• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.884-890
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• 2015

This study observed the effects of ankle strengthening exercise and whole body vibration on the balance ability of older adults, thereby intending to provide basic materials for intervention methods aimed at improving older adults' balance ability. The subjects were 20 older adults who had experienced a fall. They were equally divided into two groups. Ankle strengthening training was applied to one group and ankle strengthening training and whole body vibration were applied to the other group, a timed up and go (TUG) test and Tinetti performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA) were performed, and changes in the subjects' limits of stability were observed. The TUG and POMA results significantly differed between before and after the experiment in the angle strengthening training (AST) group and the angle strengthening training with whole body vibration (ASTWV) group. In addition, the interaction between timing and each group was statistically significant. The limits of stability significantly changed after the intervention in both groups. Differences in the posterior and right limits of stability were significant between the AST group and ASTWV group. Therefore, ankle strengthening exercise and whole body vibration improve older adults' balance maintenance and reduce falls or the risk factors for falls in older adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.18-27
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dual-task training (cognitive and exercise tasks) on the balance and gait performance of chronic stroke patients. Eighteen subjects with chronic stroke were divided equally into two groups, an experimental group and a control group. Subjects in both groups participated in an exercise program, performing the same tasks, for 45 minutes per day, three times per week for four weeks. The experimental group also performed additional cognitive task. The experimental group showed a more significant improvement than the control group on the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the Korean Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and the Functional Gait Assessment (p<.05). The cognitive task error rates in the final week were significantly less than in the first week in the experimental group (p<.01). These results suggest that dual-task training for chronic stroke patients is effective in improving balance, gait, and cognitive abilities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of aquatic exercise on balance and depression of stroke patients. Methods: For 12 participants with stroke, six members of the experimental group and six members of the control group were randomly selected and arranged. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) lower extremity aquatic pattern exercise was applied to the experimental group. On the other hand, participants in the control group performed PNF lower extremity pattern exercise on the ground. Both exercises were performed 30 minutes per day, five times per week, for a period of six weeks. Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up to Go test (TUG). Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D). Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant difference for balance and depression after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which aquatic exercise was applied showed more significant change in balance and depression than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, aquatic exercise was proven to enhance the balance and decrease the depression of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of interferential current therapy (ICT) on spasticity, ROM, and the balance function in patients with stroke. Methods: 30 inpatients with stroke were randomly divided into 2 groups: the ICT group (n=15) and the placebo-ICT group (n=15). Two groups have got the traditional rehabilitation for 30 minutes before applying either ICT or placebo-ICT stimulation. The stimulus of ICT has been applied to gastrocnemius at the level of 100 Hz, two times of sensation threshold, while the placebo-ICT group has put on the electrode without electrical stimulus. To assess spasticity in ankle, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used, and goniometer was applied to measure the passive range of motion (PROM). Also, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed-up and go (TUG), and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) were carried out to examine the balance ability. Results: The ICT group showed a significant reduction of spasticity and significantly increased PROM than the placebo-ICT group (p<0.05). The placebo-ICT group did not show significant changes in the BBS, the TUG, and the FRT, while the ICT group significantly improved the BBS, the TUG, and the FRT (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that ICT applied to gastrocnemius effectively decreased spasticity and improved range of motion and balance function in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The present study aims to determine the effect of lower extremity muscle strength exercise at the non-paralyzed side of patients of stroke using a mirror on gait and balance. METHODS: Subjects were assigned randomly to a group of lower extremity exercise without using a mirror (n=10), a group of lower extremity motion exercise using a mirror (n=10), and a group of lower extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror (n=10). The exercise is added to a physiotherapy program conducted at the hospital and subjects conducted their designed lower extremity exercises 30 times a day (5 sets), five days per week for four weeks. RESULTS: The study result showed that BBS(Berg balance scale)(p<.05) and TUG(timed up and go test)(p<.05) had a significant difference. In the comparison on gait ability, stride length, step length, step width and single support was a significant difference within two groups using a mirror before and after the intervention(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, low extremity motion exercise using a mirror and low extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror conducted along with general physiotherapy exercises had a positive effect on functions of lower extremity in patients with stroke and the recovery of paralyzed side thereby incurring a significant difference in balance and gait abilities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of core strength exercises on the balance control and walking ability of stroke patients. Methods: Twelve stroke patients participated in this study. These patients were divided into two groups (a core stability group and a control group). There were 6 subjects in each group. They participated in core strength exercises for 3 weeks. These exercises included The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Messen Trairuieren Dokumentieren (MTD) Systems for balance and walking were measured and compared before and after the treatment. Results: First, core strength exercises improved balance control of patients with stroke by increasing weight shifting to the affected side. Second, core strength exercises improved the walking ability of patients with stroke by reducing the TUG score. Third, there was a significant correlation between balance control and walking. Conclusion: Core strength exercises are effective for improving both balance control and walking.

• 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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2012

The aim of study was to assess the effectiveness of dementia elderly persons on the cognitive function, Activities of Daily Living(ADL) and balance-performing ability the group therapeutic exercise programs. Fifteen community-dwelling subjects participated in this study. An 4-week group therapeutic exercise program, including strengthening and balance training, breathing and gait exercise, and recreation, consisted of activities related to daily living. The Mini-Mental State Examination-korean(MMSE-K), Modified Barthel Index(MBI), Berg Balance Scale(BBS), and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test were measured during before and after exercise points The results of this study were as follows : 1) After eight weeks, the MMSE-K and MBI total scores were significantly increased to more after than before(p<.05, p<.01). 2) in the MBI contents, personal hygiene, dressing, ambulation and chair, bed transfers scores were significant increased to after. 3) after BBS, TUG scores were statistically significant higher than the before scores(p<.05, p<.05, p<.01). These findings suggest that group therapeutic exercise program can be used to improve the cognitive function, ADL and balance-performing ability in dementia elderly persons.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.181-182
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• 2012

본 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인한 성인 편마비 환자의 계단 높이에 따른 보행 훈련을 통하여 균형과 근활성도 변화를 분석하는데 목적이 있다. 뇌졸중으로 진단받은 편마비 환자 30명을 대상으로 5cm, 10cm, 15cm 높이의 계단 보행 훈련군으로 나누어 계단 보행 훈련을 실시하였으며, 임상적 균형능력 측정도구인 Berg Balance Scale(BBS), Timed up and go(TUG), Functional Reach Test(FRT)와 근활성도를 측정하였다. 연구결과 균형변화에서는 세 군간 계단 보행 훈련 전과 후의 균형 변화량이 통계학적으로 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았으나(p>.05), 10cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서 가장 큰 변화량을 보였다. 근활성도변화에서는 계단 오르기시 10cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서 넙다리곧은근, 넙다리두갈래근, 장딴지근, 15cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서 모든 근육들이 통계학적으로 유의한 차이를 보였으며(p<.05), 계단 내리기시 근활성도 변화에서는 5cm 높이계단 보행 훈련군에서 앞정강근와 장딴지근, 10cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서 모든 근육들이, 15cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서 넙다리두갈래근, 앞정강근, 장딴지근이 통계학으로 유의한 차이를 나타내었다(p<.05). 따라서, 높이에 따른 계단 보행 훈련은 편마비 환자의 임상적 균형 능력과 근활성도를 변화시키는데 영향을 줄 수 있으며, 특히 10cm 높이 계단 보행 훈련군에서는 다른 높이의 계단 보행 훈련군에서 보다 약간 상대적인 증가를 보였다.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.2-10
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of curved walking training on balance confidence and fall efficacy in early stroke patients. Methods: The study included 16 early stroke patients who were randomly allocated to a curved walking training group (experimental group, N=8) and a straight walking training group (control group, N=8). Both groups performed the exercise 5 times a week for 3 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results: After 3 weeks of training, both groups showed significantly improved ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG (p<.05 in both groups). However, the ABC, FES, BBS, and TUG scores in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that curved walking training may be effective at improving balance confidence and decreasing fall risk in early stroke patients. Therefore, curved walking training can be used as a recommended walking method in early stroke patients.