• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.137-145
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is developing a virtual bicycle system for improving the ability of postural balance control for adults in various age groups. The system consists of an exercise bicycle that allows tilt in accordance with the postural balance of the subject in the system, a visual display that shows virtual road, and a visual feedback system. The rider of the system tries to maintain balance on the bicycle with a visual feedback of a virtual road while the pedaling speed, the heading direction, and various weight distribution information are updated to the subject as visual feedbacks in the display. A series of experiments were performed with various subjects to find the factors related to postural balance control in the system. The related parameters obtained were weight shift, magnitude of the deviation from the center of the virtual road, and variables related to the movement of the center of pressure. The results found that the ability to control postural balance in the system improved with the presentation of visual feedback information of the distribution of weight. It was also found that the general performance of the subject on balance in the system improved after ten days long training. The results show that the newly developed system can be used for the diagnosis of postural balance as well as for the stimulation of various senses such as vision and somatic sense in the field of rehabilitation training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of present study was to determine effects of a visual feedback training on balance ability in poststroke hemiparetic subjects. Methods : Fourteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly divided into either visual feedback training group(7 experimental group, 7 control group). All of participated were inpatients at local rehabilitation center and had been receiving a traditional rehabilitation program, five days a week. Exprimental group have additionally undergone for four weeks, three days a week, the visual feedback training but control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The Berg Balance Scale(BBS), the FICSIT-4, the MTD-balance system to measure a balance ability were carried out twice before and after training. Results : After participation in the program, subjects of visual feedback training demonstrated a significant improvement in the scores of the BBS, the FICSIT-4, the MTD-Balance system. The control group had no change on the any tests. After the training, the result to improve significantly in visual feedback training group compared to post-test of control group were the score of BBS and the FICSIT-4 and the MTD-Balance system. Conclusions : The present study suggests that the visual feedback training program may become a useful strategy for enhancing balance ability in the rehabilitation of stroke patiens.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic exercise applied PNF patterns on body composition and balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Methods : Forteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 10 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with body composition and 5 items of Berg's balance test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance indexes in 3 conditions were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The aquatic exercise applied PNF patterns was consisted of PNF patterns and various aquatic activities. Results : After ten weekends of aquatic exercise training, there were not significant difference in body composition(p>.05) except of muscular weight of affected lower extremity(p<.05). But edema index increased more than pre-training (p<.05). Subjects showed significant difference in Berg's balance test results except of 2 items of Berg's balance test (p<.05). Total balance index score when subjects opened their eyes and didn't hold the handle was decreased less than pre-training(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that intervention of this aquatic exercise program applied PNF patterns could increase edema index and muscular weight of affected lower extremity and improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.

• 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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out if it helps to improve static balance ability and weight bearing rate for chronic stroke patients with poor balance in clinical intervention through a method of correcting movement errors while performing a task by vibrotactile bio-feedback providing pressure information. Methods : Fifteen chronic stroke patients (12 male and 3 female) were participated in this study. To examine the effects of vibrotactile bio-feedback and general standing without bio-feedback on static balance ability and weight distribution symmetric index in all subjects randomized with R Studio. The static balance ability and weight distribution symmetric index of the participants was evaluated using a force plate. A paired t-test was used for comparison of each conditions. Statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results : The comparisons of static balance ability and weight distribution symmetric index in chronic stroke patients after two different condition are as follows. In the static balance ability and weight distribution symmetric index, the vibrotactile feedback providing pressure information showed a significant difference compared to none feedback (p<.001). Conclusion : The vibrotactile bio-feedback providing pressure information in real time can support an improve in static balance ability, uniform weight bearing rehabilitation in chronic stroke patients. In the future, it is hoped that a follow-up study that provides a better direction of intervention compared to various feedback interventions commonly used in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the visual perception ability and the static dynamic balance ability in health elderly. Method: The Motor Free Visual Perception Test-Row Score(MVPT-RS) and MVPT-Process Time(MVPT-PT) were used for evaluating the visual perception abilities. Assessment of the balance ability was taken by using Good Balance System. In the assessment using Good Balance System, X, Y coordinate speed, anterior-posterior direction, medial-lateral direction and Velocity Movement(VM) in standing posture when eye open were measured as static balance abilities. Thirty-seven healthy elderly who live in Gwangyang participated in the experiment for 2 months, from October to November 2010. Results: 1. There were statistically significant differences of MVPT-RS, MVPT-PT, NSB-X, NSB-Y, NSB-VM, OLB-X, and OLB-VM based on the gender(p<0.05). 2. The negative correlations of MVPT-RS:NSB-Y(r=-0.354), MVPT-RS:OLB-X(r=-0.4), MVPT-RS: OLB-Y(r=-0.371), but positive correlations of MVPT-PT:DTB-T showed a statistical significance(r=0.45, p<0.05). 3. The positive correlations of NSB-X:NSB-Y(r=0.54), NSB-X: NSB-VM(r=0.848), NSB-Y:NSB-VM(r=0.531), OLB-X:OLB-Y(r=0.876), OLB-X:OLB-VM(r=0.872), and OLB-Y:OLB-VM(r=0.787) showed statistical significances(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results showed that the visual perception ability was correlated with some balance ability in health elderly. Especially the perception test process time(MVPT-PT) has closely related with the DTB-T. The visual perception ability is considered as a factor on the balance ability in health elderly. Further study will focus on the development of improving program of visual perception ability as an improving method of balancing ability in health elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to improve the asymmetrical weight-bearing ratio, by applying different repetitive sit-to-stand training methods to the paretic-side foot of hemiplegic patients, as well as to provide the necessary information for applying balance training with hemiplegic patients. Methods: The subjects were divided into two groups: a spontaneous foot group and an asymmetrical foot group. They all performed repetitive sit-to-stand training five times a week for a total of six weeks. The sit-to-standing movement was studied using standardized clinical tests. The Biodex Balance System, Time up and go test (TUG), 5 times sit-to-stand test (5XSST), and functional reach test (FRT) were used to measure the static and dynamic standing balance of the patients. Results: In the balance system measurement, the results for the overall index, ant-post index, med-lat index, fall risk index, 5XSST, and FRT after the training differed significantly between the comparison groups (p<0.05). In the evaluation of dynamic balance, the differences in TUG did not differ significantly between the comparison groups after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found that the asymmetrical group showed significant increases in static and dynamic balance in comparison to the spontaneous group after repetitive sit-to-stand training. Based on this result, it is clear that training in an asymmetrical position with the paretic foot back can increase the left-right stability limit and the anterior-posterior stability limit, thus improving balance control.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of resistant gait training with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the walking and balancing abilities of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 6) that underwent treadmill gait training or an experimental group (n = 6) that underwent resistant gait training using PNF. The interventions were performed five times per week for four weeks. Gait variables were measured using a GAITRite system (CIR System Inc, Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability; the Berg balance scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance; and the activity-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) was measured to examine changes in confidence about balance. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to examine intragroup differences before and after the interventions, and a Mann-Whitney U-test was used for intergroup comparisons of the effects of the interventions. All statistical significance levels were set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant intragroup improvement in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, double support time, balance, and confidence about balance after the interventions (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons after the interventions, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in walking speed, the number of steps per minute, stride length, balance, and confidence about balance (p < 0.05). No significant difference in double support time was seen in the intergroup comparison after training (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied resistant gait training using PNF to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed significant improvements in the patients' walking and balancing abilities. Therefore, resistant gait training using PNF is thought to be applicable as an intervention method for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.590-600
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• 2007

We performed experimental studies on the muscle activities in the lower limbs for the different movement patterns on an unstable platform. A training system for postural control using an unstable platform that we previously developed was applied for the experiments. This unstable platform provides 360 degrees of movement allowing for training of posture in various directions and provides simultaneous excitations to visual sensory, somatic sensation and vestibular organs. Compare with the stable platform, keeping body balance on the unstable platform requests more effective sensation from vision, vestibular sense and somatic sense. Especially, the somatosensory inputs from the muscle proprioceptors and muscle force are crucial. To study the muscle activities for the different movement patterns and find the best training method for improving the ability of postural control through training and improving the lower extremity muscular strength, fifteen young healthy participants went through trainings and experiments. The participants were instructed to move the center of pressure following the appointed movement pattern while standing on the unstable platform. The electromyographies of the muscles in the lower limbs were recorded and analyzed in the time and the frequency domain. Our experimental results showed the significant differences in muscle activities for the different movement patterns. Especially, the spectral energy of electromyography signals in muscle for the movement pattern in anterior-posterior direction was significantly higher than those occurred in the other patterns. The muscles in the lower leg, especially tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius were more activated compared to the others for controlling the balance of body on the unstable platform. The experimental results suggest that, through the choice of different movement pattern, the training for lower extremity strength could be performed on specific muscles in different intensity. And, the ability of postural control could be improved by the training for lower extremity strength.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2023

Objective: Stroke patients need the training to adjust their posture and maintain balance is necessary to restore movement function, and unstable support training is one of the appropriate training. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to find out the effects of unstable surface training on balance and gait in stroke patients. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis Methods: After creating a search expression referring to MeSH and EMTREE, the literature from 1976 to February 2022 was searched in the databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library CENTRAL. A total of 331 studies were searched from three databases, and 11 studies were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria. Unstable surface training included studies using balance trainer, Whole-body vibration, and sand surfaces. Results: The results were found to be d=2.28 (p=0.02) and the effect size was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.05, 0.67) on the Berg Balance Scale. In the Kinesthetic Ability Trainer static balance, d=2.59 (p=0.01) and the effect size was 1.01 (95% CI: 0.24, 1.78). Timed Up and Go test showed that d=2.18 (p=0.03) and the effect size was 0.38 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.72). At the gait speed, d=0.99 (p=0.32) and the effect size was 0.15 (95% CI: -0.15, 0.45). In the 6-minute walk test, d=0.14 (p=0.89) and the effect size was 0.04 (95% CI: -0.47, 0.55). Conclusions: In this study was found that training was effective in balance if it became unstable in standing posture. Therefore, unstable surface training can be used to improve the balance of stroke patients in clinical practice.