• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 2024

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy to patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Twenty-six patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (n=13) and the control group (n=13). The two groups performed the muscle energy technique and for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, in 70-minute sessions. Pain, range of motion, function, and muscle performance were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer, neck disability index (NDI), and stabilizer pressure biofeedback, before and after training. Results: After four weeks of therapy, the VAS (p<.001), NDI (p<.01), and the maximum strength of the deep neck flexion muscles significantly decreased (p<.01) and CROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and therapeutic modalities such as cervical traction are effective in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing CROM and muscle performance in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the difference in muscle activity of the trunk and legs during flat walking with or without an abdominal drawing-in maneuver. METHODS: This study was conducted on 15 healthy males and eight females who were attending D University in Busan. This experiment was conducted after 15 minutes of abdominal drawing-in training using a pressure biofeedback unit before the experiment, and the difference in the muscle activity of the trunk and legs during flat walking with or without an abdominal drawing-in technique was investigated. Surface electromyography was used, and the electrode attachment site was the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, splenius capitis muscle, rectus abdominis muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle, transverse abdominis muscle, erector spinae muscle, vastus medialis muscle, and vastus lateralis muscle (TM DTS, Noraxon, USA). The data were analyzed statistically using a paired t-test on SPSS version 18.0 (IBM). RESULTS: The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle, transverse abdominis muscle, vastus medialis muscle were increased significantly and maintained more than walking without maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (p < .05). Moreover, muscle activity of the erector spinae muscle was decreased significantly and maintained more than walking without maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver during flat walking is more effective during walking training.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2007

Human can learn how to shape their brain electrical activity in a desired direction through continuous feedback of the electroencephalogram (EEG), and this technique is known as Neurofeedback (or EEG biofeedback), which has been used since the late 1960s in clinical applications. In this study, a portable wireless EEG (named wEEG) has been designed and implemented, which consists of a mobile station (a wireless two-channel EEG acquisition device) and a base station (a bridge between mobile station and computer). Moreover, a SensoriMotor Rhythm (SMR) training system was also implemented with the wEEG for enhancing attention with virtual environment. Experiment results based on 16 volunteers' (8 females and 8 males, average age is $27{\pm}4$) were reported in this paper. The results show that the SMR ratio of 87.5% subjects increased about 0.7% in training status than that in the stable status. With the proposed system, many training protocol scan be designed easily and can be done at home in our daily life conveniently. Additionally, the proposed system will be useful for disabled and aged people.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Background: This study examined the effects of cervical traction group and cervical traction & nerve mobilization exercise group after applying conservative physical therapy to Computer Workers with Cervical Radiculopathy. Methods: They were randomly divided into two groups: 18 subjects were cervical traction group, 22 subjects were cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Cervical extensor muscles strength (CEMS) was measured by the Pressure biofeedback unit. Grasping power (GP) was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Results: After 4 weeks therapy, VAS and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.05) and CEMS and GP were significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group is more effective than cervical traction group for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing GP in computer workers with cervical radiculopathy.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2001

The relaxation response is a state of profound rest, creates physiological responses directly opposite to the stress response. The relaxation response can be used to counteract the harmful effects of stress. The relaxation response can be elicited by a number of techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, biofeedback, etc. These relaxation methods in any mental or physical conditions associated with distress and even in normal people have useful benefits for stress control and health enhancement. These relaxation techniques are but one part of a comprehensive stress management program, through regular and continuous practice appropriate for each person, they will make an effective role in stress management. In this review, author reviewed how to practically use meditation, progressive muscle relaxation and autogenic training, in more detail. In the treatment of various stress-related disease, especially in psychiatric disorders, the relaxation technique may be a useful complement to conventional treatment and serves as an intervention between stress and disease.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.105-124
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• 2002

With the progress of civilization, the disorders due to the stress, which derived from the social-structural complexity and diversity, are on an increasing trend in our times. Accordingly, the accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for them are required. Especially in the current years, children's disorders delivered by the emotional problems keep increasing. In this research, the researcher tried to figure out the cause of the children's stress and its treatment, studied the theories of the stress in the modem medicine and the sever emotions in oriental medicine, and came to the conclusion as follows: 1. The stress can be defined as the combination of the reaction to noxious stimuli and its defense mechanism of the body, In oriental medicine, it is considered as pathological notions which includes seven emotions as the internal factor, six evils as the external factor and other foods, expectoration, ecchymoma as the non-internal/external factors. 2. Children usually get stressed by various reasons in a growth process such as schooling, relationship with friends, the opposite sex of family, or change of surroundings, and these can cause the various disorders. 3. In the study of the children's stress symptoms, it is found that the silent reaction is uncommon. It usually appeared in both reactions: firs, physical reactions such as stomachache, vomiting, headache, neural frequent urination, bronchial asthma or excessive respiration and/or, second, behavioral reactions such as a decline of performance, alimentary disorder, e.g. anorexia nervosa or bulimia, sleep disorder, e.g. nightmare or panic in sleep, anthrophobia, refusal to a school attendance or hyperactiveness. Besides, the peculiar mental disorder such as paroxysm of anger, tic, autism, nocturnal enuresis, lack of attentiveness, impediment in linguistic development, learning difficulty, intellectual decline, etc. can be appeared, and the heavy stress during the babyhood can cause the regression of behavior or the immaturity of formation of character. 4. The appropriate treatments for the children's stress are Osteopathy, Manpulation, Aroma Therapy, Alexander Technique, Autonomic Never Control Treatment, Biofeedback, Chiropractic, Dance Therapy, Feldenkrasis Technique, Gravity Therapy, Homepathy, Aquatherapy, Hypnotherapy, Naturopathy and Meditation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.609-614
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• 2014

Cerebellar ataxia is a steadily progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with loss of motor control, leaving patients unable to walk, talk, or perform activities of daily living. Direct motor instruction in cerebella ataxia patients has limited effectiveness, presumably because an inappropriate closed-loop cerebellar response to the inevitable observed error confounds motor learning mechanisms. Recent studies have validated the age-old technique of employing motor imagery training (mental rehearsal of a movement) to boost motor performance in athletes, much as a champion downhill skier visualizes the course prior to embarking on a run. Could the use of EEG based BCI provide advanced biofeedback to improve motor imagery and provide a "backdoor" to improving motor performance in ataxia patients? In order to determine the feasibility of using EEG-based BCI control in this population, we compare the ability to modulate mu-band power (8-12 Hz) by performing a cued motor imagery task in an ataxia patient and healthy control.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.13-26
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• 2007

Background: Neurofeedback is an electroencephalographic biofeedback technique for training individuals to alter their brain activity via operant conditioning. Also neurofeedback is a form of behavioural training aimed at developing skills for brain activity. Within the past decade, several neurofeedback studies have been published that tend to overcome the methodological shortcomings of earlier studies. This research describes the methodical basis of neurofeedback and reviews the evidence base for its clinical efficacy and effectiveness in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In neurofeedback training, self-regulation of specific aspects of electrical brain activity is acquired by means of immediate feedback and positive reinforcement. In frequency training, activity in different EEG frequency bands has to be decreased or increased. Slow cortical potentials (SCPs) training is focused on the regulation of cortical excitability. Results: Neurofeedback studies revealed training-specific effects on, for example, attention and memory processes and performance improvements in real-life conditions, in healthy subjects as well as in patients. In several studies it was shown that ADHD symptomatology was reduced after frequency training or SCP(Slow cortical potentials) training. Moreover a decrease of impulsivity errors and an increase of the contingent negative variation. Conclusions: This research provides evidence for both positive behavioural and specific neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback training. Also there is growing evidence for neurofeedback as a valuable module in neuropsychiatric disorders. Further, controlled studies are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.263-273
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• 1999

Headache is a symptom with varied etiologies and extraordinarily frequent. Headaches can be a symptom of another diseases, such as meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage or brain tumor, may represent the disease entity itself as the case in migraine. The international Headache Society criteria were the first to distinguish between primary and secondary headache disorders. When evaluating a patient who presents with headache, the physician abviously needs to identify or exclude the myriad conditions that can cause secondary headache and initial diagnostic workup should be considered. If patient meets the criteria for a primary headache disorder, treatment commonly initiated without additional neurodiagnostic tests. The headache type, its associated feature, and the duration and the intensity of the pain attack all can influence the choice of acute therapy in migraine. Pharmacologically, such as NSAIDs, combination analgesics, vasoactive antimigraineous drugs, neuroleptics, antidepressants, or corticosteroids. Other approches to managing headache include a headache diary to identify triggers, biofeedback, relaxation technique and behavioral modification. Daily preventive medication should be considered by his attack frequency and intensity, and maintained for 4 to 6 months. Tension-type headaches are distinguished between episodic and chronic tension-type headache, but physician must make sure that patient is not drug-overuse or independent during symptomatic abortive therapy or preventive medication. The most difficult headache patients to treat are those with chronic daily headache. They often have physical dependency, low frustration tolerance, sleep problems, and depression. So discontinuation of overused medication is crucial. New developments in migraine therapy are broadening the scope of abortive and prophylactic treatment choices available to the physician. The enhanced ease of the use of sumatriptan and DHE will likely increase patient compliance and satisfaction.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2001

Objectives: The experience of traffic accident is a kind of the psychosocial stressors to person. The traffic accident-related patients may show the psychophysiologic hyperarousal. So we examined the differences of psychophysiologic response between patients with and without the memory of experienceing a traffic accident. Methods: Twenty-four traffic accident-related patients were divided into two groups according to ther memory of a traffic accident. In psychological assessment, levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's Depression Inventory, and Hamilton Rating Scales For Anxiety and Depression. Heart rate, electrodermal response (EDR), and electromyographic activity (EMG) were measured by biofeedback system, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure by automated vital sign monitor during baseline, task, and rest periods. We utilized script-driven imagery technique as a stressful task. The patients listened to the script describing their own traffic accident experience and were instructed to imagine the event during the task period. Statistically analytic data were obtained from the differences of psychological and psychophysiologic data between two groups. Results: The memory group did not show significantly higher EDR than the none memory group, but showed higher tendency during baseline, imagery, and rest periods. The memory group showed significantly lower EMG than the none memory group during rest period. However, there were no differences in other psychophysiologic reponses between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that the memory group had higher tendency in autonomic arousal level such as electrodermal response than the none memory group. We suggest that physicians need to minimize repetitive imagery of traffic accident (reexperience), and decrease the autonomic hyperarousal in the treatment of traffic accident-related patients.