• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The initiation of the trunk muscles in stroke patients is delayed because the muscles involved in reach arm are activated earlier than the trunk muscles. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of mobility, balance, and trunk control ability through selective trunk exercise (STE) in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: A randomized pre-test and post-test control group design was initially used, with subjects randomly assigned to the STE group (n=15) and a control group (n=14). All groups underwent physical therapy based on the neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) for 30 minutes a day, five times per week for four weeks. Additionally, the STE group did the trunk exercise for 30 minutes a day, three times per week for four weeks. The timed up and go test (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS), and trunk impairment scale (TIS) were used for assessment. RESULTS: The scores of the TUG, BBS, dynamic sitting balance subscale, and coordination subscale of TIS improved significantly in both groups but the improvement was more pronounced in the STE group (p<.05). This study showed a large effect on the scores of the TIS coordination subscale (d=.93) (p<.05), TIS dynamic balance subscale (d=.81) (p<.05), TUG (d=.75) (p<.05), and BBS (d=.73) (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The combined STE and NDT program showed improvements in measures of mobility, balance, and trunk control in chronic stroke patients. These results suggest that STE should be considered to be included in the treatment program for patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.75-84
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of whole-body tilt exercise with visual feedback on trunk control, strength, and balance in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: The study included 18 patients with acute stroke who were randomly allocated to a Whole Body Tilt Exercise Group (WBTEG, N=9) and a General Trunk Exercise Group (GTEG, N=9). The WBTEG conducted whole-body tilt exercises with visual feedback, and the GTEG performed general trunk exercises. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), the trunk flexor and extensor strength test, the static balance test, and the Brunel Balance Assessment. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, both groups showed significantly improved TIS scores, muscle strength, and balance components (p<.05 in both groups). However, the improvement in TIS, muscle strength, and static balance in the WBTEG was significantly better than that in the GTEG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Although both groups in this study showed post-intervention improvement, patients from the WBTEG who received visual feedback demonstrated more improvement. These findings indicate that whole-body tilt exercise with visual feedback may be effective at improving trunk control, trunk muscle strength, and balance in patients with acute stroke. Further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of whole-body tilt exercise in patients with acute stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2023

Purpose : To investigate effects of transcranial directed current stimulus (tDCS) combined with abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) on balance ability and trunk impairment scale of chronic stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-six chronic stroke patients were recruited and twenty-four participated after excluding two patients who met the exclusion criteria. After screening tests, they were randomized through excel program into an experimental group (n = 12) to apply a tDCS combined with ADIM and a control group (n = 12) to apply a sham tDCS with ADIM. The intervention lasted three times a week for six weeks. To compare tDCS intervention effects, trunk impairment scale and balance ability were measured. Comparisons between experimental and control groups were statistically processed using an independent t-test and comparisons within groups were statistically processed using a paired t-test. Results : The experimental group showed significant increases of pre- and post-intervention medial lateral velocity, anterior posterior velocity and area of balance ability, and trunk impairment scale (p<.05). The control group showed significant increases in pre- and post-intervention medial lateral velocity of balance ability and trunk impairment scale (p< .05). The experimental group showed significant increases of medial lateral velocity of balance ability and trunk impairment scale compared to the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : Results of this study suggest that tDCS combined with ADIM for chronic stroke patients can be effective in improving medial lateral velocity of balance ability and trunk impairment scale. Thus, tDCS can be used as an effective treatment protocol for trunk rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

Background: In the present study to investigate the immediate effects of standing position of the trunk stabilization exercise on Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's balance and gait abilities were examined. Design: Case report and conducted as a single-blind. Methods: Standing position of trunk stabilization exercise was conducted for five Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's who met the selection criteria were recruited. The subjects were conducted conservative exercise and trunk stabilization exercise. Conservative exercise was implemented for thirty min, five times for 8 weeks, and trunk stabilization exercise was implemented for 15 min. The participants' balance was measured via force plate (COP), functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), gait was measured using the 10 m walk test, and 6 minute walk test. Results: After training, the change values of the balance and gait ability in the subjects were significantly greater than pre-test. participants showed significant improvements in COP, FRT, TUG, 10 m walk test and 6 minute walk test pre and post the training (p<0.05). Conclusions: standing position of the trunk stabilization exercise was effective on Guillain-Barre syndrome patient's balance (COP, FRT, TUG) and gait (10 m walk test and 6 minute walk test) abilities were examined.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined effects of the untact trunk stabilization exercise program on muscle thickness, trunk strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance. METHODS: The subjects were 20 normal adults divided into 10 in the contact exercise group and 10 in the untact exercise group. The trunk stabilization exercise program was conducted for four weeks. The muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The maximal expiratory flow was measured using Personal Best Full Range Peak Flow Meter. The static balance was measured through Bio-rescue; and the trunk muscle strength was measured by bending the upper body forward and measuring the time for maintaining the posture. RESULTS: Both contact and untact exercise groups showed significant differences in muscle thickness, muscle strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance (p < .05). A significant difference in muscle thickness on ultrasound was observed between the contact and untact exercise groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle requires accurate instructions of the contact exercise, but despite environmental constraints, the untact exercise program is as effective as the contact exercise for improving muscle strength, maximum expiratory flow, and static balance.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2323-2330
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• 2021

Background: Stroke patients have weak trunk muscle strength due to brain injury, so a single type of exercise is advised for restoring functionality. However, even after intervention, the problem still lies and it is suggested that another intervention method should be applied with exercise in order to deal with such problem. Objectives: To Investigate the effect of bridge exercise combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on trunk muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: From July to August 2020, twenty stroke patients was sampled, ten patients who mediated bridge exercises combined with functional electrical stimulation were assigned to experiment group I, and ten patients who mediated general bridge exercises were assigned to experiment groupII. For the pre-test, using surface EMG were measured paralyzed rectus abdominis, erector spinae, transverse abdominis/internal oblique muscle activity, and using trunk impairment scale were measured balance. In order to find out immediate effect after intervention, post-test was measured immediately same way pre-test. Results: Change in balance didn't show significant difference within and between groups, but muscle activity of trunk was significant difference rectus abdominis and erector spinae within groups I (P<.01), also between groups was significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Bridge exercise combined with FES could improve trunk function more effectively than general bridge exercise due to physiological effect of functional electrical stimulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2011

Purpose: Trunk muscle weakness in the children with cerebral palsy can lead to postural and alignment problems, breathing difficulties, and so on. Therefore, children with cerebral palsy can benefit from exercises that strengthen the muscles in their trunks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk muscle strengthening exercise on functional gross movement and balance ability in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: We used single group repeated measure design in 8 children(four males, four females; aged 6~12 years; mean 8.3 years) with diplegia. The functional gross motor outcome measured by using the GMFM and balance ability of all children was measured by pediatric balance scale. All participants were alternately received trunk strengthening exercise and neurodevelopment treatment for 40 minutes twice per week during 8 weeks. Results: Significant and clinical meaningful improvement in functional gross motor and balance ability were shown. Conclusion: The results indicate that trunk strengthening exercise has a positive effect on both functional gross motor and balance ability in children with spastic diaplegic cerebral palsy.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1779-1784
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• 2019

Background: A number of researchers have attempted to improve the balance of stroke patients, however there is still a question as to whether taping is effective in increasing balance. Objective: To determine the effect of paretic and non-paretic side taping on the balance ability in patients with stroke. Design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial Methods: This randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial with a repeated measures study included 45 subjects who were randomly assigned to paretic side taping groups (n=15), non-paretic side taping groups (n=15), and trunk exercise groups (n=15). Trunk exercise and paretic side taping groups had taping on the paralyzed erector spinae, while the non-paretic side taping group had taping on the non-paralyzed erector spinae. Trunk exercises were performed for 30 minutes to promote core muscles. The balance ability measured the center of pressure movement (paretic side, non-paretic side,forward, backward, limit of stability) in the sitting position. All measurements were evaluated using BioRescue. Results: All three groups showed significant increase in all variables after 4 weeks. The paretic and non-paretic side taping groups had a significant increase in all variables after 30 min of attachment. However, there was no significant difference among the three groups. Conclusions: Paralysis and non-paralysis taping improved the balance ability of patients with stroke in an immediate effect of 30 min. However, after 4 weeks of intervention, taping with trunk exercise did not differ from single trunk exercise. In future studies, various analyses need to be conducted through more diverse evaluations.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk stability and balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain. Subjects : Thirty-two elderly people ($73.78{\pm}8.49$ years of age) who had complaints of CLBP were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. Methods : Subject trained with combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for 4weeks with aim of improving trunk stability and balance. Weight distribution, trunk muscle balance, static balance ability and dynamic balance ability were measured before, at the end of training. Results : Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. After the exercise programs, there were significant differences in the weight distribution, trunk muscle balance and dynamic balance ability between the experimental and control group. However there was no significant difference in the one leg stance test(p<.05). Conclusion : This study suggest that PNF programs may be appropriate for improving trunk stability and balance in elderly people with CLBP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activity of the trunk muscles during balance exercises on a stable and unstable surface in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 males, 5 females) with stroke were enrolled in the study. Muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG electrodes from the affected side of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles. The exercise was performed under three conditions. For the first condition for balance exercise, subjects were instructed to sit on an exercise mat with legs extended. The second condition was to sit with legs extended, with a balance pad under their buttocks. The third condition was to sit with legs extended, have a balance pad under the buttocks and a balance cushion under the lower legs. Results: This study showed significant differences in EMG activities during both arm lifting exercise and weight shifting exercise between conditions. This study showed that the EMG activities of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles were significantly higher when the trunk exercise was performed using the balance pad with balance ball than when using the stable surface. Conclusion: In conclusion, performing balance exercises using an unstable surface is a useful method for facilitating trunk-muscle strength and hence trunk stability.