• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.287-291
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• 2017

Purpose: This paper provides basic clinical data on the treatment of scoliosis patients by analyzing the effects of the type and position of scoliosis on the static balance using Tetrax on adolescents who have balance disorders as a consequence of structural changes, such as scoliosis. Methods: A total of 110 adolescents were divided into 6 groups according to the radiographs and 60 adolescents were sampled, 10 each for each group. The static balance was measured and analyzed on the existence of sight using Tetrax. Results: The changes followed by existence of sight in static balance group showed a significant difference statistically in Stability index in all groups (p<0.001). The changes in the static balance in each group in terms of the stability index were significant in all groups, where the experiments were performed under the eyes opened and eyes-closed condition (p<0.01)(p<0.001). The post-hoc comparison revealed the stability index to be the highest in the eyes-opened condition in group III, but not in group IV. In the eyes-closed condition, group III showed the highest stability index of all the groups. Conclusion: Adolescents with lumbar scoliosis had a lower static balance in single scoliosis with the eyes-closed condition or had little movement compensation. In addition, unlike the other normal scoliosis, back scoliosis has negative effects on the posture because it causes an increase in the disturbance of posture. Therefore, future studied will be needed to examine the imbalance of posture in people suffering from back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the benefits of thoracic manipulation and the trunk stability exercises on spine trunk flexibility and the pain index of chronic low back pain patients. METHODS: The study included 44 patients suffering from chronic low back pain. The participants were divided into two groups: the first group was assigned for trunk stability exercises (TSE), and the second group was randomly assigned TSE and thoracic manipulation at the same time (TSE+TM). Both groups carried out each assigned treatment thrice a week for 8 weeks. The study outcome was based on assessment of spine trunk flexibility and the pain index. Spine trunk flexibility was measured by spine flexion and extension through a range of motion and thoracic cage circumference. The pain index was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: Spine flexion and extension range of motion showed a significant difference within each group and between the groups before and after the treatment. The measurement of the thoracic cage circumference also showed a notable difference within each group and between the groups before and after the treatment. There was no change in the pain index. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that thoracic manipulation with the trunk stability exercises is an efficient treatment for improving the spine trunk flexibility and soothing pain for chronic low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining the lumbar stabilization exercise with the gluteal muscle strength exercise on pain, the dysfunction index, and postnatal depression in women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Methods: The study used a randomized design with two groups: one group (n=15) performed the lumbar stabilization exercise along with the gluteal muscle strength exercise, while the other group (n=15) only did the lumbar stabilization exercise. The intervention consisted of 30 minute exercise sessions, twice a week, for 6 weeks. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the dysfunction index with the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and postnatal depression using the edinburgh postnatal depression scale-Korean version (EPDS-K). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in their VAS, ODI, and EPDS-K scores within their respective groups (p<.05). Additionally, the between-group analysis revealed significant differences in post-test results (p<.05). Conclusion: The combination of the lumbar stabilization exercise and the gluteal muscle strength exercise proved to be more effective in reducing pain, improving the dysfunction index, and alleviating postnatal depression in women with chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Therefore, incorporating these exercises could be beneficial as an intervention program for women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2024

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise on pain and functional activity in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: Participants comprised 27 subjects with back pain persisting for 3 months. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group (Eccentric exercise: n=13) and the control group (Stretching: n=14). The experimental group performed gastrocnemius, iliopsoas, and quadratus lumborum stretching along with hamstring eccentric exercise, while the control group engaged in the same stretches along with hamstring stretching. The eccentric exercise for the hamstrings was Nordic curl exercise. Each group practiced for 1 hour a day, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. Pain, disability index, balance, and hamstring length were measured. Results: Significant differences were observed in the comparison of changes in back pain, back disability index, and hamstring length before and after exercise within each group (p<0.05). The balance ability of the experimental group showed a difference before and after exercise (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference in the control group. There were no significant differences in back pain and hamstring length between the groups. Changes in back disability index and balance ability significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hamstring eccentric exercise using Nordic curls has a positive effect on back pain, back disability index, balance ability, and hamstring length changes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2005

Tracking is an experimental paradigm that can be used to study information processing in continuous movements involving accurate, ongoing control of motor performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of knee tracking performance. Six patients with hemiplegia and six age-matched controls participated in the study. The tracking test was administrated. It was composed with regular ranges of $0^{\circ}C$ to $40^{\circ}C$ and randomized range .2 to .4 Hz. Using the Mann-Whitney U test, a comparison was made between subjects who had suffered from stroke and subjects who were well coordinated. The Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Signed Ranks Test was used to compare and analyze the paretic and nonparetic sides of the stroke patients. The results of study were as follows: accuracy index of the tracking test was significantly higher on the control side than paretic and nonparetic sides. Accuracy index scores were significantly higher for nonparetic sides with stroke compared with paretic sides with stroke. This study shows tracking is impaired in paretic and nonparetic knee of subjects with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.334-340
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of skater exercise on cardiopulmonary fitness and balance function in patients with mild chronic stroke. Methods: A total of ten chronic stroke patients with mild neurologic deficits were recruited. The participants were divided into two groups, a skater exercise (n=5) and a control group (n=5). Skater exercise was performed by physical therapists in the experimental group, whereas patients in the control group conducted self-exercise. One session of the intervention was carried out for 30 minutes, three times per week for eight weeks. Cardiopulmonary function, falling index, and Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: No side effects were reported during and after skater exercise intervention. The peak aerobic capacity, falling index, and EQ-5D improved significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group after eight weeks of skater exercise (p=0.002, p=0.010, and p=0.006). Significant relationships were identified between the change in EQ-5D and peak aerobic capacity (R2=0.75, p=0.002)/falling index (R2=0.65, p=0.002). Conclusion: Skater exercise was an effective physical therapy to improve cardiopulmonary fitness and balance function in patients with mild chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the efficacy of an interferential current (IFC) treatment on the improvement of pain, disability, and quality of life in stroke patients with lumbago. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 40 stroke patients with lumbago. The patients were allocated randomly into two groups: the IFC treatment group (n= 20) and the placebo treatment group (n= 20). The IFC group received 30 minutes of IFC treatment on the lumbar region, while the placebo group received IFC treatment but without real electrical stimulation. The intervention was administered five days a week for four weeks. The primary outcomes of pain intensity were measured using a visual analogue scale. The secondary measurements included the Barthel Index, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: The measurements were conducted before and after the two-week intervention period. Compared to the placebo treatment group, the IFC treatment group showed significantly greater improvement in the pain intensity (p<.05), ODI (p<.05), and SF-36 (p<.05) at the end of the intervention. No significant differences in the Barthel Index were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These findings show that an IFC treatment can improve pain, functional ability, and quality of life, highlighting the benefits of somatosensory stimulation from IFC in stroke patients with lumbago.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise with neurodynamic techniques on lumbar muscular strength and Oswestry index in lumbar disc herniation patient. Method: The Lumbar stabilization exercise with neurodynamic techniques was performed by 30 pt's in G hospital. The subjects were randomly organized into a study group 15 and control group 15. The exercises and neurodynamic technique were conducted for 40 minutes and, 3 times a week (total 24 times for 8 weeks). General characteristics of the Lumbar muscular strength and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were measured before the training and at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the intervention. Comparison of the time dependent variable for each group was Calculated by a one way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA). Comparison between the two groups was Calculated by an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Result: There was a significant difference in the Lumbar muscular strength and ODI (p<.05). Similarly in the inter-group analysis, significant differences (p<.05) occurred. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrated that lumbar stabilization exercises with neurodynamic techniques are an effective therapy for Lumbar muscular strength and ODI in lumbar disc herniation patient's.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study is to analysis of correlation upper body according to forward head posture. Methods: The subjects of this study were 40 female university students who were equally and randomly allocated to a forward head posture group, normal group. Using general posture system, electromyograph, visual analogue scale, tape measurement, neck disability index were evaluated. Results: There was positive correlation between posture analysis and Sternocleidomastoid, neck flexion (p<.05). There was positive correlation between Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and trapezius upper, VAS (p<.05). There was negative correlation between posture analysis and CVA (p<.05). There was negative correlation between Cranial rotation angle and CVA (p<.05). Conclusion: Increased forward head posture lead to increase of pain, muscles activity, so it suggests to be necessary on the prevention of dysfunction and limited activities daily living.