• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2002

This study was intended to observe the relationship of pain alleviation between the group with needle electrode electrical stimulation applied on bach of head, lung, nasalis internae, shen-men, pharynx & larynx, and internal secretion which are the pants to regulate smoking and that, with no treatment of the kind among smokers and con-smokers with chronic low back pain. It also aimed to conduct a research of applying different treatment methods according to smoking, thus ultimately providing basic data needed by clinic therapists and to help achieve appropriate treatment effects considering the characteristics of each patient. The subject criteria were men who were in their 40's or 50's, smoking or non-smoking and came to the physical therapy of the hospital to cure the chronic low back pain which had lasted more than three months. The total 24 subjects were randomly divided into four groups according to smoking; the group of smokers with needle electrode electrical stimulation applied, that of smokers with no application of such treatment, that of non-smokers with the action of such treatment, and that of non-smokers with no application of such treatment Each group was measured in terms of four pain assessment methods of visual analogue scale(VAS), verbal rating scale(VRS), McGil pain questionnaire(MPQ), endorphin. And the results were as follows: 1. In terms of the effects of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy on pain had by the smokers with low back pain, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and endorphin 1 between before and after the treatment. 2. In terms of the pain effects had by the smokers with low back pain when no needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy was applied, there was a statistical significance in VRS and MPQ between before and after the treatment. 3. In terms of the effects of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy on pain had by the non-smokers with low back pain, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and MPQ between before and after the treatment. In terms of the pain effects had by the non-smokers with low back pain when no needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular was applied, there was a statistical significance in VAS, VRS, and MPQ between before and after the treatment. 5. The smokers with low back pain were given the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy to see how it affected their pain. There was found pain reduction in number, but no statistical significance. 6. The subject suffering from low back pain were given the needle electrode electrical stimulation to see how it affected their pain according to smoking. There was found pain reduction in number, but no statistical significance. Based upon the results, it can be concluded that smokers with low back pain received the more effects of pain alleviation from the application of the needle electrode electrical stimulation in the auricular therapy compared to the rest of the groups who suffered from low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.91-98
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• 2010

Neurostimulation approaches have been developed and explored to modulate neuroplastic changes of cortical function in human brain. As one of the most primary noninvasive tools, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was extensively studied in the field of neuroscience. The alternation of cortical neurons depending on the polarity of the tDCS has been used for improving cognitive processing including working memory, learning, and language in normal individuals, as well as in patients with neurological or psychiatric diseases. In addition, tDCS has great advantages: it is a non-invasive, painless, safe, and cost-effective approach to enhance brain function in normal subjects and patients with neurological disorders. Numerous previous studies have confirmed the efficacy of tDCS. However, tDCS has not been considered for clinical applications and research in the field of physical therapy. Therefore, this review will focus on the general principles of tDCS and its related application parameters, and provide consideration of motor behavioral research and clinical applications in physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.73-79
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• 2009

Purpose: Recently, neurostimulation studies involving manipulation of cortical excitability of the human brain have been increasingly attempted. We investigated whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the underlying cerebral cortex, directly induces cortical activation during fMRI scanning. Methods: We recently recruited five healthy subjects without a neurological or psychiatric history and who were right-handed, as verified by the modified Edinburg Handedness Inventory. fMRI was done while constant anodal tDCS was delivered to the underlying SM1 area?? immediately after the pre-stimulation for eighteen minutes. Results: Group analysis yielded an averaged map that showed that the SM1 area and the superior parietal cortex in the ipsilateral hemisphere were activated. The voxel size and peak intensity were, respectively, 82 and 5.22 in the SM1, and 85 and 5.77 in the superior parietal cortex. Conclusion: Cortical activation can be induced by constant anodal tDCS of the underlying motor cortex. This suggests that tDCS may be an effective therapeutic device for enhancing? physical motor function by modulating neural excitability of the motor cortex.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of whole body vibratory stimulation on muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy among super-aged women. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-eight super-aged women over 80 years of age were assigned to either the experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=14). The experimental group received an exercise program that used the whole body vibratory stimulation with a frequency of 30 Hz and amplitude of 3 mm, and the control group received an exercise program without vibratory stimulation. Intervention was provided for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week, and 30 minutes per session. In order to measure lower extremity muscle strength the 30-second chair stand test (CST) was used. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure dynamic balance. Static balance was measured by tracking the path length, velocity, and area of the center of pressure (CoP). The Falls Efficacy Scale (FES) was used to measure the subjects' fear of falling. Results: Both the experimental and control group demonstrated statistically significant increase in muscle strength, dynamic balance, and fall efficacy (p<0.05). Only the experimental group showed significant improvements in static balance before and after the intervention (p<0.05). The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in CST, BBS, and CoP (path length, velocity) than control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Whole body vibratory stimulation exercise is shown to be a safe and appropriate physical therapy intervention method to enhance muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy of super-aged women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.273-280
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of quadriceps setting exercise(N= 10) and electrical stimulation(N= 10) on improvement of quadriceps muscle strength. The experiment were performed for 6weeks. The subject of this study was 20 college students(male) who had not any medical problems. The quadriceps muscle strength was evaluated by make use of the KIN COM(Isokinetic dynamometer). The electrical stimulator was used to stimulate the quadriceps muscle. The results were as follows: 1. The mean increment ratio was 29.6% for concentric muscle strength and 36.4% for eccentric muscle strength after quadriceps setting exercise(p<0.05). 2. The mean increment ratio was 21.2% for concentric muscle strength and 24.3% for eccentric muscle strength after electrical stimulation, but did not significantly higher than pre-electrical stimulation In this study, we have found that quadriceps setting exercise on left side affect the improvement of the muscle strength in college students(male). However, electrical stimulation did not affect on the muscle strength.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.567-577
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• 2000

In human body, catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, can be increased anxiety, blood pressure and pain etc. The inhibitory effects of TENS, electroacupuncture and massage on the release of epinephrine, norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings has already been known. However, the effects of silver spike point stimulation on the catecholamines was not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the SSP-induced inhibitory effects of catecholamines. The following results were obtained. (1) The studies on urinary catecholamines released that the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine of continue type SSP stimulation group were significantly lower than those in the control group in human in vivo. (2) The dose-response curves of epinephrine and norepinephrine in rat aortic smooth muscle strips were increased dose dependent manner respectively. However, the contractile response of norepinephrine in rat aortic smooth muscle strips were slightly differentiated. It is concluded that the SSP stimulation reflects to the inhibitory effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine in men. Especially, we believe that the amplitude-frequency modulation, such as continue type a)1d frequency modulation type, of SSP stimulation plays a role in regulating catecholamines.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.97-101
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• 2010

Purpose: Sensory input is very important for proper performance of human. Two-point discrimination is the most widely used tactile sensory test. The purpose of this study was to find the changes in cortical activation patterns between tactile stimulation and two-point discrimination. Methods: Two healthy subjects participated in our study. fMRI scanning was done during 4 repeated blocks of tactile stimulation and two point discrimination of the right index finger tip. In one block, stimuli were repeated 10 times every three seconds. To determine the changes of cortical neurons during sensory input, intensity index was analyzed. Results: When tactile stimulation of the right index finger tip was completed, only contralateral primary somatosensory area was activated. In contrast, during two-point discrimination, both the primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Conclusion: During two point discrimination, both primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Therefore, two-point discrimination is required more complex and conscious activity than tactile stimulation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.820-828
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensory stimulation program administered by primipara on the physical growth and mother-infant feeding interaction for the first 6 months of infancy. Method: Data were collected from December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. A total of 35 mothers and their infants were assigned to a control(n=17) and an experimental(n=18) group. Mothers in the experimental group received education related to sensory stimulation program and administered to their infants twice a day for 6 months. Both groups were measured the weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of infants at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and 22 weeks and the mother-infant feeding interaction at 6 weeks, 10 weeks through the home visiting. Result: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly larger increases in head circumference for intervention period. In addition to, the experimental group showed significantly higher score in mother-infant interaction than control group. Conclusion: These data suggested that sensory stimulation program administered by primipara may improve the physical growth of full term infant and mother-infant feeding interaction.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the upper limb strength, active joint range of motion (AROM), and upper limb function in persons with chronic stroke using virtual reality training in combination with upper limb sensory stimulation. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: 20 subjects were divided into two groups of 10, the sensory motor stimulation and virtual reality training (SMVR) and virtual reality training (VR) groups. The training was conducted for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for 8 weeks.The participants' upper limb strength was measured via the hand-held dynamometer, joint angle AROM was measured via dual inclinometer, function was measured using the Jebson-Taylor hand function test and the manual function test. Results: Significant differences were observed in all groups before and after the training for upper extremity strength, AROM, and function (p<0.05). Between the two groups, the SMVR group showed significant improvement in muscle strength, AROM, and Jebsen-Taylor hand function test scores compared with the VR groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, we confirmed that sensory stimulation and VR had positive effects on upper extremity strength, AROM, and function of persons with chronic stroke. The results suggest that in the future, VR in combination with sensory stimulation of the upper limb is likely to become an effective method (a rehabilitation training program) to improve the upper limb function of persons with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and isometrical exercise(IE) to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. The relationships between the strength changes and the relative force and duration of training contractions were also studied. Methods : The subjects were divided into three group. The control group(n=6) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The isometric exercise (IE) group(n=6) performed maximum isometric contractions, and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)(n=6) engaged electrically stimulated isometric contractions, three days a week for four weeks. Results : Results showed that both IE group and NMES group were found to have an increase in strength significantly greater(p<0.05) than the control group at 4 week. But between IE group and NMES group were not found to have an difference in strength significantly. Conclusion : The relative increase in isometric strength, using IE and NMES, may be determined by the ability of the subjects to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions. Suggestions for further research and implications for the clinical of IE and NMES for strength-training are discussed.