• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.665-678
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• 1999

Stroke is a major cause of death and long-term disability. Because muscle weakness is one of the most prominent consequences of stroke, it was considered important to determine whether exercise in order to improve muscle strength and range of motion could have an effect in limiting the learned disuse of the affected side. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of an 8 week rehabilitation program on physical and cognitive ability in stroke patients. A total of 18 patients who were admitted to the oriental medicine unit of a K medical center in Seoul were recruited : ten for the experimental group and eight for the control group. The rehabilitation program consisted of three level's of active and passive exercises for prevention of muscle contracture and at range of motion. Muscle strength, flexibility of the upper and lower extremity, perceived balance, functional independence, depression, and quality of life for the two groups were compared at the pretest and 4 and 8 weeks after the rehabilitation program. The results are as follows : 1) When measuring muscle strengths of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion, hip flexion and knee extensor, ankle dorsi-flexor and muscle strength of knee flexor. Muscle strength of knee flexor for the experimental group was significantly higher than the comparison group at the 4 weeks. 2) Muscle strength and flexibility of the ankle dorsi -flexor for the experimental group was significantly better than for the control group at 8 weeks. 3) Functional independence, perceived balance, and Tinetti balance for the experimental group as measured at 4 and 8 weeks were better than for the control group. Also, there were changes over time in physical balance and functional ability, but there was no significant differences between the groups. 4) The experimental group showed a higher quality of life and lower depression than the control group at 8 weeks. 5) Muscle strength and flexibility of ankle dorsi -flexor were significantly changed over time and an interaction between group and time. The findings suggested that the rehabilitation program would improve the physical and psychological status of the stroke patients. Thus, the gains in actual or perceived ability to perform physical activities was marked.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of Tai-Chi exercise program on joint flexibility for osteoarthritis patients. To evaluate the effects, quasi-experimental study was used for pre and post test with a nonequivalent control group. Method: Fifty-tow subjects participated in the experiment(twenty-seven for experimental group and twenty-five for control group) and they were from two different senior citizen centers in J city. The experiment period was from April 2002 through August 2002. The experiment group took part in Tai-Chi exercise program for eighteen weeks(three times a week for four weeks and five times a week for fourteen week). The exercise was performed for 50 minutes at every time (15 minutes for warm-up, 30 minutes for Tai-Chi exercise, and 5 minutes for ending). In order to pursue study purpose, the SPSS/WIN 8.0 program was chosen for the statistical analysis; ANCOVA was employed in examining test hypothesis; t-test and $x^2$-test were used to examine homogeneity between experimental and control group. Result: The study results were as follows :Score of vertebral joint flexibility increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. There was a slight increase of knee joint extension in the Tai-Chi exercise group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. Score of knee joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle plantar flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Conclusion: As shown in the results, Tai-Chi exercise program can be effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis patient to improve joint flexibility.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.113-120
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of a specific functional shoe in terms of the range of motion (ROM) of ankle and foot joints during walking when compared to a standardized shoe. METHODS: Kinematic ROM data pertaining to ankle, tarsometatarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joints were collected from twenty-six healthy individuals during walking using a ten-camera motion analysis system. Kinematic ROM of each joint in three planes was obtained over ten walking trials consisting of two different shoe conditions. Visual3D motion analysis was finally used to coordinate the kinematic data. All kinematic ROM data were interpolated using a cubic spline algorithm and low-pass filtered with a cutoff frequency of 6 Hz for smoothing. RESULTS: The overall ROM of the ankle joint in the sagittal and coronal planes when wearing the specific functional shoe was significantly decreased in both ankles during walking when compared to wearing a standard shoe (p<.05). Significantly more flexibility was observed when wearing the specific functional shoe in the tarsometatarsal and metatarsophalangeal joints compared to a standard shoe (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Although clinical application of the specific functional shoe has shown clear positive effects on knee and ankle moments, the results of this study provide important background information regarding the kinematic mechanisms of these effects.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.8-16
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• 2008

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.300-309
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training on ankle mobility and gait in patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: 31 patients with stroke were selected and classified into an experimental group (n=16) and a control group (n=15). Both groups were assessed for ankle mobility using the Knee to Wall Test and gait parameters using G-walk before and after the intervention. The intervention was applied five times a week for four weeks. The experimental group performed gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation followed by ankle control exercises, while the control group only applied NMES to the tibialis anterior muscle of the paretic side for 30 min per session five times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Experimental group showed significant improvements in Knee to wall test. and lumbar flexibility after the intervention. both group showed significant improvements in gait parameters after the intervention. However, when comparing between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant effect than the control group. Conclusions: Gastrocnemius neuromuscular electrical stimulation training can be considered an effective approach to improve ankle mobility and gait ability in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on flexibility of bridge and plank exercises using sling suspension on an unstable surface. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy adults in their 20s (plank=10, bridge=10). Both types of exercise were performed three times per week for a period of four weeks. Each exercise was performed in the front and side direction. Exercise intensity was altered through the use of a sling, which was placed at the knee and ankle. Flexibility at trunk forward flexion and backward extension was measured. The trunk forward flexion was measured at sitting position. The trunk backward extension was measured at prone position. The data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the pre- and post-test for both the bridge and plank exercise groups. In the bridge exercise, significant differences were shown in the trunk forward flexion and the trunk backward extension (p<.05). In the plank exercise, a significant difference was shown in the trunk backward extension (p<.05). No significant differences were noted in interaction effect or the main effects in either group. CONCLUSION: Bridge and plank exercises on an unstable surface improve flexibility. The bridge exercise improves the flexibility of the forward and backward muscles of the trunk. The plank exercise improves the flexibility of the forward muscles of the trunk. This information would be useful in the development of exercise programs including bridge and plank exercises for improving flexibility and core stability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Many patients with stroke have difficulties in walking with foot-drop. Various types of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) have been developed, but their weight needs to be reduced with the assistance of the ankle dorsiflexor. Therefore, an elastic AFO (E-AFO) was devised that not only improves the stability and flexibility of the ankle but also assists with ankle dorsiflexion while walking. This study examined the effects of an E-AFO, on the walking patterns of foot-drop patients with stroke. METHODS: Fourteen patients walked with and without an E-AFO, and the gait parameters were assessed using the GAITRite system. The spatiotemporal data on the gait patterns of stroke patients with foot-drop were compared using paired t-tests; the level of statistical significance was set to α<.05. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the velocity (p=.066) and affecte+d step length (p=.980), but the affected and less-affected stance (p=.022, p=.002) and swing time (p=.012, p=.005) were significantly different. The E-AFO produced a significant difference in the less-affected step length (p=.032). CONCLUSION: The E-AFO has a significant effect on the walking patterns of individuals with foot-drop and stroke. The E-AFO could be a useful assistive device for gait training in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate changes in the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and the dynamic balance in asymptomatic subjects using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) after ankle balance taping (ABT) and placebo ABT with kinesiology tape METHODS: A total of 23 active participants (11 men, 12 women) volunteered for this study. Ankle flexibility was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test, and dynamic balance was assessed using the modified SEBT. Participants were asked to respond to questions regarding their perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence when performing modified SEBT. RESULTS: The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM did not show a significant decrease after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the ROM prior to ABT. The anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach distances of SEBT did not increase significantly after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the distances prior to ABT. However, the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence, when performing SEBT with real ABT, was increased compared to that during the control trial. CONCLUSION: This study showed that although real ABT did not immediately improve the reach distances in the 3 directions during modified SEBT, it improved the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence without decreasing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.1318-1332
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of walk training on leg strength, flexibility, postural stability, balance and gait in home bound elderly women. Eighteen elderly women of the experimental group aged between 70 and 90 years image who have normal vision, hearing and Romberg test. They participated in the 12 week walk training. The subjects of the experimental group practiced walk training 3 times a week for during 12 weeks. During the 40 minute workout, the subjects practiced 5 minutes of warming-up exercises, 30 minutes of conditioning exercises and 10 minutes of a cool-down exercise. The intensity for the conditioning phase was determined by subject' heart rates, which ranged from 60% to 70% of age-adjusted maximum heart rates. The body composition, leg strength, flexibility, postural stability, balance and gait were measured prior to and after the experimental treatment. The body fat, lean body mass, leg strength (ankle dorsiflexor, plantarflexor, inversor and eversir, knee flexor, extensior), flexibility (range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion and eversion), and postural stability of the experimental group were significantly greater than those of the control group. Duration of standing on the right foot and that of standing on the left foot of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group. Total balance scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Among 13 items for balance, the scores of experimental group in balance with eyes closes, turning balance, sternal nudge, neck turning, one leg standing balance and back extension were higher than those of the control group. Total scores of gait of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group following the walking training. Scores of experimental group in step height, step length and walk stance while walking among 9 items for gait were significantly higher than those of the control group. The results suggest that walk training can improve physical fitness for prevention in home bound elderly women.