Effects of manual postural correction on the trunk and hip muscle activities during bridging exercises

Abstract

somatosensory feedback. As a result, symmetric gait become recover. Purpose:To elucidate the effect of body driven game type audiovisual biofeedback exercise on the balance ability and gait of chronic hemiplegic patients. Methods: Subjects were 28 chronic hemiplegic patients (M 16, F 12) and they were divided into an audiovisual biofeedback exercise group and a general nervous system exercise group and the two groups performed their respective exercise. In this study, kinetic and clinical balance and gait evaluation tools were applied before and after total 4 week exercise program. To evaluate dynamic balance ability, functional forward reaching tests (FFRT) and timed up and go tests (TUGT) were conducted and to evaluate static balance ability, postural stability tests and weight distribution tests were conducted using balance ability evaluation equipment. The datewere processed using the SPSS statistics program for windows by conducting Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed ranks tests which are non-parametric tests in order to verify differences of each group between before and after the exercise and conducting Mann-Whitney U tests which are again non-parametric tests in order to find out differences between the groups. Results: 1. Through the FFRT and TUGT which is a clinical balance evaluation tool, it was confirmed that dynamic balance and gait ability was improved after the exercise compared to before the exercise in both of the groups (p= .00). Through difference between the two groups, it was confirmed that dynamic balance and gait ability was improved more in the audiovisual biofeedback exercise group compared to the general nervous system exercise group (p< .05). 2. Through the postural stability and weight distribution tests, it was confirmed that static balance ability was improved only in the audiovisual biofeedback exercise group after the exercise compared to before the exercise (p< .05). 3. Through the balance ability tests following head rotations, it was confirmed that static balance ability was improved only in the audiovisual biofeedback exercise group after the exercise compared to before the exercise (p< .05). Conclusion(s): The body driven game type audiovisual biofeedback exercises are more effective in improving balance and gait ability of chronic hemiplegic patients than general nervous system exercise therapies. Implications: It is considered that in future, studies on the applications of diverse biofeedback exercises for a long time are necessary.