• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.81-86
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effects of balance training using a newly developed elastic band orthosis (aider) for improvement of mobility and balance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten patients with chronic hemiplegia participated in this study. There were six males and four females; two patients had right hemiplegia and eight had left hemiplegia. This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance and gait ability compared with bare foot condition. Gait parameters were measured using the opto-gait system for analysis of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking in stroke patients. In addition, balance ability in stroke patients was evaluated using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Results: This study investigated the effect of the elastic band orthosis on balance compared with bare foot condition. The TUG and BBS showed significant improvement with use of the elastic band orthosis (p<0.05). Use of the Elastic band orthosis resulted in significantly improved velocity, cadence, less-affected step length, less-affected stride length, and less-affected single limb support in stroke patients (p<0.05). Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant improvement in dynamic balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients using the elastic band orthosis. This orthosis may aid in prevention of spastic foot drop, leading to improvement of walking ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

Purpose: Gait and cognitive impairment in stroke patients exacerbate fall risk and mobility difficulties during multi-task walking. Virtual reality can provide interesting and challenging training in a community setting. This study evaluated the effect of community-based virtual reality gait training (VRGT) using a 360-degree image on the gait ability of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Forty-five chronic stroke patients who were admitted to a rehabilitation hospital participated in this study. Patients meeting the selection criteria were randomly divided into a VRGT group (n=23) and a control group (n=22). Both these groups received general rehabilitation. The VRGT group was evaluated using a 360-degree image that was recorded for 50 minutes a day, 5 days per week for a total of 6 weeks after their training. The control group received general treadmill training for the same amount of time as that of the VRGT group. The improvement in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait was evaluated using a gait analyzer system before and after training. Results: The spatiotemporal gait parameters showed significant improvements in both groups compare with the baseline measurements (p<0.05), and the VRGT group showed more improvement than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Community-based VRGT has been shown to improve the walking ability of chronic stroke patients and is expected to be used in rehabilitation of stroke patients in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct balance training through vision control to improve the balance, postural control, and balance confidence and to decrease the visual and sensory dependence of stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-eight chronic stroke patients volunteered to participate in the study. They were randomly assigned to the eyes-closed and the eyes-open training groups. Three times a week for four weeks each group performed an unstable-support session and a balance training session for thirty minutes per set. Their balance, postural control, and balance confidence were assessed using BIO Rescue (BR), the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and the Korean activity-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC), respectively. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical methods before and after working around the average value of each dataset were independent T-test. The significance level for statistical analyses was set at 0.05. Results: Comparison between the groups showed statistically significant effects on all variables before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study reflected that balance-training programs involving vision control improve the balance, postural control, and balance confidence of chronic stroke patients. Thus, stroke patients should undergo training programs that increase the use of their other senses with vision control in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine reliability and validity of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 43 stroke patients, who had a stroke more than 6 months previously, participated in the study. Reliability was determined by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC$_{3,1}$), Bland and Altman method and Cronbach's alpha by internal consistency. Validity was examined by correlation the PASS scores to the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Control Test (TCT), and Fugl-Meyer Balance (FM-B) score. Results: The intra-rater reliability and the Absolute reliability of the PASS was good ICC$_{3,1}$=0.97 (95%CI 0.95$\sim$0.99) and excellent SEM=1.01 respectively. Cronbach's alpha value for PASS was found to be 0.94. There were significant correlations between the PASS and BBS, TCT, FM-B (r=0.65－0.96, p<0.01). Conclusion: The PASS provide reliable and valid instrument of the postural control assessment for chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.273-282
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation(Amadeo(R)) on hand motor function in chronic stroke patients. This study used a single-subject experimental design with multiple baselines across individuals. Three chronic stroke survivors with mild to sever motor impairment took part in study. Each participants had 2 weeks interval of starting intervention. Participants received robot-assisted therapy(45min/session. 3session/wk for 6wks). Finger active range of motion(AROM) was assessed by Range of Assessment program in Amadeo(R), and test-retest reliability was verified using Pearson correlation analysis. To investigate effect of Amadeo(R), finger AROM was measured immediately after each sessions and Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper extremity, Motor Activity Log, Nine hole peg board test and Jebsen-Taylor hand motor function test were assessed at pre-post intervention. Results were analyzed by visual analysis and comparison of pre-post tests. The test-retest reliability of Range of Assessment was good(r=.99). After robot-assisted therapy, finger AROM of participant 1, 2, and 3 was respectively improved by 18%, 3.6%, and 6% each. Hand motor function of participant 1, 3 was improved on all four tests, but not effect in participant 2. Robot-assisted hand rehabilitation could improve finger AROM and effect on hand motor function in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate antioxidant capacity and relating factors including gender, obesity, lifestyle factors, and nutrient intake in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 188 chronic stroke patients who visited a medical center in Seoul participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to assess their clinical characteristics and lifestyles. Blood samples were collected for ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) for antioxidant capacity. Dietary intake of the patients were obtained for 2 days by 24 hours recall method. Results: The mean FRAP was $392.0{\mu}mol/L$. According to the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the factors related to high FRAP were male sex (p=.036), alcohol drinking (p=.013), and calorie intake deficiency (p=.005). Conclusion: We found that antioxidant capacity was related to lifestyle factors including alcohol drinking, and calorie intake in chronic stroke patients. A tailored strategy is needed to increase antioxidant capacity according to gender and lifestyles in the chronic phase of stoke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of neck stabilization exercise combined with trunk stabilization exercise on balance and gait function in patients with chronic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-two chronic stroke patients were included in this study. The experimental group subjects (n = 11) performed neck stabilization (15 min) and trunk stabilization (15 min) exercises, while the control group subjects (n = 11) performed trunk stabilization exercise only for 30 min. Before and after the intervention, the subjects underwent static balance and gait testing. RESULTS: The 95% confidence ellipse area, center of pressure (COP) path length, and COP average velocity were significantly lower in both groups after the intervention compared to before intervention (p < .05). The average stance force on the affected side increased significantly in both groups after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the static balance variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. The cadence, gait velocity, and single leg support increased significantly in both groups after intervention (p < .05). The changes in the gait variables were larger in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Trunk stabilization is a beneficial intervention, but the combination of neck stabilization with trunk stabilization is a more effective method to increase the gait and static balance in chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the lower extremity function of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants consist of 26 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) and engaged in exercise three times per week for eight weeks. The experimental group engaged in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises and the control group engaged in general mat exercises. To measure lower extremity strength, the sit to stand test and the static balance test (standing on one leg) were used. To measure the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI), a Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) was used in addition to a static balance test (standing on one leg). Results: : Lower extremity strength and static balance showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<.05). The SI and WDI were significantly improved in the experimental group (p<.05) for tests of standing with their eyes open, standing with their eyes closed, and standing on a sponge with their eyes open. Conclusion: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises have confirmed that lower extremity function improves after exercise interventions in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of sympathetic conversation on stress, anxiety and depression, and muscle tone in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=7) or control group (CG, n=7). Both groups participated in a pretest before intervention. Subjects were asked to undergo: 1) electroencephalogram, 2) Stress Response Inventory, 3) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 4) muscle tone and stiffness testing. After the pretest, EG received sympathetic conversation and CG received a simple explanation about stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Following the intervention, both groups were immediately administered a post test. RESULTS: In EG, the electroencephalogram relative alpha power was significantly increased (p<.05), while the electroencephalogram relative gamma power was significantly decreased (p<.05). The Stress Response Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores decreased significantly in both groups (p<.05). In addition, muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in the EG (p<.05) CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that sympathetic conversation had a positive effect on stress, anxiety and depression, and muscle tone in patients with chronic stroke. Therefore, sympathetic conversation could be used to improve not only psychological problems in chronic stroke patients including stress and anxiety, but also physical conditions including muscle tone.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of temporary visual block existence and nonexistence on the change in foot pressure and foot area in stroke patients. Methods: Sixty-one chronic stroke patients volunteered to participate in the study. Foot pressure and foot area were measured using the Biorescue system. The subject maintain a comfortable standing position on the pressure-measuring plate one meter away from the computer. The sequence of the visual variation data while standing on the measuring plate was collected randomly. The data were collected with three repetitions and used the five-second measuring values except the first second and the last second according to each visual condition. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. The significance level for the statistical inspection was set as 0.05. Results: The comparison between the visual existence and nonexistence status showed statistically significant effects on foot pressure and foot area. The visual nonexistence status showed more improvement in foot pressure symmetry and area than visual existence status. Conclusion: This study shows that the foot pressure and foot area for the chronic stroke patients changed according to the visual states. It is predicted that these data will be used in rehabilitation training programs and to present temporary changes in visual status for stroke patients.