Sang-Goo Ji

Which Treatment is More Effective for Functional Ankle Instability: Strengthening or Combined Muscle Strengthening and Proprioceptive Exercises?

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to implement combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to examine the effects of combined exercises on functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (Group A), a muscle strengthening exercise group (Group B), or a combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group (Group C) consisting of 10 subjects each. In Group A, measurements were only conducted before and after the experiment without any intervention, whereas the exercise programs for Group B and Group C were implemented three days per week for four weeks. [Results] Muscle strength showed significant increases in Groups B and C compared with the control group during plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. The Cumberland ankle instability tool showed significant increases in Group B and Group C compared with Group A and significant increases in Group C compared with Group B. [Conclusion] Applying combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to those who have functional ankle instability is more effective than applying only muscle strengthening exercises.

The effect of mirror therapy integrating functional electrical stimulation on the gait of stroke patients.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to examine whether mirror therapy in conjunction with FES in stroke patients can improve gait ability. [Subjects] This study was conducted with 30 subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparesis due to stroke. [Methods] Experimental group I contained 10 subjects who received mirror therapy in conjunction with functional electrical stimulation, experimental group II contained 10 subjects who received mirror therapy, and the control group contained 10 subjects who received a sham therapy. A gait analysis was performed using a three-dimensional motion capture system, which was a real-time tracking device that delivers data in an infrared mode via reflective markers using six cameras. [Results] The results showed a significant difference in gait velocity between groups after the experiment, and post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between experimental group I and the control group and between experimental group II and the control group, respectively. There were also significant differences in step length and stride length between the groups after the experiment, and post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between experimental group I and control group. [Conclusion] The present study showed that mirror therapy in conjunction with FES is more effective for improving gait ability than mirror therapy alone.

Effects of High Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Function in Subacute Stroke Patients

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of high and low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor cortical excitability and the balance function in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to either the high frequency (HF) rTMS group, or the low frequency (LF) rTMS group, with 12 subjects each. All subjects received routine physical therapy. In addition, both groups performed a total of 20 sessions of rTMS for 20 minutes, once a day, 5 times per week, for a 4- week period. In the HF rTMS group, 10 Hz rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the lesional hemisphere; and in the LF rTMS group, 1 Hz rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the nonlesional hemisphere. Motor cortex excitability was determined by motor evoked potentials, and the balance function was evaluated by use of the Balance Index (BI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), before and after the intervention. The change rate in the value of each variable differed significantly between the two groups ( p<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed between all post-test variables of the two groups ( p<0.05). In the HF rTMS, significant differences were found in all the pre- and post-test variables ( p<0.05). On the other hand, in the LF rTMS, significant difference was observed only between the pre- and post-test results of BI and BBS ( p<0.05). The findings demonstrate that HF rTMS can be more helpful in improving the motor cortical excitability and balance function of patients with subacute stroke treatment than LF rTMS, and that it may be used as a practical adjunct to routine rehabilitation.

Effects of Mental Practice in Conjunction with Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Upper Limbs of Sub-acute Stroke Patients

The aim of the present study was to examine whether mental practice (MP) in conjunction with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve the upper limb function of sub-acute stroke patients. This study was conducted with 32 subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparesis by stroke. The experimental group consisted of 16 members upon each of whom was performed MP in conjunction with rTMS, whreas the control group consisted of 16 members upon each of whom was performed MP and sham rTMS. Both groups received traditional physical therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks; additionally, they received mental practice for 15 minutes a day. The experimental group was instructed to perform rTMS, and the control group was instructed to apply sham rTMS for 15 minutes. A motor cortex excitability analysis was performed by motor evoked potentials (MEPs), and upper limb function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and the Box and Block test (BBT). Results showed that the amplitude, latency, FMA, and BBT of the experimental group and the latency, FMA, and BBT of the control group were significantly improved after the experiment (p<0.05). Significant differences were found between the groups in amplitude and latency after the experiment (p<0.05). The results showed that MP in conjunction with rTMS is more effective in improving upper limb function than MP alone.

Stroke Recovery Can be Enhanced by using Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Mirror Therapy

The aim of the present study was to examine whether mirror therapy, in conjunction with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), can improve the upper extremity function of stroke patient. This study was conducted with 35 subjects, who were diagnosed as a hemiparesis by stroke. The Mirror plus rTMS group was of 12 members who undertook mirror therapy in conjunction with rTMS, the Mirror group was of 11 members who undertook mirror therapy, and the control group was of 12 members who undertook sham therapy. A motor cortex excitability was performed by motor evoked potential, and upper limb function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and Box and Block Test. Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in terms of latency, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and control group, and between the Mirror group and control group, respectively. Significant difference was shown after the experiment in comparison of the groups in amplitude, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and Mirror group, and between the Mirror plus rTMS group and control group. Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in FMA and BBT, and as the result of post hoc test, significant difference was shown between the Mirror plus rTMS group and Mirror group, and between the Mirror group and control group. The study showed that mirror therapy in conjunction with rTMS is more effective to improve upper extremity function, than mirror therapy and sham therapy.

The Effects of Community Ambulation Training on the Gait Ability and Stroke Impact Scale in Stroke Patients

Abstract The study was conducted to determine the effect of community ambulation training and treadmill training on the gait ability and stroke impact scale in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke. Twenty-two patients with hemiplegia due to stroke were assigned to the community ambulation training group(n=11) or treadmill training group(n=11). Both groups were executed conventional treatment for 5 times per week for 6 weeks 30 minutes per session. Each group performed additional exercise for 30 minutes. Post treatment, compared to the treadmill training group, community ambulation training group showed significantly increased velocity, cadence, stroke impact scale(p<.05). These results support the perceived benefits of community ambulation training to augment on the gait ability and stroke impact scale of stroke patients. Therefore, community ambulation training is feasible and suitable for stroke patients. Key Words : Community ambulation training, Gait, Stroke * Corresponding Author : Hyun-Gyu Cha(Eulji University Hospital)Tel: +82-42-611-3648 email: niceguy-chatty@hanmail.net Received March 21, 2013 Revised April 12, 2013 Accepted June 7, 2013

Effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor cortical excitability and sensory nerve conduction velocity in subacute-stage incomplete spinal cord injury patients.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to determine whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve sensory recovery of the lower extremities in subacute-stage spinal cord injury patients. [Subjects and Methods] This study was conducted on 20 subjects with diagnosed paraplegia due to spinal cord injury. These 20 subjects were allocated to an experimental group of 10 subjects that underwent active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation or to a control group of 10 subjects that underwent sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. The SCI patients in the experimental group underwent active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and conventional rehabilitation therapy, whereas the spinal cord injury patients in the control group underwent sham repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and conventional rehabilitation therapy. Participants in both groups received therapy five days per week for six-weeks. Latency, amplitude, and sensory nerve conduction velocity were assessed before and after the six week therapy period. [Results] A significant intergroup difference was observed for posttreatment velocity gains, but no significant intergroup difference was observed for amplitude or latency. [Conclusion] repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may be improve sensory recovery of the lower extremities in subacute-stage spinal cord injury patients.

Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Motor Recovery in Lower Extremities of Subacute Stage Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to investigate whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve motor recovery in the lower extremities of the patients with subacute stage spinal cord injury (SCI). This study was conducted with 19 subjects diagnosed with paraplegia because of SCI. The experimental group included 10 subjects who underwent active rTMS, and the control group included 9 subjects who underwent sham rTMS. The SCI patients in the experimental group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, and active rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the lesional hemisphere. The SCI patients in the control group underwent sham rTMS and conventional rehabilitation therapy. The participants in both the groups received therapy five days per week for six weeks. Latency, amplitude, and velocity were assessed before and after the six-week therapy period. A significant difference in post-treatment gains for the latency and velocity was observed between the experimental and control groups (p 0.05). The results of this study indicate that rTMS may be beneficial in improving motor recovery in the lower extremities of subacute stage SCI patients.

The Effects of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Gait of Acute Stroke Patients

The aim of the present study was to examine whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve gait ability of acute stage stroke patients. This study was conducted with 39 subjects who were diagnosed as having a hemiparesis due to stroke. The experimental group included 20 subjects who underwent repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and the control group included 19 subjects who underwent sham therapy. The stroke patients in the experimental group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy and rTMS was applied daily to the hotspot of the lesional hemisphere. The stroke patients in the control group underwent sham rTMS and conventional rehabilitation therapy. Participants in both groups received therapy five days per week for four weeks. Temporospatial gait characteristics, such as stance phase, swing phase, step length in affected side, velocity, and cadence, were assessed before and after the four week therapy period. A significant difference was observed in post-treatment gains for the step length in the affected side, velocity, and cadence between the experimental group and control group ( p 0.05). We conclude that rTMS may be beneficial in improving the effects of acute stage stroke on gait ability.

Effect of Task-Oriented Exercise on the Balance in Degenerative Arthritis Patients with Total Knee Replacement

This study was conducted to compare the task-oriented exercise and weight-shifting exercise program has effectiveness on the static and dynamic balance in patients with total knee replacement. The participants were allocated randomly into 2 group : task-oriented exercise group(n