• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.23-25
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• 2019

Recent research suggests that the brain has capable of remarkable plasticity and physical activity can enhance it. In this editorial letter, we summarize the role of hippocampal plasticity in brain functions. Furthermore, we briefly sketched the factors and mechanisms of motion that influence brain plasticity. We conclude that physical activity can be an encouraging intervention for brain restoration through neuronal plasticity. At the same time, we suggest that a mechanistic understanding of the beneficial effects of exercise should be accompanied in future studies.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.149-155
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• 2022

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of wearing a mask and different mask filters on the respiratory function of stroke patients. Methods : A total of 15 stroke patients were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The respiratory functions were compared between participants with and without masks and among respiratory functions with three different mask filters. The order of using masks was non-wearing masks, Dental masks, KF80 masks, and KF94 masks; the difference in respiratory volumes among these conditions were measured. For accuracy of the measurement, sufficient education on the respiratory measurement method was provided to the researcher, and the heart rate of the participants was estimated to confirm their stability before the measurements. To ensure accuracy, the subjects were educated on the researchers' respiratory measurement methods. Each measurement was followed by 10 min breathing stability before replacing the next mask. Results : The results of this study showed that the difference in respiratory functions, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), in stroke patients was statistically significant among different masks (p<.05). Afterwards, the values of FVC, FEV₁, and MVV in stroke patients wearing masks were significantly lower than those of the non-masked control group (p<.05). The difference in respiratory functions with different mask filters showed no statistical significance (p<.05). Conclusion : This study showed that participants wearing any of the masks presented a lower respiratory function than that of those without using masks; additionally, no difference in respiratory functions was observed with differences in mask filters. Therefore, wearing a mask for a prolonged period is confirmed to affect breathing in stroke patients with weak respiratory function.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise therapy on low back pain patients' lumbar spinal function. Identify the effect of stabilization exercise therapy, this study attempted to determine lumbar spinal functions, using spinoscopy, for 20 patients with low back pain This study applied lumbar stabilization exercise to 20 low back pain patients without a control group for 8 weeks and 4 times a week, and examined their spinal functions before and after the application. Data collected from the test were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranked test, a nonparametric test. Absolute index, functionality and performance increased significantly compared to them before treatment. FE loads and velocity control while conducting exercise tasks increased significantly compared to them before treatment. Test item ROL and ROM, which indicate the change of angle, both showed significant differences. Of stiff spine, stiff pelvic score and sprain score, which indicate the effects of the conduct of exercise tasks on the movement of the spine, stiff spine score and sprain score showed significant differences. According to the results as presented above, lumbar stabilization exercise may be greatly helpful in improving low back pain patients' lumbar spinal functions.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.252-262
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• 2010

Purpose: Designed to examine the effects of aerobic exercise therapy on elders' physical functions. Methods: Selected from an elderly welfare center in an agricultural district located in N City. Thirty seven elders were selected in the experimental group and 38 in the control group, and all the subjects aged over 65. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS/PC 12.0 Win. Detailed data analysis methods were Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, Mann-Whitney u-test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test. Results: The first hypothesis "The experimental group who had the aerobic exercise therapy will have greater development in lower leg muscular strength compared to the control group" was supported (t=8.95, p<.001). The second hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in lower leg endurance" was supported (t=6.12, p<.001). The third hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in flexibility" was supported (U=49.00, p<.001). The forth hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in balance" was supported (U=322.00, p<.001). Conclusion: The aerobic exercise therapy showed positive effects on physical functions of the elderly in a rural area.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2013

The purpose in the present study was to examine the effects of weight-bearing exercises on stroke patients' ability to perform upper extremity activities. Experiments were conducted with 24 female stroke patients who were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG) that performed general exercise or an experimental group that performed weight-bearing exercise (WBG). The experiments were conducted for 30 minutes per time, three times per week for six weeks. The upper extremity functions, grasping power, and the ability to manipulate the fingers were measured for both groups before the experiments and again six weeks after the beginning of the experiments. Although the scores for upper extremity functions relating to raising the arms that correspond to proximal upper extremity functions increased in both groups, the WBG showed more significant improvement. The WBG showed significant changes in grasping power compared to the CG. Based on these results, weight-bearing exercise can be effective in improving the ability to perform upper extremity movements and grasping power and thus can be used in stroke rehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the types of seat surface (static or dynamic seat surface) on the pulmonary functions during prolonged sitting. Methods: Thirty-four participants (20 males and 14 females) were recruited, and distributed randomly into dynamic prolonged sitting (DPS, n=17) and static prolonged sitting (SPS, n=17) groups. The DPS group was seated on a chair with a dynamic air cushion, and the SPS group was seated on a chair without a dynamic air cushion. The pulmonary function was assessed before sitting, and after participants had been seated for one hour. The pulmonary function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and Peak expiratory flow (PEF)] was measured using a spirometer. Results: Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in the time x group interactions of FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEV1/FVC. The DPS group were significantly different in FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEV1/FVC after prolonged sitting for one hour, compared to the SPS group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that dynamic sitting can prevent a decrease in the physiological function, such as pulmonary functions, rather than static sitting during prolonged sitting.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this review is to explore the latest intervention trends and effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation on the upper extremity functions in stroke patients. Design: Systematic review on clinical trials. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify clinical trials evaluating the effects of EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) and task-oriented EMG-triggered FES on the hand functions in stroke patients. Literature review was conducted with the following key words: hand function, functional electrical stimulation, task-oriented, stroke. Results: Ten clinical trials were included; 8 of them were randomized controlled trial, 1 was block-randomized, and 1 was a pre-post comparison study. A positive effect of electrical stimulation was reported in the patient groups that were treated with functional electrical stimulation combined with specific tasks, and volitional muscle contraction-triggered stimulation that was synchronized with tasks. Motor capabilities of the hand and arm were improved after the rehabilitation. Conclusions: EMG-triggered electrical stimulation may be more effective than non-triggered electrical stimulation in facilitating the hand functions in stroke patients in terms of muscle strength and voluntary muscle contraction of the paretic hand and arm. Triggered electrical stimulation can be even more effective when it is combined with specific tasks.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ipsilateral shoulder pain affects the sensorimotor function of the same side shoulder in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirty stroke patients, who were divided into the ipsilateral shoulder pain group (n=15) and the ipsilateral shoulder non-pain group (n=15). Subjects were evaluated on performance of a tracking task, joint reposition test and 9-Hole pegboard test for sensorimotor functions, and Fugl-Meyer test and Motricity Index for functional ability of the contralateral side. Results: In comparison of the two groups, significant differences in performance on functional ability, including the Fugl-Meyer test(both upper and lower limb) and Motricity Index(only lower limb) were observed (p<0.05). With regard to sensorimotor functions, the ipsilateral shoulder pain group were observed significantly poor scores on the Accuracy Index, joint reposition score and 9-Hole pegboard test, when compared with the ipsilateral shoulder non-pain group (p<0.05). Conclusion: We found that ipsilateral shoulder pain could impede accurate performance of a movement and result in deteriorated proprioception of the ipsilateral shoulder. Therefore, careful evaluation and appropriate therapeutic intervention are essential for stroke patients who suffer from ipsilateral shoulder pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.398-404
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• 2012

Purpose: This is designed to study the effect of weight-support walking training through motor learning on motor functions of children with cerebral palsy, in particular their activity of daily living and balance. Methods: Thirteen children with spastic cerebral palsy, at gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels III~IV, underwent treadmill walking training. It used principles of weight support, 4 times a week for 7 weeks, 10 minutes at a time, before and after neurodevelopmental physical therapy. Everyday functions were measured using Functional Independence Measure for Children (Wee-FIM). The ability to keep their balance was measured using electronic measuring equipment from good balance system and the assessment was made before and after the experiment. Results: There were significant differences (p<0.05) between pre and post experiment levels of functional independence in everyday life, in self-care activities, mobility, locomotion and social cognition. With regard to changes in standing balance, there were significant differences before and after the experiment (p<0.05) in GMFCS level III. There was a reduction in the agitation velocity in the x- and y-axes which measures the left-to-right shaking; in GMFCS level IV, velocity moment was reduced. Conclusion: Walking training using a treadmill can help improve the everyday activity and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. It can also be served as a useful purpose as a method of intervention in pediatric care.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical performance, such as gait and postural control, and cognition on as assessed by clinical tools in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods : Twenty-six patients who had hemiparetic stroke participated in this study, and were evaluated four common clinical measurements, including the Berg balance scale (BBS), 10 meter walk test (10MWT), 6 minute walking test (6MWT), and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). Multiple regression analysis was used BBS score, 10MWT, and 6MWT as the dependent variables; MoCA score, post-stroke duration, age, and affected side as independent variables. Results : In the regression equation of the BBS score, the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.875, the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.786, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining the BBS score. In the regression equation for the 10MWT, ther was 0.888, the R2 was 0.999, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining 10MWT. Finally, the r was 0.777, the R2 was 0.998, and the MoCA score was the most important variable for determining 6MWT in the regression equation of the 6MWT. Conclusion : The results show that cognitive abilities affect gait proficiencies in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Therefore, these results suggest that cognitive tests are necessary for examining and evaluating the abilities of postural control and gait performance for chronic stroke patients in research and clinical environments.