• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.9-15
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• 2006

Skeletal muscle injury occurs frequently in sports medicine and is the most general form of injury followed by physical impact. There are growth factors which conduct proliferation, differentiation, and synthesis of myogenic prodromal cells and regulate vascular generation for the continued survival of myocytes. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle recovery processes according to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into 2 experimental groups and a controlled group. All animals had suffered from crush damage in the extensor digitorum longus for 30 seconds and were killed 1, 3, and 7 days after injury. 30 Hz and 1 mA impulsion for 15 minutes was applied to the EA experimental groups Zusanli (ST36) and Taichong (LR3) using electroacupuncture and the same stimulation was applied to the ES group using an electrical node. Hematoxyline-Eosin staining and VEGF immunohistochemistry were used to ascertain the resulting muscle recovery. There were few morphological differences between the EA and ES groups, and both groups were observed to have tendencies to decrease atrophy as time passed. In the controlled group, gradually diminishing atrophy could be observed, but their forms were mostly disheveled. There were few differences in VEGF expression between the EA and ES groups, and tendencies to have an increased quantity of VEGF with the lapse of time were observed in both groups. In the controlled group, a little VEGF expression could be observed merely 7 days after injury. In conclusion, EA and ES contributed to muscle recovery processes and could be used for the treatment of muscle injury.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of muscle fatigue by neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES). Using Biodex System 3PRO(Biodex Medical Systems Inc, USA), experiment was conducted as to the normal group(I) composed of fifteen adults and the patient group(II) composed of fifteen patients with spastic hemiplegia. As to each group, maximal tolerated intensity(MTI) and maximal tolerated isometric contraction(MTIC) in electric currents yielded by low rate(20 pps) and high rate(100 pps) neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the aspects of decrease and restoration of the isometric contraction were examined, and their strength decrement index(SDI) and strength recovery index(SRI) were also calculated. 1. As for MTI in NMES, the MTI of the group II was higher than that of the group I in both low rate and high rate NMES. In comparison within group, MTI of group II was significantly higher in high rate NMES rather than in low rate NMES(p<0.05). 2. In comparison of MTIC between groups, the group I showed higher in both low rate and high rate NMES. In comparison within group, MTIC of group II was significantly higher in high rate NMES rather than in low rate NMES(p<0.01). 3. As for SDI, both groups showed highest SDI in high rate NMES, but no significant differences could be observed. 4. As for SRI, both groups showed significantly low SRI in low rate NMES(p<0.01, p<0.05), and comparison between groups showed no significant differences could be observed. These result lead us to the conclusion that muscle fatigue was influenced by frequency, high rate NMES was lower at SDI and higher at SRI on compare to low rate NMES, therefor, a further studies concerning electrical stimulation should consider differences each frequency in response to treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.276-281
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the kinematic motion of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint during an electrical stimulation of abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle, between the normal group and the hallux valgus (HV) group. Methods: A total of twenty subjects (normal group=10 and HV group=10) participated in this study. The kinematic motions of first MTP joint was measured by using 3-dimensional motion analysis during an electrical stimulation in the sitting position. The intensity of an electrical stimulation was set to be tolerated in each subject, and the data of kinematic motions were collected in three trials of 5 seconds. An independent t-test was used to compare the angle of flexion and abduction of the first MTP joint and proximal phalanx in frontal plane, between the normal and HV groups. Results: Participants showed that the angle of flexion was significantly greater in the HV group ($13.12{\pm}10.61^{\circ}$), compared to that of the normal group ($10.17{\pm}2.31^{\circ}$); and the angle of abduction was significantly smaller in the HV group ($10.61{\pm}4.99^{\circ}$) than that of the normal group. Also, the angle of the proximal phalanx in frontal plane was significantly smaller, compared to the normal group ($53.42{\pm}10.70^{\circ}$) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that dysfunction of AbdH muscle is apparent in HV deformity and provide insight into potential risk factors for the development of HV deformity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.223-238
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of taping therapy for adhesive capsulitis patients. The subjects were consisted of 40, male 18, female 22, average age was 59 years old. To find out the effectiveness of taping therapy, we sampled 20 patients treated with H/P, electrical therapy and scapular pattern & hold-relax technique of PNF(control group), and 20 patients treated same as control group with taping therapy(experimental group). The results were as follow : 1. There was a statistical significance of shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation and VAS in both group(P<0.05). 2. There was not statistical significance of shoulder flexion and external rotation(P>0.05), but abduction had a statistical significance between taping group and non-taping group(P<0.05). 3. VAS was observed a statistical significance between 3rd and 4th post treatment(P<0.05). These results are imply that taping therapy has a effectiveness of shoulder motion and VAS for adhesive capsulitis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence on sympathetic nerve system of interferential current therapy(ICT). The subjects were consisted of 20 senile patients, 10 males and 10 females with an average age of 71 years old. And systolic and diastolic blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory were tested. The results were as follows: 1) Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed a statistical significance between before and during stimulation(p < .05). 2) Temperature was observed a statistical significance between before and during, and before and after 10 minutes stimulation(p < .05). 3) Heart rate and respiratory were not statistical significance(p > .05). These results are imply that electrical stimulation is directly or indirectly influence on sympathetic nerve system.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2004

Evidence based physical therapy interventions for this patient was applied in 15 clinical sessions. Considering the patient's two main impairments, two physical therapy interventions were delivered with WOMAC index outcome measurement. From this case report, I observed that a combined physical therapy interventions consisting of manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and TENS Unit in patients with knee osteoarthritis may result in decreased pain, stiffness and increased physical function.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.91-98
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• 2010

Neurostimulation approaches have been developed and explored to modulate neuroplastic changes of cortical function in human brain. As one of the most primary noninvasive tools, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was extensively studied in the field of neuroscience. The alternation of cortical neurons depending on the polarity of the tDCS has been used for improving cognitive processing including working memory, learning, and language in normal individuals, as well as in patients with neurological or psychiatric diseases. In addition, tDCS has great advantages: it is a non-invasive, painless, safe, and cost-effective approach to enhance brain function in normal subjects and patients with neurological disorders. Numerous previous studies have confirmed the efficacy of tDCS. However, tDCS has not been considered for clinical applications and research in the field of physical therapy. Therefore, this review will focus on the general principles of tDCS and its related application parameters, and provide consideration of motor behavioral research and clinical applications in physical therapy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2006

We have implemented the Artemisia Extract Moxibustion Method in order to improve the conventional moxibustion therapy. This method is aimed to eliminate burning wounds and smoke, which are the defects of conventional moxibustion therapy. We have verified the effectiveness of the method to the diabetes. We have performed a clinical test for the 23 cases of the diabetics. Level of FBS(fasting blood sugar) didn't show significant changes, but showed the tendency of the descent, and level of HbA1c significantly decreased after the treatments(P<0.001)(n=19).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 1995

When applying FES to patients, proper evaluation must be performed prior to treating patient. Patients with thoracic lesions between $T_4{\sim}T_{12}$ are suitable for FES. However, these patients must have excitability of the leg muscles. Thus, excitability testing is an essential part of the screening program(stimulation at 80V gives a response). Before standing or walking is attempted the patients must perform restrengthening exercise, so that the Quadriceps muscle group minimum strength is 40 Nm (corresponding to a manual grade of F+ to G). After that walking and standing can be attempted. The effects of FES are as follows: prevents pressure sores; development and maintenance of muscle properties; prevents disuse atrophy and contractures.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high voltage pulsed current(HVPC) and low voltage pulsed current(LVPC) on posttraumatic edema formation in frog hind limbs In this study, 16 bullfrogs(Rana Catesbeiana), weighting 189g to 340g were used. Limb 16 anesthetized bullfrogs were systemically injuried by weight drop. One hind limb of each frogs was randomly selected to receive continuous 120 pps HVPC and 100 pps LVPC at $90\%$ of motor threshold(HVPC : 33.3v, LVPC : 0.2-1mA). The opposite hind was remained as a control. A series of six 30-minute treatment(interrupted by 30-minute rest) was begun minutes after injury. The results were as follows. 1. Cathodal HVPC has heed shown to be effective in curbing posttraumatic edema formation in frogs, but anodal HVPC did not effect. 2. Volumes of hind limbs treated with LVPC were not significantly different over time from those of untreated hind limbs. 3. Therefore, waveform(HVPC versus LVPC) seems to influence the efficacy of electrotherapy for edema control. 4. Electrical stimulation were not increased edema formation on frog hind limbs.