• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the lower trunk stabilization exercise using neurodevelopmental technique (NDT) on muscle activity in lumbar region and balance in the patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fifteen participants were allocated in two groups: NDT group (n=8) or control group (n=7). NDT group performed NDT exercise program, while control group conducted walking exercise. Both interventions were given for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. To measure the muscle activity in rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), electromyography (EMG) was used. And, Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg-Balance Scale (BBS) were performed to assess balance before and after intervention. Results: NDT group showed a significant improvement of muscle activity in RA and EO, while control group did not show significant changes in three muscles. Also, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of RA and EO between two groups. In BBS and TUG test, participants in two groups showed significant improvements after intervention. Especially, significant difference was observed in TUG test between two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NDT exercise is an effective intervention to improve the muscle activity in trunk region and to increase balance in patients with stroke. Thus, we suggested that NDT exercise program would be a treatment intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2004

The use of a gym ball is becoming more popular for dynamic balance exercises. However, little is known about the effects of the dynamic ball exercises in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare balance and functional mobility after dynamic balance exercises using a gym ball to reduce the risk factorfor falls. All of the 15 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean age=79.9 yrs, SD=5.87) at anursing home in Wonju. Seven of fifteen subjects were placed in the experimental group and the others in the control group. Three clinical tests were used to determine the degree of balance and functional mobility before beginning the exercise program, after 4 weeks of gym ball exercise, and after 8 weeks of gym ball exercise. These three tests included Timed Up & Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Dynamic ball exercises training for 8 weeks (5 days per week) included side stretching, prone walking, bridging, marching and opposite arm and leg lifting. There were significant differences found before the gym ball exercise program began and after 4 weeks and then 8 weeks in the experimental group (p<.05). Significant differences between the groups were shown for TUG and BBS (p<.05). No significant difference was noted between the groups for FIM. Therefore, gym ball exercises can improve dynamic balance and may be recommended to include in a therapeutic program to help the elderly reduce their risk of a fall.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the effects of robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback on gait, balance, and balance confidence in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The experimental group performed robot-assisted gait training for 30 minutes and the control group performed gait training with assisted devices training for 30 minutes after both groups performed conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. Both groups performed the therapeutic interventions for 5 days per week, for a period of 4 weeks. For assessment of the 10 m walking test (10 MWT), Figure of 8 on the walk test (F8WT), Timed-Up and Go test (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to test the gait and balance, and the Korean version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale was used to test the balance confidence. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in the 10 MWT and the K-ABC (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the BBS and the TUG (p<0.05). In four measurements, there were significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05), and the control group showed significant improvement in the F8WT at pre and post intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback is an effective intervention for improving straight gait abilities and balance confidence, while the control group showed some improvement in curve gait and balance. Thus, we suggest both Robot-assisted gait training with visual feedback and gait training with assisted devices training exercise as a therapeutic intervention in chronic stroke rehabilitation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.132-135
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• 2002

In the present study, an electro-mechanical KAFO (knee-ankle-foot orthosis) which satisfies both the stability in stance and the knee flexion in swing was developed and evacuated in eight polio patients. A knee joint control algorithm suitable for polio patients who are lack of the stability in pre-swing was also developed and various control systems and circuits were also designed. In addition, knee flexion angles and knee moments were measured and analyzed for polio patients who used the developed KAFO with the three-dimensional motion analysis system. Energy consumption was also evaluated for the developed KAFO by measuring the movement of the COG (center of gravity) during gait. From the present study, the designed foot switch system successfully determined the gait cycle of polio patients and controlled knee joint of the KAFO, resulting in the passive knee flexion or foot clearance during swing phase. From the three-dimensional gait analysis for polio patients, it was found that the controlled-knee gait with the developed electro-mechanical KAFO showed the knee flexion of 40$^{\circ}$∼45$^{\circ}$ at an appropriate time during swing. Vertical movements of COG in controlled-knee gait (gait with the developed electro-mechanical KAFO) were significantly smaller than those in looked knee gait(gait with the locked knee Joint). and correspondingly controlled-knee gait reduced approximately 40% less energy consumption during horizontal walking gait. More efficient gait patterns could be obtained when various rehabilitation training and therapeutic programs as well as the developed electro-mechanical KAFO were applied for polio patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2008

Purpose: The isolated exercise therapy and its effect for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is not well known. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical effect of stretching and strengthening exercise program on the patients' muscle function and range of motion, pain and gait in the management of the early stage PTTD. Materials and Methods: From October 2006 to March 2007, 14 patients with early stage PTTD (stage I or IIa) without surgical intervention were randomly assigned into two groups and we analyzed their clinical results. All patients were female and one who have sprained the same ankle during the program and one who withdrew from the program due to her private reason were excluded. At the last, the exercise group (EG) was seven and the control group (CG) was five. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of pain, ROM, muscle power, AOFAS score and 5 minute walking test of both groups. Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used for the comparison between the pre and post exercise program in EG. Results: The pain was significantly reduced in EG compare to CG and only the dorsiflexion was significantly increased in EG in the analysis of ROM. The dorsi flexion and plantar flexion power were significantly increased in EG. Conclusion: Our 6 weeks stretching and strengthening exercise program showed noticeably improved clinical result, and therefore it is recommended as one of the useful treatment option in the management of early stage PTTD.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.423-427
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• 2012

Purpose: The cerebellum is a region of brain structure that plays an important role in calibrating two different information of neural signal from descending motor commands and from ascending sensory inputs. Damage of the cerebellum shows a variety of classic motor symptoms such as postural and locomotor dysfunctions. Therefore, we tried to investigate motor function and skill in stroke patients with cerebellar lesions in sub-acute stage, and compare with these functions of patients with non-cerebellar lesions. Methods: Total twelve stroke patients with cerebellar lesion and 130 stroke patients with non-cerebellar lesions were retrospectively recruited in this study. For evaluation of motor strength, Motricity index (MI) for upper and lower limbs was tested. For measurement of motor skill function, the modified Brunnstrom classification (MBC), Manual function test (MFT), functional ambulatory category (FAC), and Barthel index were adopted. Results: In comparison of motor strength and motor skill function between two groups, statistical differences between the two groups were significantly observed only in upper MI and FAC. Although no significant differences were found in other variables, stroke patients with cerebellar lesion had higher scores in lower and total MI, MBC, and MFT, whereas they had lower scores in FAC and Barthel index. Conclusion: Our results showed that stroke patients with cerebellar lesion had greater impact on movement functions related to hand motor and walking ability in activities of daily life, compared with patients with non-cerebellar lesion, in spite of similar degree of motor function and skill between the two different lesioned-groups.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.163-169
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to verify exercise effect of horse riding exercise according to estimate basal physical fitness and activities of daily living(ADL) function in the aged. Participants were nineteen peoples who have no impediment of activity. They performed horse riding exercise using SRider(Neipplus, Co., Korea) at sixty minutes a day. Exercise has progressed three days a week for eight weeks. We measured trunk flexion, sit up, whole body reaction, leg strength and maximal oxygen uptake as basal physical fitness. Also three meter gait, single stance with eyes opened and single stance with eyes closed as ADL function were estimated once a month. The result of legs strength and whole body reaction showed the higher significantly than before the exercise. Moreover, the result of three meter walking ability only increased significantly among the ADL function. This means that horse riding exercise might be activated continuous muscular contraction with maintained tonus of muscle. We thought that continuous movement of horse riding could be lead to isometric muscle contraction in lower limbs. Our study found that horse riding exercise could improve lower strengths and muscle reaction for exercise effect. Also we suggested that horse riding exercise could be adapted to exercise methods that could provide rehabilitation and treatment enough for the aged or disabled person.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and to verification of changes that the effect of treadmill and body weight support treadmill training on balance and gait ability for sub-acute stroke patients during 4 week. Method: 16 subjects who was diagnosed stroke were divided into 2 groups(8-treadmill training group, 8-body weight support treadmill group) by randomized control trial. Both training programs were consisted with 40 minuted, 5 times a week for 4 weeks and after training programs. Analysis: We analysed effects and changes on balance and gait ability. Analyses were performed using PASW ver. 18.0 and results were reported as mean ${\pm}$ standard deviation (S.D.). To investigate within group comparisons and to verification on effects of exercise, we did paired t test and repeated measured ANOVA test. Significance was set at p<.05. Result: Both training programs showed positive changes in Limit of Stability but significant results which is area of hemiside, area of intact side, area of posterior, total area were reported in body weight support treadmill training group. Changes of Berg Balance Scale was significantly increase and it had significant correlation between groups. Changes of 6 Minutes Walking Test was significant increase in both groups but there was no significant changes on Foot print and Romberg test. Conclusion: After considering all factors, both training programs showed effect on improvement of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, but body weight support treadmill training group had better improvement in dynamic balance than treadmill training group. For the increase of balance and gait ability in sub-acute stroke patients, we need to continues study on difference of treadmill and body weight support treadmill and then we will give stroke patients a better satisfaction if we develop and provide a rehabilitation program for improvement of balance and gait ability.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2010

Gait initiation is a transitional process from the balanced upright standing to the beginning of steady-state walking. Dysbalanced gait initiation often causes stroke patients to fall. The net center of pressure, measured by two triaxial force plates from twenty healthy subjects and two stroke patients, was investigated to assess asymmetry of gait initiation in hemiparetic subjects. The time interval and distance of the net center of pressure(CoP) moved from the initiation point to the toe off(S1) and from the toe off to the initial contact(S2) were calculated during gait initiation of normal and stroke patients. When the patient with right hemiplegia(A) initiated his gait with right foot, the time interval and the distance of the net CoP in S1 and S2 were smaller than that of normal subjects' values. However, he initiated the gait with left foot(unaffected side) the time interval and the distance of net CoP in S1 were larger than normative values. Differently, the patient with left hemiplegia(B) has shown that larger time interval and distance in S1 and smaller time interval and distance in S2 in both sides. His asymmetry(with which side the gait initiated) was not significant. It is too early to conclude that these results could be general characteristics of the stroke patients because the variations were large and moreover, the level of motor recovery of the patients was different. However, it is expected that these trials could help to set up the strategy of the therapy for the rehabilitation or prevention of fall in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

Background: Ground repulsion or impact on the ground during daily activities, sports, or occupational activities may cause injury to the knee when walking. Non-elastic taping is effective in treating these problems in previous studies. Non-elastic taping strengthens the structure of the soft tissues of the injured knee joint to maintain constant tension, improves muscle rearrangement and function, and improves proprioception. Based on previous studies, we intended to see the therapeutic changes of non-elastic taping in patients with patellofemoral joint pain syndrome. Methods: The non-elastic taping application method was applied to the patient three times for five hours for one week. Non-elastic taping was applied to the patellar tendon with little space above the skin segment of the patellar femur, with both sides fixed by taping. Muscle strength and gait change were evaluated with non-elastc taping. Results: The knee flexion, extension strength and gait evaluation of the knee joint with inelastic taping showed significant differences after treatment. There was a significant difference in the comparison between the two groups after the treatment method was applied (p<.05). Conclusion: As a result, this study confirms that the non-elastic taping method applied for the treatment of patellar femoral joint pain syndrome is effective in the treatment.