Earticle

This study aimed to evaluate the factors related to the ability of ambulatory patients with stroke to walk over vertical obstacles. Thirty patients who were able to walk independently for at least 10m were recruited for the study. Participants were required to walk over obstacles (1, 4, and 8㎝ height; A ‘fail’ was recorded when either the lower limbs or the walking device contacted the obstacle. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the effects of sex, age, walking aid, Paralytic side (right hemiplegia and left hemiplegia), body mass index, dynamic gait index and score of Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale on the ability of obstacle crossing. The failure rate in crossing the 1-㎝ obstacle was affected by the use of walking aid (p<.05). The failure rates in crossing 4㎝ and 8㎝ obstacles were also affected by use of walking aid and was determined by the score of Dynamic gait index (DGI). This assessment can predict the gait ability in the community of the stroke-hemiplegic patients. Based on these evaluations, it can be suggested that the clinical characteristics of patients should be taken into account while deciding treatment plans for specific patients.

This study aimed to identify the effects of task-oriented gait program including backward walking on gait and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Twenty subjects with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects of the experimental group (EG) experienced a task-oriented walking program including backward walking for an average 30 minutes, four times per week for four weeks (a total of 16 sessions), while subjects in the control group (CG) performed forward walking training for same duration. Outcome measures were stride length, 10 meter walk test (10MWT), timed up and go (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS), and limit of stability (LOS), and measurements were performed at pre- and post-test. This findiings suggest that task-oriented walking programs including backward walking, may be beneficial to improve the walking and balance in chronic stroke patients. Further research should warrant our findings.

Various methods of exercise have been suggested for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Previous studies have shown that the lumbar extension narrows the space of the spinal canal. Therefore, lumbar extension exercise (LEE) was excluded and lumbar flexion execise (LFE) was applied. However, some studies have suggested that the LEE improves pain and functional movement in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. In addition, studies related to this are still insufficient. This study aimed to compare the effects of LFE and LEE on pain, range of motion (ROM), and functional gait ability in patients with LSS. A total of 40 patients with LSS, LFE (n1=20) and LEE (n2=20) were assigned to either LFE or LEE groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS), modified-modified Schober test (MMST)-flexion, MMST-extension, and 10-m walking test (10MWT) were measured. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, 2×2 analysis of variance with repeated measures for the pain, ROM, and gait ability. The group×time interaction effect showed significant improvement in the VAS (F1,38=31.175, p=.000), MMST-flexion (F1,38=118.739, p=.000), MMST-extension (F1,38=320.197, p=.000), 10MWT (F1,38=378.869, p=.000). This study suggested that LFE was the most effective exercise for pain, lumbar flexion, and functional gait ability in patients with LSS.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of community-based ambulation training on cognition, gait and activity of daily living for patients with dementia. Three patients with dementia participated in this study. We used a single-subject multiple baseline design to identify intervention effects. The 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and stair up and down test were measured during 19 sessions, and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), 6 minutes walk test (6MWT), community walk test (CWT), and modified Barthel index (MBI) were measured before and after the intervention period. Subjects of 1, 2, and 3 measured 4, 7, and 9 sessions during the baseline phase respectively, and 15, 12, and 10 sessions during the intervention phase respectively. For three patients, all the measurements was remarkably improved post test scores than pre-test scores. These results suggest that the community-based ambulation training may be helpful to increase cognition, gait and activity of daily living for patients with dementia. Further studies needs to warrant our resulting.

This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of kinesio-taping on neck pain and strength in individuals with neck discomfort. Twenty-nine participants with neck discomfort voluntered for this study. Outcome measures included the neck disability index (NDI) and isometric strength of neck flexor. For subjects of the experimental group, the kinesio-taping (four times for two weeks) was applied on neck and suprascapular regions (upper trapezius and splenius capitis). The NDI scores were found in both groups between pre- and post-test (p<.05); however, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). And Between-group comparison of the strength was achieved at the level of statistical significance, despite no significance (p=.059. These findings suggest that the kinesio-taping on neck and suprascapular regions has a potential for benefits on neck function and strength. Further studies with robust design need to introduce more definite effects of the kinesio- taping.

The purpose of this study was to identify the Effects of head and ocular movement training for visual perception traing on balance and gait patient with stroke. The study was carried out with 24 stroke patients. Twelve patients were divided into two groups. The experimental group received eye exercise training and the control group received exercise therapy. The intervention method consists of exercise therapy and exercise therapy including head and ocular movement training to improve visual perception. Exercise therapy was performed three times a week for 50 minutes for 6 weeks. The experimental group received 30 minutes of exercise and 20 minutes of eye exercise. The control group received 50 minutes of exercise three times a week for 6 weeks. Before and after the exercise, Fall Efficacy Scale-K, Berg balance scale, Timed up & go test and Static balance test were performed. The evaluation analysis was spss v.18. ocular movement training to improve visual perception applied to stroke patients for 6 weeks was effective at Fall Efficacy Scale-K, Berg balance scale, Timed up & go test and Static balance test. but not significantly different from exercise-treated controls Fall Efficacy Scale-K, Berg balance scale and Static balance test. This suggests that ocular movement training has a therapeutic effect on balance ability and walking ability, but is similar to conventional exercise therapy. This is an alternative to ocular movement training in a sitting position for patients who are anxious to stand up, which may reduce anxiety and improve balance ability. In addition, it can be easily and simply informed the patient how to exercise, and it is also good to inform the home program because they can participate with interest.

This study aimed to identify the effect of a coordination sling exercise based music on the cognition, physical performance, and depression in patients with dementia. seven subjects with dementia volunteered to participate in this study. All subjects underwent the coordination sling exercise based music for averaging 60 minutes daily for 16 weeks (total of 80 sessions). Assessment tools were made with Korean version of mini-mental status examination (MMSE-K), Berg balance scale (BBS) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) before and after the 16-week intervention period. BBS and BDI showed significant improvement after coordination sling exercise based music(p<.05). This study demonstrates that a coordination sling exercise based music may be favorable for enhancing balance and depression of patients with dementia. This study provides valuable information for future studies in this field. Further studies with wider range of subjects and longer experiment span are required to strengthen the results of this study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and suitability of accelerometer measurements on gait asymmetry and balance in stroke patients. This literature review uses accelerometers to search for static and dynamic balance and gait asymmetry in adults diagnosed with stroke and to refer to the 2018 paper from 2008. The results of the compilation of the paper were as follows. The balance of the accelerometers showed measurements similar to those of the previous BBS and TUG. In other words, using the accelerometer to measure the balance suggests that it can be clinically useful. Next, studies that analyzed the gait asymmetry of accelerometers indicated that the algorithm's limits for estimating time were insufficient, but that the reliability tool for measuring the gait asymmetry was proven. This result shows that it is possible to analyze walking patterns through an accelerometer in individuals with hemiparetic stroke.