• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Purpose : Using a smartphone while walking districts attention and increases the risk of losing balance or falling. Ankle instability is caused by decreased muscle strength and decreased neuromuscular ability leading to postural control problems. Dual tasks increases the risk of falls by reducing postural control in adults with ankle instability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of performing a dual task on balance and muscle activity in adults with ankle instability using a smartphone. Methods : Forty-nine individuals with ankle instability participated in this study. A game of finding the wrong picture was performed using a smartphone in the dual task, and only looking at the blank screen of a smartphone was evaluated in the single task. The participants randomly performed single and dual task to evalutate balance and muscle atcitivy. Balance was evaluated using the Biodex balance system (BBS), and muscle activity was evaluated using surface EMG. Muscle activity of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior was measured at the same time as balance. Results : The results of this study showed that overall, anteior/posterior, and medial/lateral balance indices all showed significant differences when performing the dual task compared with those during the single task (p<.05). The muscle activity results showed a significant difference compared with that of the gastronemius muscle on the nondominant side during the dual task (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that maintaining balance is more difficult when performing the dual task than during the single task, and only the muscle activity of the nondominant gastrocnemius muscle decreased. The dual task causes a decrease in concentration for postural control, which negatively affects postural stability. Individuals with ankle ankle instability should refrain from performing dual tasks, such as using smartphones, to prevent ankle damage.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of goal-oriented side walking training on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study involved 18 chronic stroke patients who were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). The experimental group performed goal-oriented side walking training, and the control group performed general side walking training. The walking variables assessed were walking speed, stride length, and 10-m walking time. The balance variables assessed were foot pressure, timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). These variables were measured before and after the exercise. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to compare the participants' performances before and after the intervention in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was conducted for between-group comparisons after the intervention. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ Results: Walking speed, stride length, 10-m walking time, TUG, and foot pressure were significantly improved in both groups after the exercise (p<0.05). The between-group comparison showed a significant improvement in the goal-oriented side walking group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in 10-m walking times (p>0.05) and BBS (p=0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that goal-oriented side walking training was effective in improving the balancing and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.417-430
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES) on walking and balance functions in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic stroke were divided into an experimental group assigned to weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES; n=10) and a control group assigned to weight-bearing training alone during FES (n=10). The patients in both groups attended physical therapy sessions five times a week for four consecutive weeks. The experimental group underwent weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES five times a week for four weeks. The control group underwent weight-bearing training during FES. Balance parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the Balancia program. Moreover, all patients were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), and the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) before and after each intervention. Results: The results showed that weight-bearing training with elastic bands during FES and weight-bearing training during FES had a significant effect on the affected side's weight-bearing ratio, BBS, TUGT, and WGS in both groups (p <0.05). Additionally, the results showed that the changes observed in the two groups indicate significant differences in path length, average speed, BBS score, TUGT time, and WGS score between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with stroke, weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES affected on walking and balance. Therefore, it is an optional intervention for the balance and walking ability of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2020

Background: Stroke patients have reduced trunk control compared to normal people. The ability to control the trunk of a stroke patient is important for gait and balance. However, there is still a lack of research methods for the characteristics of stroke control in stroke patients. Objects: The aim of this research was to determine whether trunk position sense has any relation with balance and gait. Methods: This study assessed trunk performance by measuring position sense. Trunk position sense was assessed using the David back concept to determine trunk repositioning error in 20 stroke patients and 20 healthy subjects. Four trunk movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) were tested for repositioning error and the measurement was carried out 6 times per move; these parameters were used to compare the mean values obtained. Subjects with stroke were also evaluated with clinical measures of balance and gait. Results: There were significant differences in trunk repositioning error between the stroke group and the control group in flexion, lateral flexion to the affected side, lateral flexion to the unaffected side, rotation to the affected side, and rotation to the unaffected side. Mean flexion error: post-stroke: 7.95 ± 6.76 degrees, control: 3.32 ± 2.27; mean lateral flexion error to the affected side: 6.13 ± 3.79, to the unaffected side: 5.32 ± 3.15, control: 3.57 ± 1.92; mean rotation error to the affected side: 8.25 ± 3.09, to the unaffected side: 9.24 ± 3.94, control: 5.41 ± 1.82. There was an only significant negative correlation between the repositioning error of lateral flexion and the Berg balance scale score to the affected side (-0.483) and to the unaffected side (-0.497). A strong correlation between balance and gait was found. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that stroke patients exhibit greater trunk repositioning error than age-matched controls on all planes of movement except for extension. And lateral flexion has correlation with balance and gait.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.23-33
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (>24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) ($n_1$=7) and control (FES) ($n_2$=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p<.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.611-621
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• 2022

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used as control or vehicle solvent in preclinical research of neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to its ability to dissolve lipophilic compounds and cross the blood brain barrier. However, the biochemical effects of DMSO on the outcomes of preclinical research are often overlooked. In the present study, we investigated whether the long-term oral administration of 5% DMSO affects the neurological, functional, and histological disease phenotype of the copper/zinc superoxide dismutase glycine 93 to alanine mutation (SOD1-G93A) mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. SOD1-G93A transgenic mice showed shortened survival time and reduced motor function. We found that administration with DMSO led to increased mean survival time, reduced neurological scores, and improved motor performance tested using the rotarod and grip strength tests. On the other hand, DMSO treatment did not attenuate motor neuron loss in the spinal cord and denervation of neuromuscular junctions in the skeletal muscle. These results suggest that DMSO administration could improve the quality of life of the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS without affecting motor neuron denervation. In conclusion, the use of DMSO as control or vehicle solvent in preclinical research may affect the behavioral outcomes in the SOD1-G93A mouse model. The effect of the vehicle should be thoroughly considered when interpreting therapeutic efficacy of candidate drugs in preclinical research.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.427-436
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• 2019

This study investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the knee angle, MAS, and TUG of the affected side in patients with hemiplegic strokes. This study selected 20 patients who received rehabilitation treatment at a hospital after having been diagnosed with stroke. The control group (n=10) received the general physiotherapy (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), and the experimental group (n=10) applied the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to the injured limb after PNF treatment. This study used an integrated kinematics analyzer (4D-MT, Relive, Korea) to analyze walking, timed up and go test to evaluate the dynamic balance ability of patients, and MAS to evaluate the spasticity. In the study results, knee angle were significantly different in all groups(p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between the groups(p>0.05). In the study results, TUG were significantly different in all groups(p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between the groups(p>0.05). Based on the results of this study, I hope that more detailed research will proceed.