• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.38-46
• /
• 2006

The purposes of this study were to investigate the median frequency (MDF) between initiation and termination of muscle contraction through surface electromyographic (sEMG) analysis and to propose the basis of clinical treatment for movement problems in early hemiparetic upper limbs. Thirteen patients who had stroke with onset less than 3 months prior to the study and seven control subjects participated in the study. The median frequency in initiation and termination of muscle contraction was recorded from wrist flexor and extensor muscles using the sEMG, with 3 second beeper signals, during maximal isometric wrist flexion and extension. Flexion and extension must be done as quickly and forcefully as possible. The results of the study were as follows: 1. The MDF of the onset and offset sections were significantly lower on the paretic than the nonparetic and control sides. 2. The MDF of the offset section significantly decreased on the paretic and nonparetic sides. Consequently, this study showed that the lowering of the MDF was due to the hemiparetic wrist motor impairment and muscle weakness. These results are also related to Fugl-Meyer motor assessment (FMA) scores in hemiparetic upper limbs. This study also suggests that since muscle weakness of early stroke patients affects the functional decrease of upper limbs, further studies must focus on the treatment to improve muscle agility and muscle fiber recruitment efficiency that can induce the functional recovery correlated to motor control.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.57-67
• /
• 2006

Musculoskeletal neck dysfunction syndromes are common in outpatient musculoskeletal pain practice. The underlying musculoskeletal and neurologic causes of pain are variable. In the management of these patients, it is important to accurately identify and treat these pain generators to optimize patient outcome. It is the purpose of this review to discuss three main categories of functional anatomy, the role of superficial/deep muscular system and the scientific evidence for optimal physical therapy intervention for cervical dysfunction. Specifically there is evidence of lowered microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle, morphological signs of disturbed mitochondrial function which appears to be limited to type I fibers and an increased cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers despite a lower capillary to fiber area ratio. In acute neck pain syndrome, changes in muscle activity of painful muscles may result from segmental and supraspinal inhibitory effects. Muscle activation is closely related to the control of joint movements and postures and it is difficult to separate the influence of the two components. Both the altered muscle recruitment patterns and altered kinematics appear to be a poor adaptation for pain of the head - neck region, as they are likely to result in increased compressive loading in the cervical spine, affecting muscles, articular structures such as zygapophyseal joints, connective tissues and neural tissues which are all peripheral generators of referred pain. The rectus capitus posterior minor muscle shows that it is one of the most important muscles of the suboccipital region. In this article, i reviewed the anatomy, neurophysiology, function and dysfunction as well as the treatment of cervical dysfunction.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2020

Objective: Compression wear is an external aid which promotes performance and recovery, diminishes muscular microtrauma, reduces muscle fiber recruitment, improves neuromechanics, enhances coordinative activities, and reduces the perceived exertion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between athletic taping and compression wear on dynamic postural balance in healthy young men. The hypothesis was that the athletic taping and compression wear would affect dynamic postural balance, with athletic taping having a different effect on dynamic postural balance in healthy young adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty-seven healthy young men participated in this study. To examine the association between athletic taping and compression wear, 3 clinical measurement tools, including 5 times sit-to-stand (5xSTS), one-leg standing (OLS) test, and Y-balance test (YBT) in 5 different conditions, namely (1) non-supporting, and support with (2) athletic taping, (3) regular compression wear, (4) silicon compression wear, and (5) double-fiber compression wear were used. Results: The distance of the Y-balance test (YBT) on both the dominant and non-dominant sides showed a statistically difference among the 5 supporting conditions (p<0.05). The distance measured via the YBT in the non-support condition was significantly different than that in the other four supporting conditions (p<0.05). However, 5xSTS and OLS were not significantly different in these supporting conditions. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that athletic taping, silicon compression wear, and double-fiber compression wear were more effective for dynamic balance than non-supporting and regular compression wear.