• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.321-327
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the crocodile breathing exercise on the muscle activity of the erector spinae muscle in patients with low back pain. Methods: The study subjects included 36 patients with low back pain. The patients were divided equally into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). The EG performed the crocodile breathing exercise, and the CG performed a chest expansion breathing exercise. The intervention was conducted for 10 minutes each day for a total of eight weeks. Measurements of muscle activity were conducted using an MP150 system. An electrode was attached 2 cm to the side of the spinous process at the L4-L5 level. The muscle activity value used was %MVIC, and the statistical significance was 0.05. The paired t-test was the statistical method used to determine the pre- and post-average value of each breathing exercise, while the independent t-test was used to assess the delta value of muscle activity in the pre-post test. Results: Inspiration muscle activity showed a significant increase in both the EG and the CG, while expiration muscle activity decreased significantly in both groups. The delta value of muscle activity showed a significant difference in inspiration (p<0.05), but for expiration, there was no significant difference in muscle activity (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that crocodile breathing is a good method for improving muscle activity in patients with low back pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2024

Purpose : People who have suffered from COVID-19 suffer from decreased pulmonary function and various side effects. This study aims to present three respiratory exercise intervention methods to improve pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this study will investigate the effects of breathing exercise interventions (aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathe exercise, and inspiratory muscle training on resistance) on pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Methods : The subjects who participated in this study were 35 male and female college students confirmed with COVID-19. All subjects were randomly assigned to A, D, and I groups according to breathing exercise intervention method. Groups A, D, and I each performed aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathing exercise, and inspiratory muscle training on resistance, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pulmonary function was measured using a spirometer, and FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in one second), FEV₁/FVC % (forced expiratory volume in one second / forced vital capacity ratio), and PEF (peak expiratory flow) were measured at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. Data analysis was compared by repeated measures analysis of variance, and post hoc tests for time were compared and analyzed using paired t-tests. Results : In the results of this study, FVC values showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. FEV₁ values also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. And the FEV₁/FVC % value also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. And the PEF values also showed statistically significant improvement in all groups. Conclusion : The results of this study reported that aerobic exercise, diaphragm breathing exercise, and resistance inspiratory muscle training were all effective in improving pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors. Therefore, application of the three breathing exercise intervention methods presented in this study will help improve pulmonary function in COVID-19 survivors.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2024

Objective: The study analyzed the awareness of physical therapists regarding correct breathing methods and the effect of breathing training on patients. Design: A cross-sectional survey study. Methods: Physical therapists who agreed to participate in the study, held a license as a physical therapist, and had training or experience in breathing were included as subjects. A total of 136 questionnaires were collected, out of which 129 were analyzed. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items, divided into several sections covering awareness of breathing methods, breathing and muscles, breathing and mind, breathing and movement, perception of mouth breathing and nose breathing, experience applying respiration as a treatment, perception of breathing and treatment, awareness of breathing and pain, awareness of breathing and chronic diseases and prevention, perceptions related to breathing and sleep, and educational background. Results: The study found that most therapists were aware of diaphragmatic breathing, but not Lamaze breathing. 76.7% claimed to that there is a correct breathing method, and the majority were aware of the reasons for correct breathing. The majority believed in the therapeutic effect of breathing, with core exercise breathing training being the most commonly used in therapy. 81.7% of therapists had taught a specific breathing method to a patient, and diaphragmatic breathing was the most provided treatment. There was no significant difference in perception according to clinical experience, but there was a significant difference in perception according to educational background. Conclusions: The study provided clinical background on Physical Therapists' belief on correct breathing method, and uses of breathing training during treatment. The results suggest there is a need for a coherent education on breathing method and techniques among Physical Therapists.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to examine the changes in the trunk control ability and hand grip when the abdominal draw-in maneuver using breathing was applied to stroke patients, and provide basic data regarding the trunk stabilization exercise. METHOD: After randomly placing patients in group I-applying the existing abdominal draw-in exercise and group II -applying the abdominal draw-in exercise using breathing, the intervention program was performed ten times per set (five sets per session), once a day, four times a week, for a total of four weeks. For the pre-tests before the intervention, trunk damage and hand grip were measured. After the four weeks of intervention, post-tests were conducted in the same way as the pre-tests for analyzing the study results. RESULTS: Both groups had significant differences in trunk control ability and hand grip (p < .05). The comparison between the two groups showed, significant differences only in the trunk control a ability(p < .05). CONCLUSION: The abdominal draw-in exercise using breathing led to the efficient contraction of abdominal muscles, which implies this is a more effective intervention to improve the trunk control ability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1981-1991
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• 2020

Background: Although various exercises have been performed for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the effects of these exercises including joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) have not been compared. Objective: To compare the effects of joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Methods: Thirty-six patients with chronic low back pain who were undergoing rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: joint mobilization group (JMG; n=12), gym ball exercise group (GBG; n=12), and breathing exercise group (BEG; n=12). The exercises were performed for 40 minutes a day, twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in FRR between the three groups (P>.05). Significant decreases in the modified visual analog scale (MVAS) scores after intervention between the groups were found (P<.05). The GBG was significantly decreases from the JMG in the MVAS (P<.05). However, there were significant improvements between the pre- and post-interventional findings on FRR and MVAS in the three groups (P<.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated that intervention using joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises improve FRP and pain in patients with CLBP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2015

Impaired respiratory function is common in patients with stroke. The purpose of this study were to investigate the effectiveness of exercises and to assess forced vital capacity and peak cough flow after completion of neck stabilizing and respiratory reeducation exercises (combining diaphragmatic breathing and pursed-lip breathing exercises). The 45 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group 1 ($n_1=15$), experimental group 2 ($n_2=15$), and a control group ($n_3=15$). All subjects performed conservative physical therapy for 30 minutes. Experimental group 1 undertook the neck stabilizing exercise and the respiratory reeducation exercise. Experimental group 2 undertook the respiratory reeducation exercise. Additional exercise did not exceed 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. The subjects were assessed for deep neck flexor thickness and breathing function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, and manual assisted peak cough flow) at pre-post value. The results of this study were as follows. Experimental group 1 showed a significant increase only in deep neck flexor thickness change rate (p<.05). All groups showed significant increases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak expiratory flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed an increase in manual assisted peak cough flow in pre-post measurement (p<.05). There was no significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2, but experimental group 1 improved more than experimental group 2 in respiratory function as a whole. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the neck stabilizing exercise in combination with the respiratory reeducation exercise can improve forced vital capacity and peak cough flow in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2021

This study examined the effect of the respiratory training centered at forced breathing exercise of blowing out a candle on the improvement of adults' respiratory ability, which means the increased muscle strength of body trunk. After the four-week candle-blowing breathing training, the forced vital capacity (FVC) increased statistically significantly (p<.05). The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) did not show a statistically significant difference before and after the four-week intervention(p>.05). The peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) statistically significantly increased after the four-week blowing-out-the-candle training (p<.05). This study examined the relationship between forced breathing training and pulmonary function of healthy adults including FVC, FEV1, and PEF, which means the increased muscle strength of body trunk, by implementing blowing-out-the-candle breathing exercise centered at forced respiratory exercise and obtained significant results. Further studies that use a sample of patients with advanced respiratory system disease for whom physical therapy is absolutely necessary will be required in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.89-94
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• 2015

Purpose : This study was analyzed to researched the improvement of the posture and breathing ability on correction method of posture and breathing exercise in Forward Head Posture(FHP) Method : Eighten forward head posture subjects participated in this study. The control group applied to correction method of posture and the experiment group applied to correction method of posture with breathing exercises. Results : The results showed significant improvement in Craniovertebra-Angle on each two group(P<0.05). All the other result showed non-significant in respiratory(Tidal volume, Expiratory residual volume, Inspiratory residual volume) But value of result is slightly improved in after exercise. Conclusion : CVA angle is increased in each group but not increased between experiment group and control group. Total Volume(TV), Inspiratory Reserve Volume(IRV) and Expiratory Reserve Volume(ERV) are a little increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2006

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of lumbar paraspinal muscles of normal healthy people. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Methods : Sixty male college students ranging 19 to 34 years were screened and % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on the four positions of back extension exercise was compared during the pre and post of inspiration of diaphragmatic breathing. Results : 1. % MVC of right and left erector spinae had the statistically significant difference between pre and post inspiration of diaphragmatic breathing in the dynamic right arm and left leg extension position(p<0.05). 2. % MVC of right and left erector spinae had the statistically significant difference between pre and post inspiration of diaphragmatic breathing in the dynamic left arm and right leg extension position(p<0.05). 3. % MVC of right and left erector spinae had the statistically significant difference between pre and post inspiration of diaphragmatic breathing in the static lying prone extension position(p<0.05). 4. % MVC of right and left erector spinae had the statistically significant difference between pre and post inspiration of diaphragmatic breathing in the static lying on prone position(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study will be used as the purpose of data collection of lumbar paraspinal muscles on diaphragmatic breathing and be introduced as the new therapeutic intervention for management of patients with back pain.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1393-1397
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combined respiratory physical therapy on respiratory function, spinal curve and spinal mobility for community-dwelling elderlies with restrictive lung diseases. In total, 10 patients participated in an 8-week intervention program of thoracic cage mobilization and breathing exercise in combination. The results of the study are as follows: for respiratory function, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity(FVC), and FEV1/FVC were significantly improved to $.30{\pm}0.31{\ell}$, $.46{\pm}.42{\ell}$, and $18.10{\pm}11.39%$, respectively (p<.05). For spinal curve, the thoracic curve and the lumbar curve were improved significantly to $-2.20{\pm}1.40^{\circ}$ and $-1.20{\pm}1.14^{\circ}$, respectively (p<.01). For spinal mobility, the thoracic flexion ($3.40{\pm}2.99^{\circ}$), thoracic extension ($3.50{\pm}1.43^{\circ}$), lumbar flexion ($4.50{\pm}4.74^{\circ}$), and lumbar extension($-1.50{\pm}1.84^{\circ}$) were all significantly improved (p<.05). These findings indicate that thoracic cage mobilization and breathing exercise in combination improve the respiratory function, spinal alignment, and spinal mobility in elderly people with restrictive lung diseases.