• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.95-106
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during ramp climbing at different inclinations. Methods: Twenty-three subjects ascended and descended four steps at four different inclinations(level, $8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$). Temporal-spatial parameters were measured by GaitRite system(standard mat). Groups difference was analysed with on-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: The different kinematics of ramp ascent and descent were analysed and compared to level walking patterns. In ascending ramps, step length and stride length decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Stance duration increased with $24^{\circ}$, but swing duration decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Step time and velocity decreased with $16^{\circ}C,\;24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Cadence decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). In descending ramps, step length and stride length, velocity decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). Stance duration increased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$) and swing duration decreased with all inclination($-8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). But Step time was not differentiated with different inclinations. Cadence decreased with only. $8^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and ramp walking gait pattern. This shows their motor control strategy between level and ramp walking. Further studies are necessary to confirm and detect the ascent and descent ramp gait patterns.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.471-480
• /
• 2012

PURPOSE: The object of the present study is to investigate the effects of the insole supporting medial longitudinal arch while walking in spastic cerebral palsy with pes planus. METHODS: Ten spastic bilateral cerebral palsy children with pes planus participated in this study. The insole were custom-made for the individual child. Muscle activity was measured by surface EMGs attached on tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (GA), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), biceps femoris long head (BF). temporal-spatial parameters such as velocity, step length, stride length, stance time, toe angle were collected while the subjects walked on the GAITRite system. RESULTS: The results of the present study were summarized as follows: 1. Muscle activities in mean EMGs while walking: Left VMO, Right TA, Left BF and GA revealed significant reductions after applying insole. 2. Muscle activities in peak EMGs while walking: Left TA and BF demonstrated reductions significantly after applying insole. 3. There were improvements in temporal-spatial gait parameters with insole: velocity, both step length, Right stride length and Right toe angle were increased(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore the current study demonstrated that insole supporting the medial longitudinal arch would be effective on gait of the spastic cerebral palsy with pes planus.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of wearing various types of shoes on gait ability in stroke survivors and in order to gain information in regards to shoes that could possibly replace ankle orthosis. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eight hemiplegic survivors diagnosed with stroke participated in the study. Gait was analyzed using the GAITRite Electronic Walkway (CIR System Inc., USA) when subjects walked with no showed, walked with non-ankle-covered shoes, and walked with ankle-covered shoes. This study collected gait variables, including velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single support time, and double support time, respectively. Results: In the comparison of walking with no shoes, non-ankle-covered shoes, and ankle-covered shoes, there were significant differences in gait velocity, step length, stride length, and the less affected side single support time (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in cadence, affected side single support time, and double support time. Conclusions: Ankle-covered shoes had a positive impact on the gait of stroke survivors. However, it is necessary to conduct more studies comparing various types of shoes with ankle orthoses.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.204-211
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of progressive speed increase during underwater gait training on stroke patients' balance, gait, and endurance, as well as to compare the effects of underwater gait training and land gait training. Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated into three groups. Underwater gait training group (n=10), land gait training group (n=9) and control group (n=9). The groups performed their respective programs as well as conventional physical therapy 3 times/week for 8 weeks. The patients were assessed before and after the experiment in terms of the Berg balance scale, characteristics of gait, and 6-minute walking test. Results: The beneficial effect perceived in the speed increase underwater gait training (UGT) group was significantly greater than in the groups who were trained with speed increase land gait training (LGT) group, and the control group regarding the following aspects: the Berg balance scale, the affected step length, the affected stride length, and the 6-minute walking test (p<0.05). The LGT group showed a more significant effect on the Berg balance scale, the affected step length, the affected stride length, and the 6-minute walking test (p<0.05), compared to the control group. Furthermore, the UGT group showed a significantly greater effect on the gait speed when compared to the control groupb (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that progressive UGT is effective in improving balance, gait, and endurance in stroke patients. Therefore, we believe that progressive UGT may be used as a method for general physical therapy in patients with stroke.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.250-257
• /
• 2018

Objecctives: This study investigates the effects of using customized walking aids individualized for stroke patients by measuring the effects of different cane lengths to determine the ideal length of walking aids for stroke patients. Methods: Cane lengths were determined from the greater trochanter with walking aids measured 5cm below, at the greater trochanter and 5cm above. All patients walked for ten meters with each cane length to measure speed. Then, we measured the opto gait, timed up go test, and electromyography three times each. Statistical analysis was performed using a linear mixed model, and in the case of significance, the p-value was corrected using the Bonferroni method. Results: There was a statistically significant differences in time up and go test(TUGT), 10m walking, stride and speed between the groups. Conclusions: Long cane length increases body symmetry, stride, increasing muscle activity, and short cane length increases balance and walking.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.237-243
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of toe wedges on the gait ability of adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: Six adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy participated in this study. During the participants walked with- and without toe wedges, the gait ability was analyzed using the electronic walkway system. Gait parameters, including velocity, cadence, step length, stride length, single support time, and double support time, were collected and analyzed. Results: When the participants walked with toe wedges, there were significant improvements in gait velocity, cadence, and double support time compared to those without toe wedges (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in step length, stride length, and single support time. Conclusion: Toe wedges may have a positive effect on the gait ability of adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. However, it is necessary to conduct high-quality studies to identify the effects of toe wedges.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.51-62
• /
• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the ankle mobilization with movement (MWM) technique on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait in patients who underwent total knee replacement (TKR). Methods: Thirty patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG; n=15) and the control group (CG; n=15). For five days a week for 3 weeks, participants in the EG were treated with the ankle MWM technique and traditional total knee replacement (TKR) exercise, and those in the CG only performed traditional TKR exercises. The dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait of the patients were before and after exercise. Results: Balance system SD was used compare changes in dynamic balance. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in dynamic balance between the EG and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). STT-IBS was used to compare changes in velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Patients in the EG group showed statistically significant differences after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in the velocity, step length, stride length, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM between the EC and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that applying the ankle MWM technique with traditional TKR exercises improved ankle dorsiflexion ROM, dynamic balance, and gait in patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.383-392
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Balance and gait dysfunction caused by aging affect elderly individuals' independent life, which, in turn, can reduce their overall quality of life. The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in the vestibular function of healthy elderly and young adults based on the subjective visual vertical (SVV) test as well as to compare and analyze the gait ability between these two groups to study the differences and association between vestibular, dizziness, and balance ability. Methods: The subjects were 18 young and 16 elderly adults with no neurological or musculoskeletal damage. To evaluate vestibular function, a subjective visual vertical test was performed. To evaluate the gait function, the step time, step length, stride length, stance phase ratio, and swing phase ratio were measured. Balance was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and dizziness was evaluated using a dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). Results: There were significant differences in the SVV, BBS, and DHI between the young and elderly adults (p < 0.05). The gait variables of the older adults were all significantly different (except for the swing phase ratio) than those of the young adults (p < 0.05). As the result of correlation analysis, the SVV values of the young adults showed a significant negative correlation with step length and stride length (p < 0.05), while the SVV values of the elderly adults only showed a significant positive correlation with the DHI (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The elderly appeared to show a decrease in vestibular function when compared to the young adults, and it is thought that walking and balance function declined, while dizziness increased. Moreover, it is believed that these results can be used as basic data for vestibular rehabilitation in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2020

Purpose : Lower extremity orthoses have been used as conservative methods to recover gait of the stroke patients. The purpose of this study is to examine how newly designed pelvic belt orthosis can improve gait ability and dynamic balance of adults with Hemiparesis after stroke. Methods : 22 patients who had hemiparesis after stroke participated in this study. Two groups were randomly created by assigning 10 subjects to the experimental group and the rest of the 12 subjects to the control group. The control group was treated by conventional physical therapy and occupational therapy. Identical therapy protocols were used to treat the experimental group who were assigned to wear the pelvic belt orthosis during post measurement. This study has a group of independent variables including group, gender, age, height, MAS, lesion side, cause and a group of dependent variables including gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, and dynamic balance. The GAITRite system was used to measure spatial-temporal gain parameters and the balance system SD to measure dynamic balance. The data was analyzed using R version 3.3.1. Random forest, boosting algorithm, and MANOVA test were conducted to determine the effects of independent variables on dependent variables. Results : This study has a group of independent variables including group, gender, age, height, MAS, lesion side, cause and a group of dependent variables including gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, and dynamic balance. The independent variable "group" has the most important value, which is approximately 25.42 (%IncMSE) representing a value three times greater than the second important predictor "height." Conclusion : As a result of this research, the hypothesis is validated with conclusion that Pelvic Belt orthosis could be effectively used for improving gait ability and balance of the patients with post-stroke hemiparesis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether gym-ball exercise in standing position was an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized into three groups: experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8), and control group (n=8). Experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group performed the gym-ball exercise in standing position, same exercise without a gym-ball, and general physical therapy for 4 weeks, five times a week in 30-minute sessions. Muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were assessed using a handheld dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the wearable BTS G-WALK® sensor, and the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES), before and after training, respectively. Comparisons within and between groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Bonferroni correction was performed when significant differences between groups were identified (p<.017, .05/3). Results : Regarding muscle strength, BBS score, cadence and FES-K were significantly improved after intervention in all three groups. The weight bearing rate, gait speed and step length in experimental group 1 and 2 were significantly improved after the intervention. The stride length in experimental group 1 were significantly improved after the intervention. Experimental group 1 had significantly improved BBS score and stride length after intervention than experimental group 2 and control group. Experimental group 1 and 2 improved muscle strength, weight bearing rate, and FES-K score more than the control group. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in cadence, gait speed, and step length after the intervention than control group. Conclusion : This study showed that exercise with gym-ball in standing position can be an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in stroke patients than the same exercise without gym-ball.