• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2019

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing an ankle weight belt while performing gait in water by focusing on the effect of using ankle weights have on the gait kinematics and the muscle activities for developing optimum training strategies. Method: A total of 10 healthy male university students were recruited for the study. Each participant was instructed to perform 3 gait conditions; normal walking over ground, walking in water chest height, and walking in water chest height while using ankle weights. All walking conditions were set at control speed of $4km/h{\pm}0.05km/h$. The depth of the swimming pool was at 1.3 m, approximately chest height. The motion capture data was recorded using 6 digital cameras and the EMG was recorded using waterproof Mini Wave. From the motion capture data, the following variables were calculated for analysis; double and single support phase (s), swing phase (s), step length (%height), step rate (m/s), ankle, knee, and hip joint angles ($^{\circ}$). From the electromyography the %RVC of the lower limb muscles medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, erector spinae, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis oblique was calculated. Results: The results show significant differences between the gait time, and step length between the right and left leg. Additionally, the joint angular velocities and gait velocity were significantly affected by the water resistance. As expected, the use of the ankle weights increased all of the lower leg maximum muscle activities except for the lower back muscle. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ankle weights can be shown to stimulate more muscle activity during walking in chest height water and therefore, may be useful for rehabilitation purposes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

Background: Backward walking exercise may offer some unique and potentially beneficial differences compared with forward walking exercise. There is still a lack of research on backward walking exercises and forward head posture. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of backward walking exercise on college students forward head posture in their 20s. Methods: Twenty-one subjects participated in the experiment. The subjects were those with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less who understood the purpose and method of this study and voluntarily agreed. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters before exercising. Pictures were taken before walking backward, and after walking for 15 minutes on the treadmill, the images were taken in the same way. The composition of the backward walking exercise was walking at a rate of 1.0 for 5 minutes, and the remaining 10 minutes were walking at a rate of 1.5. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) before and after exercise. Results: As a result of this study, there was a significant difference in CVA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in CRA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The backward walking exercise and verbal command seems to have positively influenced the changes in CVA and CRA among college students in their 20s. It seems that studies to confirm balance or muscle activity as well as changes in forward head posture through the long-term intervention of the backward walking exercise should be conducted.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of visual feedback training-for gradual weight shift in sit-to-stand training-on the balance and walking abilities of chronic hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental group received visual feedback for gradual weight shift in the sit-to-stand training, while the contrast group followed the standard process for the sit-to-stand training. The evaluation of the balance and walking ability was conducted with the functional reach test (FRT), Berg balance scale (BBS), five time sit-to-stand (FTSTS) test, timed up and go (TUG) test, 10 m walk test (10MWT), balancia, activities-specific balance confidence (ABC) scale, and falls efficacy scale (FES). Results: In the results before and after intervention, there was a significant difference in TUG, 10MWT, ABC, and FES in the visual feedback training group (p < 0.05). In the control group, there was a significant difference in the 10MWT and ABC (p < 0.05). Also, in the evaluation of the postural fluctuations, the control group data showed a significant increase in Covar. The visual feedback group showed a significant difference in the W average. Conclusion: The visual feedback training group showed some improvement in terms balance and walking ability and on the ABC scale and FES. Therefore, if the diagonal progressive weight bearing exercise is combined with the various patterns and basic principles of PNF, it may be a more efficient intervention method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.445-453
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pelvic tilt exercise with changing the body position on foot contact pattern in the hemiplegic patients. Methods : Thirty seven hemiplegic patients were randomly divided 3 groups; control group (CG), sitting exercise group (SIEG) and standing exercise group (STEG). F-mat system and F-scan system were used for the measurement of foot contact pattern of hemiplegic side in walking. Data were analyzed statistically using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results : The results were as follows : 1) Contact area of CG and SIEG were not significant difference in walking. Contact area of STEG was significant increased in walking. 2) Anteroposterior distance of COP of SIEG and STEG were significant increased in walking. Conclusion : These results suggest that pelvic tilt exercise in sitting and standing position are effective in the improvement of Anteroposterior distance of COP and gait stability are increased in only standing position.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 1997

Kinematic and kinetic studies were performed to investigate the walking characteristics on a treadmill with various slopes at the same speed of 1.25m/sec. Six different slopes of the treadmill were selected . -4%(-$2.3^{\circ}$), 0%($0^{\circ}$), 5%($2.9^{\circ}$), 10%($5.7^{\circ}$), 15%($8.6^{\circ}$), and 20%($11.3^{\circ}$). With increased slopes of the treadmill, both hip and knee flexion angles significantly increased at initial contact, and the maximum hip flexion during swing phase and the maximum knee flexion during stance phase also significantly increased Ankle dorsiflexion angle at initial contact and the maximum dorsiflexion increased with increased slopes. However, the maximum plantarflexion in early swing was slightly reduced with increased slopes. Hip extension in late stance and the maximum knee flexion in early swing was not changed sigilificantly with increased slopes. As for the vertical ground reaction force, compared to the yond level walking, both the first and the second peak forces increased, but the mid-support force decreased.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.546-552
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare walking speed and balance abilities according to various taping methodsin patients with stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty patients with stroke who were hospitalized at a rehabilitation hospital were allotted to the either the talus stabilization, Kinesio or sham taping, or barefoot conditions by drawing lots. Assessment tools used were the Functional Reach Test(FRT), Timed Up and Go test(TUG), One-Legged Stance Test (OLST), and the 10-Meter Walk Test(10MWT).After each test was measured three times, the mean values of each test was used for analysis. Results: Significant results were observed with thetalus stabilization and Kinesio taping groupcompared to the barefoot and sham taping method for theFRT,TUG, the OLST, and the 10MWT(p<0.05). Also, significant differences in the resultswere seen in the OLST, TUG, and the 10MWTwith the talus taping compared to the Kinesio taping method(p<0.05). Conclusions: The use oftalus stabilization taping applied to the ankle of patients with stroke was more effective for balance and walking ability improvement than Kinesio taping through the correction of an abnormal position of the talus.It is considered that these methods of taping can be applied effectively in the clinic.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.825-837
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• 2017

This paper describes a novel type of a walking rehabilitation robot that applies robot technologies to crutches used by patients with walking difficulties in the lower body. The primary features of the developed robot are divided into three parts. First, the developed robot is worn on the patient's chest, as opposed to the conventional elbow crutch that is attached to the forearm; hence, it can effectively disperse the patient's weight throughout the width of the chest, and eliminate the concentrated load at the elbow. Furthermore, it allows free arm motion during walking. Second, the developed robot can recognize the walking intention of the patient from the magnitude and direction of the ground reactive forces. This is done using three-axis force sensors attached to the feet of the robot. Third, the robot can perform a stair walking function, which can change vertical movement trajectories in order to step up and down a single stair according to the floor height. Consequently, we experimentally showed that the developed robot can effectively perform walking rehabilitation assistance by perceiving the walking intention of the patient. Moreover we quantitatively verified muscle power assistance by measuring the electromyography (EMG) signals of the muscles of the lower limb.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.9
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• pp.182-190
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• 2021

Rehabilitation dog-walking can be used to improve physical activity and restore QOL in stroke patients. This study investigated the effect of rehabilitation dog-walking on the QOL and physical activity of stroke patients. Twenty-four stroke patients were recruited for this study. Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized 1:1 into two groups. The evaluator measured stroke specific-quality of life (SS-QOL), six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected and non-affected side. The experimental group received gait training with a rehabilitation dog for 30 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. As a result of the study, there was a significant increase in SS-QOL, six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected side in the experimental group after the intervention. In addition, the experimental group showed significant improvement in SS-QOL, six minute walk test, and maximal grip strength on the affected side than the control group. Rehabilitation dog-walking may be an intervention method that can improve QOL and physical activity after stroke.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags in stroke patients in order to provide the quantitative data for enhancement of gait movement. Method: Twelve stroke patients, who have been diagnosed with hemiplegia over a year ago, were participated in this study. All subjects were asked to perform normal walking [N], wrist sandbag walking [W], wrist & trunk sandbag walking [WT], and both wrist sandbag walking [B] and both wrist & trunk sandbag walking [BT], respectively. Eight infrared cameras were used to collect the raw data. Gait parameters, arm swing, shoulder-pelvic kinematics, and lower extremity joint angle were calculated to examine the differences during walking. Results: As a result, there were no significant differences in the gait parameters, shoulder-pelvis, and lower extremities joint angles, but significant differences were found in the range of motion and the anteversion in arm swing. Conclusion: Wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags affected the movement of the upper extremities only while it did not affect the movement of the lower extremities. It implies that it can reduce the risk of falling caused by a sudden movement change in lower extremities. In addition, the wrist and trunk weight loading using sandbags can induce changes in movement of the upper extremities independently and contribute to functional rehabilitation through resistance training.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to confirm the effect of physiotherapy on the balance and walking in dog with sciatic nerve injury and degenerative arthritis of stifle joints. Design: Single case study Methods: The dog walked abnormally for six months and was administrated in S animal hospital. The dog's right hindlimb was operated for cranial cruciate ligament repair and the dog had been taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic before being refered. There was severe degenerated osteoarthritis in the right hindlimb. During stance and walking, the right hindlimb was often shown partial weight bearing. The dog's left hindlimb was shown plantigrade stance and walking. The radiograph was shown an intact calcaneal tendon in the left hindlimb. In the neurologic examination, sciatic nerve injury in the left hindlimb was confirmed. The dog was treated using muscle strengthening, proprioceptive exercise, underwater treadmill and Laser therapy two, or three times a week for 3 months. At the 10th and 17th treatment, it was evaluated through stance and gait analyzer system to measure dog's balance and walking. Results: 3 months following physiotherapy, the dog's balance was improved in center of pressure(COP). And peak vertical force(PVF), vertical impulse(VI) was increased in right hindlimb and double stance was decreased. Conclusions: Physiotherapy may have improved the prognosis in this dog with severe osteoarthritis and sciatic nerve injury. This study suggested that animal physiotherapy is a valuable way to improve balance and walking.