• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2021

Background : Prone hip extension (PHE) is commonly used for exercises and tests in patients with low back pain. Previous studies have shown that pelvic compression belts (PCB) and non-elastic taping (NET) contribute greatly to improvements in lumbopelvic stability. This study aimed to compare the effect of two lumbopelvic stability methods such as PCB and NET on the trunk and hip extensor muscle activities during PHE tests. Methods: Subjects who experienced low back pain (low back pain group, LBPG; n=20) and those who did not experience low back pain (non-LBPG; n=20) participated in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform PHE with and without a PCB and NET. PHE tests were performed in the condition wherein the two stabilization methods were applied, and the actions of the muscles at that time were measured using surface electromyography (EMG). EMG data were collected from the hamstring, gluteus maximus, erector spine (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles. The data were collected three times for 5 s with a 1-min rest between each of the three sets. Results: In the LBPG, EMG of the ES muscle was significantly reduced when NET or a PCB was applied (p<.05). There was no difference in the change in the ES muscle activity when NET and a PCB were applied. The ratio of MF/ES muscleactivity showed a significant increase in the LBPG with NET (p<.05). Conclusion: Both NET and PCB applied to subjects who experienced low back pain significantly reduced the ES muscle activity during PHE exercises and helped control the balance of the superficial and deep trunk extensor muscles.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.57-65
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect and difference of abdominal muscle strengthening exercise, back muscle stretching and multi-training on the lumbar flexibility of 20s adults. Method : The abdominal muscle strengthening exercise, back muscle stretching and multi-training were conducted 9 times targeting 21 subjects who attended K University from 2013 May 29 to June 14. Sit and Reach Tests were conducted 2 times(before and after exercise program) for flexibility test and measured data were processed with SPSS program WIN 12.0K. By the Wilcoxon signed rank test, the effectiveness of exercises are verified. By the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney test, the difference of effectiveness among the exercise groups are verified. Result : The results of this study were summerized below 1. Before and after exercise, in abdominal muscle strengthening exercise group, back muscle stretching group and multi-training group are showed statistically significant differences(p<.05), 2. There were statistically significant difference in the improvement of the flexibility between each group(p>.05). Conclusion : These data suggests that all of the 3 exercise programs are brought positive influences on the improvement of flexibility, and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises and flexibility multi-training are effective on the flexibility more than, back muscle stretching in 20s adults.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of work environment and low back pain on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine to helpful for preventation and cure of low back pain. Methods : Through measuring of lumbosacral angle, lumbar lordotic angle, lumbar gravity line ratio analyzed structure of lumbar spine and using Trunk Extension Flexion Program of CYBEX NORM System(cybex770+TMC, USA) analyzed Flex. PT, Ext. PT, E/F ratio of lumbar spine of company employees given a medical examination. Results : According to work environment, lumbar gravity line ratio is higher in white collar group than in blue collar group, Ext. PT is significantly lower in white collar group than in blue collar group. According to low back pain or not, lumbar gravity line ratio, Ext. PT is lower in low back pain group than in non-low back pain group. Conclusions : Work environment and low back pain effects on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Using wearable passive back-support exoskeletons in workplace has attracted attention as devices that support the posture of workers, enhance their physical capabilities, and reduce physical risk factors. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton on the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks at various heights. Methods: Twenty healthy adult males were selected as subjects. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the activity of the erector spinae muscles while performing lifting tasks at three distinct heights (30, 40, and 50 cm), with and without the application of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton. EMG data were gathered before and after the application of the orthosis. Results: The use of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton resulted in a significant decrease in muscle activity when lifting a 10 kg object from heights of 30 and 40 cm (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in muscle activity when lifting from a height of 50 cm compared with that at lower heights (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton led to a decrease in the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks, irrespective of the object's height. Our results suggest that the orthosis we tested may help decrease risk of lower back injuries during lifting.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the abdominal bracing (AB) and abdominal bracing combined with ankle dorsiflexion (ABDF) on abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Sixteen subjects were divided randomly into two group: ABDF group (n=8), and alone AB group (n=8). The ABDF group practiced AB exercise with additional ankle dorsiflexion. AB group practiced only AB exercises. Subjects in both groups received ABDF exercise and AB exercise for 40 min per day, three days per week during a period of three weeks, respectively. All the subjects were evaluated for abdominal muscle thickness and strength before and after intervention using ultrasonography and MedX machine. Results: The external oblique (EO), internal oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness and the strength produced at $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$ showed a significant increase in the ABDF group after intervention, with a more significant improvement in EO and TrA muscle thickness in the ABDF group compared with the AB group (p<0.05). Also, the strength at $48^{\circ}$ strength showed a significant improvement in the ABDF group than the AB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that abdominal muscle contraction exercises with AD in patients with LBP had an influence on abdominal muscle thickness and strength. Therefore, these findings suggest that ABDF may be useful approach for enhancement of abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.236-250
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive rehabilitation programs on pain, range of motion (ROM), lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, disability, and depression in patients with traumatic low back injuries and to compare the efficacy of this therapy with that of conventional rehabilitation therapy. Methods: The study was performed with a retrospective medical chart review of patients with traumatic low back injury referred to the rehabilitation center at the Daegu Hospital of the Korean Workers Compensation and Welfare Service. Forty-four patients were allocated to either the conventional rehabilitation group (CRG; n = 22) or the intensive rehabilitation group (IRG; n = 22). The CRG group patients, who received 30-min therapist-supervised physical therapy and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks, were compared with the IRG group patients, who received 60-min therapist-supervised physical therapy, 30-min therapist-patient 1:1 matching rehabilitation therapy, and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures were a numerical rating scale, ROM, lumbar muscle strength, lumbar core muscle endurance, thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscle (transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and depression (Korean version patient health questionnaire-9). Results: There were statistically significant improvements after treatment in all outcome measures in both groups (p < 0.05). In the intergroup comparison, NRS scores on the activity and thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscles increased significantly more in the IRG than in the CRG (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in NRS scores on resting, ROM except left lateral bending, lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, ODI, and depression. Conclusions: We could confirm the superior effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation program compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy in patients with traumatic low back injuries.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Progressive muscle relaxation training on pain, Korean version of Oswestry disability index (ODI) and psychological level in chronic low back pain patients with somatization. Methods: A total of 30 subjects were treated with the experimental group (n=15) and conservative physical therapy (n=15). The experimental group was trained with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), and the control group was treated with conservative physical therapy. Physical factor treatment was applied for 60 minutes by hot pack, electrotherapy and ultrasound. Both groups performed three times a week for six weeks. VAS, ODI, psychological level measurements were taken before and after intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in VAS (p<.05) and ODI (p<.01) between experimental and control group. At the psychological level, there were significant differences in somatization (p<0.01) and depression scales (p<.01), but not in anxiety. Conclusion: As a result of this study, the degree of pain was decreased, the level of back pain dysfunction was improved, and the somatization scale and depression scale were decreased by gradual muscle relaxation therapy.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the muscle activations between the professional golfers without low back pain symptom and the professional golfers with low back pain symptom, and so identify the stress related to golf swings, and provide the basic data to minimize the low back pain and the injury risk. Using surface electrode electromyography, we evaluated muscle activity in 6 male professional golfers during the golf drive swing. Surface electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the Abdominal Oblique, Elector Spinae, Rectus Abdominis, Gluteus Maximus muscles during the golfer's swing. These signals were compared with %RVC(Reference voluntary contraction) which was normalized by IEMG(Integrated EMG). The golf swing was divided into five phases: take away, forward swing, acceleration, early follow through, late follow through. we observed patterns of trunk muscle activity throughout five phases of the golf swing. The results can be summarized as follows: RES(Right Elector Spinae) had statistically significant difference in take away phase, LGM(Left Gluteus Maximus), LRA(Left Rectus Abdominis), LOA(Left Oblique Abdominal) had statistically significant difference in forward swing phase, RES(Right Elector Spinae), RGM(Right Gluteus Maximus), ROA(Right Oblique Abdominal) had statistically significant difference in acceleration phase, RES(Right Elector Spinae), RGM(Right Gluteus Maximus) had statistically significant difference in early follow-through phase, LES(Left Elector Spinae), RGM(Right Gluteus Maximus) had statistically significant difference in late follow through phase.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2021

Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise according to correct verbal instructions in pain and muscle strengthening of the low back pain patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty subjects with low back pain were selected. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups (10 in each group): namely the lumbar stabilization exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise according to the correct verbal instructions group. The lumbar stabilization exercise group performed lumbar stabilization exercises for 6 weeks (5 times a week). The lumbar stabilization exercise according to correct verbal instructions group performed lumbar stabilization exercise according to correct verbal instructions for 6 weeks (5 times a week). We measured pain, muscle power, proprioception, and body balance before and after exercise by using visual analog scale (VAS), digital handheld dynanometer, Joint repositioning error, time up and go test respectively. Results: We found statistically significant differences in pain, muscle power, proprioception, and body balance in lumbar stabilization exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise according to correct verbal instructions group, before and after (p<0.05). Conclusions: We confirmed the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise according to correct verbal instructions. Thus we thought these results could be used as basic data and reference for low back pain. But we need more study effect of correct verbal instructions on other exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a core stability exercise program using Swiss Ball on muscle activity, muscle thickness, maximum muscular strength, and pain in the trunk region during a 6-weeks program involving participants who have lower back pain. Methods : A total of 21 males between the ages of 20 and 33 years old were divided into 3 Swiss Ball exercise groups. Group 1 performed isometric exercises, group 2 performed isotonic exercises, and group 3 performed mixed exercises. Measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the 6-week period using ME6000 to measure muscle activity and VAS to measure pain reduction. Comparisons were made using a paired t-test and ANOVA on SPSS 10.0. Results : There was a statistically significant effect in muscle activity for group 1 and group 3. Secondly, there was a statistically significant effect in pain reduction for group 1, group 2, and group 3. Conclusion : We found that isometric exercises performed by group 1 were effective in improving muscle activity and pain reduction.