• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of scapular exercise and Kinesio taping of upper trapezius muscle on grip strength. Method: Subjects were consists of 15 males and 15 females who had disorder of upper extremity. The period of this study is 3 weeks (August 8-26, 2011). We had divided 3 groups, control group, Kinesio taping group, scapluar setting exercise (SSE) group. Results: Grip strength of control group was not significant difference (p>.05). Grip strength of Kinesio taping group was significant difference (p<.05). Grip strength of SSE group was significant difference (p<.05). Grip strength of control group, Kinesio taping group, SSE group were significant difference (p<.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping group and SSE group are applying on upper trapezius. Both of two groups increased grip strength and was significant difference. Applying Kinesio taping on the upper trapezius and applying SSE on trapezius are effected on the grip strength.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.7-20
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• 2020

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the effect of simultaneous application of peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training on the improvement of upper extremity motor function after stroke. Methods : This study included 29 patients with hemiplegia. The 14 subjects were in the peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training group for 4 weeks (30 min/d, 5 d/wk), while the 15 control group subjects underwent only task-oriented training for the same duration. The outcome measures were the percentage of voluntary baseline muscle contractions of the wrist and shoulder and Box and Block Test, grip and pinch strength, and Action Research Arm Test. Results : After 4 weeks, muscle activity of extensor carpi radialis, flexor carpi radialis and grip strength and Action Research Arm Test were significantly higher in the experimental group. Conclusion : Simultaneous application of the peripheral nerve sensory stimulation and task-oriented training was found to be superior to task-oriented training for improving upper extremity motor function of adults with stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Plank exercise on unstable support surfaces on flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was performed on 16 patients with chronic back pain of ◯◯ military unit. Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, an upper extremity trainer group (group I, n=8) and a lower extremity trainer group (group II, n=8). The subjects in group I carried out Flank exercise applying the stability trainer to their upper extremities and ones in group II carried out the same exercise applying the stability trainer to their lower extremities for 4 weeks. In order to ascertain the difference between two groups, flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain were measured before and after the exercise. The flexibility was measured by sit and reach test, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured by using ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the pain was measured by the visual analogue scale. A paired t-test was utilized to compare changes in pain, abdominal muscle thickness and flexibility before and after flank exercise on unstable support surfaces. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for ascertaining the significant differences between groups. The significance level was set by α=.05. Results: 1) The flexibilities of two groups were increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 2) In both groups, the thicknesses of rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transverse abdominis were all increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 3) The pains in both groups were decreased after the exercise (p<0.05). 4) In the comparisons of two groups, there were no differences in the flexibility, thickness of external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis and transverse abdominis and pain (p>0.05). Whereas only thickness of Rectus abdominis was larger in the group I than in the group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise on the unstable support surface for 4 weeks resulted in increased flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain reduction in patients with chronic back pain. Therefore, it is considered that performing flank exercise on the unstable supporting surface is suitable for the reduction of the pain in patients with chronic back pain. However, in this study, it is considered that continuous and diverse studies are needed because there was not a large difference between the groups when the upper or lower limbs are provided unstable support surfaces.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2023

Background: Various functional tests such as upper quarter Y-balance test (UQYBT) are used to evaluate shoulder stability and mobility in clinical or sports fields. Previous studies have been conducted to determine the correlation between the scapular or trunk muscle and UQYBT. However, the correlation between UQYBT and hip flexor, which can be considered as a core muscle, has not been confirmed. Objects: To verify the relationship between the UQYBT and scapular muscle (scapular protractor and lower trapezius [LT]), trunk muscle, and hip flexor strengths in healthy male participants. Methods: A total of 37 healthy male participants were recruited and underwent UQYBT in the push-up posture. The isometric strength of the scapular protractor, LT, trunk flexor and extensor, and hip flexors were measured using a smart KEMA strength sensor (KOREATECH Inc.). Results: The superolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related to trunk extensor (r = 0.443, p < 0.01), scapular protractor (r = 0.412, p < 0.05), LT (r = 0.436, p < 0.01), and both sides of the hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.669, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.641, p < 0.01). The inferolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately related to the scapular protractor (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.511, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.481, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.521, p < 0.01). The medial direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related with the scapular protractor (r = 0.522, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.541, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.605, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.561, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that the strength of the scapular muscles, trunk muscles, and hip flexor muscles correlated to the UQYBT. Therefore, the strength of not only the scapular and trunk muscles but also the hip flexor muscles should be considered to improve the UQYBT.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.303-308
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to define the change of lumbar asymmetry multifidus muscles when upper extremity PNF pattern. Methods : For this research, twenty-nine asymptomatic participants were voluntary attended. Under the identical conditions, Multifidus muscles were measured standing position and on L4,L5 vertebral level by MyLabOne (ESAOTE, Netherland with a 3.5MHz covex array transducer). The upper extrimity PNF pattern used to activate the multifidus ipsilateral and cotralateral. Results : Results of analysis showed that at the L4, L5 vertebral level, healthy asymtomativ subjects had asymmetry multifidus muscles size. The depth of the multifidus muscles were significantly increased at contralateral upper extrimity PNF pattern, but no significant differences were comparison ipsilateral with contralateral. Conclusion : The multifidus muscle in asymptomatic subjects clinical significance asymmetry. Contralateral upper extrimity PNF pattern seems to be the most suitable exercise for strenthen the smaller size of the multifidus. This study will be used as a prevention method of LBP.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.64-72
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• 2008

Compression neuropathy around elbow and wrist are one of the common disturbing problems in the upper extremity. The understanding of normal nerve architectures and pathophysiologic changes in compression neuropathy is important to interpret the ultrasonographic images correctly. Compression neuropathies have characteristic ultrasonographic imaging features of flattened nerve at compression and hypoechoic swollen nerve with loss of fascicular patterns at proximal segments. Dynamic ultrasonographic imagings on motion can show dymanic subluxation of ulnar nerve and medial head of triceps muscle over the medial epicondyle in snapping triceps syndrome. Dynamic compression of median nerve also can be visualized in pronator teres syndrome by dynamic imaging studies. A quantitative measures of cross sectional area or compression ratio can be helpful to diagnose compression neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or cubital tunnel syndrome. With the clinical features and electeophysiologic studies, the untrasonographic imagings are useful tool for evaluation of the compression neuropathies in the upper extremities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.83-90
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• 2016

Purpose : Recommended posture according to the location of operating teeth have been standardized in dental clinic to prevent musculoskeletal disorder. However, clinicians do not comply with this rule in many cases. This study investigated the effects of operating posture on cranio-cervical range of motion (CROM) and muscles activity of neck and upper extremity. Methods : Sixteen healthy dental hygiene students were participated. During operating posture (3 recommended and 3 experimental postures which were set front, side, back, respectively), CROM in the fronal and sagittal plane were measured by Cervical Range of Motion Instrument and muscle activities of Sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, middle deltoid, extensor carpi radialis, brachioradialis, and abductor pollicis brevis were measured by Pocket EMG system. Result : CROM were significantly decreased in recommended posture in comparison with experimental posture (p<.05). In addition, muscle activity of middle deltoid was significantly decreased in recommended front posture. Moreover, brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis showed the same result in recommended back posture (p<.05). Conclusion : Recommended posture is close to neutral posture and to reduce muscle fatigue and overuse, which may considered as a preventing musculoskeletal disorder and partially explain its efficacy in dental clinic.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2023

Background: Individuals with scapular winging have a weak serratus anterior (SA) muscle, and to compensate, the pectoralis major (PM) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles excessively activate, which can cause upper extremity dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the effects of isometric horizontal abduction (IHA) on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during knee push-up plus (KPP) at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of IHA on SA, PM, and UT muscle activity, as well as the SA/PM and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during KPP at 90° and 120° of shoulder flexion. Methods: This study, conducted at a university research laboratory, included 20 individuals with scapular winging. Participants performed KPP with and without IHA at 90° (KPP90) and 120° (KPP120) of shoulder flexion. SA, PM, and UT muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography. Results: PM activity in KPP90 with IHA was significantly lower than KPP90 and in KPP120 was significantly lower than KPP90. UT activity was significantly greater with IHA than without IHA and at 120° than 90° of shoulder flexion. SA/PM muscle activity ratio was significantly higher in KPP90 with IHA than without IHA and in KPP120 than in KPP90. SA/UT muscle activity ratio was significantly lower with IHA than without IHA. Conclusion: KPP90 with IHA and KPP120 are effective exercises to reduce PM activity and increase SA/PM muscle activity ratio. However, applying IHA in KPP90 also reduces SA/UT muscle activity ratio, implying that it would be preferable to apply KPP120 in individuals overusing their UT muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2008

With the introduction of the video display terminal (VDT), the efficiency and productivity of work has improved. However, VDT syndrome is threatening the health of workers as a side effect of prolonged use of a VDT. Among various VDT syndromes, the musculoskeletal disorder, especially, the cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) is the common research topic related with upper extremities function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the wrist-hand orthosis (WHO) on fatigue in middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, serratus anterior, and upper trapezius during one-hour computer keyboard typing. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to assess the localized muscle fatigue (LMF), and the LMF was calculated at 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, and 60 minutes in each muscle, with and without the WHO. Data were analyzed by paired t-test with a level of significance of .05. The results of this study are as follows: 1) At 10 minutes, the LMF decreased significantly with applied WHO in the middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, and upper trapezius (p=.001, p=.026, p=.019, respectively). 2) As the computer keyboard typing period increased, there were no significant LMF differences, except for the upper trapezius. Therefore, it can be concluded that the WHO can be applied to decrease the LMF for the initial 10 minute period in the middle deltoid, anterior deltoid, and upper trapezius' but that the long term effect of WHO in reducing the LMF was proven only in upper trapezius during continued computer keyboard typing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.38-46
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• 2016

Background: Shoulder stabilization commonly involves two components: the glenohumeral stabilization exercise (GSE) and scapular stabilization exercise (SSE). Despite the fact that the shoulder stabilization has advantageous merit, to our knowledge, only a few studies have compared the superior of the GSE and the SSE. Objects: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of GSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain. Methods: Thirty subjects with nonspecific shoulder pain were randomly divided into an experimental group and control group, each with 15 patients. The experimental group used an GSE, whereas the control group did SSE. All subjects were measured in shoulder stability, scapular symmetric alignment, pain, muscle power, and range of motion before and after the intervention. Results: GSE resulted in significantly better shoulder stability (p=.046, from $8.67{\pm}7.54$ score to $13.93{\pm}9.40$) in the experimental group compared with SSE in the control group. However, no significant effects were observed for scapular symmetric alignment including the angles of inferior scapular distance (p=.829) and inferior scapular height difference (p=.735), pain (p=.113), muscle power including shoulder flexion (p=.723) and abduction (p=.897) and range of motion including shoulder flexion (p=.853) and abduction (p=.472). Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSE may be more effective in increasing the shoulder stability than the SSE in patients with nonspecific shoulder pain, probably through a centralization effect on the shoulder mechanism.