Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of action observation on walking performance and its clinical feasibility for treatment of hemiparetic stroke.[Subjects] The subjects of the study were 30 stroke patients.[Methods] They were randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (n=15) which used the action observation training and the control group (n=15) which did no exercise. [Result] The results indicate that step length (cm), stride length (cm), single support time (%), double support time (%), gait velocity (m/s), and cadence (steps/min) significantly improved in the experimental group. In contrast, in the control group, the results indicate that step length, stride length, single support time, double support time, gait velocity, and cadence did not significantly change. There were significant differences in step length, stride length, single support time, double support time, gait velocity, and cadence between the experimental group and the control group after the intervention of action observation.[Conclusion] These findings suggest that the action observation can enhance the walking performance of patients with post stroke hemiparesis.

Abstract.[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the lung capacity when a balloon-blowing exercise was used to increase patients' lung function.[Subjects] The subjects of the study were 30 young smokers. [Methods] Subjects were randomly divided two groups; The experimental group (n=15) performed a balloon-blowing exercise. The control group (n=15) performed no exercise.[Result] The results indicate that VC, ERV, IRV, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF significantly improved in the experimental group. In contrast, VC, ERV, IRV, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF did not significantly change in the control group. There were significant differences in VC, ERV, IRV, FVC, and FEV1 between the experimental group and the control group after the performance of the balloonblowing exercise.[Conclusion] These findings suggest that the balloon-blowing exercise has positive effects on lung function.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of home-based auditory stimulation on walking performance and to determine its clinical feasibility for chronic hemiparetic stroke patients.[Subjects] The subjects of this study were 20 chronic stroke patients.[Methods] The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=10) used over the ground gait training with a metronome beat, and the control group (n=10) which performed over the ground gait training.[Result] The affected side single support time, affected side single support time ratio, and gait velocity of both groups were significantly improved when compared with their respective values before the experiment. Affected side stride length, non-affected side stride length, and stride length ratio of the experimental group were significantly different between before and after the experiment. Comparison of the spatial-temporal gait parameters and symmetry ratios between the experimental group and the control group after the exercise showed a significant difference in affected stride length, non affected stride length, stride length ratio, affected single support time, non affected single support time, single support time ratio, and gait velocity.[Conclusion] These findings suggest that the home-based auditory stimulation training more effectively improves the walking performance of chronic stroke patients than gait training without auditory stimulation.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of stair gait exercise on the static balance ability of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The thirty stroke patients who participated in this experiment were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=15) or control (n=15) group. The experimental group performed stair gait exercise for 30 minutes, while the control group performed flat surface gait exercise for 30 minutes. The programs lasted four weeks, with both groups performing the exercises three times per week for 30 minutes each time. The stability balance ability of subjects was measured and compared before and after the interventions. [Results] The results of the experimental group showed a significantly different values, but those of the control group did not. Between-group comparison of changes in the anterior/posterior length in the limit of stability revealed significant increases in the experimental group but no significant increase in the control group. Only the surface area ellipse of Romberg, the length of Romberg, and length/area of Romberg showed significant differences between the two groups after the interventions. [Conclusion] The static balance ability improved in the group that performed the stair gait exercise. This study provides important data for identifying the recovery of balance ability through rehabilitation exercises in patients with nervous system diseases.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the effects of high-frequency current therapy on the abdominal obesity levels of young women. [Subjects] Twenty-two women with abdominal obesity were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n1 = 10) or a control group (n2 = 12). [Methods] The experimental group subjects received high-frequency current therapy for the abdominal region 3 times per week for 6 weeks (a total of 18 sessions). Outcome measures were waist circumference, body mass index, and body composition data (abdominal obesity rate, subcutaneous fat mass, and body fat percentage). [Results] Significant main effects of time in the waist circumference, abdominal obesity rate, subcutaneous fat mass, and body fat percentage were found. Significant time-by-group interactions were found for waist circumference, abdominal obesity rate, subcutaneous fat mass, and body fat percentage. [Conclusion] The use of the high-frequency current therapy may be beneficial for reducing the levels of abdominal obesity in young women.