• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2022

Background: This research was conducted to understand balance training in trunk control, balance, and walking in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects included 40 stroke patients, of whom 20 undertook balance training using visual information and the other 20 undertook balance training using balance boards. Using visual feedback, the balance training group used a training program within the static balanced evaluation tool, while the balance training group trained using a balance board. All subjects underwent 20 mins of neurodevelopmental treatment, and both target groups underwent 10 mins each of balance training by using either visual feedback or a balance board. The treatment period lasted a total of 4 weeks, twice a day. Trunk control before and after training was evaluated with the Trunk Impairment Scale. Balance capability was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, and Static balance measurement tool. Walking capacity was measured using gait measuring equipment, and cadence and velocity were measured. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in their interstitial control, balance, and gait ability after the experiments compared to before the experiments (p<0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant. The visual feedback balance training group showed a more substantial improvement than the balance board training group. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the balance training combined with visual feedback contributes to improving trunk control, balance, and gait in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. In addition to this, I believe that balanced training combined with visual feedback can be used as a training method when considering patients who lack interstitial control, balance, and gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effect of Balance Trainer training with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on spasticity and balance in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into the Balance Trainer training with TENS group (n=15) and Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (n=15). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with TENS for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per a week during 4 weeks and the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS for the same period. Spasticity and balance were assessed by ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and were measured before and after the 4-week programs. Results: The result of spasticity and dynamic balance were improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in spasticity of the gastrocnemius & dynamic balance, compared to the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (p<0.05). The Balance trainer training with TENS group showed a significant improvement in static balance, especially during the eye-closed condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Balance Trainer training with TENS was effective in improving spasticity and balance in subjects with chronic stroke. Based on these results, it is suggested that Balance Trainer training with TENS could clinically be used more actively in conjunction with conventional physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.254-258
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of dual task training on balance and functional performance in high school soccer players with functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty high school soccer players with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to a single task training group and a dual task training group. One participant who did not participate regularly in the training was excluded. The single task training group (n=9) received balance training on an unstable surface. The dual task training group (n=10) received balance training on an unstable surface and had to catch thrown balls during the balance training. Both groups were trained for 4 weeks, 3 days a week. The balance and functional performance of both groups was measured before and after training. Balance was measured using an anterior-posterior and medio-lateral balance. Functional performance was measured based on a figure-of-8 hop test, up-down hop test, and a single hop test. All data were analyzed by repeated two-way ANOVA tests. Results: A time by group interaction effect was not observed in the medio-lateral balance test, figure-of-8 hop test, or single hop test (p>0.05). A time by group interaction effect was observed in the anterior-posterior balance and up-down hop test (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that dual task training improved balance and functional performance better than single task training for some items.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a balance training program in improving balance and functional independence to reduce fall risks among community-dwelling elders. Design: A multi-center randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 66participants were randomly assigned to a balance training group or a control group. The balance training program, conducted three times a week for 32 weeks, included warm-up exercises, main balance training exercises, and cooldown stretch exercises. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results: The balance training group demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures, indicating enhanced balance, improved functional mobility, and increased independence in activities of daily living. In contrast, the control group showed only slight improvements in BBS, TUGT and MBI scores. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of balance training programs in reducing fall risk and promoting health and wellbeing among community-dwelling elders. Future research should aim to refine the design of these programs and assess the sustainability of the observed improvements.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.243-248
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of neuromuscular training performed on badminton club members' to improve muscle activity of the lower extremities and static and dynamic balance tests. Methods: The subjects were 20 badminton club members with chronic ankle instability who were randomly divided into a neuromuscular training group and a balance training group, each with 10 patients. Both exercises ware performed three days per week for 30 minutes a day over six weeks. Results: The neuromuscular training group showed increased muscle activity of the lower extremities compared to the balance training group. Neuromuscular training increased balance ability better than the balance training group, showing a significant difference and better efficiency of neuromuscular training when compared to balance training. Conclusion: This research evaluated neuromuscular training as an intervention for badminton club members with chronic ankle instability and compared the differences in muscle activity of the lower extremities and balance ability; as a result of the effective frequency for improving performance, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of lower extremities and balance ability of the neuromuscular training group and the control group.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.668-674
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analysis of the effect of proprioceptor training and vestibular organ training for balance ability. The subjects was consist of two different subjects group, proprioceptor training group and vestibular organ training group. Proprioceptor training group consisted of 10 subjects and vestibular organ training group consisted of 10 subjects. Training was performed 3 times per week, 30 minutes per day, for 3 weeks. Balance ability analysis was performed using Romberg's one leg standing test and BT4 when opened eyes and closed eyes. The analysis results were as follows. There was no significant differences in balance after the training in both groups when they opened their eyes(p<.05). But there was significant differences in balance after the training in both groups when they closed their eyes(p<.05). And there was no significant difference in balance after the training between the proprioceptor training group and the vestibular organ training group when they closed their eyes(p<.05). Given the above results, proprioceptor training and vestibular organ training enhanced balance but there was no significant difference between the two methods.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.265-273
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of HMD (head mounted display)-based virtual reality balance training on static balance in young adults, and whether appropriate balance training can help healthy adults to improve balance ability in daily living. Methods: The study subjects were 14 healthy adults. Subjects received 20 minutes of HMD-based virtual reality balance training 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Static balance was measured before, during, and after training and after one month. Static balance was measured in a total of 8 conditions, and the results were classified as visual (F1), somatosensory (F5-6), vestibular (F2-4), and central nervous system (F7-8). Results: The test results showed no significant difference in pre-training, post-training, and follow-up results under all conditions at Fourier index F1, F5-6, and F7-8 frequencies. For the F2-4 frequency, there was a significant difference before and after training under NC (neutral head position, eyes closed, firm surface) and PC (neutral head position, eyes closed, elastic surface) conditions. The NC condition returned a significant decrease of F2-4 frequency in post-training testing as compared to pre-training, and the PC condition showed a significant decrease of F2-4 frequency between the pre-training and mid-training tests, and between the pre-training and post-training tests. Conclusion: These results indicate that HMD-based balance training can improve balance ability, even in normal adults, and seems especially effective for vestibular function training.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 2016

Objective: The aims of this study were 1) to develop easy-to-use rhythmic balance training equipment for the elderly and 2) to investigate the effect of training with the equipment on balance and physical function. Method: Twenty-one elderly individuals (age: $75.4{\pm}3.34yrs$, height: $152.07{\pm}4.81cm$, weight: $58.35{\pm}8.34kg$) participated in this study. Each participant underwent balance and physical function testing before and after 12 weeks of training with the equipment. Y-balance (i.e. dynamic balance) and one leg static balance tests were used for balance testing, and timed up- and-down-stairs and five times sit-to-stand tests were used for physical function testing. A paired t test was used to determine whether there was a significant pre- and post-training difference. Results: The rhythmic balance training equipment provided a fun and motivating training program with age-friendly music, dance movements for lower extremity strength training, and touch screen controls with simple features. Post-training left foot dynamic balance was significantly greater (p<.05), and static balance with eyes open was significantly improved (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Completion of the timed up-and-down-stairs and the five times sit-to-stand tests was significantly shorter (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Conclusion: Training using the equipment developed in this study improved balance and physical function in elderly participants.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1999-2004
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• 2020

Background: Although studies on physical motor learning through motor imagery training have been conducted in various fields, studies on its effectiveness are still considered insufficient. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training and balance training on static balance of asymptomatic adults in their 20s. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Thirty-six adults in their 20s who passed the tandem stance test were randomized to the motor imagery training group (MIG, n=12), motor imagery with balance training group (MIBG, n=12), and balance training group (BG, n=12). Each group underwent their respective interventions three times a week for four weeks, and changes in static balance were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Trace length was significantly lower in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction in trace length in the MIBG was observed after the intervention as compared to the baseline (P<.05). Furthermore, a significantly lower velocity was observed in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction of velocity in the MIBG was more observed after the intervention compared to the baseline (P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that motor imagery training enhance static balance in healthy college students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training using a training mat on the postural balance of the elderly individuals. Methods: Thirty-five participants were selected from a falling prevention class and were randomly allocated to two groups; 17 in an exercise group (EG, $72.7{\pm}5.1$ years) and 18 in the control group ($74.9{\pm}4.0$ years). The EG underwent balance training using training mats for 60 minutes a day, 2 days a week, for 4 weeks. Postural balance parameter (timed up and go test, functional reach test, and one leg standing) were measured pre- and post- training. Results: The EG showed significant improvements in all variables that were analyzed. Conclusion: This study confirmed that balance training using a training mat effectively improves the postural balance in elderly people at risk for falling.