• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.278-285
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• 2020

Background: Individuals with forward head posture (FHP) have neck pain. To correct the FHP, a posture correction band is commonly used. However, we do not know the posture correction band influenced the pulmonary function in individuals with FHP. Objects: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the posture correction band on the pulmonary function in young adults with neck pain and FHP and to monitor how the pulmonary function changed over time. Methods: Twenty subjects with chronic neck pain and forward head posture were recruited. Subjects performed pulmonary function test four times: before, immediately, and 2 hours after wearing the postural band, and immediately after undressing the postural band. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) were measured. The modified Borg dyspnea scale was used to measure each subject's responses to the posture correction band. The mixed-effect linear regression was used to the effect of the posture correction band over time. Results: There were no significant differences in VC, FVC, PEF, FEV1 values over time (p > 0.05), although all values slightly decreased after applying posture correction band. However, the score of the modified Borg scale significantly changed after wearing the postural bands (p < 0.05), indicating the subject felt discomfort with posture correction band during breathing. Conclusion: Because the posture correction band did not change the pulmonary function over time, but it induces psychological discomforts during breathing in people with FHP. Therefore, this posture correction band can be used for FHP realignment after discussion with the subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose was to determine whether the application of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) to stroke patients would affects their trunk stability, balance, pulmonary function, and grip strength. Methods: The subjects were 36 stroke patients who were randomly and equally assigned to an ADIM group (n=12), an AEM group (n=12), and a control group (n=12). The intervention was applied to each group three times per week, 30 minutes each time, for four weeks. Outcome measures were grip strength, modified functional reach test (mFRT) and pulmonary function. Pulmonary function were measured force expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values. Results: The results of the three groups showed statistically significant improvements in grip strength. The AEM group showed significantly greater differences in grip strength than either the ADIM group or the control group. In the anterior mFRT, the ADIM group showed significantly improvements than the control group. The ADIM and AEM groups were showed statistically significant greater improvements in PEF between the baseline and post-intervention and the post-analysis revealed that the AEM group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the ADIM and AEM were effective in improving the PEF of pulmonary function. The ADIM was more effective than AEM in trunk stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional gait and pulmonary function of patients with subacute or chronic stroke for aperiod after the onset of stroke. Healthy people of similar ages served as a control group. The study focused on the clinical importance of intervention with cardiopulmonary rehabilitation treatment in patients with stroke. Methods: The standard time period used to differentiate the subacute and the chronic stroke groups was six months. Each group, including the control, was allocated 11 subjects. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume at one second ($FEV_1$) were measured with a spirometer for each subject. Walk tests (10 m and 6 min) and functional gait tests were then conducted. Results: Significant differences were noted for VC, FVC, and $FEV_1$ between the subacute stroke group and the normal group and between the chronic stroke group and the normal group (p<0.05), but no significant difference was evident between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group (p>0.05). No significant difference was seen between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 6min walk test (p>0.05), whereas a significant difference was observed between the subacute stroke group and the chronic stroke group in the 10 m walk test (p<0.05). Conclusion: The general rehabilitation treatment is effective with respect to functional aspects, but it has limited effect in improving pulmonary function and muscular endurance. Therefore, additional intervention of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is necessary in the rehabilitation treatment process of patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of air stacking exercise on lung capacity, activities of daily living, and walking ability in elderly adults. METHODS: A total of 27 subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG=13) or a control group (CG=14). Subjects in the experimental group participated in an active pulmonary rehabilitation program. 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The active pulmonary rehabilitation program was composed of an air stacking exercise with an oral nasal mask and manually assisted coughing. Conventional pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, such as, cough exercise, deep breathing, and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises were performed by both groups. Pulmonary function parameters, peak cough flow (PCF), and oxygen saturation were measured and the 6-minute walk test and Korean version of the modified Barthel index (K-MBI) scores were applied. RESULTS: Significant intergroup differences were observed for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) results after intervention (p<.05), and for 6 minute walk test and PCF results after intervention and at 2-week follow-up visits (p<.05). Post hoc test results showed significant differences in K-MBI, 6-minute walk test, and FEV1 in the experimental group after intervention (p<.05). FVC values were significantly higher after intervention and at 2-week follow-up visits versus pre-intervention (p<.05). PCF values were also significantly higher after intervention and remained significantly higher at 2-week follow-up visits (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Air stacking exercise in elderly adults improves lung capacity and exercise tolerance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.43-52
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• 2020

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the change of the respiratory function of chronic low back pain patients after the thoracic manipulation and the trunk stability exercise on chronic low back pain patients. Methods : For this study, the group of the experiment was consisted of 44 patients suffering from the low back pain chronically. The participants were divided into two groups: the control group, which was assigned for core stabilization exercise (CSE), and the experimental group, which was randomly assigned for core stabilization exercise after thoracic manipulation (CSE+TM). Both groups carried out each assigned treatment on three times a week for 8 weeks. To study the change related to measurement variable from each test groups before and after intervention, paired t-test was performed. Further, the statistics for an intergroup comparison was analyzed by covariance analysis, ANCOVA. The measurement was conducted by the respiratory function, the respiratory function was measured by forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁). Results : As a result, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) showed significant differences not only by each groups but also between those groups before and after the test. Conclusion : In conclusion, both experiments, the core stabilization exercise and the core stabilization exercise conducted after thoracic manipulation, on chronic low back pain patients resulted in the significant level of difference in the respiratory function. This result indicates that the thoracic manipulation is an efficient treatment for improving the respiratory function for chronic low back pain patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.461-473
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of inspiratory muscle training with chest expansion exercises on pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait in individuals with stroke. Methods: The participants in this study included 36 stroke patients. These patients were randomly divided into three groups: an inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with chest expansion (CE) group (n=12), an IMT group (n=12), and a control group (n=12). Participants in the IMT with CE group underwent IMT and CE exercises 5 times per week for 30 minutes over 4 weeks, whereas those in the CE group and the control group received IMT and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for the same duration. The investigator measured the patients' pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait endurance. Results: After the intervention, the change values for the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and six-minute walk test (6MWT) in the IMT with CE group and the control group were significantly greater than those of the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, after the intervention, the change values of the FVC, FEV1, PEF, MIP, and 6MWT in the IMT with CE group were significantly greater than those in the IMT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that IMT with CE could be used to increase pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait endurance in stroke patients.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.685-693
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• 2020

Objectives: Recent data indicate that sensitization to mold contributes to the severity and persistence of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between indoor mold concentrations and pulmonary function parameters in asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Methods: Asthmatic subjects who had a positive result in skin-prick testing to more than one mold allergen, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, or Penicillium, were enrolled. Their pulmonary function and methacholine challenge test results were collected. Measurements of blood eosinophil, serum IgE, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken. Indoor levels of VOC, CO2, PM10 and PM2.5 in each subject's house were measured. We counted mold and bacteria colonies from the subjects' house air samples. Results: The mean levels of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 were 82.8±19.7, 87.3±17.9, 85.8±8.3, and 82.3±28.9%, respectively. The mean FeNO level was 19.8±11.2 ppb and the geometric mean (range of one SD) of methacholine PC20 was 3.99 mg/mL (0.67-23.74 mg/mL). The average indoor air pollutant levels were below the recommended levels set by the Ministry of Environment for multiplex buildings. Indoor mold levels showed a significant inverse correlation with methacholine PC20, but not with the baseline pulmonary function parameters. Conclusion: Indoor mold concentrations are a risk factor for increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness among asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Targeted environmental intervention should be considered for selected asthmatic children with mold sensitization for avoiding severe airway hyperresponsiveness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2021

Purpose : It was to compare changes in respiratory function (pulmonary function, inspiratory function) after four weeks of inspiratory muscle strengthening training (diaphragmatic breathing with upper arm exercise, Power-Breathe breathing) for 36 healthy people. Methods : Subjects were randomly assigned to diaphragmatic breathing with upper arm exercise (Group I) and Power-breathe breathing (Group II) was conducted by the protocol for four weeks five times per week. As the main measurement method for comparison between groups For pulmonary function, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume at One second (FEV1) were used, and for inspiratory function, Maximum Inspiratory Capacity (MIC), Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), and Maximum Inspiratory Flow Rate (MIFR) were used. Results : In changes in pulmonary function between groups, FVC and FEV₁ showed no significant difference, and in inspiratory function changes, MIC showed no significant difference, but in MIP and MIFR, Group B significantly improved over Group A. Conclusion : The progressive resistance training using the Power-breath device applied to the inspiratory muscle did not show a significant difference in the increase in the amount of air in the lungs and chest cage compared to the diaphragmatic breathing training accompanied by the upper arm exercise. However, by increasing the air inflow rate and pressure, it showed a more excellent effect on improving respiratory function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between being underweight and respiratory function indicators such as pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and diaphragm thickness in normal adults without lung disease. METHODS: The participants in this experiment were thirty young adults. To compare the respiratory function between the underweight and normal weight individuals, 15 participants were selected from each of the underweight and normal weight groups based on body mass index. Respiratory function tests were conducted through pulmonary function tests and respiratory muscle strength tests. Diaphragm thickness was measure with ultrasonography, and physical characteristics were obtained from grip strength and waist circumference. An independent t-test was used to compare the averages of the parameters measured in the two groups. RESULTS: In the respiratory function tests between the two groups, statistically significant differences (p < .05) emerged in the ratio of the predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC), the ratio of the predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and diaphragm thickness at the functional residual capacity (FRC). There was no statistically significant difference in the forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, maximal inspiratory pressure, diaphragm thickness at the total lung capacity, and thickening ratio (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Decreases in some variables of respiratory function, such as the %FVC, %FEV1, MEP, and diaphragm thickness at the FRC were observed in underweight subjects. However, it is difficult to determine whether it affected the overall respiratory function. Future studies are needed to clearly identify the relationship between being underweight and respiratory function.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.135-145
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to discover which breathing technique is more effective in improving respiratory function by applying different breathing techniques-the chest expansion respiratory technique and the abdominal expansion respiratory technique-to adults in the same aerobic exercise situation. Methods : In this study, 30 people were randomly assigned to two groups: chest expansion respiratory technique with aerobic exercise (A group) and abdominal expansion respiratory technique with aerobic exercise (B group). Group A was asked to breathe after wrapping their rib cage with an elastic band, and Group B was asked to breathe after wrapping their abdomen with an elastic band. A total of 3 sets of 30 breaths were performed, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. For statistical processing, an independent t-test was used to verify homogeneity between the two groups, and a repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences according to the period for each group. Results : The changes in FVC and FEV₁ for each group following 6 weeks of intervention are as follows. In comparison according to the intervention period, there was a significant increase in all groups depending on the timing of measurement (p<.05), and as a result of the inter-subject effect test, there was no significant difference between groups (p>.05). In addition, there was no interaction effect between period and group (p>.05). Conclusion : The conclusion of this study is that FVC and FEV₁ values increased according to the intervention period in both groups; therefore, it can be suggested that flexible breathing techniques can be applied depending on the patient's physical situation when applying a breathing program to improve respiratory function.