• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.33 no.9
• /
• pp.761-768
• /
• 2016

Weight bearing is effective during rehabilitation of gait, in the elderly and disabled people. Various training devices using weight bearing function were developed along with treadmill walking; however, no device has been developed in conjunction to walking on the ground. Here, we designed a rail type frame of a gait rehabilitation system for body-weight support (BWS) function, and analyzed its mechanical safety in the static weight bearing condition of a vertical axis. Computational simulations were performed to analyze structure of the driving parts, which are connected with a rail and driving rollers and the lower plate of the BWS. Structural analyses showed the drivers and BWS were safe, when simulated at 135kg weight under static conditions. Thus, this rail type rehabilitation system can be used for gait training of the elderly and disabled.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 1997

Asymmetrical posture during static stance has been identified as a common problem in persons with hemiplegia. This study examined the effect of a purposeful exercise training program on symmetrical weight bearing in three adult persons with hemiplegia. Multiple baseline design was used. The intervention program, including ball throwing and catching, rolling ball catching and throwing, and Swiss ball pulling and stopping was introduced for 15 minutes each day during each intervention phase. Quantitative measurement of the weight distribution was taken with the Limloader. Visual inspection and mean of data revealed a significant improvement in symmetrical weight distribution. This result suggests that a purposeful exercise training program can be effective in helping persons with hemiplegia achieve symmetric stances.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.7-13
• /
• 2008

Purpose: We compared T-type and I-type canes on postural balance in 28 hemiplegic patients. Methods: Subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: a T-shape cane group (n=14) and an I-shape cane group (n=14). Before the test, subjects were trained by a physical therapist to walk with a cane for 6 weeks. The Main Outcome Measures were measured as maximal sway velocity, sway path, sway area, and partial weight bearing using a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) and ambulation velocity using a 'Timed up and go test'. We also measured the maximal ambulation velocity. Results: The distribution of weight bearing on the affected side without the cane was 35% in the I-shape cane group and 36% in the T-shape cane group. After training, weight bearing on the affected side increased by 45% in the I-shape cane group and 40% in the T-shape cane group. With the cane held in the hand, weight bearing on the affected side in the T-shape cane group decreased by 3%. Conclusion: The I-shaped cane increased static standing balance, including hemiplegic side weight bearing. Therefore, I-shape canes can improve the balance of hemiplegic patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.104-110
• /
• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intensive gait training with body weight support treadmill training on gait and balance in stroke disability patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six stroke patients (20 men and 6 women) participated in this study. All subjects were hospitalized patients. They were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (body weight supported treadmill training group, n=14) and control group (treadmill group, n=12). The mean ages were 52.07 years (experimental group) and 53.83 years (control group). Subjects in both groups received conventional training 10 times/wk. Subjects in the experimental group practiced body weight supported treadmill training for 30 minutes a day, 3 day/wk. Subjects in the control group practiced treadmill training for 30 minutes. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and GAITRite were used to evaluate balance and gait parameters (step length, cadence and gait speed) before and after the intervention. Results: BBS scores in the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement ($4.33{\pm}1.54$), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Significantly greater improvement in the gait speed ($24.13{\pm}4.53$ cm/s), affected side step length ($10.40{\pm}3.42$ cm), sound side step length ($11.97{\pm}3.29$ cm), and cadence ($23.88{\pm}5.52$ step/min), compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Intensive gait training with Body Weight Support Treadmill Training may improve gait and balance in subacute stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a real-time pressure feedback provided during gait training on the weight weight distribution of the inner part of mid-foot in paralyzed side and gait function in stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with hemiplegic stroke in a rehabilitation hospital were randomly assigned to the experimental and control group. All participants (n = 24) performed 15 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy 5 times a week for a period of 4 weeks. Additionally, the experimental group and control group underwent gait training with a real time feedback and general gait training, respectively, for 15 min five times a week for 4 weeks. Weight distribution and gait function were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant increases in the weight distribution (WD), stance time (ST) and step length (SL) of the paralyzed side, and a significant decrease in the 10 m walking test (10 MWT) observed after training in the two groups (p < .05). The experimental group showed larger changes in the all variables than the control group (WD, +10.5 kg vs. +8.8 kg, p < .05; ST, 12.8 s vs. 4.9 s, p < .05; SL, 4.9 cm vs. 1.7 cm, p < .05; 10 MWT, -3.5 s vs. -1.0 s, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Gait training with a real-time feedback might be effective in improving the normalization of weight bearing of the paralyzed lower extremity and gait function of stroke patients, and be considered to be a more effective gait training for improving the abilities than the general gait training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sit-to-stand training on unstable surfaces in individuals with stroke. Nineteen subjects with chronic stroke were divided into two groups: an experimental group (10 subjects) and a control group (9 subjects). They received 30 minutes of Neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) treatment, and sit-to-stand exercise for 15 minutes three times a week for four weeks. During the sit-to-stand training, the experimental group performed on an unstable AIREX balance pad, but the control group performed on a stable surface. Balance ability and weight-bearing distribution during quiet standing were measured before and after training period using the 7-item Berg balance scale-3P (BBS-3P) and the Five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST). In addition, the muscle strength of the knee extensor was evaluated before and after the training period. The results were as follows: 1) The weight-bearing distribution forward of the affected leg, increased significantly in the experimental group after the four-week intervention (p<.05), 2) The 7-item BBS-3P and FTSST increased significantly in the experimental group after the four-week intervention (p<.05), 3) The knee extensor muscle strength in both groups increased significantly after the four-week intervention (p<.05). In conclusion, the results of this study did not show that the sit-to-stand training on an unstable surface was more effective than on a stable surface. However, the results suggested that sit-to-stand training is effective in the balance training of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.57-62
• /
• 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
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.159-163
• /
• 2017

Objective: Persons with stroke have a tendency to exhibit asymmetric weight-bearing during sit-to-stand because due to the attempt to support themselves with the non-paretic foot. However, there are few devices that can assist with sit-to-stand (STS) performance. This study was designed to investigate the use of the elastic band with rings (EBR) in improving weight-bearing effectively in persons with stroke during STS training. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen stroke survivors participated in the study. An EBR was applied onto the patient during STS activity. The foot pressure was measured before and after wearing the EBR, with a 5-minute rest period between measurements. Subjects were asked to perform each test twice with and without the EBR. Bilateral feet pressures were measured with standing posture being divided into the forward and backward aspects. The foot contact pressure during STS activity was measured with the CONFORMat System. Results: With EBR, the forward pressure of the affected foot significantly increased while the less-affected forward foot pressure significantly decreased (p=0.015 and p=0.023, respectively). The backward foot pressure did not differ significantly in the two limbs, and there was no difference with and without the EBR in terms of the total pressure of the affected foot. There was a significant difference with and without the EBR in the total pressure of the less-affected foot (p<0.05). Conclusions: STS training with the EBR has been shown to improve weight-bearing of both feet while decreasing the total pressure of the less-affected foot in stroke survivors. Therefore, we suggest that the EBR is a useful tool for STS training for persons with stroke in the clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.11-22
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to analysis the effect on change of spinal neuron excitability during gait training of hemiplegia patients by the functional electrical stimulation. Methods: Thirty six hemiplegia patients participated in this study. Stimulation conditions of FES were pulse rate 35pps, pulse width $250{\mu}s$, and on-time 0.3 second, treatment hour was 30 min. and treatment period was once a day for five days a week through six weeks. For functional evaluations before and after treatment, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), active range of motion (AROM), Hmax threshold, H/Mmax ratio were measured and the following conclusions were obtained. Results: Functional evaluation showed significant changes in experimental group as MAS(p<0.01), AROM(p<0.001), compared to control group. In spinal neuron excitability evaluation, change of Hmax threshold was significantly reduced in both non weight bearing (p<0.001) and bearing condition (p<0.05), H/Mmax ratio was significantly reduced in non weight bearing (p<0.05) and bearing condition (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, application of FES to hemiplegia patients in recovery stage during gait training improved mitigation of muscular spasticity, balance adjustment and moving ability and it was interpreted that it was caused by mitigation of muscular spasticity by the spinal neuron excitability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.5-22
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the balancing training effect on weight bearing ratio and postural sway on the unstable surface for the CVA patients with balance disability. The inclusion criteria were walking independently 20m distances. Eighteen subjects, 4 with right and 14 with left hemiplegic patients were participated in this study. The range of age was from 35 to 75 and the duration from onset time was from 1 to 38 months. The intervention program including balancing training that they were introduced for 10 minutes every other day during 12 weeks to experimental group, and general therapeutic exercise to control group. The result of this study were as following; 1. The balancing training on the unstable surface showed that the postural sway of left/right distribution would appear more effective on sitting with eyes opened. 2. The balancing training on the unstable surface showed that the postural sway of forward/rear distribution, left/right distribution and distance would appear more effective on standing with eyes opened. 3. The balancing training on unstable surface would increase more effective on the weight-bearing ratio of left/right difference and frequency. 4. The balancing training on unstable surface was statistical significant on the postural sway of left/right distribution and area in experimental group. and it was statistical significant on the postural sway of forward/rear distribution, left/right distribution and distance in control group, too.