• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.346-350
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of calf tightness on gait, plantar pressure, and balance in adults. Methods: A total of 60 participants were divided into a normal group of 30 subjects with normal dorsiflexion angle (20-25 degrees) and an experimental group of 30 subjects with limited dorsiflexion angle (0-15 degrees) due to calf tightness. Gait ability and foot pressure of the subjects was measured with a treadmill, and the balance ability was measured by PROKIN system. Results: A significant difference in COP length, loading response, and single limb support was observed between groups. The COP length and single limb support ratio in the normal group was greater than in the experimental group, but the experimental group showed a higher ratio for loading response in the gait ratio. Conclusion: Our results indicated that calf tightness was negative effects on balance and gait ability, so assessment of the muscle tightness should be considered during exercise and treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a complex exercise program for elderly people who had experienced a fall on their balance ability and proprioception when their visual sense was blocked. Methods: The subjects were 24 elderly people with experienced fall. They were equally and randomly divided into a blind group and a general group. The subjects performed the complex exercise program for 30 minutes, twice a day, five days a week for 4 weeks a total of 20 times. Outcome measures were the 10-meter walking test (10MWT), Berg balance scale (BBS), Fukuda stepping test(FST), proprioception test (PT). Results: After the intervention, the blind group showed improvements in 10MWT, BBS, FST, PT. The general group showed improvements in 10MWT and PT. Conclusions: The complex exercise program for elderly people helped enhance their balance ability and proprioception.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of balance training on a three-dimensional balance trainer that provides the up-and-down vertical movement of the knee joint and left-and-right horizontal movement, along with visual feedback on the functional ability of children with spastic cerebral palsy (CPs). METHODS: 8 CPs participated in this study. The experiment was implemented for 40 minutes, three times a week for a total of six weeks. The subjects received general physiotherapy for 15 minutes in each session focused on balance and walking, as based on the neuro-developmental treatment theory. Balance training was performed for 20 minutes on a three-dimensional balance trainer where knee joint movement providing visual feedback is applied. The evaluations were conducted before and after the test, and posture sway was measured using 10 Meter Walking Test (10MWT), Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), and the Good Balance System to evaluate the functional ability and balance of the subjects RESULTS: 10MWT was not statistically significant (p>.05). On the contrary, TUG and postural sway indicate static balance showed a statistically significant decrease (p<.05). In a static balance test using the Good Balance System, the average moving speed statistically significantly decreased in the AP and ML directions (p<.05), and the mean velocity moment also significantly decreased (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that balance training using the three-dimensional balance trainer, with the features of visual feedback and up-and-down knee joint movement effects on increasing dynamic and static balance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this case study was to investigate into the effect of complex exercise program on the postural change, gait and balance ability in elementary school students with forward head posture. Methods: Four patients with forward head posture were recruited. They were evaluated pre-treatment, and after 6weeks, using neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), balance ability, foot pressure (fore foot/rear foot peak pressure ratio, F/R ratio), gait ability (cadence, toe out angle, stance phase). Results: First, the angle of forward head posture (craniovertebral angle; CVA and cranialrotation angle; CRA) was decreased in all subjects. The NPRS and NDI were decreased in all subjects. Also, The cadence, toe out angle and F/R ratio were increased in all subjects. The stance phase of gait cycle was positively change in all subjects. Lastly, the static balance ability improved in all subjects. Conclusion: According to the results above, the complex exercise program for students with forward head posture can help improve the postural change, gait and balance ability. Also, the complex exercise program was able to select interventions depending on the patient's condition and the desired goal.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

Background: Degenerative arthritis accounts for a large portion of the elderly, causing a lot of inconvenience in daily life. Total knee replacement (TKR) are performed to relieve pain in the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to determine whether knee joint stabilization exercises are effective in improving balance and walking ability in degenerative arthritis patients who have undergone TKR. Methods: A total of 30 TKR patients participated in this study. They were assigned to two groups. The experimental group, the group that underwent knee stabilization exercises, joint mobilization and general physical therapy. On the other hand, and the controlled group, the group that underwent joint mobilization and general physical therapy. All exercises were conducted thrice a week, for four weeks. The main balance outcomes were evaluated using the posture balance training system, while walking ability was assessed using a wireless 3-axis accelerometer. Results: The experimental group had significantly higher scores in postural stability testing (PST), limits stability testing, and waling ability. The post-intervention evaluation, there were significant differences in all variables between the two groups. However, no significant difference was noted in the foam eyes closed test in PST. Conclusion: This study suggests that knee joint stabilization exercises effectively improve the balance and walking ability of TKR patients. Thus, it could be presented as useful in clinical practice.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of isometric exercise on muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers. Research design, data, and methodology: Twenty gait asymmetry people were divided to unilateral exercise group (UG, n=10) and bilateral exercise group (BG, n=10). UG were performed unilateral exercise for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks, and BG were performed one side and then the other side alternately for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks. Muscle activity and body balance ability were measured before, after 4 and 16 weeks isometric exercise. Moreover, SI (symmetry index; SI) was calculated from the measured value of SL (step length). Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Scheffe. Results: In the muscle activity, ST decreased significantly in short step length(S-SL) and BG of LS compared to before isometric exercise(p<.05), and GCM decreased significantly in BG of S-SL(p<.05). As for body balance ability, the mSEBT-A difference between L-SL and S-SL was decreased significantly in UG(p<.05). And the respective total scores of L-SL and S-SL, mSEBT-PM and mSEBT-PL were increased significantly in BG(p<.05). Conclusions: As a result, in this study above, it was confirmed that isometric exercise improved muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.215-221
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• 2020

This study intends to evaluate the balance ability of Korean adults in their 20s and create balance indicators using digital equipment(FRA 510 S). The study participants participated in 50 men and women in their 20s without musculoskeletal and nervous system diseases. For data analysis, Repeated Measures ANOVA was used. As a result of the study, it was confirmed that the movement of the body weight was higher when the eyes were closed and the test was performed than when the eyes were opened on a flat floor and a balance pad(47cm×39cm×5.5cm). And there was no difference according to the gender of men and women. In a future study, it is considered that the balance ability of normal elderly people will be evaluated, and the balance index of normal adults in Korea will be created and applied to the evaluation of patients with impaired balance ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface on the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). All the participants underwent a typical physical therapy program for 30 min a day. Moreover, the experimental group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on an unstable surface, whereas the control group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on a stable surface. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for three weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance. The gait variables were measured using the GAITRite system (CIR System Inc., Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability. Results: Both groups showed a significant intragroup improvement in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). In the intergroup comparisons after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed a significant improvement in the patients' balance and walking abilities. Therefore, trunk exercise on an unstable surface may be applicable as an intervention method to improve the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve balance ability in acute stage stroke patients. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 subjects diagnosed with hemiparesis caused by stroke. The experimental group consisted of 15 patients that underwent rTMS for 15 mins and the control group consisted of 15 patients that underwent sham rTMS (for 15 minutes). A 70-mm figure 8 coil and a Magstim Rapid stimulator was used in both groups. Patients in the experimental group received 10 Hz rTMS applied to the hotspot in the lesioned hemisphere in 10-second trains with 50-second intervals between trains, for 15 minutes (total 2,000 pulses). Both groups received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Static balance ability analysis was performed using the Gaitview system to measure pressure rate, postural sway, and total pressure, and dynamic balance ability analysis was performed to measure pressure variables using a balance system. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in post-training gains for pressure rate, total pressure in static balance, and overall stability index in dynamic balance between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that high frequency rTMS may be beneficial for improving static and dynamic balance recovery in acute stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of proprioceptive exercise (PE) using a trampoline and a balance board on a balance ability after stroke. Method : Sixteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the PE group or control group (8 experimental, 8 control). All of participants were in-patients at local rehabilitation centre and had been receiving a traditional rehabilitation program, five days a week. The PE group have additionally undergone for four weeks, three days a week, the PE using a trampoline and a balance board under supervision by a physical therapist but control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The position sense test used to assess a proprioceptive sense at a knee joint. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test to measure the balance ability were carried out before and after the training. Result : After the training the error of position sense at knee joint of PE group significantly decreased compared to the control group. The PE group demonstrated a significant improvement in the scores of the BBS and TUG. Conclusion : The present study suggests that the PE program using a trampoline and balance board may become a useful tool for enhancing a balance ability in chronic stroke patients through the ennced proprioceptive position senses.