• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.96-103
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of applied pressure to abdomen on lumbar and abdominal muscle activation during upper limb exercise. The experimental group consisted of twenty-seven healthy male subjects (mean age=$22.40{\pm}2.19years$, mean height=$175.30{\pm}2.19cm$, mean weight= $67.67{\pm}7.44kg$, RM=$8.43{\pm}2.76kg$). In each different pressure condition (OmmHg, 30mmHg, 70mmHg, 100mmHg), upper limb exercise was performed in total of 10 trials with 10 RM dumb-bell exercise. Lumbar and abdominal muscle activity was measured using surface bipolar electrode electromyography(EMG). EMG activity was measured from upper rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and elector spinae. The raw EMG signal was processed into the root mean square(RMS). All RMS EMG data were normalized and express as a percentage of the EMG(%EMG). Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS/PC Ver 10.0 using two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures($4{\pm}3$) and Bonferroni post hoc, test. Lumbar and abdominal muscle activation was significantly increased when 100 mmHg was applied(p<.05). Upper rectus abdominis activation was significantly increased compared as other muscles activation(p<.05). However, there were no interaction between pressure and muscles(p>.05). The findings of this study can be used as a fundamental data when lumbar orthosis is applied and external pressure can be used as a therapeutic tool.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods : Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results : The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion : The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.177-187
• /
• 2005

Objective : This study is designed in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) on acute low back pain Methods : We investigated 10 patients suffering from acute low back pain were treated from Mach. 1st 2005 to Jun. 30th 2005. 10 patients, were diagnosed only straightened curvature on lateral view of lumbar spine X-ray and get Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture. Pain rating score(PRS) was used to assess the pain for its intensity, frequency, duration, and aggravating factors. And visual analog scale(VAS) was used, too. Results : Both Scalp acupunture related with Governer Vessel(Dok) and Bladder Meridian(Chok-taeyang) and Do-ma acupuncture therapy showed good effect on acute low back pain. It was proved by the difference between PRS and VAS checked before treatment and what checked after treatment. In the evaluation of treatment effect, Exellent was 2(20%), Good was 5(50%), Moderate was 3(30%), Poor was 0(0%). Conclusion : The therapeutic effect of Scalp Acupuncture and Do-ma Acupuncture on acute low back pain can be recommended as a useful therapy to treat acute low back pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.400-404
• /
• 2007

The present study was carried out to investigate the antitumor activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) herbal extract in rat tumor model. We used a new tumor animal model for the invasion and metastasis of cancer using genetically k-ras-induced rat kidney cells (RK3E-ras). We observed tumor as early as 7 days after the injection of RK3E-ras cells in subcutaneous of Sprague-Dawley rats. All of the rats developed tumor mass at the inoculated site. After 7 days, the experimental groups were divided into two: saline control and injected with SM (200 mg/kg) groups. We investigated tumor's weight, size and hepatic metastasis of each group. Injection of SM herbal extract every other day for 14 days significantly inhibited tumor growth. Histologically, the tumors were undifferentiated carcinoma showing multifactorial necrosis and hemorrhage; also, the tumor invaded into hepatoportal region. Treatment with SM herbal extract caused significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. Our data showed that SM herbal extract is effective in controlling the tendency of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by injection of RK3E-ras cells. These findings provided the potential value of SM as a novel antitumor agent candidate.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.79-90
• /
• 2005

Objectives : The purpose of this study Is to evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment on the lunbar extensor muscle flexibility of normal people by comparing ICT(interferential current therapy) group. Methods : This study was carried out on 30 subjects employed using 15 qestionaires and radiography. Subjects were divided into two groups including acupuncture treatment group and ICT treatment group. In the control group, subjects were taken ICT treatment for 15 minutes and in the test group were needled at BL23, BL24, BL25, BL4O, BL52 and BL60 for 15 minutes. Then subjects did the sit and reach test and the standing and reach test, right after treatment and after 10minutes. Results : 1. Compared to the before -treatment result of the sit and reach test and standing and reach test, the after-treatment result showed the improved flexibility. 2. The result gained from the test group is slightly larger than that of the control group. Conclusion : We brought to the conclusion that acupuncture treatment has possibility to increase flexibility of lumbar extensor muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.495-507
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise on functional recovery of low back pain patients. The subjects were consisted of sixty patients who had nonspecific subacute low back pain. All subjects randomly assigned to dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise group. Williams exercise group and modalities treatment group. The dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise group received modalities treatment with dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise. Williams exercise group received modalities treatment with Williams flexion exercise and modalities treatment group received modalities treatment without exercise. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire was used to measure disability of low back pain. Assessment was carried out before treatment fur obtain baseline measurement of low back pain and reassessment were carried out at after 20 and 40 treatment sessions. The results of this study were as following: 1. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores were significantly decreased after 20th and 40th treatment in dynamic lumber stabilization exercise group(p<.05). 2. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores were significantly decreased after 20th and 40th treatment in Williams exercise group(p<.05). 3. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores were significantly decreased after 20th and 40th treatment in modalities treatment group(<.05). 4. There were no statistical difference between the 3 groups at pre-treatment with Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores(p>.05). 5. There were no statistical difference between the 3 groups after 20th treatment with Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores(p>.05). 6. There were statistical difference between the 3 groups after 40th treatment with Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores(p<.05). 7. The Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire scores were significantly decreased after 40th treatment in all 3 groups and the decrement were greater in order of dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise group. Williams exercise group and modalities treatment group.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.557-565
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acupuncture on trunk flexors compared with trunk extensors in patients with chronic low back pain. The experimental group was treated with acupuncture on trunk flexors. The control group was treated with acupuncture on trunk extensors. Acupuncture treatment was performed 12 sessions over the course of 6 weeks. Volunteers who satisfied the requirements were enrolled in the study. Chronic low back pain was evaluated based on the VAS for bothersomeness, VAS for pain intensity at every treatment and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments, and ODI, SF-36 and BDI before and after treatments and 8, 12 and 24 weeks after starting the treatments. The VAS score for bothersomeness significantly decreased after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for bothersomeness in the experimental group decreased more rapidly than that of the control group with statistical significance (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI significantly improved after treatment for up to 24 weeks after starting the treatments in both group (p<0.05). The VAS score for pain intensity, ODI, SF-36 and BDI in the experimental group showed more rapid improvement than those of the control group. But, there were no statistical significances. Treating trunk flexors using acupuncture was more effective in decreasing the degree of bothersomeness caused by chronic low back pain than treating trunk extensors with acupuncture. There is a need to perform further studies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.115-125
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise with those of the neurodynamic technique on low back pain in patients with lumbar instability. METHODS: The subjects included those with more than three tests with positive results for lumbar instability and those with a positive sign during the neurodynamic test, all of whom had low back pain. For the lumbar stabilization exercise group (n=15), lumbar stabilization exercise was performed using a sling system, while the neurodynamic technique group (n=15) performed the neurodynamic technique. The intervention was performed 5 days a week for 4 weeks. All measurement of each subject were measure at pre-intervention and post-intervention (after 4 weeks). SPSS/PC ver. 18.0 program was used to compile results. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in general characteristics of subjects between both groups (p>.05). Assessed items included the visual analog scale score (VAS), Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (KODI), lumbar instability test positive response counter (LIC) and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire score (FABQ), and a significant reduction was observed post-intervention compared to pre-intervention values in both groups (p<.01). Other assessed items such as trunk flexibility and lumbar extensor endurance and lumbar flexor endurance were significantly increased post-intervention in both groups compared to pre-intervention values (p<.01). There was no significant difference in all parameters between both groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the neurodynamic technique may be useful for improving low back pain in patients with lumbar instability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backrests of varying degrees ($90^{\circ}$, $100^{\circ}$, $110^{\circ}$) on three abdominal muscles (upper rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique) and back extensor activation during lower extremity exercise. The three different conditions during bilateral knee extention exercise were: (1) leaning on a chair with a $90^{\circ}$ backrest, (2) leaning on a chair with a $100^{\circ}$ backrest, (3) leaning on a chair with a $110^{\circ}$ backrest. Fifteen healthy muscle subjects (mean age=24.2 years [SD=2.96], mean height=175.6 cm [SD=7.46], mean weight=69.1 kg [SD=7.36]) with no history of neuromusculoskeletal disease voluntarily participated in this study. Electromyography was used to collect muscle activation, and the muscle activation was expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). Repeated one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance. The results were as follows: (1) upper rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique activation measured significantly lower. (2) measured significantly lower when lower degree.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2010

Purpose : This study identifies the effect of ankle-taping on limb asymmetry, postural sway and lumbar flexibility. Ankle-taping was applied for participants of this study and the results were compared to the control group. Methods : This study targets 46 adults, in which 25 composed the test group and 21 composed the control group. All participants were interviewed. For the test group, inflexible tapes of 5mm width were applied as designed by Danaka Nobudaka while the tapes for the control group were arranged in a symmetric direction to the direction of the test group. Postural balance was measured using Mediance (Human Tech Inc, Korea) and to identify lumbar flexibility, the trunk flexion is targeted. Results : 1. The postural inclination of both the groups decreased, but a statistically significant difference is not found (p>0.05). 2. Both the groups increased, but no statistically significant difference is found (p>0.05). 3. Both the groups increased, and a statistically significant change is found (p<0.05). Conclusion : As demonstrated in the results above, ankle taping is effective for lumbar flexibility as well as stability of ankle joints regardless of the direction of taping. It also suggests that ankle taping is helpful for health management of athletes and the public. However, as the results are limited in that they were obtained 10 minutes after taping, it is hoped that further studies will follow.