• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Purpose : To find out how action observation training for chronic stroke patients affects their balance and body control abilities in the posture seated in the rehabilitation of stroke. Methods : This study was conducted on 30 subjects who were diagnosed with stroke. The group conducted motion observation training through video clips, while the control group only conducted physical training, and the general physical therapy was performed equally by both counties. The static balance was measured using Biorescue and the dynamic balance was measured using Modified Functional Reach Test (MFRT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, and Trunk Impairment Scale. Results : Static balance showed statistically significant difference in foot pressure (p<.05) as a result of comparison between pre and post exercise training. Dynamic balance was statistically significant (p>.05) as a result of comparing pre and post differences using modified functional reach test. The trunk control ability was statistically significant (p>.001). Comparison between the results of before and after motion observation training showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusion: This study confirmed that exercise training in sitting position was effective for static, dynamic balance ability and trunk control ability of hemiplegic patients due to stroke. These results suggest that the use of motion monitoring in stroke patients may have a positive impact on the diversity and function of rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

Purpose : Chronic ankle instability can lead to problems in balance and gait due to weakness of the ankle muscles and decreased proprioceptive sensation. Balance training that stimulates proprioceptors is necessary to improve ankle stability. We aimed to compare the effects of unstable support balance exercises using whole body sonic vibration and an aero-step (TOGU) on proprioception and balance in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods : Thirty-six participants with unilateral functional ankle instability were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (group 1 = sonic whole body vibration, group 2= TOGU). Individuals in each group participated in training for 5 weeks, 40 minutes per session, 5 times per week, and performed weight-bearing exercises in five postures on different unstable support surfaces. Proprioception was measured by digital inclinometer (Dualer IQ), and balance was measured by force platform (Biodex balance system). Results : Significant differences were observed in proprioception before and after intervention within both group (p<.05). Significant differences were also observed in the balance index before and after intervention within both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it is suggested that for individuals with ankle instability, unstable support surface training using a whole body sonic vibrator and TOGU can have a positive effects on proprioception and balance ability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

Purpose : To compare the immediate effects of air stacking maneuver using resuscitator bags and balloons. Methods : Twenty healthy young adults participated in this study. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak cough flow (PCF) tests were performed at pre-intervention, and then, the maximum insufflation capacity (MIC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and peak cough flow (PCF) were measured using the air stacking maneuver via resuscitator bags and balloons. Interventions were randomly performed, and a 40-min break was provided between interventions. The evaluation process in this study was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2019. To compare the three outcomes measured at pre-and post-interventions, repeated measures analysis of variance was performed. Results : A significant difference was found in the MIC, FEV1, PEF, and PCF after the air stacking maneuver using resuscitator bags and balloons, whereas no significant difference was observed between resuscitator bags and balloons. Conclusion : No significant difference was found in the immediate effect of the air stacking maneuver using resuscitator bags and balloons in this study. Air stacking maneuver using balloons can increase the success rate of the techniques by providing visual feedback on the amount of air insufflation when performed with balloon blowing exercise. Balloons are cheaper and easier to buy compared to manual resuscitator bags; therefore, education on the air stacking maneuver using balloons will have a positive effect on pulmonary rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.13-18
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to look at educational needs based on the academic background to improve continuing education (CE) for physical therapists in the Republic of Korea. Methods : 350 people who attended the CE were selected for analysis of the need of the education in Gwangju Metropolitan city of the Korean Physical Therapy Association. Final education was classified as college, university, and master of science course (MSc) or higher. The authors selected 11 subjects such as basic education, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, pediatric, cardiopulmonary, sports, senior citizens, physical therapy, women, oriental medicine, and others. Simple linear regression analysis was performed using dummy variable to identify the needs of the CE according to the academic background. Results : The need for CE in the MSc or higher was greater than college graduation in the nervous system (R2=.019, B=.347), pediatric (R2=.028, B=.491), cardiopulmonary system (R2=.038, B=.600), sports (R2=.037, B=.584), geriatric (R2=.030, B=.261), oriental (R2=.033, B=.597), and others (R2=.028, B=.531). University graduation was lower than college graduation in the need of physical agents (R2=.037, B=-.277). Conclusion : Authors infer that CE was not fully satisfied with physical therapists especially according to academic background that's why present study showed no meaningful statistical results were found. Therefore, we still think that a wider survey of CE will be needed, and the efforts are constantly required for both the Korean physical therapy association and people who working as physiotherapists to strengthen their awareness of the education.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Purpose : Using a smartphone while walking districts attention and increases the risk of losing balance or falling. Ankle instability is caused by decreased muscle strength and decreased neuromuscular ability leading to postural control problems. Dual tasks increases the risk of falls by reducing postural control in adults with ankle instability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of performing a dual task on balance and muscle activity in adults with ankle instability using a smartphone. Methods : Forty-nine individuals with ankle instability participated in this study. A game of finding the wrong picture was performed using a smartphone in the dual task, and only looking at the blank screen of a smartphone was evaluated in the single task. The participants randomly performed single and dual task to evalutate balance and muscle atcitivy. Balance was evaluated using the Biodex balance system (BBS), and muscle activity was evaluated using surface EMG. Muscle activity of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior was measured at the same time as balance. Results : The results of this study showed that overall, anteior/posterior, and medial/lateral balance indices all showed significant differences when performing the dual task compared with those during the single task (p<.05). The muscle activity results showed a significant difference compared with that of the gastronemius muscle on the nondominant side during the dual task (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that maintaining balance is more difficult when performing the dual task than during the single task, and only the muscle activity of the nondominant gastrocnemius muscle decreased. The dual task causes a decrease in concentration for postural control, which negatively affects postural stability. Individuals with ankle ankle instability should refrain from performing dual tasks, such as using smartphones, to prevent ankle damage.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.149-157
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• 2023

Purpose : Genu varum is a condition characterized by a wider than normal gap between. This may be due to muscle weakness caused by poor posture, lifestyle, or lack of exercise. This study aimed to compare the effects of ball-based squats and narrow squats on muscle thickness, Q-angle, and the gap between the knees, in order to assess the potential for improving this condition. Methods : Twenty six adult participants with genu varum were randomly assigned to either a ball-based squat group (n=13) or a narrow squats group (n=13). Both groups performed their respective exercises three times weekly for 4 weeks. The data was analyzed using paired t-tests to compare pre- and post- intervention measurements within each group, and independent t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in the thickness of the vastus lateralis and medialis, and rectus femoris muscles, as well as a significant decrease in the gap between the knees (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in Q-angle variation between the two group. Furthermore, there was no significant differences in the Q-angle, gap between the knees, and muscle thickness variation between both groups. Conclusion : The results suggest that both ball-based squats and narrow squats are effective in improving muscle thickness and reducing the gap between the knees in adults with genu varum. However, there was no significant difference between the two types of squats in terms of their effects on the Q-angle. These findings highlight the potential for exercise interventions to address this common postural issue.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate how neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) affects the balance ability of patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty owing to osteoarthritis. Methods : Thirty patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty were randomized to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes and NMES treatment for 30 minutes, whereas the control group received conventional physical therapy for 50 minutes and active range of motion (AROM) exercises for 30 minutes. Within-group and between-group changes in static and dynamic balance ability before and after the 4-week intervention were analyzed. Results : In the within-group comparison, sway velocity in the center of gravity and total distance were significantly improved in both the experimental and control groups (p<.05), with no significant differences between the groups (p>.05). In the within-group comparison, both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement in the functional reach test and movement velosity (p<.05). In the between-group comparison, the experimental group showed a significantly better improvement than the control group in the functional reach test (p<.05), but there was no significant difference in the movement velosity test (p>.05). Conclusion : In this study, NMES improved the static and dynamic balance in patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. Compared with AROM exercises, there was a greater effect on dynamic balance partially; however, the overall effect was similar. Therefore, NMES may be one option among various interventions to improve the balance ability in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty. In particular, this method may be effective when it is difficult to apply balance training for patients with total knee arthroplasty in a clinical setting.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Dang Dang integrated corrective therapy including myofascial release, chuna therapy, and exercise therapy on height, muscle mass, body fat, and body water in patients with body imbalance. The secondary aim was to investigate whether the percent of change in height, muscle mass, body fat, and body water varied by age group. Methods : In total, 279 patients with body imbalance between the ages of 10 and 79 were recruited at hospitals. All participants had Dang Dang integrated corrective therapy including myofascial release, chuna therapy, and exercise therapy. The patients' height, muscle mass, body fat, and body water were measured before and after Dang Dang integrated corrective therapy using InBody. Results : The height, muscle mass, and body water significantly increased after Dang Dang integrated corrective therapy in all age groups except for the 70~79 age group and body fat significantly decreased (p < .05). The age group comparison of the percent change in height, muscle mass, and body water showed significant differences (p < .05). In the post hoc test, the percent change of height in the 10~19 age group was significantly greater than in the other age groups except for the 70~79 age group. The percent change of muscle mass and body water in the 10~19 age group was significantly greater than in the 30~39 age group. Conclusion : These findings suggest that applying Dang Dang integrated corrective therapy to patients with body imbalance, excluding patients aged 70~79, may be a useful method to increase height, muscle mass, and body water and decrease body fat through spinal and joint realignment. The best results were observed in teenagers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2015

Purpose : This study examines the effect of vibration exercise grafting PNF patterns for 6 weeks on upper body stability and equilibrium for seniors having fifteen or over of MMSE-K. Method : A total of 10 senior citizens participated in this study. Each participant performed PNF patterned exercises using vibration sports equipment for 30 minutes, once static a week, for six weeks. We measured trunk stability and balance degree before and after the six-week exercise program. Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) was used to measure trunk stability, while Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) was used to measure balance degree. The collected data was processed using paired t-test to confirm the difference between pre-program conditions and post-program conditions. Results: The results of our study show that post-program trunk stability measurements increased when compared to pre-program data; however, this increase was not statistically significant. pre and post-measurements for satatic balance and dynamic balance were statistically unchanged. Conclusion: Due to limitations in the number of participants, the procedural design of this experiment, and the limited amount of time participants actually controlled, this study failed to produce statistically significant results. However, further study should be conducted using a systematically implemented exercise program to show support for exercising with flexi-bar as an effective program for the elderly.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.91-103
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of home exercise program and exercise program of round shoulder adjustments on the level of trapezius muscle activity and attention capacity for middle school students. Method: The participants in this study were composed of 21 middle school students. We made the students lie on the floor in prone position, then measured the height of their acromion from the floor. We chose participants for our study whose measurement values were over 2.5cm. We divided them into two groups, one is for the experimental group, and the other is for the control group. The experimental group exercised three days a week for 6 weeks, including home training, and the control group didn't exercise. We used EMG to measure the trapezius muscle's activity and used a Stroop test for the measurement of the students' attention capacity. Results: The results of our study are as follows. There was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. However, there was a significant difference within the experimental group when comparing pre and post training results for Trapezius muscle activity and attention capacity. Conclusion: We found that correcting round shoulder symptom increases the Trapezius muscle activity and students' attention capacity. Future experiments should investigate with systemical management. Also, we need to increase the frequency of the exercise and participants.