• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-54
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• 2024

Purpose: Falls among persons older than 65 years are a significant concern due to their frequency and severity. This study aimed to develop a vest-type embedded artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting and predicting falls in various scenarios. Methods: In this study, we established and developed a vest-type embedded AI system to judge and predict falls in various directions and situations. To train the AI, we collected data using acceleration and gyroscope values from a six-axis sensor attached to the seventh cervical and the second sacral vertebrae of the user, considering accurate motion analysis of the human body. The model was constructed using a neural network-based AI prediction algorithm to anticipate the direction of falls using the collected pedestrian data. Results: We focused on developing a lightweight and efficient fall prediction model for integration into an embedded AI algorithm system, ensuring real-time network optimization. Our results showed that the accuracy of fall occurrence and direction prediction using the trained fall prediction model was 89.0% and 78.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the fall occurrence and direction prediction accuracy of the model quantized for embedded porting was 87.0 % and 75.5 %, respectively. Conclusion: The developed fall detection and prediction system, designed as a vest-type with an embedded AI algorithm, offers the potential to provide real-time feedback to pedestrians in clinical settings and proactively prepare for accidents.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles on ankle range of motion, static and dynamic balance, and gait speed in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 20 chronic stroke patients, divided into two groups, 10 in the ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group and 10 in the slant board exercise group. Both groups performed their respective interventions once daily, with three sets per session, five times a week for four weeks. Ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed were measured before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the results between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention (p < .05). The ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group showed more significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention compared to the slant board group (p < .05). These results suggest that ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles may be more effective than the slant board for certain outcomes. Conclusion: Ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles is effective in improving ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and walking speed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trunk stabilization exercises using a Reformer on trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 24 chronic stroke patients, randomly divided into two groups: trunk stabilization exercise using the Reformer group (TS-R, n = 12) and general trunk stabilization exercise group (GT-E, n = 12). Assessment methods included the Trunk Impairment Scale for trunk control, the AMTI force platform for static balance, the Timed Up and Go test for dynamic balance, and the Dynamic Gait Index for gait function. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The intervention for the TS-R group consisted of bridging exercises using a Reformer, while the GT-E group performed bridging exercises on a mat. All interventions were performed for 17 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of 20 sessions over four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA to analyze the interaction between groups and time. Results: The results of the repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the groups and time. The TS-R group showed statistically significant differences in all variables before and after the intervention. In contrast, the GT-E group did not show statistically significant differences in any variables before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that trunk stabilization exercises using a reformer are effective in improving trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.257-266
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of psychological and other risk factors on the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. To achieve this, a nationwide cohort provided by the National Health Insurance Service in South Korea, with a three-year follow-up, was used. Methods: The study included patients who did not experience neck pain for the first year but were diagnosed with nonspecific neck pain (ICD-10 code: M54.2) in the second year. The progress of their neck pain recurrence was followed up for the next two years. Medical records, including age, gender, health insurance premium quintile, regional health vulnerability index score, initial onset duration, total hospitalization duration, and secondary diagnosis at onset, were extracted for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the recurrence rate and risk factors for nonspecific neck pain recurrence. Results: Among a total of 591,215 patients, 29.2% experienced recurrence within two years. Patients with psychological disorders had a higher recurrence rate (30.6-33.8%) than those without psychological disorders (29.2%). Specifically, mood disorders (OR = 1.16) and stress-related disorders (OR = 1.06) were identified as risk factors for the recurrence of nonspecific neck pain. Older age (OR = 1.16-1.43), being female (OR = 1.17), being employed (OR = 1.23), and using medial aids (OR = 1.41) were also identified as risk factors. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for a high recurrence rate of nonspecific neck pain and highlights the need to consider psychological factors as well as personal factors in comprehensive interventions to prevent recurrent nonspecific neck pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effect of sling-applied plank exercise on the frequency, stiffness, and decrement of the rectus abdominis and longissimus muscles of the trunk according to the stability of the base of support. Methods: Thirty-three young adults volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to one of three groups (SS, stable support; LES, lower extremity support; and ULES, upper and lower extremity support) according to the stability of the base of support. The muscular properties of the rectus abdominis and longissimus muscles during sling-assisted plank exercise according to the stability of the base of support. were measured by using Myoton PRO (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). Statistical analysis was performed MANOVA to determine the effect of sling-assisted plank exercise on the muscular properties of the rectus abdominis and longissimus muscles according to the stability of the base of support. Post hoc analysis was conducted using Bonferroni. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: When comparing the muscular properties, the muscle frequency and stiffness of the left rectus abdominis of ULES were significantly decreased compared to that of SS (p < 0.05). In the measurement time, the muscle frequency and the muscle stiffness of the right rectus abdominis increased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the more unstable the base of support (ULES), the higher the exercise strength, and the muscle frequency and stiffness decreased on the rectus abdominis at rest.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.243-255
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• 2024

Purpose: Although foot muscle imbalance has been confirmed in patients with hallux valgus deformity, there is insufficient information on how corrective taping affects muscle activity and contraction rate of the foot muscles. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of Mulligan taping as a treatment method for hallux valgus deformity by examining changes in muscle activity and contraction rate when Mulligan taping with inelastic tape was applied to these patients. Methods: Thirty-two patients with hallux valgus deformity were randomly divided into two groups, experimental and control. In the experimental group, Mulligan taping with inelastic tape was applied to correct the hallux valgus angle of the big toe, and in the control group, placebo taping was performed in which inelastic tape was applied in a straight line without modifying the angle of the big toe. Muscle activity and muscle contraction rate were measured before and after the intervention, and changes were compared and analyzed. Results: In the experimental group where Mulligan taping was applied, the muscle activity and muscle contraction rate of the abductor hallucis muscle significantly increased after the intervention (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the muscle activity and muscle contraction rate of the adductor hallucis muscle and tibialis posterior muscle significantly decreased (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in muscle activity and muscle contraction rate in the control group, where placebo taping was applied (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Mulligan taping significantly changed muscle activity and contraction rates compared to placebo taping. By correcting the position of the big toe, the activity and contraction rate of the abductor hallucis muscle increased, while the activity and contraction rate of the adductor hallucis muscle and tibialis posterior muscle decreased. Therefore, Mulligan taping is considered an intervention that can prevent symptom worsening and enhance foot function by improving muscle imbalance in patients with hallux valgus deformity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.233-242
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of unstable loads on core and lower limb muscle activity during squatting. Methods: Nineteen subjects (all females) with resistance experience but no unstable resistance experience participated in the study. Subjects performed squats under three load conditions, and core and lower limb muscle activity was measured during eccentric and concentric contractions. Results: During the eccentric contraction, core and hip flexor activity was significantly higher with the aqua bag than with the barbell or resistance band, and for the quadriceps, the resistance band was significantly higher than the barbell. During the concentric contraction phase, core and hamstring muscle activity was significantly higher with the aqua bag than with the barbell and elastic band (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Squats with an aqua bag increase core and biceps brachii activation and can be recommended as a training method to improve trunk stability.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2018

This study investigated the effect of community-based health intervention program to improve metabolic disease in Jeju island. There were 50 obese local residents in the experimental group (body mass index, $BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$). They participated in cooking therapy with nutrition education (4 times), exercise program with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and stretching training (9 times), and alternative medicine program with healing touch massage (3 times) during a 3-week period. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, body composition, blood lipid profiles, blood glucose, and waist circumference were assessed before and after the intervention program. After the program, the value of total cholesterol (TC), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), diastolic blood pressure, percent body fat, and waist circumference were decreased, and became the normal value. Especially, HbA1C, percent body fat, and waist circumference were significantly decreased (P<0.001) in the experimental group, while HbA1C, percent body fat, and waist circumference were significantly increased (P<0.001) in the control group (N=50), who had no intervention. Our results suggest that metabolic syndrome associated markers need intervention program for improving them. In conclusion, although this study did not analyze the effect of the health intervention program and cooking therapy separately, considering the result of this 3-week, short term program, the effect will be more profuse if cooking therapy and exercise program were performed concurrently.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Purpose: Study on the effect of the use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) method by use of the direction and charge regulation which is the advantage of the Thera-band therapy on the walks and balances in old people and comparison with the result after applying the general PNF technique. Method: The study has been performed on 30 females over 65 years old. The study has been done by dividing the object group in 3 patterns, which are number 1, the comparison group of 10, two ones that are applied the PNF technique using Thera-band and third, the ones that are applied only the PNF technique. For the PNF and the Thera-band using PNF, we have divided the group into Combination of Isotonic technique and the Rhythmical stabilization technique according to the patient's acquaintance pattern and applied them to the patient's body. Evaluation was the balancing ability which was calculated by using the BIODEX Balance system / FRT and for the evaluation of walking ability, we have used the speed of walking for 10M / TUG. Result: In the comparison group of 10, the balancing ability and the walking ability did not change much before and after the experiment, which made it possible to compare the group with the other two easily(p>0.05). For the other two groups, we have recognized the enhancement both in the balancing ability and the walking ability, but they did not know much difference between themselves(p<0.05). Conclusion: Though there were not a big difference in the sense of improvement between the Thera-band using PNF and the PNF technique only, we could infer that these two therapy has enhanced much in the walking and balancing ability for people over 65 and through these result we can foresee that not only using the method shown in this study but also by using many advantages of Thera-band, we could diminish the tiredness of healer, enhance the efficiency of exercise in them and also by forming self training program for older people we could help them build the prevention program from falls.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.427-436
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• 2019

This study investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on the knee angle, MAS, and TUG of the affected side in patients with hemiplegic strokes. This study selected 20 patients who received rehabilitation treatment at a hospital after having been diagnosed with stroke. The control group (n=10) received the general physiotherapy (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), and the experimental group (n=10) applied the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) to the injured limb after PNF treatment. This study used an integrated kinematics analyzer (4D-MT, Relive, Korea) to analyze walking, timed up and go test to evaluate the dynamic balance ability of patients, and MAS to evaluate the spasticity. In the study results, knee angle were significantly different in all groups(p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between the groups(p>0.05). In the study results, TUG were significantly different in all groups(p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between the groups(p>0.05). Based on the results of this study, I hope that more detailed research will proceed.