• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2020

Background: Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) has fewer systematic guidelines than pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, previous studies have not evaluated physical therapy for this ailment in Korea. Objects: We aimed to provide a detailed account of clinical decision making by Korean physiotherapists while treating PLBP. Methods: In total, 955 questionnaires were distributed mainly in places of continuing education held by the Korean Physical Therapy Association from April to July 2019. The same questionnaire was posted on a website used by physiotherapists. We collected subject information, a specific Vignette typically represent symptoms of PLBP, and responses to multiple questions about decision making, subjective recognition and interest level in the field of women's health physiotherapy (WHPT). Results: The overall response rate was 56% (n = 537); of these, responses to 520 questionnaires were analyzed. Most respondents chose various combinations of physical therapy methods. There were significant differences in subjective recognition levels of WHPT according to gender (p < 0.05), age (p < 0.01), education level (p < 0.01), and clinical experience (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in interest according to gender (p < 0.01) and education level (p < 0.01). With respect to the types of treatment, significant differences were noted in selective rates for "manual therapy", "pain control", and "supportive devices" based on gender. Manual therapy tended to be chosen more with increasing age and clinical experience. With increased education level, there were fewer choices for the use of pain control. Conclusion: This is the first data on how Korean physiotherapists manage PLBP patients using the vignette method. We were able to recognize the Korean physical therapist's decision on PLBP patients, and observed statistically significant correlations. This may aid in developing future research and education plans in the WHPT field.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.777-784
• /
• 1998

The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnosis and treatment patterns for frozen shoulder patients. It was used Delphi survey techniques and the subjects were 35 expect physical therapists who agreed participated in the study. The data were analyzed by the x2-test at 0.05 level of statistical significance. The results were as follows : 1. In accordance with open ended question, 11 diagnosis and 14 treatment are collected in the first investigation. 2. In accordance with close ended question, they were selected 5 diagnosis and 5 treatments criteria from the results of the first replied questionnaire. 3. Finally, the third close ended questionnaire, they were selected 3 main driteria of the diagnosis and treatments from the results of the second investigation. The physical therapists prefer to 1) History 2) ROM test 3) Palpation & Inspection in the diagnostic field, and 1) EST and Convex-Concave rule 2) Codman's exercise and MFR 3) Deep friction massage in the treatment field.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2010

Purpose: In this study, children with cerebral palsy were treated for 8 weeks using horse riding trunk proprioception, stability and posture to investigate the effect of hippotherapy in the field of physical therapy. Methods: A total of 18 subjects were divided into an experimental group treated by horseback riding and a control group. Both groups were evaluated pre- and post-treatment. Trunk proprioception was measured three times in the sitting position with their eyes and ears closed to reach the target position the angle error of the mean was calculated. Trunk stability was measured using a forceplate and the data were used to calculate the postural sway path & postural sway velocity. Posture was evaluated using the Posture Assessment Scale (PAS). Results: After hippotherapy, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in trunk proprioception, stability and posture (p<0.05), but the control group improved in posture only (p<0.05). Trunk proprioception, stability and posture was significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Eight weeks of hippotherapy is effective in improving trunk proprioception, stability, and posture. Research using this therapy should be studied further as a possible new therapeutic approach in the field of physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Cases of male external genitalia lymphedema are relatively uncommon in the clinical physical therapy field. Of more than two thousand clinical cases treated by the author in the lymphedema treatment center, only 4~5 cases of male external genitalia lymphedema were encountered. The present case report presents the experience and treatment results of male external genitalia lymphedema from urological cancer. Method: This case was a 47-year-old man, who was treated with complex decongestive physical therapy consisting of manual lymph drainage, compression bandage (including the external genitalia), remedial exercise, skin care. Result: The results were relatively good. The clinical experience would suggest that early treatment and education can reduce the external genitalia lymphedema. However, the treatment efficacy remains limited. Therefore, early treatment is vital for more successful outcomes. Conclusion: The relief of symptoms and a decrease in male external genitalia lymphedema may be the best result from long-term conservative management.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.403-410
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study attempted to provide the basic data for the institutional improvement of the clinical practice of physical therapy department students. Methods: Research for this study included 390 participants used for the analysis of the present study. The statistical analysis was of the characteristics and satisfaction of the clinical practices of subjects, the reasons for major employment preferences before and after clinical practices, and the preferred institution and field of major employment before and after clinical practice. Results: The general characteristics of students of the physical therapy department include females in their third year of college at age 20~24 years-old. As well, no religion, usual satisfaction with major, and motivation of choosing a physical therapy employment rate were the most common. A residency type in the form where one would cook one's own food and a clinical practice with a general hospital grade were seen most often. Regarding preference of major employment before and after clinical practice, the preference of major employment was 88%, which increased by 5.2% after clinical practice from 82.8% before clinical practice. The preference for no major employment due to lack of interest and no aptitude increased 43.5% from 23.9% after clinical practice. Conclusion: The number of apprentices will increase despite practice institutions being limited; for practice of environment, content, etc., relatively changes are slow, and progress rapidly medical technology. It is a society in which expertise is required; in the present study, there is a value in providing the clinical data missing in physical therapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2013

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a painful condition that arises from exercise-induced muscle damage after unaccustomed physical activities. Various therapeutic interventions have been applied to reduce the intensity and duration of DOMS-related symptoms. Recently, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) intervention has been introduced as an alternative noninvasive treatment for DOMS. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment was conducted to examine the effects of PEMF therapy on DOMS in elbow flexors at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the experimental DOMS induction. Thirty healthy volunteers ($23{\pm}2.4$ yrs, $175{\pm}5.7$ cm, and $74{\pm}7.8$ kg) participated in this study. Each was randomly assigned to a PEMF or placebo group. On the first day, DOMS was induced in the elbow flexors by repeated isokinetic motions at low ($60^{\circ}/s$) and fast ($120^{\circ}/s$) speeds in all subjects. Thereafter, the PEMF group received 15-min daily treatment with a PEMF device. The placebo group received sham treatment of the same duration. Overall, PEMF application was more effective than the sham treatment in reducing the physiological symptoms associated with the DOMS including perceived soreness, median frequency, and electromechanical delay of the surface electromyography. In addition, median frequency and isokinetic peak torque of the PEMF group recovered to the pre-DOMS induction level earlier than the placebo group. In conclusion, this study suggests that PEMF can be applied as a new recovery strategy in reducing DOMS symptoms. Further experiments are required to examine the effect of the PEMF treatment on different types of exercise conditions and to determine the optimal treatment dosage and duration in a real clinical setting.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate curriculums of physical therapy education. Methods : We identified the curriculums of physical therapy education by internet. Results : In Korea, education on physical therapy started as a two-year program in 1963, and recently reorganized as three or four years programs. Currently some ten schools offer physical therapy programs for master's and doctor's degrees. The member countries of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) provide approximately ten types of education programs that take two to six years. In Korea, the same programs have three or four years of education periods. The American Physical Therapist Association (APTA) launched on the doctor of physical therapy (DPT) course in the late 1990s, encouraging physical therapists to acquire a doctorate degree. In addition, the U.S. Vision 2020 envisions that all physical therapists acquire DPT by the year 2020. As the medical field becomes more professional and specialized, physical therapists are expected to supplement and even replace works of doctors, instead of merely assisting them. It is necessary to reinforce education programs and improve related school systems to enhance status of physical therapist in accordance with the changing social needs and to provide quality service to patients. Conclusion : We suggest to change the curriculum of Korea. It is more accurately reflected the scope, depth, breadth, and rigor of the high-quality education preparation needed for current and future practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.67-75
• /
• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the level of awareness of the guidelines of the physical therapist specialization system. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of 364 clinical physical therapists working in hospitals. A structured questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was used. The questionnaire consisted of standards and management for the institutionalization of physical therapist specialization, intentions to acquire specialized physical therapist qualifications, specialized fields, and general information of the research subjects. RESULTS: At least five years of clinical experience and a bachelor's degree or higher were required to obtain a specialized physical therapist qualification. Many physical therapists said they would accept the qualification of a specialized physical therapist. Training and examination were appropriate for acquiring specialized physical therapist qualifications, and it was desirable to manage qualifications at the national level or the association of physical therapists. As for the specialized fields of physical therapy, musculoskeletal physical therapy, pediatric physical therapy, and nervous system physical therapy were prioritized, and electrotherapy was not recognized as a specialized field. CONCLUSION: A detailed discussion is needed on the system and cost for acquiring a specialized physical therapist qualification and economic benefits after acquiring the qualification.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.118-123
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to present basic policy data for introduction of a home-based physical therapy (HBPT) policy. Methods: The study surveyed physical therapists and patients for six weeks, in order to identify satisfaction with physical therapy. The statistical significance of the management plan with regard to costs and cost estimation and payment methods was determined and managed according to the operating principals of HBPT, eligibility criteria, number of visits, treatment time, and team approach. Results: Through the survey all groups of patients and physical therapists recognized the need for HBPT. They felt that the most desirable methods for activation of physical therapy visits involve precise diagnosis and evaluation through a team approach. While making regular visits to the patient three times a week, an expert visiting physical therapist with 3 to 5 years of experience in the clinical field could provide central nerve developmental treatment in less than 60 minutes; this service could be provided at a reasonable cost, minimizing unnecessary hospital visits, reducing time, medical expenses and facilitating a quick recovery due to psychological satisfaction resulting from a decrease in the psychological anxiety patients often experience in medical institutions. Conclusion: Based on the study results provided above, if HBPT is to be introduced, appropriate pricing and programs should be based on the results of pilot projects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 1999

We can sec the case of hand injury patient in the industry field. Hand injury has more particularity than other injury cases. Because it is densely a lot of muscle, tendon, bone, vessels, and in progressing speedily to fibrosis, adhesion, stiffness than other joints. If it has baud injury, it is important to the physical therapy in early stage after operation. Otherwise, it is difficult to recover the function. Hand malfunction intimately has to do with the return to work and the grade of disability. There are many different hand injury cases but, we want to investigate several cases. : fracture. joint injury, tendon injury, and want to looking for treatment tine and method about these. So, we'll understand hand injury of industry disaster. and acknowledge of the importance of physical therapy in the early stage through these.