• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.42-52
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• 2019

Background: Whole body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is widely used for the rehabilitation and recovery of patients with various neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Objects: To objectively measure changes in lower extremity and abdominal muscles after sit-to-stand dynamic movement training using WB-EMS. Methods: A total of 46 healthy adults (23 experimental and 23 control subjects) performed sit-to-stand exercise; the experimental group with WB-EMS, and the control group without WB-EMS. The muscle activity of the lower extremity, and the muscle thickness of the lower extremity and abdominal muscles were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In terms of electromyographic activity, there was a significant interaction effect for the rectus femoris (RF) muscle (F=30.212, p=.000). With regards to ultrasonographic imaging, the muscle thickness of the RF muscle had a significant interaction effect at the muscle contraction ratio (F=8.071, p=.007). The deep abdominal muscles, such as the transverse abdominal (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscles, also showed significant interaction effects at the muscle contraction ratio (F=5.474, p=.024, F=24.151, p=.000, respectively). Conclusion: These findings suggest that WB-EMS may help to improve the muscular activity of the RF muscle, and the muscle thickness of the RF muscle and deep muscles such as the TrA and IO muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The Purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the thickness of Sternocleidomastoid muscle(SCM) and deep cervical flexor muscle(DCF) through CranioCervical Flexion Exercise(CCFEx) Using Sling. METHODS: Subjects were randomly allocated two group: control group (n=21) without neck pain, experimental group (n=17) with pain. Muscle thickness was measured using CranioCervical Flexion Test(CCFT) and ultrasonography before or after intervention. RESULTS: In experimental group, compared with muscle thickness of exercise before, SCM thickness rate of change was slightly decreased according to pressure increased after exercise(p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that CCFEx using sling is effective for SCM and DCF of choric neck pain patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects on abdominal muscle thickness and breathing by applying trunk strength exercise and deep stabilization exercise along with breathing exercise, which is the main respiratory muscle during breathing, to present an efficient exercise method with diaphragm breathing. Methods : This study was performed on normal 6 females and 14 males subjects. They were divided into 2 groups which trunk strength exercise and deep stabilization exercise group. The trunk strength exercise group (TSE) attended prone press-up, crunch and pelvic tiling. The deep stabilization exercise group (DSE) attended abdominal drawing, horizontal side-support and bridging exercise. Breathing exercise was performed for each set break time for 1 minute. Results : First, in the comparison of the change in the thickness of the abdominal muscle between the trunk strength training group and the deep stabilization group before and after exercise, there was a statistically significant difference in the comparison of transverse abdominis (TrA), rectus femoris (RF), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO) (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in any comparison between groups (p>.05). Second, in the comparison of changes in respiratory function between the trunk strength exercise group and the deep stabilization exercise group before and after exercise, there were statistically significant differences in the exerted forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow (PEF) in the comparison before and after the experiment (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in any comparison between groups (p>.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it can be said that both trunk strength exercises and deep stabilization exercises along with diaphragm breathing are exercises that strengthen deep and superficial muscles, and have a positive effect on breathing function as well as muscle strength. However, it is not known which exercise was more effective, and because it was combined with breathing exercise, the interference effect appeared.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.971-972
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• 2010

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.20-34
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• 2016

Background: It is necessary to find and develop the effective way of intervention for patients with neck pain, since the neck pain is becoming increasingly common throughout the world. To identify the altered motor control in patient with neck pain would be informative to find and develop the effective way of intervention. Objects: The aim of this study was to review literature regarding the altered motor control in patients with neck pain, measured by using surface electromyography (sEMG), ultrasonography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and to suggest prospective research work on neck pain. Methods: Case-control (neck pain/healthy) studies published between 2004 and 2015 that investigated neck muscle activation, thickness, cross-sectional area, and fat infiltrate were searched in Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Twenty-eight articles were included in this study. Results: sEMG, ultrasonography, and fMRI were used complementarily to investigate the altered superficial and deep neck muscle activation, thickness, cross-sectional area, and fat infiltrate in patients with neck pain. They showed the following altered motor control when compared retrospectively with healthy subjects or during specific functional tasks: (1) increased superficial muscle activation, (2) lesser deep muscle thickness, (3) smaller cross-sectional area of the deep muscle, and (4) greater fat infiltrate in deep muscles. In particular, among the women, the office workers showed higher muscle activation of superficial neck muscles during functional tasks, although they did not have neck pain, than those who were not office workers. Conclusion: Studies revealed that patients with neck pain showed an altered motor control when compared with healthy subjects by using various assessment modalities. Understanding this phenomenon would help researchers design an effective intervention for alleviating neck pain or to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. In addition, we recommend that female office workers take measures to care for their necks before developing neck pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Purpose : Although many studies have explored the effect of seating side angles on the spinal curve and surrounding muscles during seating, only a few studies have investigated the effect of different seating face angles on different lower limb and deep trunk muscles. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of seating surface angles (0 degrees, 10 degree anterior, and 10 degree rear) on lower extremity and deep trunk muscles in healthy adults. Methods : Thirty people were asked to sit once on each seating surface three times during the day, and their muscle thicknesses were measured by ultrasound while sitting. The method of sitting was the same when sitting on the three seating surfaces. Results : From the comparison results of the muscle thicknesses according to the seating surface angles, a significant difference existed in the muscle thicknesses of the vastus medialis, vastus medialis oblique, vastus intermedius, soleus and gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, no significant difference was found in the transversus abdominis, internal obliques, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis (p>.05). Conclusion : Our findings revealed that the lower back load decreases, the leg load increases, and the legs specific muscles are affected as the body tilts forward when sitting on the seating surface inclined forward. Therefore, it is possible to suggest a forwardly inclined seating surface that reduces lower back loads and utilizes the posture-maintaining muscles of the legs when sitting in a person with a poor sitting posture or lower back pain at ordinary times.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.265-270
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of neck stabilization exercises with vibratory stimulation on the neck disability index and thickness of the deep neck flexor. Methods: Thirty subjects (control group=15, experimental group=15) with mild neck pain were enrolled in the study. The control group underwent craniocervical flexion exercise (control group, CG) and the experimental group was given craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus (experimental group, EG) (3 sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks). To examine the effects of exercise, the subjects were evaluated using the neck disability index (NDI), the thickness of the deep neck flexor muscle, and muscle strength. An independent and paired t-test were used to compare the effects of the exercise between the groups. Results: The NDI score of the two groups increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and there was a significant difference between the EG group at 3 weeks (p<0.05) and 6 weeks (p<0.01). The thickness of the deep neck flexor in the CG group increased significantly after 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stages (p<0.001). The EG group showed a significant increase after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment in all pressure stage (p<0.001), and 22 mmHg, a significant difference between 3 and 6 weeks (p<0.05) and among 24, 28, and 30 mmHg at 6 weeks (p<0.05). The maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles increased significantly in the two groups after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.001) and there was significant difference between the EG group at 6 weeks (p<0.01). Conclusion: Craniocervical flexion exercise with vibratory stimulus decreases the NDI, and increases the thickness of the deep neck flexor and maximum muscle strength of the deep neck flexion muscles in patients with mild neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find out the thickness variation of the superficial and deep abdominal muscles by measuring the thickness of the abdominal muscles. METHODS: 35 young, healthy adults(24 mens and 11 womens) participated in this study. The first, when only bridge exercise we had measured the thickness of their abdominal muscles by the ultrasound. The second, when the abdominal drawing-in during maintaining the bridge exercise we had measured the thickness of their abdominal muscles by the ultrasound. A pared t-test was used to determine a statistical significance for the thickness variation of the superficial and deep abdominal muscles. RESULTS: Results of before and after comparative analysis. The surperficial muscles(rectus abdominis, external obilique) statistically significantly reduced in the thickness and the deep muscle(transeverse abdominis) statistically significantly increased in the thickness. CONCLUSION: We have shown that the abdominal drawing-in exercise during maintaining the bridge exercise was effective to increase in strengthening abdominal deep muscle selectively.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1873-1878
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• 2019

Background: Walking is a complex activity. The main components of walking include balance, coordination, and symmetrical posture. The characteristics of walking patterns of stroke patients include slow walking, measured by gait cycle and walking speed. This is an important factor that reflects post-stroke quality of life and walking ability. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise on the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients. Design: Quasi-experial study Methods: The experiment was conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, with 30 minutes per session, on 10 subjects in the experimental group who performed the deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise and 10 subjects in the control group who performed a regular exercise. Variables that represent the spatiotemporal walking ability (step length, stride length, step rate, and walking speed) were measured using GAITRrite before and after the experiment and were analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise spatiotemporal walking ability between the two groups (p<.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the step rate and walking speed between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise is effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients. Therefore, its application will help improve the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients.