• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inclination treadmill training with dynamic stretching on the spasticity and gait of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty two subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=11) or a control group (CG, n=11). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the EG participated in inclination treadmill training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks, and the CG participated in treadmill walking training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements, recorded before and post intervention. Walking ability was measured using the 10m walking test (10MWT) and Timed up and go (TUG) test. Spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius was measured using a myotonometer. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed the both groups for walking ability and spasticity after the training program. The results of the study were follows: 10MWT and TUG was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after intervention (p<0.05). Spasticity was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that inclination treadmill training improves gait ability and reduces spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius. Inclination treadmill training may be used as an easy, effective and accessible way to improve the walking ability and decrease spasticity in stroke patients. Further studies are necessary to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of postural control training on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=9) or a control group (n=9). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received a postural control training for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held five times per week for three weeks. Balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS) and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on measured outcomes (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the gait speed (p=.01; 95% CI .08-.16), cadence (p=.04; 95% CI .34-4.79), step length (p=.02; 95% CI 1.50-5.17), double limb support period (p=.04; 95% CI -2.18 to -.14), and BBS (p=.01; 95% CI 1.04-6.74) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that postural control training may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of arm training in standing position on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=8) or a control group (n=8). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received an arm training in standing position for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held three times per week for six weeks. Upper extremity function was assessed using Fugle-Meyer motor assessment function upper extremity (FMA-UE), balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support period) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on BBS, gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limp support period (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the BBS (p=.01; z=-2.48), gait speed (p=.01; z=-3.26), cadence (p=.02; z=-2.31), step length (p=.01; z=-3.36), and double limb support period (p=.03; z=-2.84) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that arm training in standing position may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2009

The purpose of this study were to investigate the effects of muscle, balance and walking training on muscle, balance and gait kinematics in children with Down syndrome. Nine children ($9{\sim}12$ years old) with Down syndrome participated in this study. The participant with Down syndrome participated in muscle, balance and walking training for 12 weeks, three times a week Kinematic variables of gait were measured 3-dimentional motion capture system. The results indicated that the pelvis rotation decreased, the knee and hip flexion increased, decreased leg sway during the swing phase, the cadence increased, and the stride length decreased after the muscle, balance and walking training. In conclusion, Down syndrome's gait kinematic variables improved after the muscle, balance and walking training.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.301-308
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare core muscle activity and thickness in the abdomen (internal Oblique, IO; External Oblique, EO; Transverse Abdominis, TrA) according to walking training methods. Tests were performed on 20 healthy men who randomly assigned to two groups, divided by Nordic walking (n=10) or Power walking group (n=10). They were performed Nordic walking or Power walking training for 2 weeks that is consistent with each of the assigned groups. Results demonstrated that Nordic walking was more effective than Power walking in improving IO and EO activities. Nordic walking is believed to be useful method for a variety of therapeutic exercise as a stable balance with the stick in addition to normal gait and trunk stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-task training with cognitive effort on the walking and balance functions of chronic stroke patients. The study included 14 chronic stroke patients, who were randomly divided into the experimental group (EG) and control group (CG), each with 7 patients. The EG performed the dual-task training with cognitive effort 3 times a week, 30 minutes for 4 weeks, where as the CG performed single-task training three times a week, for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. Outcome assessments were made with 10 m walk test, timed up and go test, 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale. In within-group comparison, subjects from the EG showed significant differences in all variables (p<.05), while subjects from the CG showed only significant differences in 6 minutes walk test, and Berg balance scale (p<.05). Further, there was significant difference in the improvement rate of 10 m walk test. The findings suggest that the dual-task with cognitive effort may be beneficial for improving walking and balance functions of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.10-18
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• 2021

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of Kinesio taping with backward walking training (KTBW) on muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post-stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants included 27 post stroke patients and were randomly distributed into two groups: KTBW group received Kinesio taping with backward training (n=13), control group receive general physical therapy (n=14). Intervention was given five times a week, a total of four weeks. The subjects evaluated the muscle strength test and walking ability before and 4 weeks after the experiment. Muslce strength of lower extremity was measured by digital manual muscle test. Gait ability was measured by G-walk. Result: After training, the KTBW group showed significant improvement in muscle strength of the lower extremity compared to the control group (p<0.05). KTBW group showed significant improvement in gait ability compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These finding show the benefits of the Kinesio taping with backward walking training on the muscle strength of lower extremity and gait ability in post stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of fast walking training on a treadmill on the spinal alignment and muscle thickness of normal adults. Methods: A total of 36 college students in their twenties participated in the study for eight weeks, and they were divided into the normal walking, fast walking, and speed change groups. All the groups were measured in a pre-test before training. The subjects performed exercise three times per week for six weeks. A post-test was conducted six weeks after training began, and a follow-up test was done two weeks after the training ended.Trunk and pelvic tilts were measured in Formetric 4D for the spinal alignment of the subjects. The muscle thickness was examined in the trunk with an ultrasound test. Repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to test the main effects and interactions among the measurement variables according to time and group. Results: Significant differences were observed in the pelvic tilt according to time. There were significant differences in the external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominal muscle according to time. The post-test results showed significant differences in the left external oblique, internal oblique muscles between before training, six weeks into training, and two weeks after the completion of training. There were significant interactions in the left oblique muscles according to the time and group. Conclusion: These findings have some value for patient rehabilitation and clinical applications and interventions through walking training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2017

Purpose: Balance and walking ability are important elements of functional independence for people with stroke and are major goals in rehabilitation. These abilities require trunk performance, but most chronic stroke patients reach a plateau in their rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a self-training trunk program to improve balance and walking ability in people with stroke, and to suggest such a self-training program for integrated rehabilitation of people with stroke. Methods: The study recruited 7 people with stroke. The subjects performed trunk training for 30 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks. Participants were measured on the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC) scale, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and a gait analysis to measure the training effects. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test as a non-parametric statistical test. Results: TIS was not significantly different after the self-training trunk program, but BBS (p>0.05), K-ABC, and FES were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05). Furthermore, the 6MWT, stride/height %, and one-leg stance were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05), but cadence, stance, and swing duration were not significantly different after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a self-training trunk program should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to improve balance and walking ability, and further research is needed to develop the program to be more effective for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Background: The requirements for postural and motor control in backward walking training (BWT) may improve balance and walking speed in patients with acute stroke. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of BWT on balance, balance confidence, and fall efficacy in this population. Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Methods: This study included 14 subjects with acute stroke (onset of illness less than one month). They were randomly allocated to a BWT (n=7) or forward walking training (n=7) group and observed five times in a week for a period of two weeks. Measurements were taken before and after the experiment using the Berg balance scale (BBS), Activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC), and Fall efficacy scale (FES). Results: The BBS, ABC and FES scores obtained in both groups after the experiment were significantly higher than those before the experiment (p<0.05). In addition, the BBS, ABC, and FES scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that BWT improved balance and balance confidence and decreased the risks of fall in patients with acute stroke. Further study is needed to better understand the effects of backward walking in acute stroke patients.