Background: Core muscle weakness occurs due to trunk asymmetry and spinal malalignment after stroke. Core exercise is being implemented to improve trunk control and sitting position in stroke patients. Objectives: To investigated the effects of core muscle electrical stimulation on trunk control and dynamic balance in stroke patients. Design: Quasi-experimental study. Methods: A total of 30 stroke patients were recruited and divided into two groups: experimental group (core muscle electrical stimulation group) and control group (sham core muscle electrical stimulation group). Trunk impairment scale (TIS) was used to measure trunk control. BioRescue was used to measure sitting dynamic balance. Results: In both groups, all TIS scores and sitting dynamic balance abilities were improved increased significantly after intervention (P<.05). Changes in TIS scores and sitting dynamic balance abilities were significantly greater in the experimental group than the control group (P<.05). Conclusion: It was found that core muscle electrical stimulation can be used as an effective method for trunk control and balance recovery in stroke patients.

이 연구의 목적은 8주간의 코어 훈련이 프리스타일 스키 선수들의 배근력, 서전트 점프, Y- 자 검사 및 평형감각 조절 능력에 미치는 영향을 보고자 하였다. 14명의 프리스타일 선수를 무작위로 운동군 7명과 통제군 7명으로 분류하였다. 훈련군은 8주간의 코어 훈련을 하였고, 통제군은 일반적인 훈 련을 하였다. 연구 결과 배근력과 서전트 점프에서 효과를 보였고, 집단 간 유의한 차이는 보이지 않았다. Y-자 검사의 경우 좌측 앞쪽에서 효과를 보였고, 좌·우측 좌측 후방 안쪽에서 집단 간 차이를 보였다. 종합점수의 경우 운동군은 사전의 좌·우 차이 7.5cm, 사후에서 1.66cm로 감소하였으나 통제군은 사전 3.73cm에서 사후 7.01cm로 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 평형감각 조절 능력에서는 조건 2, 5, 6에서 유의한 효과를 보였으나 집단 간의 차이는 없었다. 결론적으로, 8주간의 코어 훈련은 프리스타일 스키 선수들의 자세 조절 능력에서 유익한 효과를 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

목적 : 본 연구는 급성기 뇌졸중 환자에서 동작관찰 체간훈련이 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 실시하였다. 연구방법 : 2017년 7월 3일부터 2018년 4월 30일까지 전북 익산 소재의 W 대학병원에 입원한 급성기 뇌졸중 환자 14명을 실험군과 대조군으로 무작위 할당하였다. 두 군 모두 일반적인 물리·작업치료를 실시하였다. 추가적으로 실험군에는 동작관찰 체간훈련을, 대조군은 풍경관찰 체간훈련을 각 1일 1회 30 분, 주 5회, 총 3주간 실시하였다. 치료 중재 전·후 체간조절능력을 측정하기 위해 체간 손상 척도 (Trunk Impairment Scale; TIS), 균형능력을 측정하기 위해 수정된 기능적 팔 뻗기 검사(Modified Functional Reach Test; M-FRT)와 버그균형척도(Berg Balance Scale; BBS)를 사용하였고, 일상생활활동 수행능력을 평가하기 위해 한국판 수정된 바델 지수(Korean version of Modified Barthel Index; K-MBI)을 사용하였다. 결과 : 3주 중재 후, 두 그룹에서 중재 전·후 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력에서 유의한 차이가 나타났으며 (p<.05), 중재 후 두 그룹 간 변화량의 차이는 TIS와 M-FRT에서 유의한 차이가 나타났다(p<.05). 결론 : 본 연구 결과 동작관찰 체간훈련이 급성기 뇌줄중 환자의 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력을 향상시킬 수 있는 중재 방법으로 나타났다. 따라서 기립 훈련기에서 동작관찰 체간훈련은 급성기 뇌졸중 환자에게 능동적이고 동적인 체간훈련을 제공할 수 있는 새로운 중재 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것이다.

Background: Patients with chronic stroke often shows decreased trunk muscle activity and trunk performance. To resolve these problems, many trunk stabilizing techniques including the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and the diaphragmatic breathing maneuver (DBM) are used to improve trunk muscle strength. Objects: To compare the effects of the ADIM and the DBM on abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control, and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to the ADIM (n1=10) and DBM (n2=9) groups. The ADIM and DBM techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique muscle, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score were used to assess changes in motor development after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the training periods, the TrA thickness on the paretic side, TIS score, and BBS score improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline (p<.05). TIS score was significantly greater in the DBM group than in the ADIM group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ADIM and DBM are beneficial for improving TrA muscle thickness in the paretic side, trunk control, and balance ability. Intergroup comparison revealed that TIS score was significantly improved in the DBM group versus the ADIM group. Thus, DBM may be an effective treatment for low trunk muscle activity and performance in patients with chronic stroke.

This study aims to examine the effects of taping of the ankle joint on the static and dynamic balance and gait ability of stroke patients. Twenty-six stroke patients receiving physical therapy at a hospital located in Gyeonggi-do were divided equally into a group that had taping in physical therapy and an ordinary physical therapy group. They exercised for 30 minutes each, 3 times per week for 8 weeks from June to August 2011. Romberg’s eye open and eye closed tests, limits of stability(LOS), forward and back test, timed up and go test(TUG) and 10-meter gait velocity test were performed to evaluate static balance, dynamic balance, and gait ability, respectively, prior to and 8 weeks after the intervention. Differences within each group in relation to the lapse of time were compared by a paired t-test. Differences between the two groups were compared by an independent t-test. Regarding comparison of differences within each group, all tests resulted in significant changes in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). Comparison of differences between the two groups showed that taping in the physical therapy group had significantly better test results than the ordinary physical therapy group in all measured items(p<.05). The after effects of ankle taping on stroke patients are more efficient and effective than ordinary physical therapy alone in improving balance and gait ability.

The aim of this study was to investigate correlations of the Trunk Control Test (TCT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS-TC), and Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and to compare the TCT, PASS-TC, TIS and its subscales in relation to balance, gait and functional performance ability after stroke. Sixty-two stroke patients attending a rehabilitation program participated in the study. Trunk control was measured with the use of TCT, PASS-TC, TIS balance (Berg Balance scale; BSS), gait ability (10 m walk test), functional performance ability (Tuned Up and Go Test TUG) and the mobility part of the Modified Barthel index (MBI), Fugl Meyer-Upper/Lower Extremity (FM-U․L/E). The scatter-plot (correlation coefficient) was composed for the total scores of the TCT, PASS-TC, and TIS. The multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of trunk control on balance, gait, and functional performance ability. Twenty eight participants (45.2%) and twenty participants (32.3%) obtained the maximum score on the TCT and PASS-TC respectively; no subject reached the maximum score on the Trunk Impairment Scale. There were significant correlations between the TIS and TCT (r=.38, p<.01), PASS-TC (r=.30, p<.05), TCT and PASS-TC (r=.59, p<.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the BBS score (β=.420～.862) had slightly more power in predicting trunk control than the . TIS-dynamic sitting balance, TUG and the MBI-mobility part. This study clearly indicates that trunk control is still impaired in stroke patients. Measures of trunk control were significantly related with values of balance, gait and functional performance ability. The results imply that management of trunk rehabilitation after stroke should be emphasized.

목적 : 본 연구에서 뇌졸중 환자의 체간 조절(PASS, TCT)과 균형(BBS, FM-B) 및 일상생활동작(MBI)과의 관련성과 각 변수들과의 영향력을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 진단을 받은 환자 43명을 대상으로 체간 조절 평가(Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke : PASS, Trunk Control Test : TCT), 균형 평가(Berg Balance Test : BBS, Fugl-Meyer Assessment - Balance : FM-B), 일상생활동작 평가(Modified Barthel Index : MBI)등을 이용하였고, 자료 분석은 피어슨 상관 분석(pearson correlation coefficient)과 단계적 다중 회귀분석(stepwise multiple regression)을 이용하였다. 결과 : PASS 자세 유지, 자세 변환, 총합은 TCT와 r=.78～.96(p<.01)으로 체간 조절 평가 도구간에 매우 유의한 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. PASS, TCT는 BBS, FM-B(r=.65～.82), MBI(r=.75～.79)에서 유의한 상관관계가 있었으며(p<.01), BBS, FM-B는 MBI(r=.77～.78)와 유의한 상관관계가 있었다(p<.01). FM-B와 BBS는 r=.84(p<.01)로 유의한 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. MBI의 보행 항목이 PASS 자세유지, 자세변환, 총합, FM-B(p<.001), TCT, BBS에 가장 영향력을 주는 것으로 나타났으며(p<.01), PASS의 지지없이 서기 항목이 MBI, FM-B, TCT, BBS에 가장 영향력을 주는 것으로 나타났다(p<.001). PASS 총합은 MBI에 가장 영향력을 주는 것으로 나타났다(p<.01). PASS 세부 항목 중 개인 위생, 목욕하기, 화장실 사용, 계단 오르기, 보행, 의자․침상 이동은 지지 없이 서기가 가장 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났으며(p<.001), 식사하기는 누운자세에서 테이블 가장자리에 앉기(p<.001), 옷입기는 환측으로 돌아눕기(p<.01)가 가장 영향력을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 결론 : PASS, TCT, BBS, FM-B, MBI간에 유의한 관련성을 보였으며 변수들과의 인과관계 분석을 통하여 예측 가능한 변수들을 제시 하였다. 또한 환자의 기능적 회복과 재활 치료 후 결과를 예측하거나 영향을 줄 수 있는 변수를 찾아내어 그에 대한 집중적인 치료의 병행이 환자의 성공적인 재활 치료를 위한 전략이 될 수 있을 것이다. 추후 임상적인 평가도구로서 적극적인 활용과 그 유용성에 대한 연구가 필요하다.

The present study was aimed at investigating the postural control ability of volleyball players with functional ankle instability. The subjects were 26 male volleyball players were divided into 2 groups (13 subjects with functional ankle instability and 13 subjects with ankle stability) who could evaluate Questionnaire. All the male participants were tested by a Balance Master System. This study were to measure of static balance ability, dynamic balance ability, motor function the difference between functional ankle instability group and control group. Ankle instability group and stable group in postural sway (°/sec) on film surface with eye closed in modified clinical test sensory interaction on balance, and left unilateral stance with eye opened and closed were significantly different (p<.05). The ankle instability group and stable group in limit of stability were significantly different (p<.05). The ankle instability group and stable group in left/right rhythmic weight shirt were significantly different (p<.05). The ankle instability group and stable group in turn time (sec) & turn sway (°) during step/quick turn and end sway (°/sec) in tandem walk were significantly different (p<.05). This study showed that volleyball players with functional ankle in stability were effected postural control ability by static balance & dynamic balance ability. Further study is needed to measure various athletic with functional ankle instability for clinical application.

The use of a gym ball is becoming more popular for dynamic balance exercises. However, little is known about the effects of the dynamic ball exercises in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare balance and functional mobility after dynamic balance exercises using a gym ball to reduce the risk factorfor falls. All of the 15 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean age=79.9 yrs, SD=5.87) at anursing home in Wonju. Seven of fifteen subjects were placed in the experimental group and the others in the control group. Three clinical tests were used to determine the degree of balance and functional mobility before beginning the exercise program, after 4 weeks of gym ball exercise, and after 8 weeks of gym ball exercise. These three tests included Timed Up & Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Dynamic ball exercises training for 8 weeks (5 days per week) included side stretching, prone walking, bridging, marching and opposite arm and leg lifting. There were significant differences found before the gym ball exercise program began and after 4 weeks and then 8 weeks in the experimental group (p<.05). Significant differences between the groups were shown for TUG and BBS (p<.05). No significant difference was noted between the groups for FIM. Therefore, gym ball exercises can improve dynamic balance and may be recommended to include in a therapeutic program to help the elderly reduce their risk of a fall.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation and characteristics between electromyographic (EMG) activities of lower leg muscles and the posturographic assessment of static balance control in normal adults. Twenty-four young, healthy adults(12 males, 12 females) participated in the study. Center of pressure (COP) parameters were obtained using force platform as total path distance, total sway area, X mean frequency and Y mean frequency for 20 seconds in the following conditions: (1) comfortable standing with eyes opened or closed, (2) uncomfortable standing (feet together) with eyes opened or closed, (3) virtual moving surround delivered using Head mount display (HMD) with four different moving patterns. The virtual moving patterns consisted of close-far, superior-inferior tilting (pitch), right-left tilting (roll), and horizontal rotation (yaw) movements. Surface electromyographic activites were recorded on the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius muscles under each condition. Correlation between the posturographic measures and EMG activities were evaluated. Total path distance and total sway area of COP were significantly increased during uncomfortable standing. EMG activity of tibialis anterior was significantly more during uncomfortable standing and virtual moving surround stimulation than during comfortable standing. Total path distance and sway area of COP during comfortable standing with closed eyes showed significant positive correlation with the EMG activities of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle. Total path distances and total sway area of COP during muscle. Total path distances and total sway area of COP during presentation of virtual moving surround also had significant positive correlations with EMG activities of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle under close-far movement.

Hemiplegic patients usually present with difficulty maintaining balance. Balance retraining is the major component of rehabilitation program for patients with neurological impairment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prorpioceptive exercise program on the improvement of balance in the patients with chronic hemiplegia. Thirty subjects (mean age ) were recruited and the subjects were divided into a proprioceptive group and a visual group. The subjects for the proprioceptive group were participated in the proprioceptive exercise program for 4 weeks, and the visual group were treated visual feedback training using Balance Master. At 4 week follow-up test, Berg Balance Scale significantly improved 1.1 points (p<.01), Timed Up & Go test improved 4.2 second (p<.01), and weight distribution during sit to stand also improved 5.0% (p<.01). As a result of this study, the proprioceptive control approach improved dynamic balance in the patients with chronic hemiplegia. It is suggested that there was no benefit of visual feedback training like as Balance Master when administrated in combination with other physical therapy interventions, compared with physical therapy alone using proprioceptive control approach to hemiplegia.

Normal balance is defined as state in which the body is equlilibrium. It is complex motor control task, requring integration of sensory information, neural processing, and biomechanical factors. There are major two factors contribute to balance control, the neurological and the musculoskeletal. The neurological factor provides the sensory processing and motor output mechanisms that are the neurophysiological basis for response. The musculoskeletal factor provides the mechanical structure for response. When all components of two factors are operating effectively, the postural response should be appropriate and effective for good balance control. Therfore, balance can be influenced by above all factors. In addition, balance can be also influenced by muscle tone, hearing, physiological factors, and environmental factors. Physical therapists must understand factors of balance control so that we can accurately assess balance. Therefore, physical therapists have to develop useful balance measurement tools to evaluate balance.

This paper proposes a robust balance and driving control for omni-directional ball robot(generally called ball-bot) with two axis mecanum wheel. Slip between ball and mecanum wheel actuator inevitably occurs along diagonal axis due to its instantaneous strong torque. In order to reduce and saturate slip, exact distance calculation scheme especially for rotational movement is essential. So this research solved Euler-Lagrange dynamics for proposed two axis ball robot based on practical mechanical modeling. Robust balance control was carried out by PID controller according to the pitch and roll angles of ball robot by using sensor fusion between AHRS and wheel encoder. Proposed PID controller enhances stability by reducing steady state error and settling time. Proposed slip control algorithm for omni-directional ball robot has been demonstrated by experiments for balance control and arbitrary driving control.

The purpose of this study was to investigate visual control of dynamic balance in children. 24boys as subjects consisted of six (n=12), eight(n=12) years old in elementary school. They walked the balance beam under all the task conditions(4) in a heel-to-toe fashion. The task conditions was body/environment condition, body condition, environment condition, full visual condition. Each of child was given three practice trials walking the beam in fully lighted room . The average of three test trials under each of condition was the dependent variable. The results were as follows: The first, the effect of task condition was significant (F(3, 66)=65.05, P<.001). Second, the effect of year was significant (F(1, 66) =571.9, P<. 001) . Third, the interaction between age and condition was also significant(F(3,66)=32.40,P<.001) . And, SNK procedure test (post hoc) indicated significant difference between age and task condition (P< .05) . In conclusion, development of sensory-motor control in children is significantly related to dynamic balance. Also, there may be a trend away from the need to visually monitor body/ environment relationships to maintain effective balance (six years old) to a shift toward greater reliance of vestibular-proprioception information for maintaining dynamic balance control at eight years old .