• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.11-29
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of virtual reality on gait, balance, and upper extremity functions compared to other independent variables or no variables. Additionally, the possibility of virtual reality for stroke patients was discussed. Design: Meta-analysis. Methods: The search for this study was a search term that combined stroke, virtual reality, and training, and the electronic search was conducted through EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. As a result of the search, 21 studies satisfying the selection criteria of the target study were confirmed as the final analysis target. This study consisted of 21 randomized experimental studies and 21 randomized controlled trials, and the total number of participants was 642. [Experimental group (n=314), control group (n=328); total 642]. As a result of the study, upper extremity function was assessed using a box and block test, a modified Ashworth scale, and a scale including range of motion. The balance was evaluated by the berg balance scale. Gait was a Timed Up and Go test (TUG), stride length, and gait function. Scales including a walking rate scale were evaluated. The effect size for the intervention of the analytical study was meta-analyzed with the RevMan 5.3.3 program of the Cochrane library. Results: The results of the study showed that the function of walking was statistically significant. Balance showed statistically significant results. The upper extremity function showed no statistically significant results. Conclusion: Through this rehabilitation treatment by applying virtual reality environment to the rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future can be proposed as an effective intervention method for the balance and gait function of stroke patients.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.88-97
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• 2021

Purpose: Patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have impaired balance and movement control. Exercise interventions have not targeted these impairments in this population. This study aimed to investigate the effect of complex balance exercises on unstable ground, on the gait, balance, and daily living ability of patients with total knee arthroplasty. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants consisted of 30 patients placed into two groups of 15 each: a experimental group (complex balance exercise) and a control group (physical therapy exercise). Both group exercise was applied for 3 times a week for 30 minutes for four weeks. Force plate for balance ability and Timed up and go (TUG) test were the primary outcome measures. The secondary outcome measures included 10-m walk test (10MWT) and the daily living ability using the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living scale (KOS-ADL). Results: The result of this study showed that the experimental group had a significant difference in TUG and 10MWT than the control group, and balance was significantly different in CEA, CPL, and CAV. There was a significant difference in daily living ability between the experimental and control groups. This study confirms that the physical therapy with complex balance exercise on unstable surfaces has positive effects on balance, gait and daily living ability in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Conclusion: As a result of this study, complex balance exercise on unstable surface was more effective in improvement gait, balance and daily living ability in total knee arthroplasty. From this study, physical therapy with complex balance exercises on unstable ground may be proposed as and effective intervention method for improving gait, balance, and daily living ability in patients with early total knee arthroplasty.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2022

Background: This research was conducted to understand balance training in trunk control, balance, and walking in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects included 40 stroke patients, of whom 20 undertook balance training using visual information and the other 20 undertook balance training using balance boards. Using visual feedback, the balance training group used a training program within the static balanced evaluation tool, while the balance training group trained using a balance board. All subjects underwent 20 mins of neurodevelopmental treatment, and both target groups underwent 10 mins each of balance training by using either visual feedback or a balance board. The treatment period lasted a total of 4 weeks, twice a day. Trunk control before and after training was evaluated with the Trunk Impairment Scale. Balance capability was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, and Static balance measurement tool. Walking capacity was measured using gait measuring equipment, and cadence and velocity were measured. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in their interstitial control, balance, and gait ability after the experiments compared to before the experiments (p<0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant. The visual feedback balance training group showed a more substantial improvement than the balance board training group. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the balance training combined with visual feedback contributes to improving trunk control, balance, and gait in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. In addition to this, I believe that balanced training combined with visual feedback can be used as a training method when considering patients who lack interstitial control, balance, and gait ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bilateral visual feedback training with visual targets on the postural balance and fall efficacy of stroke patients with hemiparesis. Methods: A total of 24 stroke patients with hemiparesis were randomly assigned to either a bilateral visual feedback training (BVFT, n=8) group, unilateral visual feedback training (UVFT, n=8) group, or a control group (n=8). The BVFT and UVFT groups performed weight-bearing training on the bilateral (less-affected and affected side) or unilateral side (affected side) with visual feedback using visual targets. The control group performed squat training without visual feedback using visual targets. The training program was conducted in the form of 3 sets a day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The participants were evaluated using the Berg balance scale (BBS), lateral reaching test (LRT), timed up and go test (TUG), and the activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC). Results: In the intra-group comparison after the intervention, the BVFT group showed a significant difference in the BBS, TUG, affected and less-affected side LRT, and ABC (p<0.05). The UVFT group showed a significant difference in the BBS and ABC (p<0.05). In the inter-group comparison after the intervention, the BVFT group showed significant improvements in their BBS, affected side LRT, and TUG, when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that bilateral visual feedback training with visual targets during bilateral weight-bearing exercises can improve the postural balance function in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.387-397
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this case study was to investigate selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points with therapeutic exercises on pain, function, balance and gait in older patients with degenerative knee osteoarthritis (DKO). Design: A case report. Methods: The patient who participated in this study was a 71-year-old woman, who had been diagnosed with moderate osteoarthritis with grade II Kellgren & Lawrence grading scale. The intervention consisted of selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points, with hip and knee stretching and strengthening exercises. The participant was given assessments before and after every intervention session using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT). The participant performed the intervention 18 times for a total of 30 minutes each. Results: As a result of this study, the patient VAS decreased to 3 points, and the WOMAC decreased to 53 points. In addition, the TUG decreased to 3.25 s and the 10MWT decreased to 1.14 s. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that selective region high-frequency diathermy at trigger points with therapeutic exercises may be an effective intervention to decrease pain, improve knee function, balance and gait in patients with DKO. The selective region high-frequency diathermy with therapeutic exercises may be feasible and provide potential benefits for rehabilitation of DKO.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate the effects of treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise on gait and balance in patients with stroke. METHODS: In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled, comparative study, a total of 20 patients at a rehabilitation hospital who had suffered a hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (treadmill gait training combined with a thoracic mobility exercise, n = 11) or control group (treadmill gait training without the thoracic mobility exercise, n = 9). All the participants underwent comprehensive rehabilitation therapy (5 × /week for 4 weeks). Additionally, the experimental group underwent 20 min of treadmill gait training combined with 10 min of a thoracic mobility exercise (3 × / week for 4 weeks) and the control group underwent the former but not the latter. Gait and balance were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in the 10-m walking test (10 MWT), timed up-and-go (TUG) test, center of pressure (COP) velocity, and COP length in the experimental group (p < .05). This group also showed a larger decrease in the 10 MWT and COP velocity than the control group (10 MWT, -3.02 sec vs. -1.68 sec, p < .05; COP velocity, -.07 mm/sec vs. .08 mm/sec, p < .05). CONCLUSION: Treadmill gait training, combined with the thoracic mobility exercise, could be effective in improving the gait and balance of stroke patients. It could also be more effective in improving walking speed and static balance than the treadmill gait training alone.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.62-71
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• 2023

Objective: Stroke patients need the training to adjust their posture and maintain balance is necessary to restore movement function, and unstable support training is one of the appropriate training. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to find out the effects of unstable surface training on balance and gait in stroke patients. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis Methods: After creating a search expression referring to MeSH and EMTREE, the literature from 1976 to February 2022 was searched in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL. A total of 331 studies were searched from three databases, and 11 studies were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria. Unstable surface training included studies using balance trainer, Whole-body vibration, and sand surfaces. Results: The results were found to be d=2.28 (p=0.02) and the effect size was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.67) on the Berg Balance Scale. In the Kinesthetic Ability Trainer static balance, d=2.59 (p=0.01) and the effect size was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.24, 1.78). Timed Up and Go test showed that d=2.18 (p=0.03) and the effect size was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.72). At the gait speed, d=0.99 (p=0.32) and the effect size was 0.15 (95% CI: -0.15, 0.45). In the 6-minute walk test, d=0.14 (p=0.89) and the effect size was 0.04 (95% CI: -0.47, 0.55). Conclusions: In this study was found that training was effective in balance if it became unstable in standing posture. Therefore, unstable surface training can be used to improve the balance of stroke patients in clinical practice.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anon-contact complex exercise program on muscle strength, fall efficacy, quality of life, and balance ability in older over 65 years of age. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 37 people in older over 65 years of age participated in the study. Random program was conducted and assigned to the experimental group (n=19) and the control group (n=18). Both groups performed the older people welfare center program. In addition, in the experimental group, a non-contact complex exercise program for muscle and balance exercise was performed. All interventions were performed 2 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. chair stand test (CST), fall efficacy scale (FES), Euro quality of life 5 dimension (EQ-5D), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), Fullerton advanced balance scale (FAB) were measured before and after the intervention to compare their effectiveness. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in CST, FES, EQ-5D, BBS, and TUG before and after intervention (p<0.05). FAB showed significant differences before and after intervention in all items except for FAB 8 and 9 items in the experimental group. In addition, the experimental group showed significant differences in CST, FES, BBS, TUG, FAB (except 1, 7, 8, 9) compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The non-contact complex exercise program is an effective intervention method that has clinical significance in improving muscle strength, fall efficacy and static and dynamic balance abilities for the older over 65 years of age.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of task-oriented treadmill training on the gait and balance ability and functional activity in 20 patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: The study subjects were twenty stroke patients, ten randomly placed in the experimental group and ten in the control group. Both the experimental and control groups received 30 minutes of traditional physical therapy and an additional 15 minutes of functional electrical stimulation therapy. The experimental group was given task-oriented treadmill training, while the control group received general treadmill training. Each session lasted for 25 minutes, three times a week, over four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in the 10-metre walk test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Modified Barthel index (MBI). However, statistically significant differences in the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were seen only in the experimental group. There were statistically significant differences in the between-group differences value comparisons in the 10MWT, BBS, TUG, FMA, and MBI. CONCLUSION: Task-oriented treadmill training positively impacts gait, balance, and daily function in subacute stroke patients. This study highlights the benefits of training on unstable surfaces and offers valuable insights for stroke rehabilitation and gait training.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.17-28
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of gluteal muscle strengthening exercises (GMSE) with ankle joint pumping exercises (AJPE) on thigh swelling, gait ability, and pain level in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: A total of 38 patients who had undergone total hip replacement surgery >1 week prior participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to a group that performed only GMSE (CG; n = 19) and a group that performed GMSE and AJPE (EG; n = 19). The CG group performed GMSE for 30 min, and the EG group performed GMSE for 30 min followed by AJPE for 15 min. Exercises were performed five times a week, for a total of 20 times over 4 weeks in both groups. Thigh swelling (thigh size), 10 m walking test (10MWT) and timed up and go test (TUG) results, pain level (visual analogue scale, VAS) scores, Short Form 36 health survey (SF-36), and hip outcome scale (HOS) scores were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, significant differences were observed in the thigh size, 10MWT, TUG, VAS, SF-36, HOS before and after intervention in both groups (p < . 05). However, only thigh size showed a significant interaction between group and measurement time (p < . 05). CONCLUSION: GMSE combined with AJPE might be effective in improving the gait ability and pain level in patients with total hip arthroplasty, and GMSE may be more effective in improving thigh swelling and gait ability than GMSE without AJPE.