• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of manual facilitation and a stick on lumbar and hip joint flexion angles in subject with lumbar flexion syndrome during forward bending from a sitting position. Fifteen subjects with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited for this study. As a pretest, all subjects performed three repetitions of bending the trunk forward until the tips of their fingers touched the target bar. After this pretest, the subjects practiced the forward bending of the trunk 10 times, using either manual facilitation or a stick. Then, as a posttest, all subjects repeated the pretest procedure. The flexion angles of lumbar spine and hip joint during forward bending in a sitting position were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical differences between pre-test and post-test flexion angles and pre- and post-test flexion angle differences between forward bending with manual facilitation and forward bending with a stick. The level of statistical significance was set at p=.05. The results of the study showed that the angle of the lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the bilateral hip flexion angle increased significantly when performing forward bending with stick and manual facilitation. Furthermore, the angle of lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the angle of bilateral hip flexion increased significantly in forward bending with a stick compared to forward bending with manual facilitation. The findings of this study indicate that both forward bending with manual facilitation and sticks could be used to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and increase hip flexion, and that forward bending with a stick is more effective than forward bending with manual facilitation for inducing lumbar spine and hip joint angle changes.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.33-40
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PNF on active lumbar flexion ROM and difficulty of activity of daily living for adult scoliosis with low back pain. Methods : A 23-aged adult scoliosis with diagnosed herniated lumbar disc. The patient was treated by PNF for 30 minutes a day, 2 times a week during six weeks. Active lumbar flexion ROM and difficulty of activity of daily living were evaluated by the Modified-Modified Schober test and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire every week after treatment including the pretest of the first day of treatment. Results : There were a significant improvement in active lumbar flexion ROM between pretest and the last test. There were significant decreased in difficulty of activity of daily living positive between pretest and the last test. Conclusion : PNF will be useful for increasing active lumbar flexion ROM and decreasing the difficulty of activity of daily living positive for adult scoliosis with low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate correlations among objective measurements of spasticity in patients with brain lesions. Thirty-two stroke and traumatic brain injury subjects participated in the study. Spasticity was quantified using the knee first flexion angle, relaxation index obtained from a pendulum drop test, and the amplitude of a knee tendon reflex test. Pearson's product correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships among these measurements of spasticity. There was a significant positive correlation between the relaxation index and knee first flexion angle in patients with brain lesions (r=.895, p<.01). There was also significant negative correlation between the amplitude of knee tendon reflex and relaxation index (r=-.612, p<.01), and between amplitude and knee first flexion angle (r=-.537, p<.01). Thus, it is possible to use the knee first flexion angle as an objective measure of spasticity, rather than relaxation index, which is more complicated to obtain. Further studies are needed to explore the effects of functional improvement and long-lasting carryover effects of spasticity using a simple objective measure such as the knee first flexion angle from a pendulum test.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.763-770
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• 1995

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of lumbar flexion and extension range-of -motion measurements obtained with the modified -modified $Sch{\ddot{o}}ber$ methods on normal and subjects with low back pain. Sixty two, aged 20 to 30 years(x = 22.0, SD = 2.07), with normal and twenty two, aged 14 to 66 years(x = 35.6, SD = 15.88) with chronic low back pain were measured by two physical therapist with 3 to 10 years (x = 6.5) of clinical experience. The therapist used the modified-modified $Sch{\ddot{o}}ber$(MMS) techniques to measure, in random order and on two occasions, the subjects' lumbar flexion and extension. For therapist 1, Intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC) for test-retest reliability for normal varied .9923, .8802(flexion, extension). and low back pain pateint varied .9950, .9313(flexion, extension). For therapist 2. ICC. for test-retest reliability for normal varied .9903, .8921(flexion, extension). and low back pain pateint varied .9843, .9551(flexion, extension). Interrater reliability for normal varied .9477, .6960(flexion, extension) and low back pain pateint varied. 9776, .7576(flexion, extension). Thus the MMS. method appears to be a reliable method for normal and patient with low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Background: Various methods are used for recovery of knee flexion range of motion (ROM) due to a tightened rectus femoris muscle (RFM) or limited inferior glide of the patella. Stretching methods are common interventions for restoring the tightened RFM length. Also patellar inferior gliding (PIG) technique can recover tightened RFM length too. However, effect of applying the PIG to passive knee flexion (PKF) has not been studied. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combining PIG with RFM stretching for improving knee flexion ROM in subjects with RFM tightness. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with RFM tightness were recruited. Two different methods of knee stretching were tested: 1) PKF during modified Thomas test (MTT) and 2) PKF with PIG during MTT. The passive stretching forces was controlled by hand-held dynamometer. The knee flexion ROM angle was measured by a MTT with ImageJ software. Differences between the conditions with and without PIG were identified with a paired t-test. Results: The knee flexion ROM was significantly greater for PKF with PIG ($114.44{\pm}9.33$) than for PKF alone ($108.97{\pm}9.42$) (p<.001). Conclusion: A combination of passive knee flexion exercise and PIG can be more effective than PKF in increasing knee flexion ROM in individuals with RFM tightness.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.889-895
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• 2010

This study compared the effects of craniocervical flexion exercise with conservative cervical flexion exercise in workers with chronic neck pain. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: control (n=20) and experimental group (n=20), respectively. The conservative exercise for the control group consisted of cervical flexion exercise, whereas the experimental group performed a craniocervical flexion exercise. To compare the two groups, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for a pain, neck disability index (NDI) for a neck disability scale, and cross sectional area (CSA) of longus colli muscle using ultrasound image were assessed on pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 2 weeks follow-up. 2-way repeated ANOVA was used with Bonferroni post-hoc test. (1) There were significant main effects (within and between groups) (p<0.05) and interaction effect (p<0.05) in VAS. Post-hoc test revealed that there were significant differences in all pair-wise comparisons. (2) There were significant main effects (within and between groups) (p<0.05) and interaction effect (p<0.05) in NDI. Post-hoc test revealed that there were significant differences between pre-intervention and post-intervention, pre-intervention and 2 weeks follow-up. (3) There were significant main effects (within and between groups) (p<0.05) and interaction effect (p<0.05) in CSA of longus colli muscle. Post-hoc test revealed that there were significant differences in all pair-wise comparisons. The findings indicate that craniocervical flexion exercise are more effective for improving pain, neck disability, and CSA of longus colli muscle than cervical flexion exercise in workers with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to measure the change of strength of trunk flexion and extension on abdominal and back muscles. Methods : Each taping group 1(n=14), taping group 2(n=14), taping group 3(n=14) and control group(n=15) were measured a muscle strength by Biodex at first test, second test, third test and forth test in 3 days. Results : The strength of trunk flexion and extension was significantly different among the experimental groups (p<.05). It also shows that significant increasing of muscle strength at 48 hours after application of taping (p<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, we were found that taping technique base on taping type show immediately assistance of muscle strength and enduring effect for 48 hours.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.10-19
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• 2019

Background: In patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), lumbar flexion exercise (LFE) is considered a standard therapeutic exercise that widens the space between the spinal canal and intervertebral foramen. However, some researchers have reported that lumbar extension exercise (LEE) may improve lumbar pain and functional ability in patients with LSS. Although exercise intervention methods for patients with LSS have been widely applied in clinical settings, few studies have conducted comparative analysis of these exercise methods. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of LFE, LEE, and lumbar flexion combined with lumbar flexion-extension exercise (LFEE) on pain, range of motion (ROM), pelvic tilt angle, and functional gait ability in patients with LSS. Methods: A total of 30 patients with LSS, LFE (n1=10), LEE (n2=10), and LFEE (n3=10) were assigned to each of the three exercise groups. The numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), modified-modified schober test (MMST)-flexion, MMST-extension, pelvic tilt inclinometer, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were measured. Results: After the intervention, statistically significant differences were observed in the NPRS (p=.043), MMST-flexion (p<.001), MMST-extension (p<.001), and 6MWT (p=.005) between groups. According to the post hoc test, the NPRS was statistically significant difference between the LFEE and LEE groups (p=.034). The MMST-flexion was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LEE (p=.000), LFE and LFEE (p=.001), and LEE and LFEE (p=.001) groups. The MMST-extension was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LEE (p<.001), LFE and LFEE (p=.002), and LEE and LFEE (p=.008) groups. The 6MWT was statistically significantly different between the LFE and LFEE (p=.042) and the LEE and LFEE (p=.004) groups. Conclusion: This study suggested that LFEE was the most effective exercise for pain and functional gait ability in patients with LSS, LFE was the most effective exercise for lumbar flexion ROM, and LEE was the most effective exercise for lumbar extension ROM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effect of applying neck flexion during elbow flexion exercise on muscle activity of the biceps brachii, the anterior deltoid and the sternocleidomastoid (SCM). METHODS: Twenty healthy adults participated in this study. The subjects measured %MVIC (Maximal volumetric control) and collected the maximum electromyography (EMG) values in the biceps brachii, anterior deltoid, SCM. The first action was to sit in a sitting position with the eyes facing front and maintained the weight of each section by performing elbow flexion using a tension gauge. The second action was to sit in a sitting position with the head down and maintained the weight of each section by performing elbow flexion using a tension gauge. Paired T-test was used for comparison of the before-and-after neck flexion to analyze the muscle activity of the Biceps brachii of next flexion and extension, the SCM, and the Anterior deltoid during elbow flexion exercise. The Repeated measured ANOVA was used for comparing %MVIC in each muscle. The significance level (?) was set at .05. RESULTS: Neck flexion during elbow flexion increased the muscle activity of the Biceps brachii and Anterior Deltoid muscle in the maximal muscle strength 50 ~ 60%, 70 ~ 80% and decreased the muscle activity of the SCM (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The applic has been confirmed to reduce the mobilization of the SCM and increase the mobilization of the Biceps brachii and Anterior Deltoid to increase the mobilization. Therefore, it seems effective to apply neck flexion when elbow flexion exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.151-155
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effect of the degree of neck flexion on the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles in the sitting position. Methods: Twenty-five healthy young adults participated in this study. The study was designed to compare the muscle activity of the upper trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles according to the neck flexion angle under the three conditions (neutral position, 15° neck flexion, and 45° neck flexion) in the sitting position. During the neck position of three conditions in sitting, the electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the muscles were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: The muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle and the sternocleidomastoid muscles showed a significant difference according to the three-neck position conditions (p<0.05), and in the post-hoc test results, both muscles showed significant differences between the neutral position and 15° flexion, the neutral position and 45° flexion, and the 15° flexion and 45° flexion, respectively. Conclusion: The load on the muscles around the neck and shoulders increased as the neck flexion angle increased. This suggests that performing various daily activities and tasks with the neck as neutral as possible can prevent muscle fatigue or musculoskeletal disorders.