• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.143-151
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of single-leg stance training according to different support surfaces on walking speed and balance in patients with chronic hemiplegia. Methods: Twenty-two patients with chronic stroke were randomly categorized into an experimental group (11 patients) and a control group (11 patients). In the experimental group, single-leg stance training was performed on an unstable surface after 50 min of general physical therapy. In the control group, single-leg stance training was performed on a stable surface after 50 min of general physical therapy. All participants performed five sets of single-leg stance exercises per minute and rested for 3 min. The intervention was performed 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and each patient was evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA), and difference in walking speed between the first and last day of the intervention. Results: Compared to baseline measurements, both study groups showed significant increases in FMA, BBS, and walking speed (p<.05) after the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p>.05) between the experimental and control groups. However, in the experimental group, the increases in FMA, BBS, and walking speed were 3.36 %, 9.50 %, and 7.71 %, respectively. In the control group, the increases in FMA, BBS, and walking speed were 2.39 %, 6.65 %, and 7.64 %. Conclusion: Single-leg stance training on different support surfaces could help improve walking ability and balance in patients with chronic hemiplegia.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2020

Purpose : The aim of this study was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability and validity of measurements of head, neck, and pelvis posture using a mobile application in subjects with forward head posture. Methods : Forty-eight volunteers (22 men, 26 women) participated in this study. Two raters independently examined whole body picture images in a lateral standing posture with arms crossed using a CA-Smart Posture Reminder (CA-SPR), and a rater took and calculated posture images twice to assess reliability. We measured five parameters: craniovertebral angle 1 (CVA1), anterior shoulder translation (AST), pelvic tilt (PT), knee angle (KA), and ankle angle (AA) in the subject's sagittal plane using CA-SPR. We examined whole spine X-ray images in the same position to assess validity. We measured four variables in the subjects: CVA2, translation distance (AHT), anterior pelvic plane (APP), and sacral slope (SS). The intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Convergent validity was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results : The intra-rater reliability (ICC=.889 -.989) and inter-rater reliability (ICC=.800 -.980) were excellent for all variables measured using CA-SPR. The variables measured using CA-SPR and X-ray were significantly positively correlated (r=.623, p<.01). However, the correlation of the variables in the pelvis was not statistically significant. Conclusion : This study shows that a mobile application (CA-SPR) is a useful tool for measuring head and neck posture in subjects with forward head posture. However, further study is needed to measure pelvic variables when using a mobile application.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.23-28
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of transverse abdominal muscle contraction on pulmonary function in supine position. Methods : 10 female and 10 male college students were recruited this study. Pulmonary Function test was measured with QUARK SPIRO. To check the changes in lung function with transverse abdominal muscle contraction, we tested pulmonary function in the supine, with and without transverse abdominal muscle contraction. While the transverse abdominis was activating, we investigate in the change of forced expiration. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics VER.12.0 for window version p-values less than 0.05 were used to identify significant differences. Statistical analysis was used Paired t-test to know difference between activated and non-activated TrA of forced expiration. Results : The subject with transverse abdominal muscle contraction showed significant increments in variable of FVC, FEV1, PEF compared to the pre-intervention results (p<0.01). Conclusion : These results indicate that spontaneous contraction of the TrA helps pulmonary function. And the selective contraction of the transverse abdominis at the end of forced inspiration makes increases in the lung capacity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of sling exercises on female patients 20 years of age with low back pain according to flexibility, balance, muscle strength and pelvic tilt. Method : The 20 female patients who complained of back pain were divided into two groups. The experimental group exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not. Both groups were measure for flexibility, balance, muscular strength, and pelvic tilt angle. Result : Curvature of the experimental flexibility, stretch, balance, muscle strength of the trunk forward, backward, left rotation, right rotation for the sling exercise group had significant differences. However, pelvic tilt did not show a significant difference. Control of the stretch of the flexibility, balance, and muscle strength of the trunk posterior showed significant differences for the sling exercise group. Conclusion : Although significant differences were found in flexibility, balance, muscular strength, there was no difference in pelvic tilt. When selecting subjects, we believe patients with regular patterns of pain will be more effective for statistical analysis of the changes in pelvic tilt.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2021

Background : Hyperornithinemia-hyperammonemia-homocitrullinuria (HHH) syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt the urea cycle. It is characterized by variable clinical presentation and the age of onset. Patients may present with gait disturbance and progressive paraplegia and muscle tightness in the lower extremities. The use of botulinum toxin in metabolic disease has rarely been discussed. We describe a case of a 14-year-old-boy with HHH syndrome, who presented with a several - month history of gait disturbance and lower extremity weakness. Case presentation : A 14-year old male had a history of recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, occasional vomiting, loss of appetite, and general weakness, all of which started since he was 10 months old. He was diagnosed with HHH syndrome at one year of age. At the age of 14, he was referred for the assessment and treatment of his gait disturbance and aggravated weakness of the lower extremities. Brain MRI, electrodiagnostic study and blood test were performed to exclude any lesions related to neurologic dysfunction. Botulinum toxin type A were injected into muscles of adductor longus, adductor magnus, lateral and medial hamstring, and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle heads under needle electromyography guidance to reduce lower limb spasticity. Intensive physical therapy including gait training and stretching exercise of adductor and calf muscles were also provided. After intensive physical therapy and botulinum toxin injection to reduce lower limb spasticity, he was able to ambulate for 20 meters independently without any walking aids. There were no adverse events after the injection. Conclusion : Botulinum toxin injection is a safe and effective therapy for patients with HHH syndrome who suffer from gait disturbance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study has been performed to find the relationship between seafarers' cumulative fatigue and stress by evaluating autonomic nervous functions and the results of surveys conducted using questionnaires. Methods : The subjects were seafarers working on various ships (home trade ships) of South Korea, who were healthy adults without any diseases, as confirmed through preliminary surveys were recruited through simple random sampling. A device that measures autonomic nervous functions by analyzing heart rate variability, which is also used often in clinical diagnoses and studies at universities, university hospitals, and general hospitals was used to measure the seafarers' cumulative fatigue and stress. Pearson's correlation analyses were also conducted to test the relationship between cumulative fatigue and stress measured by evaluating autonomic nervous functions and the results of surveys conducted with questionnaires. Results : There was no correlation between mean cumulative fatigue measured for each ship type and seafarers position through autonomic nervous functions evaluation and fatigue severity scale (FSS). There also was no correlation between the mean levels of stress measured for each ship type and seafarers position through autonomic nervous functions evaluation and survey scores of Korean occupational stress scale (KOSS). Conclusion : Therefore, in order to prevent man-made accidents in the sea among seafarers working with irregular port entry/departure schedules and under environments involving continued vibration, noises, and shaking, it is necessary to analyzed cumulative fatigue and stress scientifically and objectively, such as through autonomic nervous functions evaluation rather than through surveys.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

Purpose : This study assessed the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients, using a cohort of 30 stroke patients divided into two groups. Methods : The experimental group (was given transcranial direct current stimulation in a virtual reality program) and the control group was given false tDCS in virtual reality. there were 15 patients in each group, receiving appropriate treatment over 30 sessions (30 minutes per session per week over a six-week period). In order to assess the change in balance before and after the intervention, the Berg Balance scale was utilized. Fall efficacy was evaluated using the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale for the Elderly (FES-K), The following exercises were performed by patients to assess fall-related fitness : sitting down in a chair and standing up : walking a 244 cm round= trip, and standing on one foot. Results : After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited significantly increased fall efficacy and fall-related fitness, while the control group exhibited no change. These findings suggest that tDCS has positive effects on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients. Conclusion : Using tDCS as an intervention would bring positive effects on balance, fall efficacy, and fall-related fitness in stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2019

Purpose : Elastic taping is a therapeutic method, used for treatment of various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular deficits. However, there is limited evidence, of the effects of ankle elastic taping in neurologic patients. The purpose of this study, was to investigate the effect of elastic taping on gait, in the affected ankle area of chronic stroke patients. Methods : Subjects were randomized to receive 30 chronic stroke patients, who were 6 months old from the date of onset according to screening criteria. Group I showed ankle joint taping, and Group II had ankle muscle taping. Dynamic balance and temporal and spatial gait, were measured before taping application, and after 30 minutes of taping application. Results : Dynamic balance was measured using the Time up & Go test (TUG). There was statistically significant difference, between Group I and Group II (p<.05). There was no statistically significant difference, between Group I and Group II. Temporal and spatial gait were measured using GaitRite. In Group I, there was significant difference, before and after taping (p<.05). In Group II, there was no significant difference, before and after taping (p>.05). There was significant difference in Group I, between Group I and Group II (p<.05). Conclusion : Results suggest that intervention using elastic taping, may have a positive effect, on rehabilitation diversity and function in stroke patients. Based on this, it can be used for rehabilitation of stroke patients. Various studies on the application method, and effect of the application site as well as application time, should be continued with stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.201-210
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• 2021

Purpose : There is a lack of research on this field in the Republic of Korea, especially those that have seen the effect of interaction between transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy. This study divided 30 dementia patients into a treatment group, which received transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation, and a control group, which received pseudo-transcranial direct current stimulation and pseudo-computerized cognitive rehabilitation. This study evaluated the effects of these treatments on the visual perception, cognition functions, and daily activities of dementia patients. Methods : Fifteen subjects were allocated to the treatment group and the other 15 subjects were allocated to the control group. Treatments were given at intervals of five sessions per week (30 minutes per session) for six weeks (30 times in total). This study used the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE) to examine cognitive functions, MVPT to evaluate visual perception, and FIM to test daily living activities before and after applying the treatments. Results : The results of this study showed that cognitive functions, visual perception, and daily living activities significantly (p<.05) improved after the intervention in the treatment group and the control group. The changes in cognitive functions, visual perception, and daily living activities due to the treatments were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The results indicated that transcranial direct current stimulation and computerized cognitive rehabilitation therapy improved visual perception and daily living activities by increasing cognitive functions. Consequently, it was found that the simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation in conjunction with a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program was an intervention method that could positively affect the visual perception, cognitive function, and daily living activities of dementia patients. Based on the results of this study, the study of arbitration protocols for demential will have to be more active.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activity after applying two muscle energy techniques (MET) to subjects with forward head posture to see if the post isometric relaxation (PIR) technique is more effective than the reciprocal inhibition (RI) technique. Methods : The muscle activity was measured using EMG after applying the PIR and RI techniques to 30 adults at K College. Subjects were selected for forward head posture whose ear center was 2.5 ㎝ front of the center of the shoulder. EMG equipment was used to measure muscle activity, and the measurement sites were measured in cervical flexor and extensor muscles. The experiment period was performed once a week for a total of two weeks, and after the pre-measurement was performed for 5 minutes PIR and RI exercise. In the PIR technique, the head is tilted back in a sitting position, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7~10 seconds and repeats 3-5 times after rest. In the RI technique, in a sitting position, the subject gives the force to bend the head forward, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7 to 10 seconds, and repeats 3 to 5 times after rest. Results : The result is same as the following. In the comparison of muscle activity, there was a significant decrease in both PIR and RI at 1 and 2 weeks. And there was a greater decrease in muscle activity in PIR. There was no difference in the comparison of decrease in muscle activity at 1 week and 2 week. Conclusion : Both PRI and RI can be said to be effective in improving the function of the forward head posture in the neck muscles. Therefore, the selection of the two techniques in clinical practice should be appropriately performed under the judgment of experts according to the patient's situation.