• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether abdominal pressure belt has an immediate effect on pulmonary function, balance and gait ability for stroke patients. Twenty subjects measured pulmonary function and the COP, BBS, TUG, 10m walk test, and FGA prior to belt wearing. Immediately all subjects were post-tested after wearing abdominal pressure belt of elastic components. Except for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced experimental volume in the 1 second (FEV1), there were significant differences after belt wearing. This study suggests that the application of abdominal pressure belt enhanced balance and gait ability. However, improving pulmonary function requires several efforts, such as changing the pressure level, posture.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2011

Background: Pulmonary emphysema (PE) is major cause of obstructive pulmonary function impairment (OPFI), which is diagnosed by spirometry. PE by high resolution CT is known to be correlated with OPFI. Recently, low dose CT (LDCT) has been increasingly used for screening interstitial lung diseases including PE. The aim of this study was to evaluate OPFI risks of subjects with PE detected by LDCT compared with those detected by simple digital radiography (SDR). Methods: LDCT and spirometry were administered to 266 inorganic dust exposed retired workers, from May 30, 2007 to August 31, 2008. This study was approved by our institutional review board and informed consent was obtained. OPFI risk was defined as less than 0.7 of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), and relative risk (RR) of OPFI of PE was calculated by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 266 subjects, PE was found in 28 subjects (10.5%) by LDCT and in 11 subjects (4.1%) by SDR; agreement was relatively low (kappa value=0.32, p<0.001). FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were significantly different between PE and no PE groups determined by either SDR or LDCT. The differences between groups were larger when the groups were divided by the findings of SDR. When PE was present in either LDCT or SDR assays, the RRs of OPFI were 2.34 and 8.65, respectively. Conclusion: LDCT showed significantly higher sensitivity than SDR for detecting PE, especially low grade PE, in which pulmonary function is not affected. As a result, the OPFI risks in the PE group by LDCT was lower than that in the PE group by SDR.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 2011

Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease patients' speech is hypokinetic dysarthria and their speech is possibly the consequence of impaired respiratory support. The purpose of this study was focused on the respiratory characteristics of speech breathing in de novo IPD who were not given prior vocal or anti-Parkinson treatment. A total of 40 subjects participated in the study: 20 de novo IPD patients between the ages of 50 and 80, and 20 normal subjects with similar age, height, and weight matches. Forced Expiratory Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and $FEV_1$ as a percentage of FVC (FEV1/FVC) was measured with a PC-based spirometer (Cosmed). In addition, Maximum Phonation Time (MPT), Mean Airflow Rate (MFR), Subglottal Pressure (Psub) and the number of syllables produced per breath were measured with a Phonatory Aerodynamic System (Kay PENTAX). All subjects were asked to read a standardized Korean paragraph and the following measurements were obtained from the task. Results indicated no statistically significant differences in respiratory function (FEV1/FVC%) and aerodynamic function between the two groups, but the number of syllables per breath was significantly lower in the IPD patient group than in the normal group and it could be predicted by FVC and MFR. Therefore, the study shows that the MFR from the lungs during speech in de novo IPD patients is used inefficiently.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2010

Background: The aim was to estimate the differences between pulmonary disability grades according to the spirometry reference equations (the Korean equation and the Morris equation). Methods: Spirometry was performed on 16,916 male and 1,353 female special examination for pneumoconiosis, in the period of 2007~2009. Changes in predictive values for forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), forced vital capacity (FVC) and $FEV_1$/FVC and in disability grade were evaluated using both equations. Results: Mean FVCs for men and women were 4,218.7 mL and 2,801.5 mL in predictive values after the application of the Korean equation, and 3,763.9 mL and 2,395.6 mL after the Morris equation, respectively. Compared with the Morris equation, the Korean equation showed 10.8% and 14.5% of excesses for men and women (p<0.001). Mean $FEV_1s$ for men and women were 3,102.5 mL and 2,107.1 mL in the Korean equation, and 2,667.8 mL and 1,699.6 mL in the Morris equation, respectively. Compared with the Morris equation, the Korean equation showed 14.0% and 19.3% of excesses for men and women (p<0.001). Men and women who showed the changes of disability grades using the Korean equation in place of the Morris equation were 23.9% (4,052/16,916) and 22.9% (311/1,353) on FVC, and 23.1% (3,913/16,916) and 10.7% (145/1,353) on $FEV_1$. Conclusion: Applying different reference equations for spirometry has resulted in changes for disability grades in special examination for pneumoconiosis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2021

Background: Patients with advanced asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have postural deviations such as thoracic hyperkyphosis, forward shoulder posture (FSP) due to an increase in head and cervical protraction, reduced shoulder range of motion and a corresponding increase in scapula elevation and upward rotation. Unlike congenital vertebral kyphosis that are permanent and rigid deformities with bony and other structural deformations which cause respiratory impairment, these deformities in these patients may be more flexible. Since the thoracic hyperkyphosis has been implicated as having adverse health consequences it is necessary to evaluated the relationship between thoracic kyphosis and cardiopulmonary functions of patients with COPD and asthma. Methods: It was a cross-sectional analytical study. Eighty-four eligible patients with COPD and asthma were recruited from the Respiratory Unit, Department of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and basic anthropometric parameters, pulmonary parameters, cardiovascular parameters, thoracic kyphosis (Cobb) angle and presence of respiratory symptoms of participants were assessed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: There was no significant correlation between the thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary parameters (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1, p=0.36), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC, p=0.95), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR, p=0.16), Thoracic expansion (TE, p=0.27)/cardiovascular parameters (Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP, p=0.108), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP, p=0.17) and Pulse Rate (PR, p=0.93) as well as the respiratory symptoms (SGRQ scores, p=0.11) in all subjects. Conclusion: There was no relationship between thoracic kyphosis and selected pulmonary/cardiovascular parameters as well as respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD and asthma.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.229-238
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• 2021

Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), an important physiological feature of asthma, is a prognostic marker of childhood asthma. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen adolescents (≥13 years of age; 149 males, 66 females) who were diagnosed with asthma during childhood were enrolled, underwent methacholine challenge tests, and were divided into the BHR group (<25 mg/mL of provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] [PC₂₀], n=113) or non-BHR group (≥25 mg/mL of PC₂₀, n=102). We examined longitudinal changes in BHR and the risk factors for its persistence in the 108 adolescents for whom baseline data, including methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years, were available. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with BHR in adolescents. Results: Mold sensitization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.569; P=0.005) and increased blood eosinophil count (aOR, 1.002; P=0.026) were independently associated with BHR in boys but not girls. The odds of BHR decreased by 32% with each 1-year increase in age in boys (aOR, 0.683; P=0.010) but not girls. A reduced FEV₁/forced vital capacity ratio (<90%) was independently related with BHR in female patients only (aOR, 7.500; P=0.007). BHR decreased with age throughout childhood. A low methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years was independently associated with persistent BHR throughout childhood in male and female patients, whereas early mold sensitization was a risk factor for persistent BHR in male patients only (aOR, 7.718; P=0.028). Conclusion: Our study revealed sex-specific differences in the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Our findings suggest the risk factors that might affect asthma transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.798-803
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• 2018

Objective To investigate the relationship between peak cough flow (PCF), pulmonary function tests (PFT), and severity of dysphagia in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods This study included patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke, who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), PCF and PFT from March 2016 to February 2017. The dysphagia severity was assessed using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS). Correlation analysis of VDS, PFT and PCF was performed. Patients were divided into three groups based on VDS score. One-way ANOVA of VDS was performed to analyze PCF, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and age among the different groups. Results The correlation coefficients of VDS and PCF, VDS and FVC, and VDS and FEV1 were -0.836, -0.508, and -0.430, respectively, all of which were statistically significant at the level of p<0.001. The one-way ANOVA indicated statistically significant differences in PCF, FVC, FEV1, and age among the VDS groups. Statistically significant differences in VDS and age were observed between aspiration pneumoia and non-aspiration pneumonia groups. Conclusion Coughing is a useful factor in evaluating the risk of aspiration in dysphagia patients. Evaluation of respiratory and coughing function should be conducted during the swallowing assessment of patients with ischemic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.13-20
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Sitting with crossed legs may have an effect on maintaining a healthy body posture and proper functioning of the respiratory system. Thus, this study's objective was to identify whether or not sitting with crossed legs affects the vertebral angle, chest wall mobility, the pulmonary function, and the activity of the respiratory muscles. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were recruited for this study (16 males and 14 females). The vertebral angle, chest wall mobility, pulmonary function, and the activity of the respiratory muscle were measured while the subjects sat in the correct posture and these factors were again measured with the subjects seated with their legs crossed. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to determine the trunk and lumbar vertebral angles. Surface electromyography was employed to measure the sternocleidomastoid, the rectus abdominis, and the external and internal oblique abdominis muscles. A tapeline was utilized to evaluate the subjects' chest wall mobility. Spirometry was assessed to determine the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second. Paired t-tests were then performed (p<.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the trunk and lumbar flexion angles, the chest wall mobility, the activity of the right external oblique muscle, and the left internal oblique abdominis muscle. However, the difference in pulmonary function did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: A crossed leg posture caused slight thoracic extension and lumbar flexion, which may lead to a decrease of the chest wall mobility and also to an imbalance of the abdominal muscles. Therefore, sitting with a crossed leg posture should be avoided. Yet a crossed leg posture did not have any clinical effect on the pulmonary function of healthy people. It may be necessary to study the effects of sitting with crossed legs over an extended period of time for patients suffering with impaired respiratory function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.461-473
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of inspiratory muscle training with chest expansion exercises on pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait in individuals with stroke. Methods: The participants in this study included 36 stroke patients. These patients were randomly divided into three groups: an inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with chest expansion (CE) group (n=12), an IMT group (n=12), and a control group (n=12). Participants in the IMT with CE group underwent IMT and CE exercises 5 times per week for 30 minutes over 4 weeks, whereas those in the CE group and the control group received IMT and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for the same duration. The investigator measured the patients' pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait endurance. Results: After the intervention, the change values for the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and six-minute walk test (6MWT) in the IMT with CE group and the control group were significantly greater than those of the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, after the intervention, the change values of the FVC, FEV1, PEF, MIP, and 6MWT in the IMT with CE group were significantly greater than those in the IMT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that IMT with CE could be used to increase pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and gait endurance in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and conventional inspiratory muscle training on diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction. METHODS: This study measured diaphragm movement, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and thoracic mobility (upper, middle, and lower trunk) under two different conditions. Forty young women between 19 and 24 years of age who had no history of orthopedic symptoms for the last 6 months were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed virtual reality inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing, and the control group performed conventional inspiratory muscle training and diaphragm breathing. RESULTS: The control group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility and PEF. The experimental group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables except for lower trunk mobility. Particularly, the experimental group showed significant increases in diaphragm movement (p<.05), FVC (p<.05), FEV1 (p<.05), and PEF (p<.05) relative to the control group. CONCLUSION: We recommend inspiratory muscle training with a virtual reality program over conventional training to improve diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with thoracic restriction.