• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program on range of motion and dexterity in the upper extremities of stroke patients. Methods: Fifteen patients with hemiparesis after stroke participated in this study. The participants participated in Rapael Semart GloveTM, an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program, performed for 30 minutes-, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The Rapael Smart GloveTM program and a Box and Block Test (BBT) were used to measure range of motion and to assess dexterity, respectively, pre-and post-intervention. Results: Range of motion in pronation and supination of the forearm and flexion, extension, and ulnar deviation of the wrist improved after the intervention. Dexterity measured by BBT also improved. However, range of motion in flexion and extension of the fingers and radial deviation of the wrist did not improve. Conclusion: This study presents the effects of an immersive, virtual reality-based exercise program on hand function. In the future, a study comparing an immersive, virtual reality- based exercise program to other upper-extremity interventions for stroke patients should be conducted. A study about the effects of an immersive virtual reality program on activities of daily living is also needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.37-44
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise program using a virtual reality game and a gait exercise program using a treadmill on % maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) and static and dynamic balancing capabilities. Methods: A total of 26 elderly women were included in the study. 13 women were assigned to an exercise program using a virtual reality game, and 13 to a gait exercise program using a treadmill. The subjects performed the exercise for 40 min per session, three sessions per week, for eight weeks. Results: The %MVIC of the vastus medialis was significantly increased from $28.91{\pm}2.03%$ to $32.98{\pm}2.6%$ in the virtual reality game exercise group (p<0.00). The %MVIC of the vastus lateralis was significantly increased from $27.17{\pm}1.93%$ to $31.50{\pm}2.18%$ (p<0.00) in the gait exercise program group. The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes open was significantly decreased from $1570.92{\pm}820.6mm$ to $1343.62{\pm}242.41mm$ (p<0.00). The whole path length with both feet on the floor and eyes closed was significantly decreased from $1819.85{\pm}361.14mm$ to $1581.05{\pm}285.11mm$ (p<0.00). The length of a functional reach was significantly increased from $25.2{\pm}4.23cm$ to $27.68{\pm}4.04cm$ (p<0.00). Conclusion: The exercise program using a virtual reality game is effective for improving the %MVIC and static and dynamic balancing capabilities in elderly women aged 65 years and more.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.336-341
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of virtual reality(VR) exercise using XBOX $Kinect^{TM}$ on the scoliometer angle and muscle activities of the trunk. The subjects of the study were 13 young adults who devided into a virtual reality-based exercise group(VREG, n = 7) and a traditional stabilization exercise group(TSEG, n = 6). The VREG received virtual reality game for 5 days a weeks, 30 minutes a day, for a 2 weeks and the TSEG received general trunk stabilization exercise for the same period and frequency. The subjects were measured and compared for muscle activities of trunk stabilization before and after the program. VREG tend to decrease more than TSEG in scoliometer angle. In addition, VREG showed a significant decrease in muscle activities of multifidus. This study presents the impact of virtual reality-based exercise program on trunk balance and stabilization. The following studies need customized programs for subjects that trunk balance and stabilization is required.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.355-363
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a 12-week virtual reality exercise program using the Nintendo Wii console (Wii) in improving balance, emotion, and quality of life among patients with cognitive decline. Methods: The study included 30 patients with cognitive decline (12 female, 18 male) who were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15). All subjects performed a traditional cognitive rehabilitation program and the experimental group performed additional three 40-minute virtual reality based video game (Wii) sessions per week for 12 weeks. The berg balance scale (BBS) was used to assess balance abilities. The short form geriatric depression scale-Korean (GDS-K) and the Korean version of quality of life-Alzheimer's disease (KQOL-AD) scale were both used to assess life quality in patients. Statistical significance was tested within and between groups before and after treatment, using Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann-Whitney u-tests. Results: After 36 training sessions, there were significant beneficial effects of the virtual reality game exercise on balance (BBS), GDS-K, and KQOL-AD in the experimental group when compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed within the control group. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that a virtual reality-training program could improve the outcomes in terms of balance, depression, and quality of life in patients with cognitive decline. Long-term follow-ups and further studies of more efficient virtual reality training programs are needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.63-70
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the virtual reality exercise program on ankle balance with ankle taping or microwave. Methods : This study was performed on 18 subjects. Eighteen subjects were divided into two groups; conducted virtual reality exercises with taping (n=9), and performed virtual reality exercises after microwave application (n=9). Both groups performed the exercise three times a week for four weeks. The data was analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for comparing before and after changes of factors in each group and performed the Mann-Whitney test for comparing groups. Result : Taping and microwave groups were increased dynamic balance after virtual reality exercises (p<.05). There was no significant difference in balance after applying taping and microwave for virtual reality exercises (p<.05). Conclusion : Reducing the frequency of recurrent ankle sprain in functional ankle subjects, it is recommended to perform virtual reality exercise after applying taping and microwave.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify effects of virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly either to VR+CKC exercise group (n=15) or the CKC exercise group (n=15). When the study began, both groups received conventional physical therapy five times per week. The VR+CKC exercise group received virtual reality programs and the CKC exercise group received close kinetic chain exercises. Each exercise program was performed for six weeks (5 times per weeks; 20 minutes per time). Participants were measured on lower extremity muscle activity using EMG. Results : There was a significant increase of muscle activity (%RVC) in vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Conclusion : In this study, the virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain exercise program was an effective exercise for improving lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.891-895
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• 2015

We investigated the effects of a Virtual reality(VR) program on the proprioception and instability of functional ankle instability(FAI) patients. Among the 20s old individuals who lived in Republic of Korea; 20 people were selected through a public participation process. The 20 participants were then randomly divided into two groups, one of strength exercise(n=10) and one of balance exercise(n=10). Of the patients who had experienced an ankle sprain in the past and currently felt ankle instability, those who recorded 24 points or less on the Cumberland ankle instability tool(CAIT) were determined to have FAI. We selected the strength exercise and balance exercise in the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus as a VR program. The subjects used the program on the Wii Balance Board three times per week for 20 minutes and total 10-minute warm-up and down for four weeks. Proprioception and CAIT of the balance exercise group were improved significantly after the exercise compared to before the exercise(p<.05). Authors recommend that the balance exercise in the VR program be used as an aid for physical therapeutic intervention.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.53-65
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of virtual reality based exercise program on gross motor function and balance of children with spastic cerebral palsy. Method : Subjects of this study, among the children who received the diagnosis spastic cerebral palsy, for children total of 8 people have agreed to research. Experimental group 4 people, control group 4 people, was a total of 8 people. Group-specific arbitration method, was applied to Nintendo Wii Fit game (experimental group) and exercise program (control group). Each training courses 30 minutes for 4 weeks, examined the changes in Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM) and Pediatrics Balance Scale(PBS) ability to examine a total of 4-week course effectively. The intervention were compared by measuring before and after. Result : There were significant improvements in the subscales of the gross motor function and balance test of those who practiced with the Nintendo Wii Fit game, while the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusion : Therefore, the virtual based on exercise is effective in improvement of to improve the gross motor function and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a virtual reality-based exercise program on the functional recovery of balance and gait in chronic stroke subjects. Methods: A total of 42 chronic stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The participants were allocated randomly to 2 groups: a VR (n=22) and control group (n=20). Both groups received treadmill training for 3 sessions (10 minutes each), 30 minutes per week over a 6 week period. The VR group practiced additional virtual reality programs consisting of 3 programs for 10 minutes each. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test to determine the statistical significance. Results: The virtual reality-based exercise group showed significant increases in gait velocity, cadence and stride length compared to the control group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in static balance. Conclusion: These results support the perceived benefits of exercise programs that incorporate virtual reality to augment the balance and ambulation of stroke patients. Therefore, virtual reality is feasible and suitable for stroke patients

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality(VR) program on standing balance in stroke with sensory deficit. Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly to either VR group (n=28) or the control group (n=31) when study began. Both groups were conducted electricity therapy, exercise therapy 5 times per week during six weeks, and a group who have VR group 3 times per week during six weeks. Both groups assessed for standing balance before and after virtual reality program. Results : In standing balance, the virtual reality program which have sensory deficit in stroke group, open eyes from the center area of the body and center line significantly reduced the training period(p<.05). The virtual reality program to instantly move the weight through maximum voluntary safety limits to sensory deficit of virtual reality program(p<.05). Conclusion : Stroke patients with sensory deficit affects the recovery of the standing balance. In addition, virtual reality program was stroke patients with sensory deficit affects the recovery of standing balance.