercise according to weight support with patients after THR.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.384-390
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) on balance and gait characteristics in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups of twelve patients each. One group was applied with the STCT whereas the other group was treated with conservative physiotherapy (CP). The ability of gait was measured in 10m walking test and stride length on both side using BTS G-WALK (BTS Bioengineering S.p.A, Italy) and the ability of balance was measured in Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Results: The STCT group was significant differences in the balance parameters of BBS and TUG (p<0.05) and showed significant differences in gait variables in 10m walking speed, stride length of affected and non-affected side after the experiment before and after the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the STCT group showed a significant difference in BBS compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed that the side-step tasks based circular training program (STCT) improves balance and walking ability in stroke patients. STCT is expected to be used as a useful intervention method for stroke rehabilitation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vibration exercise on balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly. Methods: A total of 24 elderly subjects were recruited and randomized into an experimental (n = 12) or a control (n = 12) group. The experimental group performed both a vibration and a stabilization exercise, and the control group performed a stabilization exercise alone. Balance ability was measured using the functional reach test (FRT), gait ability was measured using the timed up and go test (TUGT), and depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The experimental and control groups showed significant differences for all pre- and post-experiment FRT, TUGT, and CES-D measurements (p <0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which vibration exercise was applied showed more significant difference in FRT, TUGT, and CES-D than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study showed vibration exercise to be effective in balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of kinesio taping of tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training on balance and gait ability in post-stroke patients. METHODS: This study was a single-blinded, randomized control design. Thirty post-stroke patients were allocated randomly to two groups: 1) kinesio taping of tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training (KTCDT group, n = 15) and cognitive dual-task training (Control group, n = 15). Both groups were given training for 30 minutes, five days a week for four weeks. The Berg balance test and timed up-and-go test were used to measure the balance ability. GaitRite was used to analyze the gait ability. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvements in balance and gait ability. The KTCDT group showed significantly greater improvement in balance ability after four weeks than the control group (p < .05). In addition, the KTCDT group showed significantly greater improvement in gait ability after four weeks compared to the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Kinesio taping of the tibialis anterior combined with cognitive dual-task training effectively improves the balance and gait abilities in post-stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.250-260
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to explore the effects of balance training using fully immersive VR devices on the balance and walking abilities of stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: This study involved 54 stroke patients divided into three groups: VRT(VR and traditional physical therapy), VR(VR only), and TPT(traditional physical therapy only). Interventions were administered twice daily for 30 minutes over eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 10-meter walk test, gait analysis, and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale. Results: The VRT and VR groups showed significant effects on spatiotemporal variables and confidence compared to the TPT group (p<0.05). Specifically, the VR group demonstrated superior effects in TUG, 10MWT, velocity, stride length, single-leg support, and ABC compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Fully immersive VR balance training had a positive impact on balance, walking, and confidence in chronic stroke patients. Traditional physical therapy alone showed limited effectiveness, highlighting the potential of VR-based interventions in stroke rehabilitation. These findings underscore the importance of integrating VR technology into clinical practice to enhance outcomes for stroke survivors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a task-oriented upper arm exercise performed in a sitting position on either an unstable support surface or a stable support surface for children with cerebral palsy. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 18 children with cerebral palsy. Eight subjects were randomly assigned to each of the stable and unstable support surface groups. We performed the upper arm exercise three times a week for 6 weeks. To confirm the effects of the intervention, the berg balance scale test, modified functional reaching test (MFRT), timed up and go test (TUG), and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test were conducted before and after the study. Results: Significant differences were observed in MFRT and TUG between the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). In the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, there were significant differences between the groups for the items picking up small objects, stacking checkers, lifting large light objects, and lifting large heavy objects (p<0.05), but not for writing and stimulation of feeding. Significant differences were observed between the groups in items of card turning, lifting large light objects, and lifting heavy objects. Conclusion: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a task-oriented upper extremity exercise program for dynamic balance and hand function performed in a sitting position with either stable or unstable support by cerebral palsy patients. There were improvements in the two groups, but performing the exercise while sitting on an unstable support surface had a greater effect on dynamic balance and hand function than exercise while sitting on a stable supporting surface. The results of this study can be used to improve the daily lives of cerebral palsy patients.