• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises on craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles in patients with rotator cuff injury. METHODS: This study enrolled 19 patients with rotator cuff injury, and ten and nine of the patients were randomly placed in abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups, respectively. After pain treatment in each group, breathing exercise was conducted thrice a week for four weeks. The patients were recorded by using a digital camera and Image J (version 1.46, National Institutes of Health, USA), an angle measurement program, was used to analyze changes in the craniovertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and sagittal shoulder posture. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the craniovertebral angle were found in both the abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercise groups (p<.05). A significant difference in cranial rotation angle was found in the thoracic expansion exercise group only (p<.05). No statistically significant differences in sagittal shoulder posture were found in both groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Although abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises did not effectively change sagittal shoulder posture, the exercises were effective in improving craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles. Therefore, abdominal breathing and thoracic expansion exercises are suggested as effective exercise programs for forward head posture.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.176-191
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the eccentric exercise induced delayed muscle soreness on proprioception, muscle strength, muscle fatigue, and muscle pain of the elbow flexor muscles. Thirty one healthy male subjects were participated in this study. Before resisted eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors and immediately and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-exercise, pain threshold, proprioception, tension tracking, initial median frequency, and fatigue index were measured. Pain pressure threshold and visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure muscle pain. Proprioception of the elbow joint was measured by using 3 dimension motion analysis system. Maximum isometric contraction was measured by using digital tensiometer. Electromyography and power spectrum analysis was used to measure initial median frequency (IMF) and fatigue index (FI). Immediately post-exercise, a significant decrease pain threshold was observed that continued to 5 days post-exercise. VAS score was significantly increased at 1 and 3 days post-exercise compared to that of immediately post-exercise. Maximum isometric contraction, IMF, tension tracking ability of the exercised elbow joint were significantly decreased at 1, 3, and 5 days post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. FI was significantly increased at 1 and 3 days post-exercise compared that of pre-exercise. Proprioception sense of exercised elbow joint was significantly decreased immediately and at 1, 3, and 5 days post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. Proprioception sense of the contralateral elbow joint was significantly decreased immediately post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. However, proprioception sense that was measured in close chain kinematic position was not significantly difference between pre-exercise and post-exercise. These results could be useful to determine the resume time for exercising and participating sports activities.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe the pain relief effect of moxibustion therapy in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome(CRPS). Methods : A male with type I CRPS, 48-year-old, who suffered from severe pain and paresthesia on his legs despite of treatments of oral medications and spinal cord stimulation was treated by indirect moxibustion following Korean medicine dianosis. Total 20 moxibustion treatments(once daily, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks) were given on the 4 acupoints(both side) where known to be effective fro the CRPS. Visual analogue scale(VAS), digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI), Beck depression index(BDI) were evaluated before and after the treatments. Pain relief, thermal changes on affected legs, and improvement of depression scale were observed after the treatments. Results : As for DITI, right thigh showed low temperature compared with left on before the treatments. While after the treatments, DITI showed similar temperature in both legs at discharge day. Conclusions : Though it is a case report, moxibustion therapy might have pain relief effect. Further rigorous case series and controlled trials are warranted.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.11-20
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• 1996

In this paper, the characteristics of therapy radiation diode sensors have been studied by using therapy radiation from the MM22 microtron accelerator. The linearity, reproducibility and error ratio were measured for feasibility as a radiation detector. Energy dependence, sensitivity change after a amount of irradiation and output value according to a number of diodes were also measured for same purpose. We have formed pulse shaping of diode signal with nuclear instruments for portal image reconstruction. The percent depth dose ratio according to field size and depth was compared with that of the detector of a ion chamber. Using thirteen silicon diodes, we can directly read diode outputs on a computer monitor after A/D conversion with 16 channels analog to digital conversion board with 12 bit resolution. The possibility for portal image with diodes has been suggested from output comparison between output value with a human phantom and that without a human phantom.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of leg lift difference on the serratus anterior muscle and the upper trapezius muscle when a subject with winged scapula performs a scapula protraction exercise in a four-leg crawling posture. Method: Twenty normal adults and 20 subjects with winged scapula participated in the experiment. Surface EMG recordings were collected from serratus anterior muscle and back trapezius muscle during scapula protraction exercises. Scapular winging is measured with the lifting distance of scapula retraction to the back using an electronic digital caliper. In two groups of four-leg crawling posture, the two legs support, the dominant leg lifting, and the non-dominant leg lifting, including the scapula protraction, were performed. To examine the difference between groups in the variance analysis, the Bonferroni correction was used (significance level ${\alpha}=.017$). Statistical significance level ${\alpha}$ was .05. Results: There was a significant difference in serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle during push-up plus exercise in leg lifting in four-leg crawling posture, but there were no significant differences in muscle activity between serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle, and there was no significant difference according to the presence or absence of scapular winging. Conclusion: For the shoulder stability of the ipsilateral side with the serratus anterior muscle, the leg-lifting posture is effective in the four-leg crawling, and also when a subject with winged scapula chooses an exercise, lifting the ipsilateral side of leg with scapula protraction exercises at the same time may have a positive effect on scapula dysfunction.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2022

Background: This study was to determine whether the diaphragmatic breathing exercise using a DiP Belt(Diaphragmatic Pressure Belt) is effective in increasing the diaphragmatic motion and forced vital capacity. Design: Pretest-Posttest design. Methods: A total of 44 subjects(15 male, 29 female) participated in this study. All subjects were measured the diaphragmatic motion with a sonography and the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC) was measured with a digital spirometer. After 4 weeks, the subjects were intervened the diaphragmatic breathing exercise using a DiP belt and were remeasured for diaphragm motion and FVC. Results: After exercise intervention, quiet breathing significantly increased with the change in diaphragmatic motion and showed a moderate effect size (p<.01, Cohen's d = -0.53). In addition, it was significantly increased in deep breathing and showed a high effect size (p<.001, Cohen's d = -1.32). The mean diaphragmatic contraction pressure increased, but there was no significant difference and the peak diaphragmatic contraction pressure increased significantly (p<.05). Both diaphragmatic contraction pressure showed small effect sizes (respectively Cohen's d = -0.28, -0.33). In spirometry, FVC, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁), and FEV₁/FVC% all increased, but there was no significant difference. Only peak expiratory flow increased significantly and showed a small effect size (p<.05, Cohen's d = -0.41). Conclusion: The DiP belt diaphragmatic breathing exercise that the principle of visual feedback can correct diaphragm breathing in a short time, so it is a useful breathing exercise device that can help the diaphragm breathing exercise in the right way in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ultra-thin microcurrent patch application on pain, tenderness, trunk flexion, and trunk extension in patients with back pain. Design: pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: Thirty men and women diagnosed with chronic back pain were classified into 15 microcurrent application groups and 15 placebo groups. Changes in pain were observed on a visual analog scale, tenderness was observed with a digital tenderness meter, and changes in trunk flexion and trunk extension angles were evaluated with a posture analyzer. The paired t-test was used to see the changes within each group before and one week after the experiment, and the independent t-test was used to see the change in the difference between the groups, and the significance level was 0.05. Results: In both the experimental group and the control group, there was a significant difference in pain within and between groups(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there were significant differences in the intra- and inter-group changes in the erector spinae muscle tenderness and low back pain disorder index(p<0.05). In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change in trunk flexion and extension within the group(p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the application of ultra-thin microcurrent was effective for pain, tenderness, and movement of back extension in patients with low back pain. It is expected that it will be used as a basic data for microcurrent therapy and as a treatment method for improving the function of patients with back pain in the future.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2023

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Thermal stimulation combined virtual reality training (TV) on improvement of upper extremity AROM and function in patient with chronic stroke. Design: Two groups pre-post randomized controlled design. Methods: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly allocated two groups; the TV group (n=15) and Virtual Reality training group (VT) (n=15). The TV group received treatment for 30 min - 15 min of Thermal stimulation, and 15 min of VR training. The VT group received 15 min of VR training. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome upper extremity AROM and function were measured by a active range of motion test, Manual Function Test (MFT) and Jebsen-Taylor hand function Test (JTT). The upper extremity active range of motion was evaluated using a digital dual inclinometer. MFT and JTT were used to evaluate the hand function. The measurement were performed before and after the 8 weeks intervention period. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in muscle strength and upper extremity function during intervention period. TV group revealed significant differences in AROM and upper extremity function as compared to the VT groups (p<.05). Our results showed that TV was more effective on upper extremity AROM and function in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in muscle strength and upper extremity function during intervention period. TV group revealed significant differences in AROM and upper extremity function as compared to the VT groups (p<.05). Our results showed that TV was more effective on upper extremity AROM and function in patients with chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.103-113
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration stimulation on proprioception and tactile in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was conducted on 9 children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. Of the single case study methods, the ABAB design was employed in this study. Out of a 12-week study period, three weeks were allocated to each of two baseline periods and two intervention periods. The exercise was performed twice a week for 30 minutes. A general trunk stabilization exercise was performed during the baseline period and a trunk stabilization exercise accompanied with whole-body vibration was performed during the intervention period. Evaluation was performed five times in total: before the experiment, after baseline 1, after intervention 1, after baseline 2, and after intervention 2. To determine the effect of the exercise method, a skin sensory evaluation tool (monofilament kit) and a trunk proprioception sensor (digital dual inclinometer) were used. To compare the effects of the exercises at baseline and after intervention, an analysis of variance on repeated measures (repeated ANOVA) was performed to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant increases from baseline in the means of proprioception and tactile during the intervention period with whole-body vibration (p <.05). Conclusion: Whole-body vibration can be proposed as an effective intervention method for improving the proprioception and tactile in children with spastic cerebral palsy, and this exercise method is expected to be actively used in clinical practice.