Background: Stroke patients experience a variety of physical problems due to neurological problems, including difficulties with trunk control. Trunk taping is used to improve gait in stroke patients. Objectives: To investigated the immediate effect of thoracic and abdominal elastic taping on gait parameters (the dynamic balance and gait speed) in stroke patients. Design: Quasi experimental study. Methods: A total of 24 study subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (thoracic and abdominal taping, 12 people), and the control group (sham taping, 12 people). All subjects had timed up and go (TUG) test and 10 meter walk test (10MWT) measured before and after taping. Results: After taping, the TUG test and 10MWT results were significantly reduced only in the study group (P<.05). The TUG test and 10MWT results of the study group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Conclusion: The thoracic and abdominal taping was found to improve trunk control in stroke patients, thereby improving dynamic balance and walking speed.

Background: In community-dwelling elderly individuals, slower gait speed is closely related to the ground reaction force. In the elderly with fall experience, stride length and gait speed, and other gait parameters are closely related to gastrocnemius activation. Objectives: To investigate whether medial gastrocnemius stiffness influences gait parameters in community-dwelling elderly people who experienced falls. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: A total of 149 community-dwelling older adults were assigned to the faller and non-faller groups. Gait parameters (step length, stride length, step width, cadence, heel and toe ground reaction force, heel and toe contact time), and stiffness of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were measured using shear wave elastography. Results: Elderly fallers had shorter step and stride length, lower cadence and toe ground reaction force and heel contact time, and lower medial gastrocnemius stiffness than non-fallers. In elderly fallers, medial gastrocnemius stiffness was significantly correlated with step and stride length, step width, toe ground reaction force, and heel contact time. Conclusions: Lower medial gastrocnemius stiffness in the elderly fallers decreases gait parameters, which can be a risk factor for falls. Therefore, medial gastrocnemius stiffness is a major factor that may associated gait parameters that can determine the risk of fall in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Background: In order to improve the daily life of stroke patients, it is necessary to restore walking performance. Improving gait performance is one of the main goals for stroke rehabilitation. Objectives: To investigate the change in gait parameters through evaluation of one stroke patient before, during, and after wearing the weight vest. Design: A case study. Methods: This study is an ABA study design. In principle, one assessment per day (A1) was measured three times without wearing the weight vest. Intervention assessment (B) was performed 6 times while wearing the weight vest. The second baseline evaluation (A2) was measured three times with the weight vest removed again. Results: The gait speed was increased when the weight vest was removed than when the weight vest was worn. Also, gait symmetry increased when wearing the weight vest. Conclusion: Wearing the weight vest can reduce the gait asymmetry in stroke patients and increase the gait speed after wearing the weight vest.

Background: A weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training is being used for rehabilitation in stroke patients. However, the effect on various gait parameters has not been confirmed. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of exercise intensity through speed increase and weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training to restore gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: This study recruited 24 stroke patients. The subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (wearing a weight-bearing jacket during treadmill gait training, n=12) and the control group (speed increase during treadmill gait training, n=12). Gait measurement device (G-walk) was used to measure the gait parameters of the subjects. Results: Both the experimental group and control group showed a significant increase in cadence, gait speed, stride length, and gait symmetry index post intervention (P<.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a significant increase in the gait symmetry index post the intervention than the control group (P<.05). Conclusion: Through this study, it was found that wearing a weight-bearing jacket was a more effective method for improving the gait symmetry index than increasing speed during treadmill gait training in stroke patients.

Background: Although several studies have reported functional improvements after forward walking training on a treadmill and after backward walking training on a treadmill, there is a lack of immediate effects data, investigating spatiotemporal parameter, neuromuscular recruitment. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects between forward and backward walking on treadmill training, present study measured muscle activities of the lower extremity, gait parameters, and dynamic balance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The twenty-four asymptomatic young male subjects were participated in this study. Subjects have performed 15-min of forward and backward walking on treadmill. Before and after treadmill walking, the gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite. The dynamic balance abilities were assessed with the Y-balance test. Muscular activities were collected from the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris during forward and backward walking. Results: Muscular activities of the biceps femoris and tibialis anterior were significantly different between forward and backward walking conditions, which were higher with the backward walking (P<.05). Compared to the pre-measurement, the normalized dynamic balance composite score of the post-measurement was significantly higher with the backward walking (P<.05). Regardless of the treadmill training method, there were no significant differences between pre and post measurement, both the stride length and step length (P>.05). Conclusion: The performing backward walking training has positive effects for dynamic balance.

Background: Mobilization and cranio-cervical flexion exercise has been reported in reducing pain from cervical part and improving its motor function; also, has been represented that alleviate of neck pain and recover of neck muscles improve the normal gait performance. However, few studies have identified the effects of mobilization and exercise on pain and gait parameters with preceding issues. Objective: To examine the effects or changes of pressure pain threshold (PPT) and gait parameters in patients with chronic neck pain. Design: Cross-Sectional Clinical Trials Methods: Twenty patients with the history of neck pain (>3 months) performed the cervical mobilization and cranio-cervical flexion exercise. Gait parameters were assessed with wireless device and collected data were transmitted to the personal computer via Bluetooth. The PPT was measured posteroanterior direction at the prone position and the mean of subsequent three PPT measurements was used for the final analysis. Results: Both cervical central posteroanterior mobilization (CCPAM) (p<.000) and sling-based cranio-cervical flexion exercise (SBCCFE) (p<.000) group showed a significant increase in the PPT and the gait parameters, cadence (p<.023), was significantly increased in the CCPAM group, however slightly increased in the SBCCFE group. The comparison between the CCPAM and the SBCCFE groups after treatment did not show significant differences for the score on the PPT and gait parameters. Conclusions: This study suggests that CCPAM and SBCCFE increase PPT, cadence, and gait speed.

Background: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) leads to many musculoskeletal disorders and affects daily activities such as walking. In the majority of the population, mild LLD is a common condition. Nevertheless, it is still controversy among researchers and clinicians on the effects of mild LLD during gait, and available studies have largely overlooked this issue. Objects: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of mild LLD on the gait parameters and trunk acceleration. Methods: A total of 15 female and male participants with no evidence of LLD of >.5 ㎝ participated in the present study. All participants walked under the following two conditions: (1) The non-LLD condition, where the participants walked in shoes of the same heel height; (2) A mild LLD condition induced by wearing a 1.5 ㎝ higher heel on the right shoe. The GAITRite system and tri-axial accelerometer were used to measure gait parameters and trunk acceleration. To compare the variation of each variable, a paired t-test was performed. Results: Compared to the non-LLD condition, step time and swing phase were significantly increased in the mild LLD condition, while stance phase, single support phase, and double support phase significantly decreased in the short limb (p<.05). In the long limb of the mild LLD condition, single support phase significantly increased, while swing phase significantly decreased (p<.05). Furthermore, significant decrease in the gait velocity and cadence in the mild LLD condition were observed (p<.05). In the comparison between both limbs in the mild LLD condition, the step time and swing phase of the short limb significantly increased compared with the long limb, while step length, stance phase, and single support phase of the long limb significantly increased compared with the short limb (p<.05). Additionally, trunk acceleration of all directions (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, vertical) significantly increased in the mild LLD condition (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that mild LLD causes altered and asymmetrical gait patterns and affects the trunk, resulting in inefficient gait. Therefore, mild LLD should not be overlooked and requires adequate treatment.

The purpose of this study was to find which spatiotemporal gait parameters gained from stroke patients could be predictive factors for the gait part of Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA-G). Two hundred forty-six stroke patients were recruited for this study. They participated in two assessments, the POMA-G and computerized spatiotemporal gait analysis. To analyze the relationship between the POMA-G and spatiotemporal parameters, we used Pearson’s correlation coefficients. In addition, multiple linear regression analyses (stepwise method) were used to predict the spatiotemporal gait parameters that correlated most with the POMA-G. The results show that the gait velocity (r=.67, p<.01), cadence (r=.66, p<.01), step length of the affected side (r=.49, p<.01), step length of the non-affected side (r=.53, p<.01), swing percentage of the non-affected side (r=.47, p<.01), and single support percentage of the affected side (r=.53, p<.01) as well as the double support percentage of the non-affected side (r=-.42, p<.01) and the step-length asymmetry (r=-.64, p<.01) correlated with POMA-G. The gait velocity, step-length asymmetry, cadence, and single support percentage of the affected side explained 67%, 2%, 2%, and 1% of the variance in the POMA-G, respectively. In conclusion, gait velocity would be the most predictive factor for the POMA-G.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric ankle-foot orthosis on spatiotemporal gait parameters, compared to a barefoot condition in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this study. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite system. Fabric ankle-foot orthosis significantly improved Timed Up and Go test time and gait velocity. There was no significant difference in cadence. The step time significantly improved in both the more and less affected foot compared to the barefoot condition. The step length of the affected foot also significantly improved, but there was no significant difference in the step length of the less affected foot. There was significant improvement in the stride length of both the affected and less affected foot, but no significant difference in single stance or double stance. The fabric ankle-foot orthosis could improve stability, and selective control of the joint and promote better walking in children with cerebral palsy. Consequently, the fabric ankle-foot orthosis might be an alternative assistive device for neurological populations as a primary role instead of the typical ankle-foot orthosis.

The purpose of this study was to determine which spatiotemporal gait parameters obtained during hemiplegic walking could be a predictive factor for the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Two hundreds nine subjects who had suffered a stroke were recruited for this study. They were participated in two assessments; the TUG test and gait analysis. The relationship between the TUG test and spatiotemporal parameters was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. In addition, to predict the spatiotemporal gait parameters that correlated most with the TUG scores, we used multiple linear regression analyses (stepwise method). The results show that the normalized velocity was strongly correlated with the TUG performance (r=-.72, p<.001). Additionally, single support percentage (SSP), double support percentage (DSP), step time difference (STD), and step length difference (SLD) significantly were correlated with the TUG test. Normalized velocity, STD, DSP of affected side, and SSP of non-affected side explained 53%, 8%, 3%, 2%, of variance in the TUG test respectively. In conclusion, an increase in gait velocity and a decrease in STD would be effective indicators of improvement on the functional mobility in the stroke rehabilitation.

This study examined the effects of custom-made foot orthotics on the temporal-spatial gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy. Twenty spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (spastic CP) children (11 boys and 9 girls) participated in this study. GAITRite was used to examine the velocity, cadence, step length differential, step length, stride length, stance time, single support time, double support time, base of support, and toe angle while walking with and without foot orthotics. The differences in temporal-spatial parameters were analyzed using paired t-test. The significance level was set at .05. The velocity, cadence, both step lengths, both stride lengths, both bases of support and right toe angle significantly increased when the children with spastic CP with foot orthotics compared to without foot orthotics (p<.05). The step length differential between the two extremities, left stance time and left single support time, significantly decreased with foot orthotics (p<.05). Right stance time, right single support time, both double support times and left toe angle showed little change (p>.05). This study demonstrated that foot orthotics were beneficial for children with spastic CP as a gait assistance tool.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ankle joint mobilization with movement (MWM) on the range of motion (ROM) in the ankle, on the muscle strength of lower extremities, and on spatiotemporal gait parameters in chronic hemiplegic patients. Fifteen subjects with chronic stroke were divided into two groups: an experimental group (8 subjects) and a control group (7 subjects). Both groups attended two or three sessions of physical therapy each week. The experimental group also attended additional MWM training sessions three times a week for five weeks. For both groups, the ROM of the ankle, the muscle strength of the lower extremities, and the spatiotemporal gait parameters in paretic limbs were evaluated before and after the training period. The results showed that the experimental group experienced more significant increases than did the control group in terms of passive (6.10%) and active (21.96%) ROM of the ankle, gait velocity (12.96%), and peak torque, of the knee flexor (81.39%), the knee extensor (24.88%), and the ankle plantar flexor (41.75%)(p<.05). These results suggest that MWM training in patients with chronic stroke may be beneficial in increasing ROM in the ankle, muscle strength in the lower extremities, and gait speed.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high heeled shoes with the total contact insert (TCI) on the frontal plane of the joints for the lower extremity during the gait. Ten healthy females voluntarily participated in this study and the height of the high heeled shoes was 7 cm. A three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the angle value on the event of the gait cycle in the maximum eversion and inversion of the ankle joint, the varus and valgus of the knee joint, and the adduction and abduction of the hip joint (p>.05). But, there was a significant difference or the range of motion in the ankle joint (p<.05). The value of ankle and knee moment with a TCI was less than the value for no TCI. And there were significant differences for the moment value of the maximum inversion and eversion on the ankle joint and for the maximum varus and valgus on the knee joint (p<.05). Therefore, a TCI would be effective in stabilizing the joints of the lower extremities and increasing the balance of a body to reduce the injure from a fall during the gait.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variations in gait parameters in terms of the type of arm sling used in hemiplegic patients. Ten patients with hemiplegia and ten healthy adults participated in this study and walked at self-selected speeds on a GAITRite-instrumented carpet. The activities of the opposite shoulder girdle muscle including the latissimus dorsi, anterior deltoid, and posterior deltoid were simultaneously recorded using surface EMG during gait. They were randomly assigned a condition: without an arm sling, a single strap arm sling, a Harris hemi arm sling, a Rolyan humeral cuff arm sling, and a Bobath roll arm sling. The following gait variables were analyzed: the temporo-spatial parameters of velocity, step length, stride length, swing phase, stance phase, single support, step time and toe in/toe out. The statistical analysis was one-way ANOVA with repeated measures to compare the variation of each variable. In comparison of parameters in each trial in the hemiplegia group, the non-affected side stride length, single support, and toe in/toe out resulted in statistically significantly changes (p<.05). But without an arm sling group did not show any gait parameter differences with arm slings. This study found that several arm slings varied gait patterns in patients with hemiplegia and in healthy adults. In the EMG analysis, the Rolyan humeral cuff arm sling and the Bobath roll arm sling were higher muscle activity for the latissimus dorsi muscle than did the single strap ann sling. Further study should examine the problems that appeared in patients who worn arm slings by focusing on a larger number of subjects and by studying the variety of responses in more detail using an assessment tool that measures variation.

These were two main purposes of this study. The first was to research the relevance between gross motor function measurement (GMFM) and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with cerebral palsy. The second was to research the relevance between gross motor performance measure (GMPM) and the spatiotemporal gait parameters. Twelve children ( years) with cerebral palsy participated in this study. GMFM and GMPM were performed and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured by using WalkWay MG-1000. There were no significant correlations between the GMFM score and the stride length, step length, step width, cadence, and velocity (p>.05). The GMPM score also had no significant correlation with the spatiotemporal gait parameter (p>.05).

본 연구는 하퇴의지 착용자와 정상 성인간의 시간-거리, 운동형상학 변수를 조사하고 비교하기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구 대상자는 외상으로 인한 하퇴 절단자로서 내골격식 하퇴의지를 착용하고 독립적으로 보행이 가능한 20명과 연령, 신장으로 짝짓기한 대조군(matched control group) 20명이 참여하였다. 보행분석은 Vicon Clinical Manager Software (VCM)를 내장한 PC에 5개의 카메라가 연결되어 있는 Vicon 512

This study examined the correlations among the Berg Balance Scale, which is a clinical tool used to evaluate balance ability, spatiotemporal parameters of gait, and falling; determined the parameters most closely related to falling; and identified a discriminatory parameter and its predictability. Thirty-four subjects aged 72 to 92 years participated in this study. Following a questionnaire survey about falling, the Berg Balance Scale and spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured. The results revealed that the incidence of falls increased with aging and an accompanying reduction in the flexion range of motion of the hip joint. The gait characteristics of elderly people who fell easily included a slower walking speed, shorter stride, and longer stance time than other elderly. When the cutoff score was set at 45, the Berg Balance Scale was able to identify correctly those individuals who truly have experience of falling than when the cutoff score was set at 39. But when the cutoff score was set at 39, the scale's specificity identifying correctly those individuals who truly have not experience of falling was higher than at the cutoff score of 45. Therefore, the Berg Balance Scale is an appropriate screening method in a clinical setting for the early detection of elderly people at risk of falling. In conclusion, elderly people with a Berg Balance Scale score. below 45 are the most likely to fall owing to their decreased balance ability.

This paper presents the relevance between GMFM and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with cerebral palsy. Twenty-one children ( months) with cerebral palsy participated in this study. GMFM was performed and spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured by foot print gait analysis. A correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between GMFM scores and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. A linear regression analysis was employed to find how much each gait spatiotemporal parameters could be predicted from GMFM scores. The total GMFM scores was significantly correlated with walking speed, cadence, and stride length. Dimensions D (standing) and E (walking, running, and jumping) were more significantly correlated with gait spatiotemporal parameters than dimensions A (lying and rolling), B (sitting), and C (crawling and kneeling). The GMFM scores were useful for predicting spatiotemporal parameters. However, it is difficult to predict the status of gait development using GMFM scores because GMFM scores and gait spatiotemporal parameters are only measured as quantities not qualities. In the field, it is easily found that many children with cerebral palsy are unable to walk in any way. Consequently, gait analysis cannot be performed in many cases. Therefore, it is more reasonable to investigate the influence of GMFM on spatiotemporal parameters, rather than vice versa.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of anterior walker and posterior walker on gait parameters and body alignment of children with cerebral palsy. The intraclass correlation coefficient was .99 for intertester reliability. Intratester reliability was between .96 and .99. The use of posterior walker increased gait velocity and facilitated more upright posture. The measurement of joint angle program was found to be reliable to measure range of motion. This study has a limitation of generalizing the results to all children with cerebral palsy. Research is required to investigate the effect of posterior walker on energy efficiency.