• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness between myofascial release technique and ultrasound in subjects with myofascial pain syndrome. Method : Twenty subjects with myofascial pain syndrome were randomly assigned to a myofascial release technique group(n=10) or an ultrsound group(n=10). The Cervical Range of Motion(C-ROM) instrument was used to measure cervical range of motion. Electromyography(EMG) was used to measure muscle power sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius. Result : The result of this study shows there were no significant differences in ROM increase and muscle power increase between the myofascial release technique group and the ultrasound group. In the group with Myofascial Release Technique, the average score was $61.40{\pm}11.12$ in SCM flexion of C-ROM and $127.87{\pm}4.24$ in Rt. upper trapezius extension of EMG. In the group with ultra sound, the average score was $68.60{\pm}10.02$ in SCM flexion of C-ROM and $131.50{\pm}5.45$ in Rt. upper trapezius extension of EMG. Conclusion : The results suggest that there was no significant difference between two therapeutic techniques.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effect of soft tissue technique (STT) in Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) following sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in breast cancer patients by examining the upper extremity function, range of motion, and pain. Methods: Nineteen patients with breast cancer-related AWS were evaluated. STT was performed on the symptom area for treatment of AWS symptoms. We evaluated AWS symptoms and pain intensity using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional disability using the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, glenohumeral joint (GHJ) flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM) with or without elbow extension. Results: Visual analyses of the data suggest a modest effect of STT in improving GHJ flexion, abduction ROM with or without elbow extension, DASH for upper extremity function, and Pain. The statistically significant improvement in baseline observed for pain, DASH, and ROM data made it impossible to assess the effects of STT on those outcomes. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: STT may be an effective and safe treatment option for AWS patients recovering from breast cancer treatment; however, further research is needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.46-54
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• 2012

Ely's test is commonly used to assess rectus femoris muscle flexibility. however, a reliability limit of this test was demonstrated by a previous study. In this study, we present an alternative method using an application for a digital horizontal level in a smartphone (DHLS) to complement the reliability limit of Ely's test. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability of Ely's test using DHLS on the pelvis, compared to using visual observation (VO) of pelvic and hip motions. Nineteen patients with lumbar extension-rotation syndrome were recruited for this study. An examiner examined the rectus femoris flexibility (both pass/fail and goniometer scoring) through Ely's test using both DHLS and VO. A retest session was completed two hours later for within-day reliability and seven days later for between-day intra-rater test-retest reliability. Results showed higher Kappa values for pass/fail scoring and higher intraclass correlation coefficient values for goniometer scoring in Ely's test using DHLS, compared to using VO. Measurement error and Bland and Altman plots further demonstrated the degree of intra-rater variance during Ely's test using DHLS in a clinical setting, compared to using VO. These results demonstrated that Ely's test using DHLS showed acceptable reliability compared to using VO. Ely's test using DHLS could be widely used for measuring the rectus femoris muscle flexibility in patients with lumbar extension-rotation syndrome, although the inter-rater reliability needs to be established first.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.85-89
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• 2020

Bow hunter's syndrome is a rare disease that shows the symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency resulting from a dynamic obstruction or stenosis of the vertebral arteries during neck movement. This paper reports a case of a 59-year-old male who visited the emergency room with diplopia, tinnitus, and gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography revealed a multiple cerebellar infarct, total obstruction of the right vertebral artery, and dynamic obstruction of the left vertebral artery during neck extension. As the infarction worsened, a thrombectomy was done. Posterior decompression and fusion at C5-6 were performed for the left vertebral artery. The left vertebral arterial patency was confirmed by intraoperative and postoperative angiography. No recurrence of the symptoms was observed for six months after surgery. Physicians need to pay attention to the diagnosis of vertebrobasilar insufficiency caused by an obstruction of the vertebral arteries during neck extension in cervical instability patients.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.59-62
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• 2013

Man-in-the-barrel syndrome (MIBS) is a clinical syndrome of bilateral upper limb weakness with normal lower extremity function. It can be caused by various neurological conditions such as bilateral cerebral hypoperfusion, syringomyelia, motor neuron disease, or cervical myelopathies. We report a patient with MIBS after cervical spinal cord ischemia. It is postulated to be caused by ischemic insults of anterior spinal artery from repeated and prolonged neck extension.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.73-81
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of strength training on knee joint torque during walking in an adolescent with trisomy-21 Down syndrome. One adolescent with Down syndrome and one normal child participated in this study. Strength training consisted of eight exercises: squat, hamstring curl, hip adduction, hip abduction, knee extension, toe raise, sit-ups, and hyperextension of the waist. The participant with Down syndrome was participated in strength training for 12 weeks, three times a week, three sets, 10-15 RM; resistance was adjusted according to the principle of progressive overload. To measure the effect of strength training, isokinetic strength variables and knee joint torques were measured before training and after 12 weeks of training. The participant with Down syndrome had some abnormalities in controlling knee motion during walking due to muscle hypotonia, ligament laxity, and weakness of muscles. Post-training isokinetic strength increased compared to pre-training measurements. Knee range of motion were increased after strength training. Strength training did not affect ad/adduction and in/exteranl moments but did have an effect on flexor/extensor moment and timing.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2006

Purpose : To identify the effects of Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome. Methods : The present research investigated 30 patients with neck myofascial syndrome, dividing them into a group doing Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. This study examined degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck myofascial pain syndrome before and after the treatment, and compared to find difference in the degree of recovery from myofascial pain syndrome. Results : The results are as follows. For the Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF), the visual analogue scale(VAS) decreased significantly for six weeks treatment, and the range of motion(ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). Conlusion : This study suggest that Hold-Relax of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation have an effect on the functional improvement of patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2018

Purpose: McKenzie is a widely-used and conventional clinical therapeutic exercise for patients with mechanical lower back pain. It is a well-designed assessment and classification system for the spine. Main issue: Patients with mechanical lower back pain are classified into one of three mechanical syndromes (posture, dysfunction, or derangement syndrome) by mechanical loading strategies. These methods evaluate symptomatic and mechanical responses during repeated end-range movement and sustained postures. The goal of McKenzie mechanical syndrome diagnosis is to determine directional preferences. Directional preference is a phenomenon of preference for posture or movement in one direction, which reduces or centralizes pain. However, in Korea, there is a lack of awareness of basic McKenzie mechanical syndromes diagnostic concepts. Koreans tend to think of the McKenzie method as a simple lumbar extension exercise. However, an accurate diagnosis of a mechanical syndrome must precede the application of McKenzie exercise. Conclusions: Thus, in this study, I present a classification method of McKenzie mechanical syndrome diagnosis and clinical characteristics of each mechanical syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.7-17
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• 2004

Individuals who propel wheelchairs have a high prevalence of upper extremity injuries (i.e., carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow/shoulder tendonitis, impingement syndrome). Musculoskeletal injuries can result from overuse or incorrect use of manual wheelchairs, and can hinder rehabilitation efforts. To better understand the mechanisms of upper extremity injuries, this study investigates the motion of the wrist during wheelchair propulsion. This study also examines changes in the variables that occur with fatiguing wheelchair propulsion to determine how the time parameters of wheelchair propulsion and the state of fatigue influence the risk of injury. A two dimensional (2-D) analysis of wrist movement during the wheelchair stroke was performed. Twenty subjects propelled a wheelchair handrim on a motor-driven treadmill at two different velocities (50, 70 m/min). The results of this study were as follows; The difference in time parameters of wheelchair propulsion (cadence, cycle time, push time, recovery time, and PSP ratio) at two different velocities was statistically significant. The wrist kinematic characteristics had statistically significant differences at two different velocities, but wrist radial deviation and elbow flexion/extension had no statistically significant differences. There were statistically significant differences in relation to fatigue in the time parameter of wheelchair propulsion (70 m/min) between initial 1 minute and final 1 minute. The wrist kinematic characteristics between the initial 1 minute and final 1 minute in relation to fatigue had statistically significant differences but the wrist flexion-extension (50 m/min) had no statistically significant differences. According to the results, the risk of musculoskeletal injuries is increased by fatigue from wheelchair propulsion. To prevent musculoskeletal injuries, wheelchair users should train in a muscle endurance program and consider wearing a splinting/grove. Moreover, wheelchair users need education on propulsion posture, suitable joint position, and proper recovery patterns of propulsion.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2014

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common work-related peripheral neuropathy. In addition to grip force and repetitive hand exertions, wrist posture (hyperextension and hyperflexion) may be a risk factor for CTS among workers. However, findings of studies evaluating the relationship between wrist posture and CTS are inconsistent. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies to evaluate the evidence of the relationship between wrist posture at work and risk of CTS. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies published between 1980 and 2012. The following search terms were used: "work related", "carpal tunnel syndrome", "wrist posture", and "epidemiology". The studies defined wrist posture as the deviation of the wrist in extension or flexion from a neutral wrist posture. Relative risk (RR) of individual studies for postural risk was pooled to evaluate the overall risk of wrist posture on CTS. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. All were cross-sectional or case-control designs and relied on self-report or observer's estimates for wrist posture assessment. The pooled RR of work-related CTS increased with increasing hours of exposure to wrist deviation or extension/flexion [RR = 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.646-2.43; p < 0.01: Shore-adjusted 95% CI: 1.32-2.97]. Conclusion: We found evidence that prolonged exposure to non-neutral wrist postures is associated with a twofold increased risk for CTS compared with low hours of exposure to non-neutral wrist postures. Workplace interventions to prevent CTS should incorporate training and engineering interventions that reduce sustained non-neutral wrist postures.