• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2012

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight-supporting asymmetry and gait symmetry in patients with stroke. Methods : Sixty two stroke patients with hemiplegia stood quietly with eye opens on a force platform to calculate weight-supporting asymmetry from vertical reaction force. The GAITRite was used to evaluate their gait parameters. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results : The results of this study was showed that the medio-lateral index (ML) was correlated with symmetry rate (SR), symmetry index (SI), and Gait asymmetry (GA) of step time and length but stronger correlation with spatial gait symmetry than temporal symmetry. In gait symmetry, step length has stronger correlation with weight-supporting asymmetry than step time. Conclusions : The results of this study shows weight-supporting asymmetry was correlated with more spatial gait symmetry than temporal symmetry.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.399-404
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• 2013

Purpose: To investigate the effects of initiation side on gait symmetry in the chronic stroke patients. Methods: Twenty one patients with independent gait after stroke were divided into the paretic-leg gait initiation group (PLI) and the nonparetic-leg gait initiation group (NPLI). The symmetry ratio (SR) was calculated from of the spatiotemoral and kinematic parameter which measured by 3D motion analysis. Results: In the spatiotemporal variables, SR-step length and SR-velocity was significantly different between groups (p<0.05). In the kinematic variables, SR-TOAA and SR-SwPAA of the hip joint was significantly different between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that the initiating leg may influence on the gait symmetry of stroke patient These results will be a helpful reference in hemiplegic gait training or intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to understand the relationship between gait symmetry and functional balance, walking performance in stroke patients and to makes recommendation regarding the most suitable measure for standardization of expression of spatiotemporal gait symmetry. Methods: 45 subjects with stroke (31 men, 14 women, $57.3{\pm}10.3$ years old) participated in this study. Gait symmetry was calculated by equations of symmetry ratio (SR) and symmetry criterion (SC) for stance time, swing time, single leg support time (SLST), step length, and stride length. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured respectively by walkway system ($GAITRite^{TM}$ system). Limit of stability (LOS) by using forceplate (Balance Performance Monitor) during voluntary weight displacement and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured as functional balance and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) were assessed as functional walking. Results: SR in stance time and swing time was correlation with BBS, TUG and FAC (p<0.05). SR in SLST only with BBS (p<0.01), SR in step length only with FAC (p<0.05). SC in stance time was correlation with BBS and TUG (p<0.05). SC in swing time and SLST with BBS, TUG and FAC (p<0.01), SC in step length with TUG and FAC (p<0.01), SC in stride length with BBS and FAC (p<0.01). Conclusion: Gait symmetry in spatiotemporal gait parameters provides meaningful information about functional balance and walking performance in stroke subjects. Our analysis may support the recommendations of the symmetry criterion as equation for standardization of gait symmetry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.89-98
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of unilateral static stretching on the flexibility and symmetry of the lower leg, and temporal gait variables in gait asymmetry people. METHODS: Twenty gait asymmetry people were divided into a unilateral static stretching group (USG, n = 10) and control group (CON, n = 10). The USG performed unilateral static stretching for 60 minutes, three times a week, and eight weeks. The flexibility of the lower leg (SR), and symmetry (BR), and temporal gait variables (Step length; SL, gait speed; GS) were measured before, after four and eight weeks of unilateral static stretching. Moreover, SI (symmetry index; SI) was calculated from the measured SL value. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Scheffe. RESULTS: SR and BR in the dominant and non-dominant side, and GS were increased significantly at USG after eight-weeks compared to before unilateral static stretching (p < .05). The difference in BR in the dominant and non-dominant side, and step length (SI) decreased significantly at USG after eight-weeks compared to before unilateral static stretching (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Unilateral static stretching improves the flexibility and symmetry of the lower leg, and temporal gait variables in gait asymmetry people.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.361-371
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of performing a dual task on gait velocity, temporospatial variables, and symmetry in subjects with subacute stroke. Methods: The study included 14 independent community ambulators with gait velocity of 0.8m/s. The Korean mini-mental state examination, the Berg balance scale, the Trunk impairment scale, and the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale were used to recruit homogeneous subjects. Subjects performed a single task (10m ambulation at a comfortable speed) and a dual task (10m ambulation at a comfortable speed while carrying a water-filled glass). Gait variables were examined with the OptoGait system. Results: The findings of this study were as follows: 1) Gait velocity decreased significantly in the dual-task condition as compared to the single task condition. 2) There were no significant differences between the paretic and non-paretic stances. 3) Paretic swing decreased significantly in the dual-task condition as compared to the single task condition. 4) The non-paretic, double-limb support phase increased significantly in the dual-task condition as compared to the single- task condition. 5) There was no significant difference in temporal symmetry. 6) Non-paretic step length decreased significantly in the dual-task condition as compared to the single-task condition. 7) There was no significant difference in spatial symmetry. Conclusion: Performing dual tasks decreases gait velocity, paretic swing phase, and non-paretic step length, while it increases non-paretic double limb support. In addition, although there is no difference in temporospatial symmetry, there is high inter-subject variability in temporospatial symmetry. Thus, dual tasks should be selected in accordance with the functional level of the hemiplegic patient, and inter-subject variability of the individual should be considered when dual tasks are considered for gait-training of hemiplegic patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate the effect of emphasized initial contact by using a wearable air-pressure insole to provide auditory-feedback with variations of maximum peak pressure (MPP) of the affected side on spatiotemporal gait parameters and gait symmetry of stroke patients Design: A cross-sectional study Methods: Eighteen stroke patients participated in this study. All subjects walked five trials using an air-pressure insole that provides auditory feedback with different thresholds set on the insole. First, subjects walked without any auditory feedback. Then, the MPP threshold on the affected side was set from 70% and increase threshold by 10% after each trial until 100%. They walked three times or more on the gait analyzer for each trial, and the average values were measured. Before starting the experiment, subjects measured body weight, initial gait abilities and affected side MPP without auditory feedback. Results: Temporal and spatial variables were significantly increased in trials with auditory feedback from air-pressure insole except for non-paralyzed single support time and spatial gait symmetry compared to trials without auditory feedback(p<0.05). Among the four different thresholds, the walking speed, unaffected side single support time, affected and unaffected side stride, and affected side step length were greatest at 80% threshold of maximum peak, while affected single support time, temporal gait symmetry, and unaffected step length were greatest at the maximum peak of 100% threshold. Conclusions: These results indicate that auditory feedback gait using air-pressure insoles can be an effective way to improve walking speed, single support time, step length, stride, and temporal gait symmetry in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.2187-2196
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of gait training using rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait symmetry of stroke patients. Forty chronic stroke patients were divided into four groups by intervention. Group A and B received auditory stimulation when they walk with comfortable gait speed. Group A received auditory stimulation to paralyzed side while group B to non-paralyzed side. Group C and D received auditory stimulation with 10% faster gait speed than their comfortable gait speed. Group C received auditory stimulation to paralyzed side while group D to non-paralyzed side. Gait training using auditory stimulation was done in each group during five minutes. Gait symmetry was evaluated by formula and temporal variables of gait were measured by gait analysis system. Step time was decreased significantly in all groups except group A (P<.05), and gait symmetry was also improved significantly in all groups except group A (P<.05). Cadence was increased significantly in all groups except group A (p<.05), but velocity was not increased in all groups. Therefore we conclude that RAS gait training is effective in improving gait symmetry and can be useful to stroke patient's gait training.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2014

In this paper, the gait imbalance evaluation algorithm based on temporal symmetry ratio using encoder is proposed. The device is attached to the hip joint in order to measure the angle during the normal gait. Using an angle data, the stance phase and swing phase was determined. And the value of TSR(temporal symmetry ratio) was calculated by stance phase and swing phase of gait cycle. For the comparative experiment, the conventional method of the foot pressure was measured at the same conditions. The results of statistical analysis, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) when using encoder. The gait imbalance analysis using encoder is effective in determining the imbalance than using the existing method of pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2015

Purpose: The emphasis on gait rehabilitation after stroke depends on training support through the lower limbs, balance of body mass over the changing base of support. However, muscle weakness, lack of control of lower limb, and poor balance can interfere with training after stroke. For this case study report, a wearable robot orthosis was applied to stroke patients in order to verify its actual applicability on balance and gait ability in the clinical field. Methods: Two stroke patients participated in the training using the wearable robot orthosis. Wearable robot orthosis provides patient-initiated active assistance contraction during training. Training includes weight shift training, standing up and sitting down, ground walking, and stair up and down Training was applied a total of 20 times, five times a week for 4 weeks, for 30 minutes a day. Gait ability was determined by Stance phase symmetry profile, Swing phase symmetry profile, and velocity using the GAITRite system. Balance ability was measured using the Biodex balance system. Results: Subjects 1, 2 showed improved gait and balance ability with mean individual improvement of 72.4% for velocity, 19.4% for stance phase symmetry profile, 9.6% for swing phase symmetry profile, and 13.6% for balance ability. Conclusion: Training utilizing a wearable robot orthosis can be useful for improvement of the gait and balance ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1199-1206
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• 2012

Recently, technologies to help the elderly or disabled people who have difficulty in walking are being developed. In order to develop these technologies, it is necessary to construct a system that gathers the gait data of people and analysis of these data is also important. In this research, we constructed the development of sensor system which consists of pressure sensor, three-axis accelerometer and two-axis gyro sensor. We used k-means clustering algorithm to classify the data for characterization, and then calculated the symmetry index with histogram which was produced from each cluster. We collected gait data from sensors attached on two subjects. The experiment was conducted for two kinds of gait status. One is walking with normal gait; the other is walking with abnormal gait (abnormal gait means that the subject walks by dragging the right leg intentionally). With the result from the analysis of acceleration component, we were able to confirm that the analysis technique of this data could be used to determine gait symmetry. In addition, by adding gyro components in the analysis, we could find that the symmetry index was appropriate to express symmetry better.