• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.76-83
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of single treatment of strain-counter strain (SCS) on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and muscle activity during scapular plane abduction with 3% body weight load. Fifteen asymptomatic male adults with upper trapezius latent trigger point (LTrP) (PPT<2.9 $kg/cm^2$) participated in this study. Pressure algometer was used to measure PPT and surface electromyography was used to record upper, middle arid lower trapezius, serratus anterior, infraspinatus and middle deltoid muscle activity and relative ratio during scapular plane abduction between pre- and post-intervention. There was a significant increase in upper trapezius PPT after a 90-second SCS (p<.05). The activity of the upper trapezius and middle deltoid was significantly decreased (p=.014, p=.001), coupled with a decreased muscle activity ratio between the upper and lower trapezius (p<.05). These results indicate that the SCS may effectively deactivate upper trapezius activity, thereby alleviating muscle balance and reducing pain sensitivity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activity of the trunk muscles during balance exercises on a stable and unstable surface in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 males, 5 females) with stroke were enrolled in the study. Muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG electrodes from the affected side of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles. The exercise was performed under three conditions. For the first condition for balance exercise, subjects were instructed to sit on an exercise mat with legs extended. The second condition was to sit with legs extended, with a balance pad under their buttocks. The third condition was to sit with legs extended, have a balance pad under the buttocks and a balance cushion under the lower legs. Results: This study showed significant differences in EMG activities during both arm lifting exercise and weight shifting exercise between conditions. This study showed that the EMG activities of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles were significantly higher when the trunk exercise was performed using the balance pad with balance ball than when using the stable surface. Conclusion: In conclusion, performing balance exercises using an unstable surface is a useful method for facilitating trunk-muscle strength and hence trunk stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2020

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain condition of the upper extremities. LE is often related to forceful grip activities that require isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. A previous study evaluated the effect of the diamond taping technique on grip strength and pain; however, there has been no report on the change in the electromyography (EMG) findings of wrist extensors. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diamond taping technique, using a rigid tape, on the EMG activities of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during grip activities. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (mean age = 21.50 ± 2.76 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform forceful grip activities with and without diamond-type taping on the origin area of the ECR. Grip strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% for maximal isometric contraction force. EMG data were collected from the ECR. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of grip force and taping (with and without). Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.05. Comparison of the results with and without taping at different grip force were analyzed using independent t-test. Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.01. Results: Statistically significant association was observed between the taping application and forceful grip activity as revealed by the EMG data of the ECR (p < 0.05). EMG of the ECR significantly reduced for all muscle strength levels (p < 0.01) after taping. Conclusion: This study shows an impressive effect of the diamond taping technique, using rigid tape, on wrist extensors during grip activities. Decreasing muscle activity via this taping approach could be utilized to enhance pain-free grip force and reduce pain in patients with LE. Our study suggested that this taping technique could be considered as an effective management strategy of LE.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Background: For performing various movements well, cooperation between the muscles around the scapula and shoulder has been emphasized. Taping has been widely used clinically as a helpful adjunct to other physiotherapy methods for shoulder pathology and dysfunction treatment. Previous studies have evaluated the effect of taping techniques using dynamic tapes on shoulder function and pain. However, no study investigated the electromyographic (EMG) changes in the shoulder muscles. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the upper limb offload taping technique using a dynamic tape on EMG activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius, serratus anterior (SA), and middle deltoid (MD) muscles during scaption plane elevation. Methods: A total of 26 healthy subjects (19.85 ± 6.40 years, male = 20) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform scaption elevation with and without dynamic taping on the shoulder. Shoulder elevation strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, for the maximal isometric contraction force. Results: There were statistically significant interaction effects between the taping application and shoulder scaption elevation force in EMG activities in the UT (p < 0.05) and MD (p < 0.05). EMG activities in the UT showed significant increases in 50%RVC (reference voluntary contraction, p < 0.05) and 25%RVC (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EMG activity of the SA significantly increased in 50%RVC (p < 0.01) and 25%RVC (p < 0.01) after dynamic taping. For the MD, the EMG activity level significantly decreased in 100%RVC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicated that upper limb offload dynamic taping application affects the muscle activities of some shoulder muscles depending on different scaption elevation strength levels. Therefore, we suggest that the upper limb offload dynamic taping can be applied to the shoulders when patients need middle deltoid inhibition or upper trapezius facilitation, such as patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.595-599
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to identify the bridge exercise posture for the efficient exercise by comparing the muscle activity of the lower limbs according to the changes in muscle length because of knee angle in bridge exercise. The subjects of this study were 9 randomly selected males in their 20s living in D city from those who satisfied inclusion criteria. The measured muscles were Vastus medialis oblique, Vastus lateralis, Semitendinosus, Biceps femoris, Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius, Tensor faciae latae, and Adductor longus. Data were analyzed through paired comparison test. In the result, ST, BF, and TFL muscle activities were high when knee joint flexion angle was $90^{\circ}$ Although in most cases higher muscle activity was shown at $90^{\circ}$ than $60^{\circ}$ there was no statistical significance. Interestingly, it was lower at $90^{\circ}$ than $60^{\circ}$ in VL. In ST, BF, and TFL, it was significantly higher at $90^{\circ}$ than $60^{\circ}$ (p<.05). Conclusively, knee angles in bridge exercise may affect the muscle activity, and in particular when the activity of two joint muscles such as semimenbranosus muscle, biceps femoris muscle, and tensor fasciae latae muscle increase as the angle gets higher. Therefore, it is considered that this study will provide helpful tips to develop muscular strength enforcement program for the patients with damages in the lower limbs through bridge exercise in clinical situations.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.183-189
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of movement control exercise of hip joint using visual EMG biofeedback on hip joint muscles in healthy adults. This study was nonequivalent one group Pre-post test design. Twenty-one healthy adults were participated in the study. all subjects conducted movemnet control exercise(MCE) using electromyography(EMG) biofeedback of hip joint durng 20 min. The outcome measures included surface eletromyography. Surface electromyography data were collected from the Gluteus medius (Gmed), Gluteus maximus (Gmax),and Tensor fasciae latae(TFL), rectus femoris(RF) during small knee bending (SKB) test. There was a significant difference in Gluteus maximus muscle activity between the pre-test and the post-test (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that Movement control exercise using EMG biofeedback for limiting hip internal rotation is effective in activating the hip external rotator muscles. in addition, this study showed that rehabilitation exercise combined with ICT convergence technology could be an effective intervention in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2013

Background: This study tried to identify the bridge exercise posture for efficient exercise application by comparing muscle activity of buttocks and thighs according to internal-external rotation and pronation & supination in bridge exercise. Method: Nine males in their 20s living in D city were randomly selected as subjects. Muscles such as vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GMAX), gluteus medius (GMED), tensor fasciae latae(TFL), and adductor longus (ADL) were measured using eight channel surface electromyogram (MyoSystem 1400A, Noraxon, USA) to measure muscle activity. Statistics process was performed through paired t test. Results: In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal-external rotations according to internal-external rotation of shinbones, in most cases muscle activity was higher in external rotation than in internal rotation, but there was no statistical significance (p>.05). In particular, it was lower in TFL and ADL. There was no statistical significance in the comparison between two groups (p>.05). In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal-external rotations according to pronation & supination of thighs, GMED showed significantly higher value in supination than in pronation (p>.05), and in ADL pronation is significantly higher than supination (p<.05). Conclusion: In internal-external rotation of shinbone and pronation & supination of thighs in bridge exercise, changes in muscle length can make effects on muscle activity of buttocks and thighs. Therefore, muscle strength enforcement program on buttocks and thighs through bridge exercise can make effects on patients with lower limb functional damages in clinical situations.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2003

The bridging of nerve gaps is still one of the major problems in peripheral nerve surgery. To evaluate the role of silicon tube in nerve regeneration, gaps were made by resection of tibial components of sciatic nerves of twenty-five New Zealand rabbits. The gaps were divided into five groups. In group I, the tibial components of sciatic nerves were isolated and the incision immediately closed. In group II, 1-cm segments of the nerve were removed and the silicon tubes filled with autogenous skeletal muscle were sutured in place. In group III, 1-cm segments of the nerve were removed and the silicon tubes filled without muscle were sutured in place. In group IV, 2-cm segments of the nerve were removed and the silicon tubes filled with autogenous skeletal muscle were sutured in place. In group V, 2-cm segments of the nerve were removed and the silicon tubes filled without muscle were sutured in place. At 16th week, the eletromyography, the light and transmission electron microscopy were performed. Nerve conduction study stimulating sciatic nerve proximal to the lesion and recording at gastrocnemius muscle showed that the compound muscle action potentials of the group II with 1 cm nerve defect filled with muscle were higher amplitudes than the group III without muscle. Compound muscle action potentials of the group IV with 2 cm defect filled with muscle showed similar results in comparison with the group V. The light and transmission electron microscpy showed that a good morphological pattern of nerve regeneration in 1 cm gap than 2 cm and in gap with muscle than gap without muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.379-385
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was to determine the immediate effects of pulsed magnetic field (PMF) in subjects with upper trapezius (UT) trigger point (TrP). Methods: Fifteen subjects with UT TrP were recruited for the study's PMF group (pain threshold=$2.29kg/cm^2$), and 15 age-, weight-, and gender-matched subjects with UT TrP were recruited for control group (pain threshold=$2.25kg/cm^2$). Pressure algometer was used to measure pressure pain threshold on UT TrP and, cervical range of motion (ROM) inclinometer was used to measure cervical ROM. Surface electromyography was used to record UT, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior muscle activity and relative ratio during scapular plane abduction between pre- and post-treatment. Results: The PMF effectively improved pain threshold and concurrently increased ROM (rotation to the painful side, lateral flexion to the nonpainful side). In addition, the PMF may effectively deactivate UT activity during abduction and the muscle activity ratio between UT and serratus anterior. Conclusion: These findings provided empirical evidence that PMF can be an effective treatment method to reduce pain threshold, to increase cervical ROM, and deactivate UT activity in individuals with TrP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2021

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity with pain and wrist extension disability. The tendon which is most affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Previous study evaluated the effect of taping technique on patient with LE, but no study investigated the changes of electromyography (EMG) on ECRB when using dynamic taping (DT) technique. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DT technique using dynamic tape on muscle activity of ECRB during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to perform wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion without and with DT on origin area of ECRB. Wrist isometric extension was performed at 75%, 50% and 25% (%maximal voluntary contraction force), respectively, based on maximum contraction force. Isotonic extension and flexion test used dumbbell. EMG data was collected from ECRB. Results: EMG of ECRB were statistically significant decrease in wrist isotonic extension after DT (p < 0.05). Significant increase in wrist isometric extension during 25% and 50% force task (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied DT technique to suppress the wrist extensor muscles in 21 healthy adults in their twenties. Change in muscle activity was compared in the ECRB muscle during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion task. Based on the results of this study, the DT technique applied to the wrist and forearm area can reduce the load on the wrist extensors when the wrist performs various movements during daily life movements or repetitive tasks, and by using these effects, excessive stress is applied to tennis elbow patients.