• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.1514-1520
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• 2007

Currently, the signal of the human body is measured with various methods, and a noninvasive investigation of various methods is useful diagnosis method. PTT(Pulse Transit Time) which is noninvasive investigation make use of to estimate the physiological phenomena. PTT has a latent information of cardiovascular system. So we have the experiments for analysis of the relations between PTT and physiological parameters. We examine to correlate to the physiological parameters, an age and degree of paralysis on the ultrasound therapy. The 40 patients who has a such paralysis join our experiment, and we obtain the PTT data that normal condition and states after ultrasound therapy. We study that PTT after the ultrasound therapy for patients who have a paralysis was related to an age and degree of paralysis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.164-168
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• 2017

Purpose: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a device that activates the sensorimotor cortex through electrodes attached to the surface of the skin. However, it is difficult to expect positive changes if the recipient is not attentive to the motion. To complement the perceived cognitive limitations of FES, we attempted to investigate the changes of sensorimotor cortex activity by simultaneously providing action observation with FES. Methods: Electroencephalogram was measured in 28 healthy volunteers. Relative band power over the sensorimotor cortex was analyzed and compared in three conditions: during rest, during FES alone, during action observation with FES. Results: The results showed significant differences in each relative band power. Relative alpha power and relative beta power were the lowest by application of FES combined with action observation, while the relative gamma power was the highest. Conclusion: These results suggest that combining FES with observation could be more effective than FES alone in neurorehabilitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of gait training with the use of an electromechanical gait trainer with functional electrical stimulation (FES) for patients that had undergone subacute stroke. Methods: The study subjects included nine subacute stroke patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul, Korea. Outcome was measured using the timed Up and Go test, Fugl-Meyer-L/E assesment, with determination of the comfortable maximal gait speed, composite spasticity score, functional ambulatory category and Berg balance scale. All measured scores were recorded before, during, and after rehabilitation and at an eight-week follow-up. Results: Patients who received electromechanical-assisted gait training in combination with FES after subacute stroke were more likely to achieve independent walking, functional activities, balance and gait speed. Conclusion: The outcome of our gait-training program demonstrates that it may be practical to integrate FES into electromechanical gait training without any adverse effects. However, further randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate if patient outcome after combined training is superior to outcome after the use of electromechanical gait trainer treatment alone or conventional gait training alone.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2009

Purpose: $17\beta$-estradiol is the most active endogenous estrogen, which is related to favorable changes in the plasma lipid profile, to relaxation of the coronary vessels, and to a decrease in platelet aggregation and vascular smooth muscle cell migration. However, although the beneficial effect of estrogens on plasma lipoproteins (ie, lowering low-density lipoprotein and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) contributes to cardiovascular protection, it does not fully account for the protective effect, particularly in the application of physical therapy, including low frequency electrical stimulation. Methods: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the inhibition of stressors, such as endothelin-1 (ET-1), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), prostaglandin $F2\alpha$ ($PGF2\alpha$), and a protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (DPB), induced isometric tension by $17\beta$-estradiol in vascular smooth muscle strips, respectively. In addition, the effects of low frequency electrical stimulation at the meridian points (CV-3, -4, Ki-12, SP-6, LR-3, BL-25, -28, -32, -52) on the indirect antihypertensive effect were examined by monitoring the changes in the serum $17\beta$-estradiol concentration in healthy volunteers. Results: Isometric tension analysis showed that the responses of inhibited tension by $17\beta$-estradiol were similar to the same stressors in rat aortic smooth muscle strips. Furthermore, although the continued amplitude modulation (AM) type of electrical stimulation was not increased significantly by electrical stimulation, the current of the frequency modulation (FM) type of low frequency electrical stimulation increased the serum $17\beta$-estradiol concentration in normal volunteers. Conclusion: These results, in part, suggest that $17\beta$-estradiol has the capacity to supress stressor-induced muscle tension, and electrical stimulation, particularly current of the FM type, has a modulatory effect on the sex steroid hormones, particularly $17\beta$-estradiol, in healthy volunteers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.442-454
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• 2003

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of silver spike point (SSP) low frequency electrical stimulation on plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) activities measured by radioimmunoassay from volunteer and the effects of VIP on pain substance-induced contraction investigated by isometric tension methode in animal. The current of 3 Hz continue type, but not 100 Hz continue type, of SSP low frequency electrical stimulation significantly increased in plasma VIP from normal volunteer. The pain substance, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$, increased vascular smooth muscle contraction, respectively. These responses were inhibited by VIP applied cumulatively (1 nM - $1\;{\mu}M$), but not serotonin-induced contraction. In addition, serotonin, and prostaglandin $F2{\alpha}$ induced uterine smooth muscle contraction from rat. However, these responses were inhibited by VIP ($1\;{\mu}M$), only serotonin-induced contraction. These results suggest that the VIP regulates pain substance in part and that the SSP low frequency electrical stimulation, specifically current of 3 Hz continue type, significantly increases plasma VIP from volunteer.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES), applied over the antagonist or the agonist, would alter the H reflex. Attention was focused on the roles of stimulus location. We used normal eight subjects without neuromuscular disease which were divided into 3 groups; the subjects were diveded into group of antagonist, agonist, antagonist-agonist. All groups were meted of eight subjects. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was administered for 15 minutes. All subjects were subjected to three tests, including a pre-test, post-test and post-20 minute test. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test. The results were as follows; 1. H latencies were significantly increased in agonist and antagonist-agonist group (p<.01). 2. H/M intervals were significantly increased in agonist and antagonist-agonist group (p<.01). 3. H amplitudes were significantly increased in agonist (p<.001) and antagonist-agonist group (p<.01). 4. H/M ratios were significantly decreased in agonist and antagonist-agonist group (p<.01). In agonist group. H-reflex amplitudes and H/M ratios were more significantly decreased than antagonist group. Future studies will need to determine what influence NMES may have on the excitability of spinal motor neurons in people having UMN syndrome.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and isometrical exercise(IE) to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. The relationships between the strength changes and the relative force and duration of training contractions were also studied. Methods : The subjects were divided into three group. The control group(n=6) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The isometric exercise (IE) group(n=6) performed maximum isometric contractions, and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)(n=6) engaged electrically stimulated isometric contractions, three days a week for four weeks. Results : Results showed that both IE group and NMES group were found to have an increase in strength significantly greater(p<0.05) than the control group at 4 week. But between IE group and NMES group were not found to have an difference in strength significantly. Conclusion : The relative increase in isometric strength, using IE and NMES, may be determined by the ability of the subjects to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions. Suggestions for further research and implications for the clinical of IE and NMES for strength-training are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.53-61
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation on the change oxytocin(OT) immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamus of the male SD rats. Fifteen healthy and normal male rats were divided into three groups, 5 SD rat in each group. The one group has been stimulated by electro-acupuncture(EA, 2Hz) for 30 min and the other group by EA for 1hr 30 min and control group has not been stimulated. The results were summarized as follows. OT immunoreactive cells were found in the Paraventricular nucleus (PVN), Supraoptic nucleus(SON) and Lateral Magnocellular Area(LMA). The number of OT immunoreactive cells of PVN were significantly increased after 30 min as compared with control group (p<0.05) and were also significantly increased after 1hr 30min than 30 min(p<0.05). The number of OT immunoreactive cells of SON were significantly increased after 30 min and 1hr 30 min(p<0.05) as compared with control group, but decreased after 1hr 30 min than 30 min. The number of immunoreactive hells of LMA significantly increased after 30 min(p<0.05) as compared with control group, but significantly decreased after 1hr 30 min than 30 min(p<0.05). These results show that OT is released into the hypothalamus in response to electrical stimulation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.17-21
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate possibilities for quantitative analysis using the electromyography and sonography. For better understanding, we evaluated the correlation between the pressure pain threshold and sonography, spontaneous electrical activity in trigger points located in the upper trapezius muscle. Methods: Thirty three active subjects volunteered to participate in this study (n=33). They had a palpable taut band, exquisite spot tenderness of a nodule in a taut band, spontaneous pain, referred pain, jump sign, local twitch response, and a painful limit to full stretch range of motion. We measured Pressure pain threshold, density, white area index, root mean square, and reaction. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to estimate the relationship between the pressure pain threshold and other variables including density, white area index, root mean square, and reaction time. Results: There were significant correlations between pressure pain threshold and density (r=-0.75, p<0.01), and between pressure pain threshold and white area index (r=-0.74, p<0.01). A significant correlations between pressure pain threshold and root mean square (r=-0.59, p<0.01). The significant correlation was found between pressure pain threshold and reaction time (r=-0.64, p<0.01). Conclusion: These should indicate whether quantitative analysis can be done using the characteristics of electromyography and sonography.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was determine the effect of Balance Trainer training with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on spasticity and balance in persons with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 30 subjects with hemiparetic stroke were recruited and randomly divided into the Balance Trainer training with TENS group (n=15) and Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (n=15). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with TENS for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per a week during 4 weeks and the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group practiced additional Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS for the same period. Spasticity and balance were assessed by ability (static balance, dynamic balance) and were measured before and after the 4-week programs. Results: The result of spasticity and dynamic balance were improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). The Balance Trainer training with TENS group showed significantly greater improvement in spasticity of the gastrocnemius & dynamic balance, compared to the Balance Trainer training with placebo TENS group (p<0.05). The Balance trainer training with TENS group showed a significant improvement in static balance, especially during the eye-closed condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Balance Trainer training with TENS was effective in improving spasticity and balance in subjects with chronic stroke. Based on these results, it is suggested that Balance Trainer training with TENS could clinically be used more actively in conjunction with conventional physical therapy.