• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.134-139
• /
• 2017

Objective: Dual-task interference is defined as decrements in performance observed when people attempt to perform two tasks concurrently, such as a verbal task and walking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait ability according to the dual task interference in chronic stroke survivors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten chronic stroke survivors (9 male, 1 female; mean age, 55.30 years; mini mental state examination, 19.60; onset duration, 56.90 months) recruited from the local community participated in this study. Gait ability (velocity, paretic side step, and stride time and length) under the single- and dual-task conditions at a self-selected comfortable walking speed was measured using the motion analysis system. In the dual task conditions, subjects performed three types of cognitive tasks (controlled oral word association test, auditory clock test, and counting backwards) while walking on the track. Results: For velocity, step and stride length, there was a significant decrease in the dual-task walking condition compared to the single walking condition (p<0.05). In particular, higher reduction of walking ability was observed when applying the counting backward task. Conclusions: Our results revealed that the addition of cognitive tasks while walking may lead to decrements of gait ability in stroke survivors. In particular, the difficulty level was the highest for the calculating task. We believe that these results provide basic information for improvements in gait ability and may be useful in gait training to prevent falls after a stroke incident.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.249-257
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface on the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). All the participants underwent a typical physical therapy program for 30 min a day. Moreover, the experimental group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on an unstable surface, whereas the control group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on a stable surface. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for three weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance. The gait variables were measured using the GAITRite system (CIR System Inc., Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability. Results: Both groups showed a significant intragroup improvement in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). In the intergroup comparisons after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed a significant improvement in the patients' balance and walking abilities. Therefore, trunk exercise on an unstable surface may be applicable as an intervention method to improve the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the immediate effects of abdominal pressure blet on limited of stability and gait parameter in patients after stroke. Thirty stroke patients were recruited to measured pre and post wearing the abdominal pressure belt. The assessment measured limited of stability and spatiotemporal gait parameter. This study result were significantly increase in paretic side area, non-paretic side area, forward side area, backward side area (p<.05) and cadence, gait velocity, stride length (p<.05). This study found that abdominal pressure belt had an immediate effect on improving balance and gait function in stroke patients. Future studies require studies of efficient abdominal pressure levels and intervention periods to improve the balance and walking function of stroke patient.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.12
• /
• pp.691-698
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(LFES) during hindlimb suspension on weight and function of rat hindlimb muscles. Sprague-Dawley rats(body weight 300-350g) were randomly assigned to five groups: a HLS(n=5) that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days, a WB(n=5) that kept as control, a ES14 that were hind limb suspended for 14days with pre-application of LFES for 14 days, ES11 that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days with pre-application of LFES for 11 days, a LFES 7 that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days with pre-application of LFES for 7 days. Gastrocnemius muscle weight, stride length were significantly decreased and toe out angle were significantly increased in HLS and ES7 groups, whereas muscle weight, stride length, toe out angle were maintained in ES14, ES11. this indicated that LFES for 14 days, LFES for 11 days could prevent muscle atrophy and retain function.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.24-24
• /
• 2003

For the elderly, achieving a close-to-normal ambulation is important for activities of daily life. Recent researches of SE(Silver Engineering) restoring physical ability would help the elderly by developing the advanced gait assisting devices and orthoses. For the applications using the advanced technologies, the gait characteristics of the elderly must be understood. However, a few studies were performed to investigate the physiological or pathological gaits. The purpose of this study is to provide the gait analysis data and also to investigate relationships between alignment of the lower limb, foot progression angle and knee joint moments in the healthy elderly. By participating a total of 20 healthy elderly persons in this study, the following facts were found: 1) Cadence showed 114.8 steps/min, gait speed showed 1.05 m/s, time per a stride showed 1.06 sec, time per a step showed 0.53 sec, single-supporting phase was 0.41 sec, double-supporting phase was 0.24 sec, stride length was 1.04m, Step length was 0.56m; 2) The maximum knee flexion angle through swing phase showed left 46.82$^{\circ}$, right 40.19$^{\circ}$ and the maximum knee extension angle showed left -1.32$^{\circ}$, right 2.01$^{\circ}$. Knee varus showed left 26.90$^{\circ}$, right 30.93$^{\circ}$; 3) The maximum knee flexion moment showed left 0.363 Nm/kg, right 0.464 Nm/kg, The maximum knee extension moment showed left 0.389 Nm/kg, right 0.463 Nm/kg. The maximum knee adduction moment showed left 0.332 Nm/kg, right 0.379 Nm/kg. The maximum internal rotational moment showed left 0.13 Nm/kg, right 0.140 Nm/kg; 4) The subjects who had varus alignment of the lower extremity had statistically higher in knee adduction moment in mid stance phase; and 5) The subjects who had large foot progression angle had statistically lower in knee adduction moment in late stance phase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.4
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the Hahoe mask dance on the gait and muscle activity in the elderly who lived at a elderly welfare facility. Methods : Dancing group was consisted of 20 subjects(over 70 years). The time of measurement was assigned in pre measurement, after 1 month, after 2 months. Subjects was received the Hahoe mask dance for three times a week during 8 weeks. The control group was consisted of 20 the elderly (similar age) who didn't received dancing. Assessment of gait function included the gait velocity, step time, stride, step length, it was analyzed in activity for 4 muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and lateral gastrocnemius). Results : Activities for muscles of control group was decreased in rectus femoris, bieps femoris, however, those of experimental group was increased significantly(p<.05). While control group showed decrease in the gait velocity per second (p<.05), experimental group showed statistically significant increase(p<.05). Control group had a significant long time than that of control group in gait time of right and left foot(p<.05). Control group was a little longer than control group in stride time of right and left foot(p<.05). Step length for control group was shorter than that for experimental group both foots(p<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, this study confirmed that activities for 4 muscles by EMG have showed significant increases, so we will use a programme of muscle improvement in elderly community welfare faculty. We recommend that further research should explore the degree of muscle activity by larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the virtual reality training (VRT) using 3-dimensional video gaming technology on spatiotemporal gait parameters in older adults. METHODS: The study participants were divided into two groups: the VRT group and the control group. Those in the VRT group were enrolled in a VRT, which was conducted for 60 min per day, two times a week, during the 6-week research. The Wii-Fit balance board game was used for the VRT intervention. The VRT consisted of 6 different types of games, namely, jogging, swordplay, ski jump, hula hoop, tennis, and step dance. A 3-dimensional TV was used for 3-dimensional display. Participants in both the groups received 3 sessions of fall prevention education, at the first, third, and fifth weeks. Their gait parameters were measured by using OptoGait. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of the VRT, the spatial gait parameters of the participants, that is stride length and step length, were significantly improved compared with those of the control group participants (p<0.05). The temporal gait parameters, such as velocity, cadence, stride time, and step time, also showed improvement after the completion of the VRT training (p<0.05). Both the temporal and spatial gait parameters of the VRT group participants showed improvement after 6 weeks of the program compared with those of the control group participants (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The VRT using 3-dimensional video gaming technology might be beneficial for improving gait parameters to prevent falls among older adults.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.30-38
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of low level laser treatment (LLLT) on the gait behavior in the rat model of arthritis. Methods : Knee arthritis was induced by the injection of $125{\mu}l$ of Complete Freund's Adjuvant(CFA) into the right hind knee joint cavity. Arthritic rats were divided 3 groups; arthritis group was used for control(CON), 10 min of laser treated group(LSR10), and 30 min of laser treated group(LSR30). LLLT was applied to KI 1 for 11 times under gaseous anesthesia. We performed several analyses under catwalk test including stand and swing time, duty cycle of paw steps, intensity and print area of steps, and stride length. Results : Stand and duty cycle of paw steps were increased significantly at 12 days after arthritis induction in LSR30 group. Swing time was decreased significantly at 12 days after arthritis induction in LSR10 group. In the analysis of intensity, print area and stride length, however, results did not show statistical significance during the time point of experiments. Conclusions : The data suggest that LLLT on the rat model of CFA induced arthritis showed beneficial effects by increase of stand time and duty cycle of paw steps and decrease of swing time. Therefore, LLLT could be useful option to improve gait discomfort in arthritis patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the balance and gait between fallers and non-fallers in elderly. A brief questionnaire was used to obtain the fall history. Twenty-seven women subjects were evaluated in this study. Eleven subjects and a mean age of 84.5 years (SD=4.6) were designated as the faller group. Sixteen subjects and a mean age of 80.3 years (SD=5.3) were designated as the non-faller group. The fall-related factors (mental status, balance, range of motion and muscle strength of lower extremity, sensation of foot, and cadence, walking velocity, stride length) were compared between faller group and non-faller group and measured. The results showed that faller group had significantly less range of motion of the hip flexion and knee extension, and strength of the knee extensor and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor than non-faller group. The scores of the Functional reach test and One leg standing were significantly less in faller group than in non-faller group. Faller group showed less walking velocity and stride length compared to non-faller group. However, there was no significant difference in cadence during comfortable waking and fast walking between two groups. There were no significant differences in pressure, position sensory between two groups. These results suggest that exercise for improving the flexibility, muscle strength of the lower extremity and balance may be useful strategies to prevent fall in elderly. Further studies are needed to identify which specific factors are related to fall in the elderly population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that healthy young adults reduced gait velocity during texting or talking while walking. It was reported that increasing number of pedestrian accidents were related to distract the environmental attention. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of texting and texting while listening to music on gait parameters. METHODS: Texting and listening to music while walking were assessed in two dual-task condition using 35 healthy young adults. The outcome measurements were assessed in terms of spatiotemporal gait parameters in three walking conditions, namely, comfortable walking speed, walking while texting, and walking while texting and listening to music. To avoid learning effect, subjects were individually blinded to assessment schedule and space. The changes between the three walking conditions were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: When comparing the two dual-task conditions with the single-task condition, it was found that dual-task interference was increased in almost gait velocity, cadence, stride length, step time, double limb support, and single limb support. In addition, walking while texting and listening to music condition negatively was affected gait speed, stride length, and step time more than the texting only condition. CONCLUSION: Walking while texting and listening to music as well as waling while texting may decrease pedestrian safety when crossing streets by diverting the person's attention away from the street environment.