목적 : 문항반응이론에 기초한 Rasch모형을 적용하여 뇌졸중 입원환자의 일상생활수행 평가도구를 개발하는 것이다． 연구방법 : 2002년 8월 5일부터 2005년 4월 20일까지 전국 18개 재활기관에서 뇌졸중 입원환자 308명을 대상으로，작업치료사가 평가한 6개 영역의 23개 항목으로 구성된 설문지 결과를 수집하여 Winsteps 프로그램으로 라쉬분석하였다． 결과 : 3개 항목이 부적합한 항목으로 판정되었으며，남은 20개 항목의 난이도 순서를 배열하였다．뇌졸중 입원환자의 일상생활 수행능력은 -6.77~6.73 로짓으로 표시할 수 있으며，표준화점수로 표시하기 위한 변환식은 "점수 =（로짓점＋6.77)/ (6.77+6.73) 100" 이었다．평가항목의 난이도는 가장 어려운 항목은 보행영역의 ‘계단 오르내리기’ 항목이었으며，가장 쉬운 항목은 식사하기 영역의 ‘음료 마시기’ 항목 이었다． 결론 : 라쉬분석을 이용한 뇌졸중 입원환자의 일상생활수행 항목의 적합도와 난이도에 관한 결과제시로 개발되었으며，신뢰도와 타당도가 입증된 객관적인 평가도구이다．

목적 : 근이영양증 장애인들의 휠체어 사용실태 및 요구를 파악하여 개개인의 신체적 특성 및 사용편의성이 증진된 맞춤형 휠체어 지침을 개발하기 위함이다. 연구방법 : 근이영양증 장애인 67명을 대상으로 휠체어 사용 시 문제점, 만족도, 그리고 사용하고 있는 착석시스템 등에 관하여 설문조사를 행하여, 빈도분석을 통하여 특성을 알아보았으며, 기타 외국의 문헌자료, 휠체어 전문가들을 대상으로 한 의견청취, 그리고 모의평가를 통하여 맞춤형 휠체어 디자인 지침을 개발을 위한 정보를 얻었다. 결과 : 근이영양증 장애인의 1일 평균 6시간 이상을 사용하는 경우가 86.2%로 가장 많이 차지하였고, 사용자의 71%는 착석시스템을 사용하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 휠체어 사용 시 신체에 발생하는 2차적인 문제 가운데 가장 높은 것은 동통발생의 문제였으며, 기능적으로 가장 불편한 문제는 바닥에서 휠체어 좌석으로 옮겨 타는 것으로 나타났다. 결론 : 근이영양증 장애인에게 맞춤형 휠체어를 처방할 때 기능에 역점을 둔 구성요소를 선택, 적용해 줌으로써 근이영양증 장애인에게서 나타날 수 있는 2차적인 신체변형이나 동통 등을 최소화 시켜주어 궁극적으로는 삶의 질 향상에도 많은 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.

The purposes of this study were to test that complex motor training enhance motor function significantly, to test change in cerebellum, and to test the synaptic plasticity into the immunohistochemistry response of synaptophysin. Using an animal model of fetal alcohol syndrome - which equates peak blood alcohol concentrations across developmental period - the effects of alcohol on body weight during periods were examined. The effect of complex motor training on motor function and synaptic plasticity of rat exposed alcohol on postnatal days 4 through 10 were studied. Newborn rats were assigned to one of two groups: (1) normal group (NG), via artificial rearing to milk formula and (2) alcohol groups (AG), via 4.5 g/kg/day of ethanol in a milk solution. After completion of the treatments, the pups were fostered back to lactating dams, where they were raised in standard cages (two-and three animals per cage) until they were postnatal 48 days. Rats from alcohol group of postnatal treatment then spent 10 days in one of two groups: Alcohol-experimental group was had got complex motor training (learning traverse a set of 6 elevated obstacles) for 4 weeks. The alcohol-control group was not trained. Before consider replacing with "the experiment/study", (avoid using "got" in writing) the rats were examined during four behavioral tests and their body weights were measured, then their coronal sections were processed in rabbit polyclonal antibody synaptophysin. The synaptophysin expression in the cerebellar cortex was investigated using a light microscope. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The alcohol groups contained significantly higher alcohol concentrations than the normal group. 2. The alcohol groups had significantly lower body weights than the normal group. 3. In alcohol groups performed significantly lower than the normal group on the motor behavioral test. 4. In alcohol-control group showed significantly decreased immunohistochemistric response of the synaptophysin in the cerebellar cortex compared to the nomal group. These results suggest that improved motor function induced by complex motor training after postnatal exposure is associated with dynamically altered expression of synaptophysin in cerebellar cortex and that is related with synaptic plasticity. Also, these data can potentially serve as a model for therapeutic intervention.

Pressure ulcers are serious complications of tissue damage that can develop in patients with diminished pain sensation and diminished mobility. Pressure ulcers can result in irreversible tissue damage caused by ischemia resulting from external loading. There are many intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to the problem, including interface tissue pressure, shear, temperature, moisture, hygiene, nutrition, tissue tolerance, sensory and motor dysfunction, disease and infection, posture, and body support systems. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between buttock interface pressure and seating position, wheelchair propulsion speed. Seated-interface pressure was measured using the Force Sensing Array pressure mapping system. Twenty subjects propelled wheelchair handrim on a motor-driven treadmill at different velocities (40, 60, 80 m/min) and seating position used recline (, , ) with a wheelchair simulator. Interface pressure consists of average (mean of the pressure sensor values) and maximum pressure (highest individual sensor value). The results of this study were as follows; No significant correlation in maximum/average pressure was found between a static position and a 40 m/min wheelchair propulsion (p>.05). However, a significant increase in maximum/average pressure were identified between conditions of a static position and 60 m/min, and 80 m/min wheelchair propulsion (p<.05). No significant correlation in maximum pressure were found between a recline (neutral position) and a , , or recline of the wheelchair back (p>.05). No significant difference in average pressure was found between conditions of a recline and both a and recline of wheelchair back. However, a significant reduction in average pressure was identified between conditions of a and recline of wheelchair back (p<.05). This study has shown some interesting results that reclining the seat by reduced average interface pressure, including the reduction or prevention in edema. And interface pressure was greater during dynamic wheelchair propulsion compared with static seating. Therefore, the optimal seating position and seating system ought to provide postural control and pressure relief. We need an education on optimal seating position and a suitable propulsion speeds for wheelchair users.

This simulation study investigated the characteristics of normal gait, crouch gait, crouch/equinus gait, crouch gait, crouch/equinus gait. The knee flexion angles were restricted using a specially designed orthosis. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory of the National Rehabilitation Center. Fifteen healthy male subjects were recruited for the study. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare spatiotemporal parameters, kinematics, and kinetic variables in the sagittal plane among the different gait, (2) to investigate the secondary compensatory strategy, and (3) to suggest biomechanical physical therapy treatment methods. The pattern and magnitude observed in each condition were similar to those of normal gait, except the peak knee extension moment of the unrestricted ankle motion-crouch gait. However, the speed of the crouch gait was half that of a normal gait. The ankle joint moment in the crouch/equinus gait showed the double-bump pattern commonly observed in children with spastic cerebral palsy, and there was no significant difference in gait speed as compared with normal gait. The peak ankle plantar-flexor moment and ankle power generated during the terminal stance in the crouch/equinus conditions were reduced as compared with normal and crouch gaits (p<.05). The crouch/equinus gait at the ankle joint was an effective compensatory mechanism. Since ankle plantarflexion contracture can be exacerbated secondary to the ankle compensatory strategy in the crouch/equinus gait, it is necessary to increase the range of ankle dorsiflexion and the strength of plantarflexion simultaneously to decrease the abnormal biomechanical advantages of the ankle joint.

There were two purposes of this study. The first was to research the effects of standard and fixed-split keyboards on wrist posture and movements during word processing. The second was to select optimal computer input devices in order to prevent cummulative trauma disorder in the wrist region. The group of subjects consisted of thirteen healthy men and women who all agreed to participate in this study. Kinematic data was measured from both wrist flexion and extension, and wrist radial and ulnar deviation during a 20 minute period of word processing work. The measuring tool was an electrical goniometer, and was produced by Biometrics Cooperation. The results were as follows: 1. The wrist flexion and extension at resting starting position were not significantly different (p>.05), however the angle of radial and ulnar deviation were significantly different in standard and split keyboard use during word processing (p<.05). 2. In the initial 10 minutes, the dynamic angle of wrist flexion and extension were not significantly different (p>.05), however the dynamic angle of radial and ulnar deviation was significantly different in standard and split keyboard use during word processing (p<.05). These results suggest that the split keyboard is more optimal than the standard keyboard, because it prevented excessive ulnar deviation during word processing.

Objective : The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of involved upper extremity’s motor function recovery on Activities of Daily Living in subject with hemiplegia by using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) as a motor recovery test and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) as a functional test.Method : The subjects of the study were 20 stroke patients who were admitted in KeiMyung University Dongsan Medical Center from November, 2002 to April, 2003. Data were analyzed for wilcoxon signed-rank test, mann-Whitney U test, spearman’s rho using SPSS/PC+ program. Result : The results of the study was as follow;1. Involved upper extremity’s motor function and independence of ADL is significantly differ-ence after occupational therapy(p<.05).2. Involved upper extremity’s motor function recovery is not significantly correlated in-dependence of ADL. but, motor FIM and FMA is significantly correlated after occupational therapy(r=.461).3. Involved upper extremity’s motor function recovery is significantly difference in lesion site and not significant difference in sex, involved side (p<.05).4. Independence of ADL is not significant difference in lesion site, sex, involved side(p>.05).Conclusion : The results suggest that lesion site maybe a factor to predict involved upper extremity’s motor recovery and require various occupational therapy program according to lesion site.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of stroke patients' cognitive score on their the activities of daily living. The subjects of this study were 30 stroke patients who were admitted to Te-Bong hospital from November, 2002 to March, 2003. The subjects were administerd an MMSE as a cognitive assessment and an MBI as a functional assessment upon referral to physical therapy initially. The results were as follows: 1. The MMSE scores for the stroke patients were related to the patients' abilities to perform their activities of daily living. The changes of MBl scores significantly correlated with the changes of MMSE scores (p<.05). 2. The subjects with left hemispheric lesion scored higher in MMSE than those with right hemispheric lesions (p<.05). 3. The hemispheric lesions did not significantly affect the activities of daily living score (p>.05).

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of visual block (eyes open or closed), mental task type, and participation in an exercise program on static balance in the elderly. The subjects were 34 elderly (>65 years old) residents of a social welfare institute in Gyeonggi-do. We measured the following variables. Berg balance scale, mini mental state examination, balance performance monitor (sway area, path, and maximal sway velocity), age, weight, height and whether the subject participated in an exercise program. Scores for the Berg balance scale and mini mental state examination were evaluated to assess static balance ability either alone (single task paradigm) or while performing a mental task (dual task paradigm). Static balance variables that were measured included sway area, path, and maximal sway velocity. Each test was repeated three times. Multiple regressions analysis was used to examine the effect of each variable on static balance ability. For the dual task paradigm, static balance was affected by whether the subject participated in an exercise program. The Berg balance scale score for subjects with their eyes open was affected by whether they participated in an exercise program, while this variable in addition to the height and weight of subjects were determining variables in subjects with their eyes closed. As a result, whether subjects participated in an exercise program affected their static balance irrespective of whether their eyes open or closed. Therefore, regular exercise is recommended for elderly people and further research is needed to examine the relationship between static and dynamic balance while performing mental tasks such as cognition and attention.

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.

이 연구의 목적은 발목에 테이핑을 한 후 40 cm의 높이에서 한 발로 수직착지를 할 때 발목관절에서의 테이핑 효과를 분석하는 것이었다. 대상자는 20대의 건강한 성인 14명(남자 4명, 여자 10명) 이었다. 대상자에게 적용한 조건은 테이핑 전, 테이핑 적용, 30분 동안 트레드밀에서 걷기, 테이핑 제거상태 이었고 맥리플렉스(MacReflex)를 이용하여 발끝이 지면에 닿은 상태에서 발목이 최대 배측굴곡(dorsiflexion) 되기까지 걸린 시간,

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wheelchair propulsion speed changes on the shoulder impingement syndrome. Method: EMG activity of 5 muscles (biceps brachii, pectoralis major, deltoid anterior, triceps brachii, and trapezius) were recorded with surface electrodes in 24 males during propulsion of three different speed levels on a motor-driven wheelchair treadmill. EMG signal was analysed using root mean square (RMS) values. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the one-way ANOVA and a Post Hoc Multiple Comparison were applied at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The results of this study were as follows: Biceps brachii, and pectoralis RMS value variations of wheelchair propulsion speed between 45m/min and 60m/min, and between 60m/min and 75m/min were not statistically different (p>0.05). Triceps brachii, deltoid anterior and trapezius RMS value variations of wheelchair propulsion speed between 45m/min and 75m/min were statistically different (p<0.05). Conclusions: The risk of impingement syndrome has increased from deltoid muscle contraction growth and trapezoid, triceps brachial muscle endurance decrease when wheelchair propulsion speed rises. To prevent from impingement syndrome wheelchair users should strengthen and endure shoulder muscles. Besides we need education on propulsion posture and suitable position for wheelchair users.

The objectives of this study was to investiage the effects of sitting posture on carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) continues to be one of the most widely publicized maladies of the cumulative trauma disorder. Many studies have reported a positive association between CTS and highly repetitive work, high force, and poor posture. High force and repetitive work have especially been associated with CTS, but the evidence for work being a primary cause of CTS is strongest when these factors are combined. In addition to carpal tunnel syndrome, hand, wrist, and other disorders are attributed to these work-related movements. Such disorders are referred to as repetitive stress injuries, cumulative trauma disorder, overuse syndromes, and chronic upper limb pain syndrome. Incorrect posture also may play a role in the development of CTS in people who work at a computer and other types of keyboards. The tendency to roll the shoulders forward, round the lower back, and thrust the chin forward can shorten the neck and shoulder muscles, compressing nerves in the neck. This, in turn, can affect the wrist, fingers, and hand. The treatment and prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome continue to be approached with a segmental view of the human body. For example, the most common ergonomic solution for carpal tunnel syndrome associated with keyboard use is to keep the wrists in a neutral position by using a wrist rest in front of the keyboard and good sitting posture.

Objective: The purpose of this paper was to study the effect of typing speed and accuracy according to 4 different typing aids on computer keyboard and mouse use. Method: The subjects of this study were 11 of C6∼C7 complete injury patients who had been over six months after injury, and four style of the typing aids, finger, slip-on, band, and modified finger, were used in this study. Each data of typing aid was collected by measuring typing speed and accuracy and analysed with SPSS 10.0. Results: The measured result according to 4 typing aids in typing speed showed that a modified finger typing aid was 41.09 as the highest performance and a bend typing aid was 33.27 as the lowest performance. The typing speed through styles was statistically significant(p<0.05). The measured result according to typing aid style in typing accuracy showed that a bend typing aid was 96.45% as the highest performance and a finger typing aid was 95.45% as the lowest performance. The typing accuracy through styles was not statistically significant(p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that modified typing aid seems to be the most efficient among four style of typing aids. Thus, modified typing aid can be an available typing aid having both functional and cosmetic factor for C6∼C7 complete injured patients. In the future use of the modified typing aid should be needed much more as well as its reevaluation should be performed.

The purpose of this paper is to provide the reader with a pertinent information and research trends of biomechanics in wheelchair propulsion. Biomechanical studies for wheelchair propulsion mainly focus on the most suitable propulsion performance and methods for preventing upper extremity injuries. Recent issues have concentrated on wheelchair propulsion style and cycle mainly because of the high prevalence of repetitive strain injuries in the upper extremely such as shoulder impingement and carpel tunnel syndrome. Optimizing wheelchair propulsion performances as well as medical reflections are presented throughout the review. Information on the underlying musculoskeletal mechanisms of wheelchair propulsion has been introduced through a combination of data collection under experimental conditions and a more fundamental mathematical modelling approach. Through a synchronized analysis of the movement pattern and muscular activity pattern, insight has been gained in the wheelchair propulsion dynamics of people with a different level of disability (various level of physical activity and functional potential). Through mathematical modelling simulation, and optimization (minimizing injury and maximizing performance), underlying musculoskeletal mechanisms during Wheelchair propulsion is investigated.

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects on the healing of fibular fractures in rabbits of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (50 and 500 ) applied for periods of 4, 14 and 24 days following fibular osteotomy. Thirty-six male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of twelve for three treatment protocols: (1) ultrasound treatment at intensities of 50 and 500 until the 4th day following fibular osteotomy, (2) ultrasound treatment at intensities of 50 and 500 until the 14th day following fibular osteotomy, and (3) ultrasound treatment at intensities of 50 and 500 until the 24th day following fibular osteotomy. The low-intensity pulsed ultrasound was applied to only one fibula of each rabbit (these served as the experimental group). The other fibula of each rabbit served as the control group. The selection of which fibula was to be treated was made randomly. The animals were sacrificed on the 4th, 14th and 24th day after the start of ultrasound treatments. Percent of trabecular bone area and fibular radiography were carried out to compare the degree of fibular bone healing. A microscope was also used to determine any histologic changes. For statistical differences in radiological changes due to length of treatment period (4, 14 and 24 days respectively), the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test was used to compare the experimental and control groups. For statistical differences in fracture healing due to differences in ultrasound intensity, radiological studies were compared using the Mann-Whitney Test. And, to compute percentage differences in areas of trabecular bone, Two-way analysis of variance (ultrasound intensity x each group) was used. Experiment results were as follows: 1. In animals sacrificed on the 4th day, no difference was found in the radiological studies of the fibulae in the experimental and control groups (p>.05). However, experimental groups showed more rapid bone repair than control group. 2. Both radiographic and percent of trabecular bone area studies showed significant differences in rabbits sacrificed after 14 days. Fracture healing was significantly increased in the experimental group (p<.05) 3. In the animals sacrificed on the 24th day, histologic study showed rapid bone repair but fibular radiologic studies did not show statistical differences between the two groups (p>.05). 4. On the 14th day, bone union on radiograph was significantly more rapid in the treatment group with pulsed ultrasound of 50 than the group with 500 (p<.05). Histologic studies showed that both the 14 and 24 days groups had more rapid bone repair in animals treated with 50 ultrasound intensity than those treated with 500 intensity. In conclusion, it has been shown that the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has a positive effect on bone fracture healing in the early stage and the range of pulse ultrasound from 50 to 500 is effective for fracture healing. Further study is needed to investigate the influence of pulsed ultrasound on delayed union and non-union in bone fractures and also for the clinical use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for bone healing in humans.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of three interventions on the disuse atrophy of rat hindlimb after two weeks suspension. Forty-eight 11~12 weeks old female Sprague-Dawley white rats were divided into four intervention groups: 1) suspension only (S; n=10), 2) intensive weight bearing treadmill (IWBT; n=10), 3) electrical stimulation (ES; n=9), 4) 2)+3) (ES/IWBT; n=9). Another 10 rats received no intervention or hindlimb suspension and served as controls (C). After the interventions, 1) the cross-sectional area (CSA), 2) the ratio of white muscle fiber composition (WMFC), 3) isometric tetanic tension (ITT), and 4) muscle weights (MWs) were measured from the four calf muscle specimens. The results were as follows: 1. In all intervention groups, the CSAs of medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG LG), soleus (SOL), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) decreased when compared to the control (C) group (p<.05). The CSA increased in FDS and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 2. The ratios of WMFC in MG, LG, SOL, and FDS increased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ratios of WMFC decreased in SOL and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group, and decreased in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the IWBT group (p<.05). 3. The ITT in the MG, LG, SOL, and FDS decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ITT increased in MG LG/FDS, SOL, and the whole calf muscles (WCMs) in the IWBT, ES and ES/IWBT groups compared to the S only group (p<.05). 4. The MWs in MG LG/FDS, SOL, WCMs decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The MWs increased in MG LG/FDS and WCMs for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES group, and in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 5. In atrophied muscles, the IWBT group showed the best recovery and the ES/IWBT and ES groups followed in decreasing order. The most susceptible muscle to disuse atrophy was the SOL. But conversely, it showed the best recovery in the ES/IWBT group. After two weeks of hindlimb suspension, the calf muscles of rats atrophied and their isometric tension decreased. These changes were best reversed by hindlimb-focused treadmill activity. The next best results were achieved by electrical stimulation combined with the treadmill followed by only electrical stimulation. These findings indicate that full weight bearing treadmill activity alone or in combination with electrical stimulation are effective treatments for non-weight bearing induced muscle atrophy. Further study of the effect of different intensities of electrical stimulation and variations in the duration period of full weight bearing treadmill activity on disuse atrophy is recommended.

For spinal flexibility measurements to be meaningful to clinicians or researchers, they must have a normative information and an understanding of how different variables affect spinal range of motion (ROM). Normal spinal ROM measurements are influenced to differing degrees by many factors. These factors include age, gender, time of day, leisure activities, previous history of low back pain, warming up, and the techniques with which normative data are collected. The additional variables of standing height, ratio of standing height to sitting height, and obesity had not been previously studied extensively and were shown to have a significant effect on flexibility in the sagittal plane. These relationship cannot be explained easily. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between spinal flexibility and individual factors (weight, standing height, and ratio of standing height to sitting height) that influence it. Fifteen healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 27 years were studied. Two physical therapists measured independently the spinal forward bending ROM in the sagittal plane by Remodified Schober test and Finger-to-floor test. In order to determine the statistical significance of the result the Pearson's correlation was applied at the .05 level of significance. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Significant relationship was not identified between spinal flexibility and weight. 2) Significant relationship was not identified between spinal flexibility and standing height. 3) Significant relationship was not identified between spinal flexibility and ratio of standing height to sitting height.

The purpose of this study was to find a more effective balance training method. The subjects of this study were 14 children with cerebral palsy (7 males, 7 females) being treated at Seran Pediatric Developmental Research Center in Taegu. Two groups of children with cerebral palsy (everyday trained group, every-other-day trained group) were evaluated with visual & auditory feedback. Evaluation and training device was Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) Dataprint Software Version 5.3. There was statistically significant difference of the balance score between the pre-and the post-training in both group (p<.05), but there was no difference of the balance score between two groups (p<.05). In conclusion, it is likely that the visual and auditory feedback in children with cerebral palsy was effective in improving standing balance, but there was no difference between everyday trained group and every-other-day trained group.

Decreased equilibrium in standing and walking is a common problem associated with hemiparesis secondary to cerebral vascular accident. In patients with hemiplegia, postural sway is increased and often displaced laterally over the non-affected leg, reflecting asymmetry in lower extremity weight bearing during standing balance. Human balance is a complex motor control task, requiring integration of sensory information, neural processing, and biomechanical factors. Limits of stability (LOS) is a one of the biomechanical factors. The purposes of this study were to establish the influence of asymmetrical weight-bearing on the LOS of independent ambulatory hemiparetic patients. The subjects of this study were 29 hemiparetic patients (18 males, 11 females) being treated as admitted or out patients at Young-Nam University Hospital and Taegu Catholic University Hospital, all of whom agreed to participate in the study. Participants were asked to lean and displace their center of gravity (COG) as far as possible in directions to the sides and front of the body. The LOS and weight-bearing ratio were measured with a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) Dataprint Software Version 5.3. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the independent t-test and a Pearson's correlation were applied at the .05 and .01 level of significance. The results of this study were as follows: 1) There were statistically significant differences in anteroposterior LOS according to the cause of brain demage (p<.01). 2) There were statistically significant differences in mediolateral LOS according to the hemiparetic side (p<.05). 3) There were statistically significant differences in anteroposterior and mediolateral LOS according to the brain operation (p<.01). 4) The mediolateral LOS significantly correlated with weight-bearing ratio (p<.01).