• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of sling exercises on female patients 20 years of age with low back pain according to flexibility, balance, muscle strength and pelvic tilt. Method : The 20 female patients who complained of back pain were divided into two groups. The experimental group exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not. Both groups were measure for flexibility, balance, muscular strength, and pelvic tilt angle. Result : Curvature of the experimental flexibility, stretch, balance, muscle strength of the trunk forward, backward, left rotation, right rotation for the sling exercise group had significant differences. However, pelvic tilt did not show a significant difference. Control of the stretch of the flexibility, balance, and muscle strength of the trunk posterior showed significant differences for the sling exercise group. Conclusion : Although significant differences were found in flexibility, balance, muscular strength, there was no difference in pelvic tilt. When selecting subjects, we believe patients with regular patterns of pain will be more effective for statistical analysis of the changes in pelvic tilt.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2008

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a disease-specific exercise (DSE) on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and neck mobility in TMJ dysfunction associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Ten AS patients (seven males and three females) with TMJ dysfunction were recruited for this study. The DSE included exercises to correct head and neck posture and to improve the flexibility of the neck and TMJs. The patients attended treatment three times a week for 4 weeks, averaging 1 hour each session. Assessments were performed pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 weeks after the completion of treatment. General physical status was assessed by four clinical measures (tragus-to-wall distance, modified Schober test, lumbar side flexion, and intermalleolar distance), the Bath ankylosing spondylitis function index (BASFI), and the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index. The main outcome measures included TMJ function (craniomandibular index (CMI)), and neck mobility (flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral rotation). None of the measures of general physical status, with the exception of BASFI, were significant1y different between the pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6-week follow-up (p>.05). However, CMI and all neck movements, except for extension, significant1y improved after the treatment (p<.05). These improvements were maintained during the follow-up period. The DSE used in the present study seems to be a clinical1y useful method for managing patients with symptoms from the stomatognathic system in AS. Further studies with more subjects and longer treatment times, including the follow-up period, will be conducted to validate these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the changes in muscle strength and walking ability in patients who complained of knee instability due to excessive pronation of the foot. METHODS: Twenty patients (ten men and ten women) who complained of instability of the knee joint due to excessive pronation of the foot participated in the experiment. In the experimental group, the internal rotation of the tibia caused by excessive adduction of the foot was maintained as external rotation, and the joint state was to recognize the movement of the joint position changed through maintenance of the muscle. This exercise was performed five times for each patient, and the muscle strength maintenance was performed for 20 seconds. In the control group, stretching and range of motion (ROM) exercises were performed. For the stretching exercise, one specific motion was performed for 20 second, and the ROM exercise was performed to confirm the change in muscle strength in the knee joint area and walking ability. RESULTS: The knee flexion and extension strength in the patients with excessive pronation of the foot differed significantly from those in the subjects from the control group (p<.05). Further, the before-after comparison of the step time and length in the evaluation of walking ability, which affects overall postural movement due to knee joint instability, revealed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The patients that were subjected to manual therapy and ROM exercise for the knee joint showed improved knee joint muscle strength and walking ability compared to the subjects from the control group.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) and stretching exercise (SE) on office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : A total of 32 office workers with forward head posture were randomly assigned to experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group underwent combined CSE and SE, and the control group underwent cervical self-myofascial release and SE. Both groups performed exercises for 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of 6 weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, disability, and joint range of motion (ROM) before and 6 weeks after intervention were measured and compared. Results : There was no significant between-group difference in the general characteristics (p>.05). The intra-group comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) of both groups post-intervention (p<.05). CVA and forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV₁) were significantly improved post-intervention in the experimental group only (p<.05). In the experimental group, all ROM variables were significantly improved post-intervention. In contrast, in the control group, all ROM variables improved significantly post-intervention, except for extension (p<.05). The inter-group comparison showed significant differences in NDI, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, and left rotation between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The combination of CSE and SE, which stabilizes the cervical spine, had positive effects on cranial rotation angle, respiration, disability, and joint ROM in office workers with forward head posture. Therefore, the combination of the two exercises may be an effective option to reduce symptoms and prevent postural problems in office workers with FHP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

Background: The gluteus maximus (GM) muscle comprise the lumbo-pelvic complex and is an important stabilizing muscle during leg extension. In patients with low back pain (LBP) with weakness of the GM, spine leads to compensatory muscle activities such as instantaneous increase of the erector spinae (ES) muscle activity. Four-point kneeling arm and leg lift (FKALL) is most common types of lumbopelvic and GM muscles strengthening exercise. We assumed that altered hip position during FKALL may increase thoraco-lumbar stabilizer like GM activity more effectively method. Objects: The purpose of this study was investigated that effects of the three exercise postures on the right-sided GM, internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and multifidus (MF) muscle activities and pelvic kinematic during FKALL. Methods: Twenty eight healthy individuals participated in this study. The exercises were performed three conditions of FKALL (pure FKALL, FKALL with 120° hip flexion of the supporting leg, FKALL with 30° hip abduction of the lifted leg). Participants performed FKALL exercises three times each condition, and motion sensor used to measure pelvic tilt and rotation angle. Results: This study demonstrated that no significant change in pelvic angle during hip movement in the FKALL (p > 0.05). However, the MF and GM muscle activities in FKALL with hip flexion and hip abduction is greater than pure FKALL position (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that change the posture of the hip joint to facilitate GM muscle activation during trunk stabilization exercises such as the FKALL.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.114-122
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• 2024

Background: The peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) function as the primary muscles of eversion, a movement closely associated with tibial external rotation for ankle mortise stability. Ankle motion and tibial rotation vary based on different ankle and knee positions. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the PL, PB, and biceps femoris (BF) muscle activation and eversion strength during side-lying isometric eversion exercise based on different ankle positions (neutral [N] and plantarflexion [PF]) and knee positions (90° flexion [KF] and extension [KE]). Methods: Thirty healthy adults with an Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool score of ≥ 22 were recruited (mean age = 24.8 ± 3.1 years). Maximal isometric eversion strength and submaximal muscle activation of the PL, PB and BF were measured during isometric eversion exercise in side-lying. A 2 × 2 repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to investigate differences in muscle activation and strength. Results: The PL and PB muscle activation showed significant main effects with the knee and ankle positions (p < 0.05); activation was greater in the KE and PF positions than in the KF and N positions. The BF muscle activation showed a significant interaction effect with knee and ankle positions, which was greater in knee extension and ankle plantarflexed (KEPF) position than in knee flexion and ankle plantarflexed (KFPF) position (p < 0.05). Eversion strength showed a significant main effect only in ankle position (p < 0.05) and was greater in the N position than in the PF position. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the KEPF position can be recommended to facilitate contraction of the PL and PB during side-lying eversion exercise. Furthermore, the effects of the knee-ankle positions should be considered for measuring ankle eversion strength and implementing the isometric submaximal side-lying eversion exercise.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.1035-1043
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• 2021

The shoulder is less stable than other joints, making it easier to onset of various shoulder disorders. In addition, limited range of motion and pain in the shoulder due to shoulder disorders restricts daily life and social activities. The problem with exercise therapy can be reduced in exercise effect by causing boredom through simple repetition of motion, thus reducing the patient's willingness to participate. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a treatment method that can induce active participation of patients by developing devices capable of passive, active, and resistance exercise and serious game contents using them. Furthermore, sEMG was used to verify whether the rotational exercise in the horizontal and vertical using serious game contents helps the shoulder movement actually. The measured sEMG signal was classified as 5 phases according to the angle of rotation and calculated the mean integrated EMG. The mean integrated EMG for the experimental results was higher in all phases when rotational was performed compared to those when both horizontal and vertical rotational exercise remained initial posture, indicating an increase in muscle activity.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.423-433
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• 2021

Purpose: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is a method for promoting functional movements by facilitating neuromuscular responses through the stimulation of proprioceptors in the body using spiral and diagonal patterns. Irradiation, a basic principle of PNF, is a phenomenon in which the muscle activity of a body part caused by resistance is increased or spread into muscles in other parts via their connected muscles. Resistance training can be divided by body alignment into closed and open chain exercises. Methods: In this study, 19 healthy men in their 20s and 30s were selected as subjects. They performed PNF hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation motions on their dominant side in an open chain exercise posture in which the nondominant sole was away from the wall, and in a closed chain exercise posture in which the sole was fixed to the wall. The nondominant leg's muscle activity was measured while resistance was maintained with applied pressure at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the maximum muscle strength in the last range of motions. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted for a comparative analysis of the contralateral leg's muscle activity according to the chain exercise postures and the intensity of resistance intensity during PNF hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation. In addition, an independent sample T-test was conducted for a comparative analysis of each chain exercise posture according to the intensity of resistance. A one-way ANOVA and a Scheffe post-hoc test were also performed to analyze the contralateral leg's muscle activity according to the intensity of resistance in the closed and open chain exercise postures. Results: Results of the two-way ANOVA found that the gluteus medius and the biceps femoris had statistically significant differences in both the chain exercise postures and resistance intensity (p<0.05), and that the vastus medialis and the gastrocnemius did not exhibit statistically significant differences in the chain exercise postures (p>0.05) but showed statistically significant differences in resistance intensity (p<0.05). As a result of the independent sample T-test, the application of the PNF hip flexion-abduction-internal rotation pattern led to a statistically significant difference in the contralateral gluteus medius during the closed chain exercise posture (p<0.05). According to the results of the one-way ANOVA and the Scheffe post-analysis, statistically significant differences were observed in the gluteus medius at 50%, biceps femoris at 75%, vastus medialis at 100%, and gastrocnemius at 100% during the closed chain exercise posture based on a resistance intensity of 0% (p<0.05). In the open chain exercise posture, statistically significant differences were found in the gluteus medius at 50%, biceps femoris at 50%, and vastus medialis at 75% based on the resistance intensity of 0% (p<0.05). In the same posture, there was no significant difference in the gastrocnemius's resistance intensity (p>0.05). Conclusion: When the PNF leg pattern is applied, each muscle requires effective chain exercise postures and resistance intensity to generate the contralateral leg muscle's irradiation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.419-424
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the abdominal muscle-back muscle ratio in white-collar workers. Methods: Forty white-collar workers without any pain who worked at an information technology (IT) company located in the Gyeonggi province were included in this study. Of these, 20 subjects were randomly allocated to the lumbar stabilization exercise group, whereas the remaining 20 were randomly allocated to the control group. The lumbar stabilization exercise group performed a 40-minute-long exercise once a week for 8 weeks. The strength of the abdominal and back muscles was measured using the CENTAUR 3-D Spatial Rotation Device (BFMC, Germany). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 18.0 for Windows. The Paired t-test was performed to compare the values measured before and after exercise within each group. The independent sample t-test was performed to analyze the differences between the 2 groups. The statistical significance for all the analyses was set at .05. Results: The strength of the abdominal muscles after the exercise significantly differed between the lumbar stabilization exercise group and the control group (p<0.05). However, the increase in the abdominal muscle-back muscle ratio was significant in only the lumbar stabilization exercise group (p<0.05), but not in the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The improvement of the abdominal muscle-back muscle ratio through lumbar stabilization exercise may have positive effects on lumbar stabilization. Moreover, lumbar stabilization exercise is considered beneficial for the prevention of back pain and musculoskeletal diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.71-82
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to determine the effect of therapeutic exercise on posture, pain, and muscle activity in two patients with forward head posture (FHP). METHODS: A-31-year-old male (patient A) and a 19-year-old women (patient B) presented with FHP, neck pain, and headache. The therapeutic exercise program consisted of cervical mobilization, deep cervical flexors strengthening, and cervical extensors stretching, for 40 min/d, 2 d/week, for 8 weeks. Neck pain (VAS), neck disability (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM), lateral view of cervical spine X-ray (indicating the FHP), and asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscular activity ratio were measured before, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks of corrective exercise. RESULTS: VAS and NDI decreased in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CROM increased in patients A and B at flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation after exercise compared to before the program. FHP decreased in patients A and B at distance after exercise compared to before the program. In addition, asymmetrical neck and shoulder muscles activity ratio improved in patients A and B after exercise compared to before the program. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated in a case report that therapeutic exercise increases ROM, decreases pain and disability of neck, FHP, and asymmetry muscle activity ratio in patients with FHP. These finding have clinical implications for therapeutic exercise in patients with FHP.