• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

Purpose : This study aims to examine changes in electromyogram (EMG) signals detected from the tibialis anterior muscle during repetitive contraction exercises in normal female adults. Methods : The subjects of this study were 10 normal adult females without any musculoskeletal or nervous system disorders. A total of 30 contractions were made repetitively with maximal voluntary contraction exercise for six seconds and a resting time for three seconds. Changes in muscle contractions were measured using dynamometer and EMG signals such as root mean square (RMS), integrated EMG (IEMG), and median frequency (MDF). Results : The result of measurement showed no significant differences in IEMG and RMS in accordance with the increase in the number of contractions. MVIC and MDF showed significant differences in accordance with the increase in the number of contractions (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study demonstrated that repetitive tibialis anterior muscle contraction resulted in a significantly different MVIC and MDF but no significant differences in IEMG and RMS. Therefore, compared to other lower leg muscles, the tibialis anterior muscle is a low-frequency muscle and therefore electrophysiological characteristics of the muscle should be considered in different exercise methods.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three types of therapeutic exercises by applying them to lower back pain patients. Methods : This program was conducted for 30 patients 30 to 55 years old, who visited a rehabilitation center due to lower back pain. We separated participants into three groups with different therapeutic exercises: one with lumbar stabilization exercises, another with stretching exercises, and the other with both exercises. Each exercise was held once a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. We analyzed the effect of these exercises by checking the change of lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Lumbar muscle strength was measured by AS-Med and pain strength was estimated by VAS. Results : The result of the programs was established according to the following list: 1) Lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises lead to higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief (p<0.05). 2) Lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group was significantly higher than the stretching exercise group (p<0.05). 3) Pain relief in the stretching exercise group was significantly higher than the lumbar stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows all of the groups experienced higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Specifically, there was higher lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group and higher pain relief in the stretching exercise group. Therefore the ideal intervention to improve lumbar muscle strength and pain relief for patients is to implement both lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine changes in muscle activity due to elastic taping at the rectus femoris, biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscles using surface electromyography analysis. Methods : In this study 10 healthy university students in the Department of Taekwondo Studies were screened and individuals with a history of previous injury or surgery to their nerve, muscle, and skeletal systems, such as paresthesia and motor disorder, were excluded. Subjects were taped over the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior and their muscle activities were analyzed using the surface electromyography method during maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results : The results of this study were as follows: muscle activities indicated a significant increase after elastic taping than before at the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscle. These results lead us to the conclusion that muscle activity were influenced by elastic taping at the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles. Conclusion : The results of this study show that muscle activity can be improved by elastic taping at the lower limbs. These results suggest that elastic taping of muscles in the lower extremities has the capability to increase muscle activity in the body.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of book bag handling styles and types of footwear on muscle activation of erector spine muscles and calf muscles. Methods : Ten participants took off their book bags and used sneakers to walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes. The following day, 10 participants put on their backpack with 10% of the weight and used sneakers to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. On the last day, 10 participants put on their backpack with 10% of the weight and used formal shoes to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. After walking on the treadmill at 3 mph for thirty minutes, we measured muscle activation in erector spine muscles and calf muscles. Results : The results of this study showed the activation of the erector spine muscles and the calf muscles significantly increased when walking with a book bag and the activation of the erector spine muscles and the calf muscles significantly increased when walking in formal shoes. Conclusion : Using a backpack and formal shoes increase muscle activity of erector spine muscles and calf muscles. The results of this study indicate that not using a backpack and wearing sneakers are more beneficial than that using a backpack weighted 10% and wearing formal shoes and can be recommended to adult women by clinicians.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of study was to better understand the effects of Interferential Current (IFC) and Ultrasound on the ROM and pain in patients with chronic back muscle pain. Methods : Twenty patients with chronic back pain were randomly assigned to IFC stimulation groups and Ultrasound stimulation groups. Both groups used the same method for 20 minutes each session, three times a week for 4 weeks at the same time point and with the same amount of treatment. Measurement items are visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM). Results : This study showed that the IFC stimulation group and the ultrasound stimulation group demonstrated significant improvement in ROM increase and pain reduction. Both groups showed a significant reduction in VAS; however, the ultrasound stimulation group decreased more than ultrasound stimulation group. And, both groups showed a significant increase in ROM. The ultrasound stimulation group increased significantly more than the IFC stimulation group in ROM of flexion and extension. The IFC stimulation group increased significantly more than the ultrasound stimulation group in ROM of lateral flexion. Conclusion : Pain relief was more effective in the ultrasound group. The ultrasound showed a more significant effect than IFC in ROM of flexion and extension. The IFC showed a more significant effect than ultrasound in ROM lateral flexion. The results of this study suggest that the treatment effects are different on patients with chronic back pain, according to treatment methods.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2011

Purpose : This study aims to examine the effects of action observation of ski simulation on electroencephalogram (EEG). Methods : Thirty healthy subjects were randomly divided into three groups: 10 participants in an AM (actual movement) group; 10 participants in an OM (observation) group; and 10 participants in a CM (control movement) group. The EEG was measured to examine changes in EEG between action observation and actually movement at 8 areas of the scalp for one minute before, during and after action observation. Results : Relative alpha power showed statistically significant differences among groups in Cz and C4 and there were interactions among groups in the Oz area. Relative beta power showed no statistical significance among groups and in particular, there were interactions among groups in the Oz area. Conclusion : These findings show that action observation affected brain activation as in actual movement. Thus it can be expected that when movement through the brain activation is applied to patients in bed rest or those who cannot perform actually movement, it can be utilized as physiotherapy.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 2011

Purpose : This study aims to examine the changes of muscle activity of the tibialis anterior muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle on the ground and unstable ground for functional reach test. Methods : This study chose 24 elderly men and 24 elderly women who could walk independently, reach their arm over 25 cm, show shoulder joint $90^{\circ}$ flexion, had no operations on lower limb joints, and don't take medication affecting the ability to keep balance. Muscular activity of the tibialis anterior muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle was measured using functional reach test and electromyogram. Functional reach test was conducted at a total of four sections, 0cm, 15cm, 20cm, and 25cm. Results : It was known that the gastrocnemius muscle was used more than the tibialis anterior muscle to keep balance and the elderly with good balance ability showed no great change of muscular activity on both the stable and unstable ground. Conclusion : It was found that the subjects used their gastrocnemius muscle more and lower limbs of frequently used parts to keep their balance. As the elderly have good balance ability, they showed no great change of muscular activity on both the stable and unstable ground.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Purpose : This study is to examine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on the excitability of the central neuron. Methods : This study selected 24 suitable women in their twenties. A positive electrode of transcranial direct current stimulation was placed on the primary motor area (M1) C4 and a negative electrode was placed on the left supraobital. A stimulation of 0.04mA/$cm^2$ was applied for 20 minutes. H-reflex and V wave used diagnostic electromyography. An active electrode was placed at the muscle belly of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at a prone posture. An electrical stimulation was given to the posterior tibial nerve. Measurements were made before and after the stimulation. All data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 and between each measuring before and after the change of the H-reflex and V wave amplitude. Results : There were no significant differences in all H wave, M wave, and V wave amplitude before and after transcranial direct current stimulation. There were no significant differences in the change of H/M ratio and V/M ratio before and after transcranial direct current stimulation. Conclusion : We know that transcranial direct current stimulation cannot have an influence on a normal grown-up person's central neuron.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.13-23
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on the static balance ability according to vestibular training using ball. Methods : Twenty normal subjects participated and were randomly assigned to either a vestibular training group using ball or a control group. The vestibular training using a ball group exercised 3 times per week over 3 weeks. The static balance was assessed by the center of pressure to the stance position. The participants stood barefoot on a force platform in a normal stance and a one-legged stance with a visual close. Results : In the normal stance, there were no significant differences at CoP surface and CoP speed. However, in a one-legged stance, there were significant differences in the vestibular training group between before and after the program. There was also a significant difference between the vestibular training group and the control group. Conclusion : Vestibular training using ball can be implemented as a therapeutic intervention to improve static balance ability in health adults.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.13-23
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• 2004

This study aimed at examining the effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(PENS) applied to different parts of the streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats on the change of glucose level and spinal neuron excitability. A total of twenty-eight SD rats, divided into four groups, were used as experiment animal. Experiment group I, the normal control group, was composed of normal rats without diabetes induction. Experiment group was composed II of the rats without any treatment after experimental diabetes induction. Experiment group III was composed of the rats with 2 Hz and $200\;{\mu}s$ of PENS to the acupuncture points related with diabetes for 20 minutes after diabetes induction. Experiment group IV was composed of the rats with 2 Hz and $200\;{\mu}s$ of PENS to the parts unrelated with diabetes for 20 minutes after diabetes induction. The results can be summarized as follow: As for glucose level, the group I showed no change within normal range, and the group III showed significant increase, compared with other groups (p<0.05). As for the change of H latency, M and H amplitude, the group III showed significant differences in decrease of latency and amplitude (p<0.05). As for Hmax/Mmax ratio, the normal and other groups showed no significant differences in decrease of amplitude. It can be concluded from the above results that PENS to the acupuncture points of the STZ-induced diabetic rats was effective for spinal neurone excitability, in particular, for those of the group with PENS to the acupuncture points. This study was conducted in the period of acute diabetes induction, and therefore, further study should be conducted in the period of chronic diabetes to research both acute and chronic diabetes.