• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of thoracic self mobilization on balance and gait of acute stroke patients. Methods: Patients (n=10) with acute stroke applied to thoracic self mobilization. There are two thoracic self mobilization of both extension and rotation. Each thoracic self mobilization was performed ten times per direction in a total of three sets and the total time required for two thoracic self mobilization was twenty minutes. The break time between sets was one minute. Balance ability was measured using the timed up and go test and the five times sit to stand test for patients. The 10 meter walk test and the functional gait assessment were used for measurement of gait ability for patients. Results: Significant improvements were observed on balance ability (p<.05) and gait ability (p<.05). Conclusion: These results show that thoracic self mobilization is immediate effective on balance and gait ability. Thus, thoracic self mobilization will help recovery of balance and gait ability in acute stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to provide the basic data necessary for rehabilitation by identifying the effects of complex balance exercises combined with self-observation training on balance and gait improvement in stroke patients. METHODS: This study assigned 20 people randomly into two groups: the control and experimental groups. The experimental group (10 subjects) underwent self-observation training-combined complex balance exercise. The control group (10 subjects) underwent complex balance exercises. A pretest of the balance ability and walking ability of both groups was performed. The interventions were conducted for 30 minutes three times a week for four weeks, and post-tests were conducted four weeks after all interventions were completed. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups according to the increase in Berg Balance Sale within the group and a statistically significant difference by a decrease in 10MWT (p < .01). On the other hand, there was a significant difference only in the change in Berg Balance Sale between the two groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Combined balance exercise combined with self-observation training and combined balance exercise alone positively affected the Berg Balance Sale and 10MWT in both groups. On the other hand, in the results between groups, there was a statistically significant difference in Berg Balance Sale in complex balance exercise combined with self-observation training. Therefore, self-observation training should be used for the rapid social rehabilitation of stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2028-2035
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2017

Background: Many studies have reported positive results of the various mirror training and virtual reality games in improving dynamic standing balance and posture adjustment in chronic stroke patients. However, no systematic study has been conducted to compare the effects of virtual reality games and the mirror balance training. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Wii balance games and Mirror Self-Balancing Exercises in improving proprioception of knee joint and standing balance of people with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic stroke volunteered for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into a Wii balance games group and a Mirror Self-Balancing Exercises group with 10 patients in each group. Each training was performed for 30 mins a day for 4 days. In addition to the balance training, 30 mins neuro-developmental-treatment based routine physical therapy was given to both groups. Proprioception was measured using two continuous passive motion devices, and static balance was measured using a Wii balance board. Dynamic balance assessment tools included the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Timed Up-and-Go test. Results: All measured variables before and after the experimental results showed a significant improvement in both groups (p<.05). Only the improvement of the affected knee proprioception appeared to be significantly greater in the Wii balance game group (p<.05). However, other variables did not differ between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that both Wii balance games and Mirror Self-Balancing Exercises may be helpful for improving the proprioception of knee joint and the balance of patients with chronic stroke.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.316-326
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was to identify the factors associated with stages of exercise behavior change of residents in a community on the basis of the Transtheoretical Model. Methods: Data were collected from 520 residents of a community using a self-report questionnaire. The survey variables comprised the stages of exercise behavior change, the process of change, decisional balance and self efficacy. Results: There were significant differences in the process of change, decisional balance and self efficacy by the stages of exercise behavior change. The factors associated with transition from pre-contemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising and self efficacy; regarding those from contemplation to preparation, cons of the decisional balance and social liberation; regarding those from preparation to action, dramatic relief and counter conditioning; regarding that from action to maintenance, cons of the decisional balance. Conclusion: TTM would be applicable to explain the exercise behavior of some residents in a community, which suggested that the programs for improving exercise behavior of residents in a community need to be developed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

Purpose: This randomized study was done to compare the effects of a 6 month Tai Chi exercise and a self-help program on balance, flexibility and muscle strength in women with osteoarthritis (OA). Method: In this experimental study, 82 women with OA recruited from outpatient clinics or community health centers were randomly assigned either to a Tai Chi group or a self-help group. Thirty women (mean age = 62 years) in the Tai Chi group and 39 (mean age = 59 years) in the self-help group completed posttest measures (balance, flexibility, oxygen consumption, abdominal muscle strength, back muscle strength, and grip strength) at 6 months. Results: After the 6 month, Tai Chi participants had significantly greater balance (mean difference = 2.9 vs. 0.9 for the self-help), grip strength (mean difference = 4.6 vs. 0.9 for the self-help), and back muscle strength (mean difference = 4.1 vs. -0.3 for the self-help). However, flexibility, oxygen consumption, and abdominal muscle strength were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion: Tai Chi increased balance, grip strength and back muscle strength in older women with osteoarthritis compared to the self-help program. Whether these changes improve physical functioning and fall prevention requires further study.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2007

This study was designed to examine the relationship between clinical symptoms, self-efficacy, and performance of women with osteoarthritis. It is a survey study of 60 women who were diagnosed as osteoarthritis and given medical treatments from September, 2005 to October, 2005 in hospital 'H' located in Yongin-si. For clinical symptoms, radiographs of the subjects' knees were taken and evaluated the pathology grade by the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. Pain and stiffness was measured by the measure of WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), and functional reach test was measured in order to examine balancing abilities. Self-efficacy was measured by a tool which has revised the ASES (Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale), and performance was measured by recording the difficulty of the WOMAC measurements themselves, and the time taken for 20 m walking, going up and down 9 stairs, and 5 sit-down and stand-up repetitions. The resulting differences in the other variables according to performance and the relationship between performance with variables are the following. First, an increase in pain in women with osteoarthritis led to decreased functional ability. Second, an increase in stiffness in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Third, a decrease in balance in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Fourth, a decrease in self-efficacy in women with osteoarthritis led to a decrease in functional ability. Fifth, the variables for estimating the performance by self-report were pain and self-efficacy. The variables for estimating the performance by recording the time taken was balance and self-efficacy. As a result factors such as pain, balance and self-efficacy in women with osteoarthritis were closely related to performance. Based on the results, it seems that physical therapy programs to decrease pain and to increase the balance in women with osteoarthritis, and psychological approaches to increasing self-efficacy are needed. I hope that the results of this study will be useful data for clinical management and intervention for women with osteoarthritis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the radial bone strength, sitting balance ability and global self-esteem of wheelchair martial arts practitioners and healthy control participants. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Nine wheelchair martial art practitioners with physical disabilities and 28 able-bodied healthy individuals participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius was assessed using the Sunlight Mini-Omni Ultrasound Bone Sonometer; sitting balance was quantified using the modified functional reach test (with reference to a scale marked on the wall); and the self-administered Rosenberg self-esteem (RSE) scale was used to measure the global self-esteem of the participants. The velocity of the ultrasound wave (speed of sound, m/s) traveling through the outer surface of the radial bone was measured and was then converted into a T-score and a Z-score. These ultrasound T-score and Z-score that represent bone strength; the maximum forward reaching distance in sitting (cm) that represents sitting balance; and the RSE total self-esteem score that indicates global self-esteem were used for analysis. Results: The results revealed that there were no statistically significant between-group differences for radial bone-strength, maximum forward reaching distance, or self-esteem outcomes. Conclusions: The wheelchair martial arts practitioners had similar radial bone strength, sitting balance performance and self-esteem to able-bodied healthy persons. Our results imply that wheelchair martial arts might improve bone strength, postural control and self-esteem in adult wheelchair users. This new sport-wheelchair martial arts-might be an exercise option for people with physical disabilities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2017

Purpose: Balance and walking ability are important elements of functional independence for people with stroke and are major goals in rehabilitation. These abilities require trunk performance, but most chronic stroke patients reach a plateau in their rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a self-training trunk program to improve balance and walking ability in people with stroke, and to suggest such a self-training program for integrated rehabilitation of people with stroke. Methods: The study recruited 7 people with stroke. The subjects performed trunk training for 30 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks. Participants were measured on the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC) scale, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and a gait analysis to measure the training effects. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test as a non-parametric statistical test. Results: TIS was not significantly different after the self-training trunk program, but BBS (p>0.05), K-ABC, and FES were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05). Furthermore, the 6MWT, stride/height %, and one-leg stance were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05), but cadence, stance, and swing duration were not significantly different after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a self-training trunk program should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to improve balance and walking ability, and further research is needed to develop the program to be more effective for chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of self-sit-to-stand training on balance ability and sit-to-stand ability in hemiplegic stroke patients using a multisensory feedback device. Methods: A total of 19 stroke patients participated in this study, and they were divided into two groups: 10 underwent self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device, and 9 underwent sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. In both groups, sit-to-stand training was performed for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The subjects also underwent physical therapy twice a day for 30 min, 10 times a week, for a total of 60 sessions. Balance ability was evaluated using the AFA-50 and Berg Balance Scale. Sit-to-stand ability was evaluated using the five times sit-to-stand test. Results: Sway length, pressure, and total pressure all significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The Berg Balance Scale results showed that balance ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The five times sit-to-stand test results showed that sit-to-stand ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. It was found that the self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device had a positive effect on balance control and sit-to-stand ability. When the two groups were compared, no difference in balance ability or sit-to-stand ability was observed. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device is as effective as sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. Hence, self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device could be an effective home-based exercise protocol for hemiplegic stroke patients to improve their balance and sit-to-stand abilities.