• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: This study assessed the influence of bilateral coordination exercises on unstable support surfaces on leg muscle activation and balance in stroke patients. METHODS: Two groups were recruited for comparison: an experimental group of 10 individuals who performed bilateral coordination exercises on unstable surfaces and a control group of 10 individuals who performed the same exercises on stable surfaces. All participants were assigned randomly. Pre-tests were conducted to measure the leg muscle activation and balance levels of the participants prior to the experiment. The intervention was comprised of three 30-minute weekly sessions for four weeks, followed by a post-test after the four-week period. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified within the experimental group in relation to all muscles (p < .01) and balance (p < .05). Within the control group, significant differences were identified in relation to the rectus femoris muscle, biceps femoris muscle, and balance (p < .05). Significant differences between the two groups were only observed in relation to the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Only the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles showed significant differences between the two groups. This effectiveness may be attributed to using an ankle strategy to maintain body balance during exercise on unstable surfaces.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.86 no.2
• /
• pp.102-110
• /
• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health burden worldwide, with over 600 million confirmed cases and 6 million deaths by 15 December 2022. Although the acute phase of COVID-19 management has been established, the long-term clinical course and complications due to the relatively short outbreak is yet to be assessed. The current COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world. Interestingly, epidemiological studies have shown that fatality rates vary considerably across different countries, and men and elderly patients are at higher risk of developing severe diseases. There is increasing evidence that COVID-19 infection causes neurological deficits in a substantial proportion to patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Furthermore, lack of physical activity and smoking are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) susceptibility. We should therefore explore why lack of physical activity, smoking, etc causing a population more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and mechanism involved. Thus, in this review article, we summarize epidemiological evidence related to risk factors and lifestyle that affect COVID-19 severity and the mechanism involved. These risk factors or lifestyle interventions include smoking, cardiovascular health, obesity, exercise, environmental pollution, psychosocial social stress, and diet.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2023

Many psychiatric disorders are associated with brain functional dysfunctions and neuronal degeneration. According to the research so far, enhanced brain plasticity reduces neurodegeneration and recovers neuronal damage. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most extensively studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain that plays major roles in neuronal survival, development, growth, and maintenance of neurons in brain circuits related to emotion and cognitive function. Also, BDNF plays an important role in brain plasticity, influencing dendritic spines in the hippocampus neurogenesis. Changes in neurogenesis and dendritic density can improve psychiatric symptoms and cognitive functions. BDNF has potent effects on brain plasticity through biochemical mechanisms, cellular signal pathways, and epigenetic changes. There are pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to increase the expression of BDNF and enhance brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise, nutritional change, environmental enrichment, and neuromodulation have biological mechanisms that increase the expression of BDNF and brain plasticity. Non-pharmacological interventions are cost-effective and safe ways to improve psychiatric symptoms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.169-173
• /
• 2023

Background: In terms of physical performance, elastic tape (ET) is known to contribute to injury prevention and performance enhancement. Objects: This study aimed to compare and analyze the effect on lower extremity muscle activity of young adult women with and without ET during squats. Methods: In this study, six healthy, young women were recruited as participants in a university laboratory. Participants were allocated to two groups of three after measuring muscle activity in a pre-test, and the experiment was conducted for a total of two weeks (two sessions). First, 10 half squats were taped once in the first week, and 10 half squats were performed without taping in the second week. The other group did this in reverse and measured muscle activity after the squat was over. Results: As a result of this study, there was no significant difference in the quadriceps with or without ET (Z = -0.11, p > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found in hamstring (Z = -0.31, p > 0.05). Conclusion: No beneficial effect was found on changes in muscle activity following ET application during squats. Further studies require randomized controlled trials that increase the number of participants and the intensity of the intervention, and measure pain, function, and performance rather than muscle properties depending on the biomechanical lifting mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional massage and stretching, applied to the elbow and shoulder joints, on pain, tenderness threshold, and grip strength. Methods: A total of 29 individuals were assigned to a single site (n=15) or multiple sites (n=14). Pain measured through the visual analogue scale (VAS), tenderness threshold (TTH), and grip strength (GI) were measured before and four weeks after the intervention. Results: After four weeks of treatment, visual analogue scale significantly decreased in both groups (p<.05), and the tenderness threshold and grip strength significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). There was also a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The reduction of visual analogue scale and the increase in the tenderness threshold and grip strength were more significant in the multi-site treatment group than in the single-site treatment group.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.230-241
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effects of a swallowing training program on swallowing function and depression for nursing home residents with dysphagia after stroke. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent control group pre-post test design. The program (oro-facial muscle strengthening exercises, swallowing exercises, expiratory muscle strengthening exercises, and brain stimulation exercises) applied to the experimental group three times per week for eight weeks, 40-45 minutes for each intervention. The final data from 42 people (21 experimental and 21 control) were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 25.0 using descriptive statistics. 𝜒² test, t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Friedman test. Results: The experimental group was significantly improved than control group in oro-facial muscle strength, swallowing symptoms (Z=-2.22, p=.026), and oral intake function level (Z=-2.00, p=.046). However, there was no significant difference between two groups in depression. Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it reorganized and mediated a swallowing training program as a safe, non-invasive exercise that nurses can implement in a nursing facility with limited medical personnel and it could be easily followed by older adults.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors affecting subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in men and women. Methods: This study was conducted based on data from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey, and targeted a total of 80,026 men and 98,753 women aged 40 or older who responded to the SCD assessment. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using a complex sample was performed to identify factors influencing SCD. Results: Of the participants, 19,438 (22.7%) men and 30,826 (29.9%) women in the community reported SCD. Significant factors that influence SCD in both groups were age, education level, subjective health status, and depressive symptoms, and the strongest risk factor was depressive symptoms. Compared to women, men's monthly income, flexibility exercise, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were found to be significant factors on SCD and Healthcare services affected SCD only in women. Medical services affected SCD only in women. Conclusions: When planning and providing intervention programs for cognitive function, it is necessary to reflect differences in factors associated with SCD according to sex.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.196-204
• /
• 2024

Objective: Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is a leading cause of pediatric blindness and the most common form of pediatric visual disability, particularly prevalent among children with cerebral palsy (CP). This systematic review synthesizes the latest research on various interventions for managing CVI, focusing on studies published in the last decade. Design: A systematic review Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in March 2024 across several databases including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria set under the PICOSD framework and were limited to those involving human subjects, published in English, and conducted within the past ten years. The selected studies included randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and case reports focusing on rehabilitation, therapy, and surgical interventions for CVI. Results: Out of 221 studies screened, 5 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in detail. These studies covered a range of interventions including physiotherapy, sensory integration training, visual training programs, neuromotor rehabilitation, and surgical procedures aimed at improving visual function and overall quality of life for CVI patients. Conclusions: The studies demonstrate the potential benefits of structured, early intervention programs that incorporate family involvement and are tailored to the unique needs of children with CVI. However, there remains a significant need for further research to establish evidence-based practices in this field.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.69-82
• /
• 2021

Objective : This recent work intended to provide basic information for researchers and practitioners related to occupational therapy about Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in South Korea. The previous research of screening DCD and the effects of intervention programs were reviewed. Methods : Peer-reviewed papers relating to DCD and published in Korea from January 1990 to December 2020 were systematically reviewed. The search terms "developmental coordination disorder," "development coordination," and "developmental coordination" were used to identify previous Korean research in this area from three representation database, the Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Google Scholar. We found a total of 4,878 articles identified through the three search engines and selected seventeen articles for analysis after removing those that corresponded to the overlapping or exclusion criteria. We adopted "the conceptual model" to analyze the selected articles about DCD assessment and intervention. Results : We found that twelve of the 17 studies showed the qualitative level of Level 2 using non-randomized approach between the two groups. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children and its second edition were the most frequently used tools in assessing children for DCD. Among the intervention studies, the eight articles (47%) were adopted a dynamic systems approach; a normative functional skill framework and cognitive neuroscience were each used in 18% of the pieces; and 11% of the articles were applied neurodevelopmental theory. Only one article was used a combination approach of normative functional skill and general abilities. These papers were mainly focused on the movement characteristics of children with DCD and the intervention effect of exercise or sports programs. Conclusion : Most of the reviewed studies investigated the movement characteristics of DCD or explore the effectiveness of particular intervention programs. In the future, it would be useful to investigate the feasibility of different assessment tools and to establish the effectiveness of various interventions used in rehabilitation for better motor performance in children with DCD.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.163-173
• /
• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.