• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2020

Purpose: Functional ankle instability (FAI) causes tension in the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and the impact on visual and vestibular organs leads to imbalance. This study compared the effects of a traditional balance training program to virtual reality training to improve FAI. Methods: Twenty-four participants with FAI (CAIT score < 24) were assigned to a virtual reality training group (n = 13) and a traditional balance training group (n = 11). Both groups pursued their respective training program for four weeks. After a ten-minute warm-up, participants completed a 30-minute training session, three times per week. The traditional balance training group underwent static and dynamic training using a balance board and a stability trainer pad while the virtual reality group underwent balance training using a virtual reality program. Biorescue was used to measure changes in the speed and length of center of pressure (COP) for single-leg stance pre- and post-training. Results: The speed and length of COP improved significantly in both groups after training as compared to before (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these outcomes between the virtual reality training group and the traditional balance training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study findings confirm the effectiveness of both virtual reality training and traditional balance training in reducing ankle instability, with no difference in treatment effects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a virtual reality-based exercise program on the functional recovery of balance and gait in chronic stroke subjects. Methods: A total of 42 chronic stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The participants were allocated randomly to 2 groups: a VR (n=22) and control group (n=20). Both groups received treadmill training for 3 sessions (10 minutes each), 30 minutes per week over a 6 week period. The VR group practiced additional virtual reality programs consisting of 3 programs for 10 minutes each. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test to determine the statistical significance. Results: The virtual reality-based exercise group showed significant increases in gait velocity, cadence and stride length compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in static balance. Conclusion: These results support the perceived benefits of exercise programs that incorporate virtual reality to augment the balance and ambulation of stroke patients. Therefore, virtual reality is feasible and suitable for stroke patients

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.35-40
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• 2012

The purpose of this review was to investigate feasibility of intensive virtual reality training to improve upper extremity function with brain plasticity of individuals with stroke through the literature. The recovery of the paretic upper extremity depends on regularity and intensity of training as use-dependent plasticity. In resent, virtual reality program has been widely used in the occupational therapy field of augmented stroke rehabilitation. There is a growing body of evidence that virtual reality training of the paretic extremity induces brain plasticity associated with motor improvement. In terms of therapeutic feasibility to improve paretic upper extremity, recent research has explored several important factors of virtual reality training for recovery of upper extremity motor function. These factors include high repetition intensity, high motivation like type of game, enhanced multisensory feedback regarding performance, and interactive task-oriented training. Therefore, occupational therapy combined with intensive and repetitive virtual reality training will enhance recovery of upper extremity motor function after stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.351-367
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to identity effects of virtual reality(VR) program related to standing postural control on balance, gait and brain activation patterns in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. Subjects were assigned randomly to either VR group (n=12) or the control group (n=12) when the study began. Both groups received conventional physical therapy for 2 to 3 times per week. In addition to conventional physical therapies, VR group trained 3 types of virtual reality programs using IREX for standing postural control during 4 weeks (4 times/week, 30 minutes/time). Subjects were assessed for static and dynamic balance parameters using BPM, functional balance using Berg Balance Scale related to movement of paretic lower limb before and after 4 weeks of virtual reality training. The results of this study were as follows. 1. Following VR training, VR group demonstrated the marked improvement on dynamic mean balance, anteroposterior limits of stability (AP angle) and mediolateral limits of stability (ML angle). 2. Following VR training, both groups scored higher on Berg Balance Scale. However, a comparison of mean change revealed differences between groups. In conclusion, these data suggest that the postural control training using VR programs improve dynamic and functional balance performance in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify effects of virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly either to VR+CKC exercise group (n=15) or the CKC exercise group (n=15). When the study began, both groups received conventional physical therapy five times per week. The VR+CKC exercise group received virtual reality programs and the CKC exercise group received close kinetic chain exercises. Each exercise program was performed for six weeks (5 times per weeks; 20 minutes per time). Participants were measured on lower extremity muscle activity using EMG. Results : There was a significant increase of muscle activity (%RVC) in vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Conclusion : In this study, the virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain exercise program was an effective exercise for improving lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.273-278
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three-dimensional virtual reality horse riding simulator training using a head-mounted display on gait and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Ten children with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to the horse riding simulator (HRS) group (n=5) or the horse riding simulator with virtual reality (HRSVR) group (n=5). To evaluate balance, center of gravity (COG) sway velocity and total sway distance of each group were assessed using the Wii balance board, and gait speed and stride length of each group were assessed using a gait analysis system. Results: Intra-group comparisons between pre- and post-intervention measures revealed that there were significant changes in all gait and balance variables such as stride length, gait velocity, COG sway velocity and COG sway distance in the HRSVR group (p<0.05). In the HRS group, there were significant changes in all variables except stride length (p<0.05). In addition, inter-group comparisons showed significant differences between the two groups in stride length, gait velocity and COG sway distance except COG sway velocity (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that horse riding simulator training combined with 3D virtual reality can be a new positive therapeutic approach for improving functional performance in children with cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Purpose: Patients with brain damage suffer from limitations in performing the activities of daily living (ADL) because of their motor function and visual perception impairment. The aim of this study was to help improve the motor function and visual perception ability of patients with brain damage by providing them with virtual reality-based contents. The usability results of the patients and specialists group were also evaluated. Methods: The ADL contents consisted of living room, kitchen, veranda, and convenience store, similar to a real home environment, and these were organized by a rehabilitation specialist (e.g., neurologist, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist). The contents consisted of tasks, such as turning on the living room lights, organizing the drawers, organizing the kitchen, watering the plants on the veranda, and buying products at convenience stores. To evaluate the usability of the virtual reality-based visual cognitive rehabilitation service, general elderly subjects (n=11), stroke patients (n=7), stroke patients with visual impairment (n=4), and rehabilitation specialists (n=11) were selected. The questionnaires were distributed to the subjects who were using the service, and the subjective satisfaction of individual users was obtained as data. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 software. The general characteristics of the users and the evaluation scores of the experts were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The usability test result of this study showed that the mean value of the questionnaire related to content understanding and difficulty was high, between 4-5 points. Conclusion: The virtual reality rehabilitation service of this study is an efficient service that can improve the function, interest, and motivation of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Computer Graphics Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.75-87
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• 2016

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has been used for a several decades. However, we are not aware any studies that used a smart-phone based virtual reality techniques. In this study, we suggested a new smart-phone based VRET that included photorealistic techniques. We also evaluated the current system with 32 healthy participants, and results suggested that the current system evoked different emotional valences in indoor/outdoor and familiar/unfamiliar environments. The meaning of current results and potential applications of VRET were discussed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.41-46
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• 2012

Purpose : This study investigated the effect of 4 weeks training of virtual reality game on balance and gait ability, depression of elderly people. Methods : The subjects of this study were 12 elderly people over 65 age. The subjects were treated by training using virtual reality gam (during 60 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks). The results of the experiment were analyzed using paired T-test along with averages and standard deviations as the statistical methods for data analyses. Results : In comparison of depression, gait and balance ability between pre-test and post-test, there were statistically significant differences. Conclusion : Our study finding indicate that training using virtual reality game could improve balance and gait ability, depression in elderly people. According to our study, training using virtual reality game is judged to be used for elderly people with gait and balance problems, depression to prevent fall down.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.34-46
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• 2023

Objective : The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze the methods by which virtual reality (VR)-based occupational therapy interventions are applied to disabled children and adolescents and to assess their effectiveness. Methods : The RISS, DBpia, KCI, Science Direct, and CINAHL MEDLINE databases were searched for relevant literature from January 2012 to August 2022. The main search terms used were "virtual reality," "work therapy," "youth," "virtual reality," "occupational therapy," "child," and "adolescent." A total of 16 documents were selected for analysis by the 4th stage of the PRISMA flowchart. Results : In the 16 selected studies, VR-based occupational therapy when used with children and adolescents with disabilities and was shown to have meaningful effects. Among the types of cerebral palsy covered in the studies, the most common was hemiplegia, and the evaluation tools used for measurement of the VR effect were daily activities, cognition, exercise technology, social-interaction technology, and visual-perception evaluation. Nintendo wii and Microsoft Kinect produced the VR tools most commonly used to improve motor skills and daily life. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that VR interventions can be used effectively in clinical practice. In the future, they may assist in the diagnosis of disabled children and adolescents, in helping to select VR tools that are suitable for the purposes of intervention, and in the presentation of specific methods.