• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2018

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of lumbar vertebrae mobilization and lumbar stabilizing exercises on the muscle strength. Methods: The subject were sixty healthy adult(30 females. 30 males) two decade from 21 to 35. All subjects randomly assigned the control group, lumbar vertebrae mobilization group, lumbar stabilizing exercises group. lumbar stabilizing exercises group received lumbar stabilizing exercises for 30 minutes, lumbar vertbrae mobilization group received lumbar vertbrae mobilization for 4-5 minutes per day and three times a week during 3 weeks period. BIODEX was used to measure muscle strength. All measurements of each subjects were measured at pre-experiment, after 10 day, and post-experiment. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. The flexion strength test of control group, lumbar vertebrae mobilization group, lumbar stabilizing exercises group were no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p> .05), however significantly increased post-experiment(p <.05). The result of analyzed effects of flexion strength test was significantly increased accordining to experiment type(p <.05). 2. The extension strength test of control group, lumbar vertebrae mobilization group, lumbar stabilizing exercises group were no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p> .05), however significantly increased post-experiment(p <.05). The result of analyzed effects of extension strength test was significantly increased accordining to experiment type(p <.05). Conclusion: conclusionally these data suggest that a 3-week lumbar stabilizing exercises improved muscle strength. Additional randomized controlled trials to more fully investigate trement effects and factors that may mediate these effect are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.55-68
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• 2007

Object: to evaluate the effects of two different treatments-joint mobilization and therapeutic exercise on difference for length of lower limbs. Method: The subjects were participated twenty six who has difference for length of lower limbs more 10mm. All subjects randomly assigned to Joint mobilization group(n=13) and therapeutic exercise group. Joint mobilization group received joint mobilization for 2 minutes, Therapeutic exercise group received for 15 minutes per day and 3 times a week during 4 week period. Tape measure method was used to measure the difference for length of lower limbs. Biodex was used to measure the muscle power of lower limbs(Knee flexion, extension). Finger to floor test was used to measure the mobility of spinal column. All measurement of each subjects were measured at pre-experiment, after 2weeks and post-experiment. Result: The result of this study were summarized as follows : 1. Both treatment decreased difference for length of lower limbs while joint mobilization more decreased difference for length of lower limbs than therapeutic exercise. 2. Both treatment increased mobility of spinal column while joint mobilization more increased mobility of spinal column than therapeutic exercise. 3. Joint mobilization increased muscle power while therapeutic exercise decreased muscle power. Conclusion: in a group-wise comparison joint mobilization is more effective than therapeutic exercise.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Background: Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) functionally adapt to decreased postural control due to impaired processing of sensory information. Standing postural control has been the focus of recent research in CLBP. Change in postural control may be a risk factor for CLBP, although available studies are not conclusive. Objects: This study aimed to identify the role of partial weight supported treadmill training (PWSTT) in improving balance, dysfunction, and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: The study included 22 patients with CLBP. Patients in the control group ($n_1=8$) performed three 20 min stabilization exercise sessions per week, for 4 weeks. Patients in the full weight treadmill training group ($n_2=7$) performed treadmill training for 30 min after stabilization exercise. Patients in the PWSTT group ($n_3=7$) performed PWSTT with 20% of their body weight unloaded after stabilization exercises. By using the Biodex balance system, the dynamic balance abilities of the patients in the three groups were assessed in the quiet standing position under combined conditions of visual feedback (eyes open and closed) and platform stability (level 8). The Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale score were used as the main measure. Results: The results of this study showed that dysfunction and pain were significantly improved in all groups. Although dynamic postural stability with eyes closed was significantly improved only in the PWSTT group (p<.05), no significant difference was found in the other groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that PWSTT improved balance, dysfunction and pain in the patients with CLBP. Thus, this intervention is necessary for patients with CLBP with decreased postural control.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.381-385
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was to identify the relationship between the game score and muscle strength in order to elucidate whether the obtained score for the dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles in the ankle joint using an EMG-based interactive game system can reflect muscle strength as measured conventionally. Methods: Forty adults were enrolled in the present study. They had no congenital deformities, and no neurological or orthopedic disorders in the 6 months prior to the start of the study. The Biodex were used to measure the isokinetic concentric maximal strength of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles in the ankle joint. EMG electrodes were attached to the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. Results: (1) There was a positive relationship between the obtained game score by the plantar flexor (sPF) and muscle strength of the plantar flexor (tPF) and dorsiflexor (tDF). In addition, the tPF affected the sPF, but the tDF did not. Thus, the higher the tPF, the higher the sPF. (2) There was no relationship between the obtained game score of dorsiflexor (sDF) and tPF or tDF. In addition, neither the tDF or tPF affected the sDF. Conclusion: The game score had a relationship with muscle strength, which is related to ankle instability and re-impairment. Thus we suggest that this game system can be used to predict the degree of weakness of muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.355-361
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of low-dye taping on balance performance in subjects with flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers who had flexible flatfoot (age, $21.7{\pm}1.81$years; height, $164.80{\pm}7.57cm$; weight, $56.47{\pm}10.48kg$) were participated for this study. Navicular drop test was used to evaluate pronation of foot in three different conditions; non-weight bearing position without low-dye taping, weight bearing position without low-dye taping, weight bearing position with low-dye taping. And balance performance (anterio/ posterior, medial/lateral, and overall) was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System in three different conditions; one-leg standing without low-dye taping, one-leg standing with low-dye taping, and one-leg standing with low-dye taping in one week later. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess navicular height and balance performance across the three testing conditions. RESULTS: Significant and clinically meaningful improvement in navicular height was found after application of the low-dye taping. However, there was no statistically significant change in balance performance. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence to suggest that low-dye taping does not affect balance performance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.419-422
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• 2012

Purpose: Malalignment of the lower limbs may increases the difficulty of maintaining equilibrium. The purpose of this study was to study the effects of genu varum and poor posture in the sagittal plane on postural stability. Methods: We had 27 subjects with varus and 27 normal subjects participate in this study. Subjects for whom the distance between the medial epicondyles in the knee joint was more than 3 cm were classified as varus group, and subjects for whom the distance was less than 3 cm were classified as normal group. The measurements of static and dynamic stability were used overall stability index (OSI), anterioposterior stability index (APSI), and mediolateral stability index (MLSI) using a Biodex balance system. Results: When measuring the static stability index, there were significant differences in the mediolateral stability index between the varus and control groups. When measuring the dynamic stability index, there were significant differences in the overall, anteriorposterior, and mediolateral stability index between the varus and control groups. These results demonstrated that genu varum affects mediolateral movement in static stability, and overall, anterioposterior and mediolateral movements in dynamic stability. Conclusion: As genu varum affects static and dynamic stability in young adults, it increases the risk of injuries or falls. Exercise and surgery are required for realigning the genu varum. Future studies about postural stability in young children and elderly people who have a risk of falls due to lower postural control ability, are needed, as well as in young adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.414-418
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• 2012

Purpose: Muscle fatigue affects proprioception, and it causes problems in spinal stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on the accuracy of reproducing the lumbar angles before lumbar exercise and after fatiguing isokinetic lumbar exercise. Methods: Thirty healthy adults participated in this study. Before induction of fatigue by exercise, the proprioception was measured by Biodex. Lumbar positions were passively maintained on stimulation position ($25^{\circ}$ flexion and $25^{\circ}$ extension), and back to the starting position. Subjects actively repositioned the remembered stimulation position, and error degrees between the stimulation position and reposition were measured. Using an isokinetic device at $120^{\circ}$/sec of velocity of angle lumbar flexion/extension exercise resulted in muscle fatigue. The post-fatigue proprioceptive position sense was used in the same way as in pre-fatigue measurement. Results: Means of position sense of pre-fatigue were $2.19{\pm}1.97$ on flexion angle, and $5.04{\pm}2.84$ on extension angle. After exercise induced fatigue, means of position sense were $2.37{\pm}1.83$ on flexion angle, and $4.93{\pm}2.57$ on extension angle. Results of this study showed significant differences of lumbar proprioceptive position sense between pre- and post-fatigue. Conclusion: Lumbar proprioception sense in active repositioning in flexion and extension was affected in the presence of muscle fatigue. Therefore, it should be noted that therapeutic exercise for patients with abnormal proprioceptive sense or elderly people must be performed with care because muscle fatigue can cause secondary damage.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2010

Ankle-foot orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of ankle muscular activities was developed. In this study, the effectiveness of the system was investigated during plantarflexion motion of ankle joint. To find a effectiveness of the system, the subjects performed maximal voluntary isokinetic plantarflexion contraction on a Biodex-dynamometer. Plantarfexion torque of the ankle joint is assisted by subject's soleus muscle that is generated when ankle joint do plantarflexion motion. We used the muscular stiffness signal of a soleus muscle for feedback control of ankle-foot orthosis as physiological signal. For measurement of this signal, we made the muscular stiffness force sensor. We compared a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle between with feedback control and without it and a maximal plantarflexion torque between not wearing a ankle-foot orthosis, without feedback control wearing it and with feedback control wearing it in each ten elderly adults. The experimental result showed that a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle with feedback control was reduced and plantarflexion torque of an ankle joint only wearing ankle-foot orthosis was reduced but a plantarflexion torque with feedback control was increased. The amount of a increasing with feedback control is more higher than the amount of a decreasing only wearing it. Therefore, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed ankle-foot orthosis with feedback control.