The purpose of this study was to determine whether high voltage pulsed current stimulation (HVPCS) would enhance wound healing in neuropathic rabbits. Ten rabbits were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The wounded part around the peripheral neuropathy of the experimental rabbits was stimulated for two hours twice a day for six days under the following conditions: pulse frequency 80 pps, pulse duration $100{\mu}s$, and stimulation intensity 30~40 V. The results indicated that there was no difference in the wound closure between the experimental and control groups. The two groups showed similar aspects in collagen and reticulum, which were observed by colored Masson's trichome. While the rabbits in the control group had more or less thick fibers, the rabbits in the experimental group had thin and branched-shape fibers. The rabbits in the experimental group showed both strong responses in the shaping of elastic fibers and the increased aspects in fibroblast when compared with the control group.

Human balance is maintained through a complex process involving sensory detection of body motions, integration of sensorimotor information within the central nervous system, and execution of appropriate musculoskeletal responses. The basic task of balance is to position the body center of gravity (COG) over some portion of the support base. When the COG extends beyond the base of support, the person has exceeded the limits of stability (LOS). At this point, a step or stumble is required to prevent a fall. Automatic postural responses operate to keep the COG over the base of support. They are a set of functionally organized, long-loop responses that act to keep the body in a state of equilibrium. There are four commonly identified automatic postural responses, or strategies. These are ankle strategy, hip strategy, suspensory (knee) strategy, and stepping strategy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the LOS using various knee strategies. Forty subjects participated in this study. The subjects were comprised of 20 males and 20 females who were without neurologic, orthopaedic or balance performance impairments. The LOS was measured with a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) Dataprint Software Version 5.3. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Knee joint angle which is to increase stability of standing balance with using knee strategy was at mid-range. 2) There were statistically significant differences in anteroposterior LOSs according to the knee strategy. 3) There were no statistically significant differences in mediolateral LOSs according to the knee strategy. 4) There were statistically significant differences of anteroposterior LOSs with using knee strategy according to gender. 5) There were no statistically significant differences in mediolateral LOSs with using knee strategy according to gender.

It was recently reported that exercise-induced fatigue is related to joint position sense although some controversy remains. The purposes of this study were to examine the effect on the accuracy of reproducing the knee angles after a fatiguing isokinetic quadriceps exercise at four different levels (10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% of maximal force) and to find the optimal exercise level without causing knee joint proprioception impairment. Forty healthy women, ages 19 to 27, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. Before and after the exercise, accuracy of positioning with respect to auditory feedback for specific angles was estimated by calculating the mean errors between specific angles and reproduction angles. Fatigue was measured by EMG signals displayed by a frequency spectrum analysis during the quadriceps exercise. Results showed that there was no significant difference in accuracy of the knee joint positioning sense following the exercises in group 1, group 2, and group 3 (10%, 30%, and 50% of maximal force, respectively); the exception being group 4 (70%). Fatigue level was significantly increased in group 4 but there were no significant increases of fatigue level in group 1, group 2, or group 3. The results concluded that the optimal exercise level to acquire the therapeutic exercise effectiveness without position sense impairment was at 50% of maximal force. Further studies using large sample size and patient groups with poor knee joint proprioception would be needed to confirm this conclusion and to clarify the possibility of clinical applications.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the physical therapist's explanation of the treatment prior to electrical stimulation affects the subjects level of anxiety. Eighty healthy subjects participated in this study and were assigned either to the experimental group receiving information on the treatment ($n_1$=40) or to the control group not receiving information on the treatment ($n_2$=40). Transcutaneus Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a sphygomamometer and the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale Questionnaire were used to investigate the threshold of anxiety. Analysis of data revealed significant differences in pulse and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group when the subjects were stimulated electrically after receiving information on the treatment. We found significant differences between the two groups. The results of the study indicate that the patient's anxiety can be reduced by the physical therapist's explanation on the treatment.

In general, sitting balance is decreased in subjects with spinal cord injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Functional Reach Test (FRT) which is used to measure sitting balance. The subjects of this study were 26 persons with spinal cord injury, and they were divided into three groups according to their injury level. Group I, II and III consisted of the following $C_5{\sim}C_8$ quadriplegics, $T_1{\sim}T_4$, and $T_9{\sim}T_12$ paraplegics, respectively. Subjects sat on a mat table that was set at an 80 degree inclination. During three sessions, the length subjects could reach in the FRT test was measured by three physical therapists, and compared to each other. The results showed that intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) were above 0.97 and inter-rater difference was not statistically significant. The one-way ANOVA demonstrated that reach differed between groups with lower thoracic lesion and the other test groups. In conclusion, we think modified FRT is useful and reliable method to measure the sitting balance in subjects with spinal cord injury.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of varying levels of photobiostimulation treatment dosage on plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin concentration in humans. The subjects of this study were 21 healthy men and women, who were students of the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Seonam University. This study was performed from October 26, 1998 to November 5, 1998. All subjects were assigned to one of three groups: a 2.0 $J/cm^2$ laser group, a 4.0 $J/cm^2$ laser group, an 6.0 $J/cm^2$ laser group. He-Ne laser (632.8 nm wave length) and infrared laser (820 nm wave length) of three different energy densities (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 $J/cm^2$) were applied on the Su-Sam-Ri (L I 10) and Hab-Gog (L I 4) of acupuncture points. Blood samples were taken at pre-treatment, 30 min's post-treatment and 60 min's post-treatment. The level of ${\beta}$ endorphin was measured by radio immuno assay. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and repeated measure two-way ANOVA. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The human plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin concentrations were noted to significantly increase due to the energy densities of laser photobiostimulation (p<0.05). 2) The human plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin concentrations were noted to significantly increase during the period after laser photobiostimulation (p<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to identify the differences in pulmonary functioning after respiratory exercise with IPPB (Intermittent Positive Pressure Breather) in patients with progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD). The subjects were 46 patients with PMD who were admitted to the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Youngdong Severance Hospital. The subjects were assigned into one of 2 groups. The control group received comprehensive treatments such as ROM exercise, deep breathing exercise, moist hot packs, and ultrasound twice a day while admitted at the Rehabilitation Medicine Department. Unlike the control group, the subjects at the experimental group received respiratory exercise treatment with IPPB. The subjects were admitted for 10~19 days, and the average length of hospital stay was 12.2 days. Pulmonary functioning was evaluated at admission and discharge by SENSOR MEDICS. The data were analyzed by a paired t-test and a independent t-test. The results were as follows: 1) The change of each parameter of pulmonary function tests were significantly improved in all groups after respiratory exercise treatment during admission (p<0.05). 2) By comparing the change of each parameter of pulmonary function tests between the experimental group and control group, the parameters of vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity, forced vital capacity predicted (FVCP) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were significantly improved in the experimental group which had received the pulmonary exercise treatment with IPPB (p<0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests that the pulmonary exercise treatments with IPPB facilitated improvement in the pulmonary functioning for the PMD patients during their hospital stay.

Stroke is a serious disease despite recent improvement in medical and surgical treatment. Hence, identification of modifiable risk factors for stroke is important. This case-control study was done to demonstrate that relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, perception of saltness and the incidence of stroke and to identify that smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and perception of saltness, after adjusting for age, hypertension. A structured interview was carried out from April 15, 1996 to May 3, 1996 in Yonsei Medical Center. The study group consisted of 59 neurologically confirmed stroke patients as the study group and 59 non-stroke patients as controls. Analysis of the data was done by means of ${\chi}^2$-test and logistic regression analysis. The results were as follows. In the study group: 1) Hypertension in males had a 10.2 odds ratio (p<0.05), cardiovascular disease in females had a 11.3 odds ratio (p<0.05) and a farnily history of stroke in males had a 3.1 odds ratio (p<0.05). 2) Females smoking one or more cigarettes had a 8.3 odds ratio (p<0.1), but males had no direct relationship with odds ratio of 1.5 (non-significant). 3) Alcohol consumption in males had a 0.4 odds ratio, and in females had a 0.8 odds ratio. The odds ratio was decreased in alcohol consumption group (non-significant). 4) Males with more than 20 cigarettes pack-years history had a 2.5 odds ratio (p<0.05), more than 25 Body Mass Index had a 3.1 odds ratio (p<0.05) and more than 220 ml ethanol weekly consumption had a 1.5 odds ratio (non-significant). 5) Female smokers had a 8.3 odds ratio (p<0.1), drinkers a 0.8 odds ratio and more than 25 Body Mass Iidex, a 43.1 odds ratio (p<0.05). 6) Females without saltness perception from a 0.5% salt solution had a 6.8 odds ratio (non-significant). 7) By logistic regression analysis independent risk factors for stroke in males were found to be hypertention, age, and obesity. The study was limited because number of subjects was too small for practical implications. However, like as other results, this study suggest that people should be advised to control hypertension, and obesity since these carry a risk of stroke.

The purposes of this study were to assess the effect of therapeutic exercise and to offer an approach to the physical therapy and rehabilitation procedure of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) following surgery. In this research, 42 patients with TMJ surgery were assigned one of two groups. The experimental group included 21 patients who performed therapeutic exercise, and the control group included 21 patients who did not perform therapeutic exercise. Conservative therapy such as an ice pack, a hot pack, and pulsed ultrasound was applied to both groups. Treatment was applied twice a day during the admission period and, after discharge, everyday for six weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), incisal biting force, and joint ROM were measured before surgery and at 30 days after surgery. The results were as follows: VAS (p<0.05), mouth opening (p<0.01), lateral excursion to unaffected side (p<0.05), and protrusion (p<0.05) between experimental group and control group showed statistically significant differences. Incisal biting force and lateral excursion to affected side between experimental group and control group showed no statistically significant difference.

Lymphedema, regardless of etiology, is essentially incurable but different treatment approaches which serve to contain swelling exist. The objectives of treatment are to reduce swelling, restore shape, educate about the self-maintenance methods, and prevent inflammatory episodes, eg, recurrent cellulitis. The purpose of this report is to provide therapists and other medical staff with a general guideline through the example treatment procedure of two patients with lymphedema admitted to Samsung Medical Center. This study demonstrates the effects of the various treatments used and how they helped to achieve improvement in mobility and reduction in swelling of the lower limbs. The basic conservative treatments were sequential intermittent pneumatic pumps, elevation, and CDP (complex decongestive physiotherapy). The surgical procedures (Homan's operation) were carried out after maximal volume reduction through conservative programs. In these cases, we can see greater than 50% reduction in the lymphedema in those treated by conservative and surgical procedures. This presents a simple, reliable, variable method yielding satisfactory cosmetic and functional results for patients suffering from chronic both-leg lymphedema. Futhermore, I suggest that the outcomes are best when treatment is administered by a multidisciplinary team including a physiotherapist, surgeon, nurse, et al.