• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2017

The problem of trunk stability is a major factor in back pain.. Abdominal draw in maneuver(ADIM), One of the trunk stabilization exercises to relieve lumbar instability, is a method of inducing selective contraction of the transverse abdominis associated with anticipatory posture control among the abdominal stabilization muscles. ADIM is usually performed with a visual feedback by applying a pressure biofeedback unit(PBU) under the lumbar at the supine position, which is not functional compared to the sitting position. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ADIM applied in supine and sitting position on 31 healthy men and women. In each posture, muscle activity was measured by rectal abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA)/internal obilique (IO) and erector spinae (ES) using wireless EMG. In the result, there was no significant difference between RA and EO between the two postures and there was a significant difference between TrA / IO and ES. In both postures, the activity of TrA/IO was higher than that of RA, and the effect of ADIM was shown to be the same, whereas TrA/IO and ES showed higher activity in sitting position. This means that the activity of the muscles involved in the postural stability and lumbar stability is increased further in the sitting position. Therefore, ADIM in sitting, which can be applied more easily in daily life, is useful for improving lumbar stability.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.337-343
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of abdominal-compression belt in one leg standing on balance in normal adult. Background: With the effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure, the abdominal-compression belt is contributing to a static balance control. However, specific study is still insufficient. Method: Forty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: control(n=20) and experimental group(n=20), respectively. The experimental group used an abdominal-compression belt, whereas the control group did not that. All subjects were educated using pressure biofeedback unit and ultrasound imaging for exact application by abdominal-compression belt. Main outcome measurement was used a general stability index, fourier harmony index, weight distribution index, and fall index in tetrax balance system. Results: Experimental group improved significantly on general stability, only 2 factors(eyes closed with head turned forward and eyes closed with head turned backward) among fourier harmony index, and fall index, However, weight distribution index did not revealed significant difference. Conclusion: The findings suggest that application of abdominal-compression belt could be effective on improving balance ability in one leg standing of normal adults. Application: The results of the abdominal-compression belt might help to control balance in workers.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization on both trunk and lower limb muscle activity and center of pressure (COP) in single leg standing. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect muscle activity data, the mean velocity of COP was measured using a force plate, and a pressure biofeedback unit was used for lumbar stabilization training. The findings of this study are summarized as follows: 1) The EMG activity of the erector spinae decreased significantly and the activity of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius increased significantly with lumbar stabilization single leg standing. 2) No differences in activity in the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and medial hamstrings were found with single leg standing. 3) The mean velocity of COP in the antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions in the lumbar stabilization single leg standing decreased significantly compared with the preferred single leg standing. The findings of this study therefore indicate that lumbar stabilization can facilitate the co-activation of deep stabilization and global muscles that improve postural control capability during single leg standing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Background: This study examined the effects of cervical traction group and cervical traction & nerve mobilization exercise group after applying conservative physical therapy to Computer Workers with Cervical Radiculopathy. Methods: They were randomly divided into two groups: 18 subjects were cervical traction group, 22 subjects were cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Cervical extensor muscles strength (CEMS) was measured by the Pressure biofeedback unit. Grasping power (GP) was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Results: After 4 weeks therapy, VAS and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.05) and CEMS and GP were significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group is more effective than cervical traction group for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing GP in computer workers with cervical radiculopathy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.14-20
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• 2007

To improve abdominal muscles strengthening, double straight leg lowering (DSLL) has been widely used in physical therapy, fitness program, and athletic program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the lumbar stabilization maneuver with a pressure biofeedback unit on the muscle activity of rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during DSLL. Fourteen healthy young men were recruited from university population. The electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the RA, EO, and IO of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a paired t-test. The study showed that EMG activity in the RA, EO, and IO was significantly higher during DSLL with lumbar stabilization (DSLL-LS) compared to performed DSLL (p<.05). These results suggest that DSLL-LS is recommended as an effective method for strengthening exercise for the abdominal muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on static balance and disability in chronic low back pain with lumbar rotation extension subgroup of trascranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and lumbar motor control exercise (MCE). Methods: In 40 male low back pain with lumbar rotation extension subgroup subjects were recruited for the study. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Experimental groups received tDCS and MCE, Control groups received sham-tDCS and MEC. Before and after intervention, measured in surface area, whole path length and Roland-Morris low back pain questionnaire (RMQ). Results: Showed a significant static balance and disability from the experimental groups compared to the control group. Showed a no significant RMQ score from experimental groups compared to the control group. Conclusions: tDCS and lumbar MCE showed the increased static balance in chronic low back pain with lumbar rotation extension subgroup.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 1997

An A-B-A-C single subject research design was used to assess the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) and inhibitive techniques on spasticity in a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. Stimulation electrodes were placed over the sural nerve of the right leg. The standard method of cutaneous stimulation, TENS with impulse frequency of 100 Hz, was applied. Inhibitive techniques including stretch, antagonist contraction, and weight bearing were used. The tonus of the leg muscle was measured by means of a surface-EMG biofeedback unit. Visual analysis of data indicate that the child showed clinically significant reduction of spasticity in passive ankle movement following 30 minutes of TENS and inhibitive techniques application, respectively. The effect of TENS on spasticity inhibition was similar to that of inhibitive techniques. This result suggests that for this child with cerebral palsy, the application of TENS to the sural nerve may induce short-term post-stimulation inhibitory effects on the spasticity of cerebral palsy. Replication of this study with a more complex single-subject design involving more subjects is recommended to confirm this result.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of horse riding simulator exercise on the thickness changes in the transverse abdominis in normal adults. Methods: Forty-five healthy adults were recruited and randomized to a horseback riding simulation exercise group (n=15), a sling exercise group (n=15), and a trunk stabilization exercise group (n=15). A horseback riding simulator offers the indoor experience of horseback riding and mimics the rhythmic movement of horseback riding, thereby provided a virtual environment, such as riding a real horse on the front screen. The velocity of the horse riding simulator exercise was regulated within the subject's ability to control the exercise on the horse riding simulator. A sling exercise group performed sling exercise under the inspection of the experimenter. In the trunk stabilization exercise group, the subjects were instructed to perform the exercise accurately and pause the session when pain occurred during the intervention. The subjects in each group carried out the interventions three times per week for six weeks. The thickness of the transverse abdominis was measured using a pressure biofeedback unit and the ultrasound. Results: Significant differences in the thickness of transverse abdominis within the groups were observed between before and after the interventions. On the other hand, there were no differences in the parameters among the groups. Conclusion: Horse riding simulator exercise can be an alternative to trunk stabilization exercise by increasing the thickness of the transverse abdominis in healthy adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.107-113
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Selective strengthening of the transverse abdominis muscle (TrA) during abdominal hollowing makes an important contribution to the stability and control of the spine. This study examined the effects of abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE) according to the visual feedback method on the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis muscles. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects were assigned randomly to an AHE with visual feedback from real-time ultrasound image (group A, n = 10), AHE with visual feedback with pressure biofeedback unit (group B, n = 10). Both groups underwent 20 min of AHE with visual feedback once daily, five days/week for two weeks. The changes in the muscle thickness of the TrA, internal oblique abdominal muscle (IO), and external oblique abdominal muscle (EO) were measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The thickness of TrA was changed significantly in both groups (p < .05). However, the lowest minimal detectable changes were achieved in Group A. The thickness of the IO and EO muscles in group A was changed significantly, but there were no significant changes in group B. CONCLUSION: Both visual feedback methods were effective for strengthening the TrA muscles selectively. Nevertheless, AHE with visual feedback using real-time ultrasound images may be more useful in trA muscle contraction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

The active-knee-extension (AKE) test has been used to measure hamstring muscle length. The traditional AKE test measures the popliteal angle to the point of resistance with a 90-degree flexion of the hip fixed by straps, while the stabilized AKE test measures the popliteal angle to the point of resistance with a 90-degree flexion of the hip stabilized using a pressure biofeedback unit providing lumbopelvic stabilization. The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability of the traditional AKE test and stabilized AKE test. Twenty healthy adults participated in the study. The popliteal angles were measured with a digital inclinometer during each test. To assess the test-retest reliability between the 2 test sessions, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated. The intrasubject coefficient of variation ($CV_{intra}$) was also calculated. To compare the traditional and stabilized AKE tests for changes in pressure, paired t-tests were applied. The results of this study were as follows: 1) ICCs(3,1) value for test-retest reliability was .96 in the traditional AKE test, and was .98 in the stabilized AKE test. 2) The maximal $CV_{intra}$ was 33.7% in the traditional AKE test and 15.7% in the stabilized AKE test. 3) Differences of $6.1{\pm}2.1$ mmHg in pressure were measured in the traditional AKE test, and differences of $1.2{\pm}1.0$ mmHg in pressure were measured in the stabilized AKE test. The results show the traditional and stabilized AKE test to be highly reliable, with test-retest reliability. However, the stabilized AKE test represented less variation and more stabilization than the traditional AKE test. Further study is needed to measure the inter-rater reliability of the stabilized AKE test for generalization and clinical application.