Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of tele-physical therapy of health and non-health majors. It can provide basic research data for the provision of medical services in the future by identifying the level of awareness of the need for tele-physical therapy and the factors that affect it. Methods: The subjects were adults aged 20 to 29 in Korea, with 199 participants consisting of 83 health majors and 116 non-health majors. The survey was conducted over a period of 14 days. The survey comprised 19 questions, including 10 questions about general characteristics and 9 questions about tele-physical therapy recognition. The results were statistically analyzed using a statistical package program. Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the recognition of tele-physical therapy, with an average of 2.64 points in health majors and an average of 1.71 points in non-health majors, showing a low overall score. There was no significant difference in perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy, with an average of 3.71 points in health majors and an average of 3.49 points in non-health majors, showing a high score, which was defined as a score of 3 or higher. Conclusion: Health and non-health majors showed low awareness of tele-physical therapy. A high level of perceived necessity for tele-physical therapy was shown. In the perception of tele-physical therapy in health majors, 'awareness', 'health improvement', and 'convenience' affect the perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy. In non-health majors, 'knowledge and skills', 'health improvement', 'expected treatment satisfaction', and 'resolving restrictions on hospital visits' affect the perception of the necessity of tele-physical therapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect on the change in muscle stiffness in the common extensor muscle (CEM) when using the spiral taping method to promote proprioception. Methods: There were 18 participants in this study. CEM stiffness was measured using a MyotonePRO device with the subject in a sitting position and according to the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm pattern. Elastic tape was used as the material for the three taping methods employed in the study: kinesiotaping (KT), right spiral taping (RST), and left spiral taping (LST). The taping methods were applied to the wrist extensor muscle with elongation position. Additionally, when performing PNF arm patterns, spiral taping in diagonal and spiral directions was used to promote CEM proprioceptors. The change in CEM stiffness was compared with the initial data values. Results: The results of this study were obtained by comparing and measuring changes in CEM stiffness using three different tapings. It was found that the stiffness change of the CEM was significant compared to the initial value, and the increase in stiffness of the CEM after RST application was also significant. Conclusion: The results of this study show that by affecting the strength and activation of the extensor muscle, taping performed through the RST method had the most positive effect on the change in CEM stiffness.

Purpose: Thisstudy aimed to identify the effect of varying the expansibility of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. Methods: Forty-five young adults with forward head posture syndrome volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to the expansibility of the elastic tape (25%, 50%, 75%). The onset time of muscle contraction for the neck extensor during neck extension was measured using an electromyographic system (Free EMG, BTS, Italy). Multivariate analysis of variance was employed to determine the effect of different expansibilities of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. When there was a statistically significant difference by MANOVA, Scheffe was used as a post-hoc test. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Results: In the comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction of varying elastic tape expansibilities and measurement times, there was a significant difference between the groups (Lt. UT, Lt. SCM, Rt. SCM) (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the interaction between the measurement time and the group, between the measurement time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In the neck extension, 75% of the tape extensibility in the Lt. UT and both SCM shortened the muscle contraction onset time.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activity of the hip abductors and the ratio between the hip abductor muscle group according to the range of hip abduction during the clam exercise. Methods: This study was conducted on 18 healthy men in their aged 20 to 29 who had not been diagnosed with spine-related diseases. The subjects performed a clam exercise without rotation of the pelvis in a state of 60° hip flexion and 90° knee joint flexion in the side-lying position. Using Myomotion equipment and EMG, the muscle activity of the hip abductor muscles and the activity ratio between the hip abductor muscle group were measured during the clam exercise by dividing the range into initial, mid-range, and terminal sections. Repeated measures analysis of variants was employed to compare the activity and use of hip abductor muscles according to range of motion during the clam exercise. Results: Gluteus medius muscle activation was significantly increased in the comparison of muscle activity in the initial, mid-range, and terminal sections of hip abduction. Tensor fasciae latae muscle activation was significantly increased in the comparison of muscle activity in all range of motion sections as well. The gluteus medius-tensor fasciae latae muscle activation ratio was significantly increased in the terminal section compared to the initial section. Conclusion: The gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae had higher muscle activities as they approached the terminal section during the clam exercise, and the hip abduction activity ratio of the gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae was higher as the range of motion approached the terminal section.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the correlation between the effects of contract-relax-antagonist-contract (CRAC) and contract-relax (CR) forms of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on balance during single-leg standing in elderly people. Methods: The participants were 20 elderly people in healthy condition and divided equally into two groups: the CRAC stretching group and the CR stretching group. Subjects were made to walk on a treadmill for 6 minutes before the stretching as a warm-up. CR and CRAC stretching were performed on the soleus. The dependent variables used to assess single-leg standing balance were overall stability(OSI), anterior/posterior(A/P) movement, and medial/lateral(M/L) movement. The statistical methods used to assess the differences between groups were verified using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: The CRAC group had significantly increased OSI, A/P and M/L after the PNF stretching intervention (p < 0.05). The CR group had significantly increased OSI and A/P after the PNF stretching intervention (p < 0.05), but M/L did not significantly increase (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in stretching between CRAC and CR (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that CR and CRAC PNF stretching improved single-leg standing balance. CARC stretching before exercise is helpful for elderly people, as it improves balance.

Purpose: Physical therapists are required to properly choose the most appropriate treatment for each patient within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF model). The aims of this study were to determine whether neurological physical therapists in clinical settings in South Korea know about the ICF model and to investigate the current trends of outcome measures (OMs) used by them. Methods: Two hundred and one physical therapists who worked with patients with neurological disorders participated in this study. The survey was conducted via e-mail and asked about commonly used OMs and the considerations for selecting OMs. Results: All physical therapists involved in this study responded completely, and 45.8% of participants learned about the ICF model, while 37.3% understood the detailed information related to the ICF model. The rest of the participants did not know or just heard about the ICF model. The most frequently used tools at the body function/structure level were the Range of Motion (98%), Manual Muscle Test (97%), Berg Balance Scale (83.1%), and Modified Ashworth Scale (70.6%) when allowing repetition. At the activity level, the 10-meter walk test (71.1%), 6-minute walk test (54.2%), and Functional Ambulatory Category (43.3%) were used, while the Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (23.9%) was used at the participation level. There was a positive relationship between the number of tools used and years of work, as well as the level of understanding of the ICF model. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to learn the ICF model in a clinical setting. In addition, the medical system needs to be modified to encourage physical therapists in South Korea to use proper OMs within the ICF model.

Purpose: Forward head posture (FHP) is known to cause pain, limit range of motion, and reduce quality of life. Joint mobilization is commonly used to correct FHP. However, no study has compared cervical, thoracic, and combined cervical and thoracic joint mobilization for FHP. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of each mobilization technique on range of motion in the sagittal plane and pain in patients with FHP. Methods: Forty-five patients were recruited and randomly divided into three groups: the mobilization group (CM; n = 15), the cervical and thoracic mobilization group (CTM; n = 15), and the thoracic mobilization group (TM; n = 15). Each intervention was performed in sets of three and repeated six times. Range of motion and pain were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The cervical range of motion was evaluated using a goniometer, and pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale and pain thresholds of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles. Results: All groups showed an increase in range of motion post-intervention, but the increase in the CTM group was significantly greater than in the CM and TM groups (p < 0.05). Pain measured using the visual analogue scale decreased in all groups, but the decreases in the CM and CTM groups were significantly greater than in the TM group (p < 0.05). The pain thresholds of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles increased in all groups, but the increase in the CTM group was significantly greater than in the CM and TM groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that CTM may be more effective than CM or TM for improving cervical range of motion in the sagittal plane and pain in patients with FHP.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three-week contract-and-relax (CR) interventions with and without reinforcement using temporal summation for flexibility and dynamic balance ability in young people with hamstring shortening. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 female college students with hamstring shortening. The participants were divided equally into two groups using stratified randomization: the CR group (CRG) and the CR with reinforcement group (CRRG). All interventions were applied three times a week for three weeks. The passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test and functional reaching test (FRT) were conducted on each participant before and after the three-week intervention. Results: In both groups, PSLR and FRT improved significantly after the three-week intervention compared to before intervention (p < 0.01). The amount of change in PSLR after the three-week intervention was significantly higher in CRRG than in CRG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Three-week CR interventions with and without reinforcement were effective in improving PSLR and FRT. To improve hamstring shortening, CR intervention with reinforcement may be more useful than CR intervention without reinforcement.

Purpose: Recently, as a result of the use of smart devices, the incidence of musculoskeletal diseases in areas such as the neck and shoulders has increased. A common effect is rounded shoulder posture, which badly affects the movement and posture of the scapula, causing musculoskeletal disease. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of three shoulder brace products on rounded shoulder posture. Methods: A total of 12 subjects comprising men and women in their 20s with round shoulder posture participated in this study. Three shoulder brace designs were selected, and the height change of the shoulder acromion in the lying state before and after wearing the braces was measured. Effectiveness verification was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The results confirmed that the different shoulder brace designs had different effects on round shoulder posture. Conclusion: Currently, numerous designs of shoulder braces are being sold, but their effects have not been verified. In the future, more diverse designs of shoulder braces should be studied, and effective shoulder brace designs should be developed and used.

Purpose: This study investigated the differences in winged scapula between the symptomatic side and asymptomatic side, the reliability of the winged scapula test, and the correlation between winged scapula and the stability of the scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Methods: Twenty-four patients with unilateral subacromial impingement syndrome participated in this study. Winged scapula was compared between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides using a scapulometer. The reliability of the scapulometer was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The correlation between winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were also obtained. Conclusion: Winged scapula was significantly greater on the symptomatic side compared with the asymptomatic side (p < 0.05). High to excellent ICCs were obtained for the winged scapula test, and SEM and MCID values were obtained for winged scapula (SEM: 0.2-0.3 cm, MCID: 0.6-0.8 cm); however, winged scapula and the results of the upper quarter Y-balance test were not correlated. Conclusion: The scapulometer is useful for measuring winged scapula in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Purpose: This study compared and analyzed the contractility of the abductor hallucis (AbdH), an intrinsic foot muscle, between flat feet and normal feet during a movement control test (single-leg small knee band test) using ultrasonography. Methods: A total of 23 subjects with (n = 11) and without (n = 12) flatfoot were included in the study. Each subject performed the short foot exercises (SFE) with a single-leg small knee bend (SLSKB) test, which is a functional movement. An ultrasound device was used to collect data regarding the changes in the contractility of the AbdH. Results: Intergroup comparison showed that dorsoplantar thickness was significantly reduced at baseline and during the SFE with SLSKB in the flatfoot group (p < 0.05). Intragroup comparison showed that the cross-sectional area significantly improved when the SFE was performed with SLSKB in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that the AbdH had inadequate contractility during the SLSKB test in subjects with flatfoot; therefore, it is important to train the contraction of the AbdH via functional movements during clinical interventions for subjects with flatfoot.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES) on walking and balance functions in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic stroke were divided into an experimental group assigned to weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES; n=10) and a control group assigned to weight-bearing training alone during FES (n=10). The patients in both groups attended physical therapy sessions five times a week for four consecutive weeks. The experimental group underwent weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES five times a week for four weeks. The control group underwent weight-bearing training during FES. Balance parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the Balancia program. Moreover, all patients were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), and the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) before and after each intervention. Results: The results showed that weight-bearing training with elastic bands during FES and weight-bearing training during FES had a significant effect on the affected side's weight-bearing ratio, BBS, TUGT, and WGS in both groups (p <0.05). Additionally, the results showed that the changes observed in the two groups indicate significant differences in path length, average speed, BBS score, TUGT time, and WGS score between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with stroke, weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES affected on walking and balance. Therefore, it is an optional intervention for the balance and walking ability of stroke patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in the contact area, maximum pressure, maximum mean pressure, and maximum force of functional insoles and general insoles when walking. Methods: Foot pressure was measured by the ignition of functional insoles and general insoles on Company N shoes. The foot pressure was measured using a precision pressure distribution meter (Pedar - X mobile system, Novel, Germany). Each insole sensor contained 99 independent cells and was inserted between the foot and the shoe. A wireless Bluetooth-type program was used to measure the pressure detected by the measuring insoles. In order to eliminate adaptation and fatigue caused by wearing the guide during the experiment, sufficient rest was taken between each experiment, and the wearing order was randomly selected. Results: Functional insole significantly increased the forefoot and midfoot (medial, lateral) (p<0.05), while total foot, forefoot, and rearfoot peak pressure significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to the general insole. Conclusion: In the functional insole, a high contact area was measured inside, even in the middle of the foot, leading to a proper change in foot pressure. It was confirmed that the contact area was reduced and dispersion occurred well. In addition, it was found that the maximum pressure in the front and back of the entire foot was reduced, so the weight pressure dispersion in the functional insole was evenly distributed, and the maximum average pressure change was similar.

Purpose: This study aims to identify the differences in the muscle activity of the ankle joint muscle depending on the type of footwear (sneakers, mule sneakers, slippers) worn while walking on a slope. Methods: The subjects wore each shoe (sneakers, mule sneakers, and slippers) and walked on an 18-degree slope at a speed of 110 beats/min. While walking, the muscle activities of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured. Of the three walking cycles, the second walking cycle was measured except for the first and third walking cycles, which are the beginning and end, and a three-minute break was taken to prevent muscle fatigue when the type of footwear was changed. Results: When walking on a slope, there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior according to the type of footwear. However, when walking on a slope, the difference in muscle medial gastrocnemius muscle activity was significant between sneakers and mule sneakers. There was also a significant difference between sneakers and slippers, but there was no significant difference between slippers and mule sneakers. Conclusion: There was no significant statistical difference between sneakers and mule sneakers, but there was a numerical difference. Therefore, the presence or absence of the shoe collar may affect the muscle activity of the medial gastrocnemius when walking on a slope. This can lead to patellofemoral pain syndrome caused by the excessive use of the quadriceps, so it must be considered that caution is needed.

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal problem that causes pain in and disability of masticatory muscles, the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ), and related structures. The purpose of this study was to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of masticatory muscles, cervical ranges of motion (ROM), and pelvic mobility during gait of subjects with or without TMD. Methods: In this study, pain thresholds and changes in the mobility of the cervical vertebrae and pelvis were measured in 25 patients with TMD and 25 healthy controls. Using a pressure algometer, the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) of the masseter and temporalis muscles were measured in both groups. A gyroscope sensor with a mobile application was used to determine cervical ROM in the frontal and sagittal planes. A 3D-motion analysis system was used to evaluate pelvic mobility in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes during gait. Results: The TMD group showed significantly decreased PPTs of masseter and temporalis muscles compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Cervical ROM in flexion, extension, and lateral bending were significantly decreased in the TMD group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, antero-posterior pelvic tilt was significantly decreased in the TMD group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that there are close anatomical and functional relationships between TMD and muscle chains related to the cervical spine and pelvis. Therefore, more comprehensive body posture assessments, especially of painful areas, should be undertaken when studying TMD patients.