• PNF and Movement
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the temporo-spatial gait characteristics of healthy young people with those of healthy elderly people. Methods: The data were collected by 40 volunteers. 20 subjects were between 20 and 31 years of age, and 20 subjects were between 65 and 84 years of age. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Results : The system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a correlated t-test(p<.05). Significant differences were observed between the groups for step length, step/extremity ratio and velocity. Young people demonstrated a significantly larger velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio than the elderly people. Conclusions: These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of young and older persons. Additionaly, differences in walking velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio between old and young people may have influenced the gait characteristics measured.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2003

The purpose of the study was to determine if there was a difference in the Functional Ambulation Performance score of senior adults with or without a history of falls during walking at a preferred velocity. Twelve subjects with a history of falling (mean age=73.8) and eight subjects with no history of falling (mean age=70.4) participated in the study. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analyzed using the computerized GAITRite system. The GAITRite system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. The Functional Ambulation Performance score is a Quantitative means of assessing gait based on specific temporal and spatial parameters. Statistical analysis of the two groups demonstrated a significant decrease in Functional Ambulation Performance score for those with a history of falls. They had lower values for step/extremity ratios, mean normalized velocity, and greater values for step times, percent in double support. These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of persons with a history of falls and the Functional Ambulation Performance score can be used as indicators of gait performance for senior adults with a history of falls.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.183-207
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the temporo-spatial gait characteristics of healthy elderly people with those osteoarthritis patients. 100 patients reported knee osteoarthritis, diagnosed at the hospital or clinic located in Daegu and Kyungbuk province and 100 normal elderly subjects were participated in this study. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. The system integrates specific components of locomotions to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a correlated t-test and Pearson Correlation(p<.05). Significant differences were observed between the groups for temporal parameters(step time, double support time, stance phase, mean velocity) and spatial parameters(step length, step/extremity ratio)(p<.05). Also there was difference in the functional ambulation performance score between normal elderly subjects and knee osteoarthritis patients(p<.05). Consequently, it may help detect the abnormal gait pattern indicated the main problem in degenerative knee osteoarthritis patients as well as provide data analysing the pathokinesiologic components by comparing normal elderly.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.816-824
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• 2017

Purpose. This study was classified into normal and demented elderly through K-MMSE. The purpose of this study was to analyze gait characteristics of normal elderly and demented peoples using GAITRite walking system. Methods. The subjects of this study were selected as elderly people receiving home visit physical therapy. An independent t-test was conducted to verify the statistical significance of the time-space variables of the elderly with dementia. Results. Step time(p=0.041), cycle time(p=0.037), distance(p=0.024), and cadence(p=0.048) were significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly on flat place. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly persons with dementia. Step time(p=0.022), cycle time(p=0.023), distance(p=0.019), and cadence(p=0.015) were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly patients with dementia. Stretch time, cycle time, distance, and hair support time were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age of the elderly was significantly longer than that of the elderly with dementia. The spinal support time, which is a spatial variable, was significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly. Conclusions. It compares the various gait characteristics of the normal and demented elderly people, thereby increasing the walking ability of the elderly person more effectively. This study should be utilized as basic data for preventing fall-down.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.19-25
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• 2018

PURPOSE: Most gait assessment tools are expensive and require controlled laboratory environments. Tri-axial accelerometers have been used in gait analysis as an alternative to laboratory assessments. Many smartphones have added an accelerometer, making it possible to assess spatio-temporal gait parameters. This study was conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of a smartphone-based accelerometer at quantifying spatio-temporal gait parameters of stroke patients when attached to the body. METHODS: We measured gait parameters using a smartphone accelerometer and gait parameters through the GAITRite analysis system and the reliability and validity of the smartphone-based accelerometer for quantifying spatio-temporal gait parameters for stroke patients were then evaluated. Thirty stroke patients were asked to walk at self-selected comfortable speeds over a 10 m walkway, during which time gait velocity, cadence and step length were computed from smartphone-based accelerometers and validated with a GAITRite analysis system. RESULTS: Smartphone data was found to have excellent reliability ($ICC2,1{\geq}.98$) for measuring the tested parameters, with a high correlation being observed between smartphone-based gait parameters and GAITRite analysis system-based gait parameters (r = .99, .97, .41 for gait velocity, cadence, step length, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that specific opportunities exist for smartphone-based gait assessment as an alternative to conventional gait assessment. Moreover, smartphone-based gait assessment can provide objective information about changes in the spatio-temporal gait parameters of stroke subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of circuit class training on the performance of locomotor tasks in chronic stroke. Methods : The study included 45 patients with chronic stroke randomly divided into experimetal group and control group. Both groups participated in exercise classes three times a week for 8weeks. The experimental group had 10 workstation of circuit class designed to improve walking. The control group practiced fitness exercises by equipment in health center. Walking performance was assessed by measuring walking speed(timed 10-meter walk and TUG), GAITRite analysis and peak vertical ground reaction force through the affected foot during walking. Results : The experimental group demonstrated significant improvement(p<.05) compared with the control group in 10-meter walking and vertical ground reaction force after training. The experimental group showed significant improvements in the walking velocity and cadence by GAITRite system(p<.05). Conclusion : Task- oriented circuit class training leads to improvements in locomotor function in chronic stroke. Further studies are necessary to occur in usual environments to improve walking performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze of obstacle gait using spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables in children with autism. Fifteen children with autism and fifteen age-matched controls participated in the study. Spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables was investigated using GAITRite pressure sensor system. Each footprint was divided into 12 equal trapezoids and after that the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot analysis was developed. Independent t-test was applied to compare the gait variables between the groups. The results showed that the autism group were significantly decreased in velocity, cadence, cycle and swing time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased in step width and toe out angle compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and forefoot of lateral part of footprint and forefoot of medial part of footprint in the peak time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and hindfoot in $P^*t$, at midfoot in active area, and at hindfoot in peak pressure compared to the control group. In conclusion, the children with autism showed abnormal obstacle gait characteristics due to muscle hypotonia, muscle rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural control impairments.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.296-301
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strengthening exercises of hip abductors on muscle strength and ambulation for patients with ACL reconstruction. Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention group (general exercise plus strengthening of hip abductors) or the control group (general exercise without the strengthening of hip abductors). Both groups participated in a six-week exercise protocol after the surgery for ACL reconstruction. The knee strength test (quadriceps, hamstring, hip abductor) and gait analysis were performed in pretest and post-test. Results: Muscle strength was measured using the Biodex system III model (Biodex Medical System, Inc, NY, US). The results showed no significant difference in knee strength (quadriceps, hamstring) between the two groups (p>0.05), however, there was a significant difference in hip abductors (p<0.05). The gait analysis was measured with Gaitrite system (CIR System Inc, US). Results of comparison between groups showed a significant increase in the step length of both groups. (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the affected leg of the intervention group(p<0.05). Conclusion: Exercise of hip abductors for patients with ACL reconstruction provides significant benefits with respect to improvement of muscle strength in hip abductors, increasing the stride. This result indicates that a training program designed for ACL reconstruction patients should include strengthening of the hip abductor. We think that further study is needed to determine the relationship of hip muscles and knee joint for patients with ACL reconstruction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.730-741
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise on a chronic intracerebral hemorrhage patient with a severe gait disturbance. Method: The patient was treated with Korean herbal medicine (Gami-sibjeondaebo-tang) along with acupuncture, moxibustion, and rehabilitation exercise. The treatment effect was evaluated through the Manual Muscle Test (MMT) and the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). The gait of the patient was evaluated by Functional Ambulatory Category (FAC) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The spatiotemporal parameters were evaluated by a walkway system (GAITRite(R) system) and gait symmetry was evaluated by Symmetry Criterion (SC). Results: After 111 days of traditional Korean medicine treatment, the spatiotemporal parameters and symmetry of the patient's gait improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that traditional Korean medicine treatment with rehabilitation exercise could be effective for gait disturbance in patients with chronic intracerebral hemorrhage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional effects of action observation plus functional electrical stimulation (FES) treatment on the weight distribution indexes (heel and toe; right and left), stability indexes, gait velocities, and stride lengths of stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects, who were all more than six months post stroke, were randomly divided into two groups of ten each: an experimental group and a control group. TETRAX (Tetrax Interactive Balance System) and GAITRite (GAITRite$^{TM}$ computerized gait analysis system) were measured at baseline, six weeks after treatment. Participants in both the groups received functional electrical stimulation treatment, but the experimental group was provided with additional action observation. Independent t-tests were used to compare the differences between the groups, and repeated measured two-way ANOVA was used to compare the interaction between the groups. RESULTS: The result of the interactions between the groups and the periods showed significant increases in the weight distribution indexes (heel and toe; right and left), stability indexes, gait velocities and stride lengths (p<0.05). However, a comparison between the groups showed no significance in the weight distribution indexes (heel and toe), stability indexes, and stride lengths (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Action observation plus functional electrical stimulation treatment should be considered as a therapeutic method for physical therapy for stroke patients to improve the weight distribution indexes, stability indexes, gait velocities, and stride lengths.