• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.242-247
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigates the effect of 60° semi-squat exercises according to three different types of support surfaces. The effects were examined on joint position sense and balancing ability using stable and unstable surfaces in patients afflicted with post-stroke hemiplegia. Methods: Subjects were instructed to perform three sets of 60° semi-squat exercises according to the characteristics of the support surface conditions. The three ground states were bilateral stable surface (BSS), nonaffected side unstable surface (NUS), and bilateral unstable surface (BUS). The joint position sense, characteristics of body sway, and dynamic balance were analyzed according to floor conditions before and after the experiment. A balance-pad (50 cm W×41 cm L×6 cm H; Alcan Airex AG, Sins, Switzerland) was used for the unstable floor. Results: The 60° semi-squat exercises applied to hemiplegic patients showed the highest statistical significance in joint position sense in the NUS group, and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) in the BUS group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Functional training using an unstable surface can be applied as a meaningful intervention method for improving the balance and joint position sense of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.175-185
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• 2022

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effect of Kegel exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) for 2 weeks on maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and abdominal muscle thickness based on previous studies. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 healthy female students in their 20s. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. Eleven subjects were assigned to the experimental group (EG) and 9 subjects were assigned to the control group (CG). Subjects measured MVV with a spirometer. In hooklying position, transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) of the dominant side were measured using ultrasound. For the measurement value, the average value of three times was adopted. After 2 weeks of intervention, the measurements were measured in the same way. In the EG, pelvic setting training using PBU was performed before Kegel exercise. The PBU was first placed at the waist in the Kegel exercise position and the starting pressure was set at 40 mmHg and adjusted to 60 mmHg through pelvic floor muscle contraction. After performing pelvic control using PBU, Kegel exercise was performed with 8 seconds of contraction, 8 seconds of relaxation, and 3 sets of 10 reps per set. A significance level of 𝛼=.05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : In the variable of MVV, a significant increase was confirmed in the EG (p<.05). In the abdominal muscle thickness variable, significant increases were confirmed in IO and TrA in the EG (p<.05). In addition, a significant increase in IO was confirmed in the CG (p<.05). Significant increases in IO and TrA were confirmed between groups (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the previous study, this study confirmed that Kegel exercise using a PBU had a positive effect on MVV and abdominal muscle thickness based on a 2-week intervention.

• Journal of The Korean Digital Architecture Interior Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.5-11
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• 2011

The present study investigated the actual conditions of physical therapy rooms at long-term hospitals in Korea and conducted a comparative analysis to develop an efficient floor plan and facility improvement measures. 1. At hospitals surveyed, physical therapy services were used at a high frequency but they did not have enough space for rehab treatment and long paths of patient flow were found to make patient management inconvenient. Therefore, physical therapy units should be conveniently located both in terms of distance and direction so as to be accessible from patient rooms or wards. The space should be organized in a concentrated layout for efficiency of physical therapy, and floor planning for therapy units should ensure the best possible viewing angle to therapists. 2. With regard to the disease characteristics of patients, many physical therapy rooms were in difficult circumstances because of poor facilities, so they need to secure skilled personnel, supplement apparatuses and equipment and have rooms for functional recovery, hydrotherapy and operation treatment. In addition, each of the curtained or partitioned areas for treatment should be set up with consideration for the amount of space taken up by medical equipment. The area under each bed should be designed for patient convenience so that it can be used as storage space for patient's belongings and shoes. 3. Patients complained about the lack of physical therapy space, resting places or exercise areas and demanded the expansion of rehab programs and facilities. Physical therapy facilities need to be improved for patient privacy and effective natural ventilation. 4. At most of the long-term hospitals surveyed, physical therapy units were found to have small areas and treatment equipment and devices were insufficient compared to the number of patients. Therefore, it is required to secure more space (at least 138.24 sq. meters per 100 beds) and improve facilities for better physical therapy services.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2015.10a
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• pp.198-201
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• 2015

Using Arduino with a pressure sensor to create an interest in modern health care program is aimed. Currently, Korea is estimated that there are 4.2 million people in total incontinence. Through the convergence of Bio Technology and InformationTechnology these patients it is easy and simple to induce urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction treatment, etc., and to prevent the most effective pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises below). The Kegel medical equipments which are currently sold in the market make users exercise by giving electrical stimulations compulsively. Users need to take off their bottoms and take the Femcon therapy in a closed room. This causes various restrictions of time, space and hygiene. This thesis designs a Kegel medical equipment which combines BT and IT, free form restraint in regard to space and hygiene, without the need to take off bottoms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine contraction of abdominal muscles on surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of superficial cervical flexors, rib cage elevation and angle of craniocervical flexion during deep cervical flexion exercise in supine position. Fifteen healthy subjects were participated for this study. All subjects performed deer cervical flexion exercise with two methods. The positions of two methods were no volitional contraction of abdominal muscles in hook-lying position with 45 degree hip flexion (method 1) and 90 degrees hip and knee flexion with feet off floor for inducing abdominal muscle contraction (method 2). Surface EMG activities were recorded from five muscles (sternocleidmastoid, anterior scaleneus, recuts abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique). And distance of rib cage elevation and angle of craniocervical flexion were measured using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The EMG activity of each muscle was normalized to the value of reference voluntary contraction (%RVC). The EMG activities, distance of rib cage elevation. and angle of craniocervical were compared using a paired t-test between two methods. The results showed that the EMG activities of sternocleidmastoid and anterior scaleneus during deep cervical flexion exercise in method 2 were significantly decreased compared to method 1 (p<.05). Distance of rib cage elevation and angle of craniocervical flexion were significantly decreased in method 2 (p<.05). The findings of this study indicated that deep cervical flexion exercise with contraction of abdominal muscles could be an effective method to prevent substitute motion for rib cage elevation and contraction of superficial neck flexor muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.102-110
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• 2006

To improve trunk stability, various exercise protocols were introduced into the clinical field. Trunk and lumbar stability exercises on unstable surfaces are especially recommended to improve lumbar stability. The purpose of this study was to compare abdominal oblique muscle activity during leg raising in hook-lying position among 3 different type of surface conditions (on floor (F), vestibular board (VB), and foam roll (FR)). Sixteen able-bodied volunteers, who had no medical history of lower extremity or lumbar spine disease, were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the internal and external oblique muscles of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a one-way repeated ANOVA. The results showed that the EMG activities of the internal oblique and external oblique of the lifted leg side during straight leg raising significantly increased under the FR condition when compared to the F condition. There was no significant difference of the EMG activity in abdominal oblique muscles between the VB and the FR conditions. The EMG activity of the internal oblique of supported leg side during the straight leg raising was significantly greater under the FR condition than the VB and F conditions (p<.05). The composition ratio of EMG activity of internal oblique muscles during straight leg raising was significantly increased under the FR condition. Therefore, straight leg raising exercise on foam roll in hook lying position could be beneficial to improve trunk and lumbar stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.75-83
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training with upper extremity exercise on the improvement of balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Eighteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke, were living in Dong-Gu, Ulsan and were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 7 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with 7 m and 100 m Timed Gait Test (sec), Timed Get Up and Go Test (sec), Functional Reach Test (cm) and 5 items of Berg's Balance Test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance index and balance ratios were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The balance training program performed by sitting on a chair and gymnastic ball and standing on stable and unstable surfaces during upper extremity exercises such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) upper extremity pattern, picking a ball up from floor, throwing and catching it. After seven weekends of balance training, subjects showed a significant difference in balance test results. The exceptions were three items of Berg's Balance Test (p<.05). Balance index score and affected and unaffected side balance ratio had a larger improvement than pre-training (p<.05). The result of this study showed that intervention of this balance training program could improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.45-52
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the center of pressure (COP) and ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics during each task-oriented sit-to-stand in stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty stroke subjects were included in this study. The task consisted of sit-to-stand (SS), sit-to-stand for reaching (SR), and sit-to-stand for walking (SW). The response time, COP, and GRF were measured during each task. The COP and GRF data were obtained using a two-force plate. The force plates were placed on a chair (below the buttock) and floor (below the feet). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between SS (1.48 ± .48 s) and SR (2.09 ± 0.82 s) and between SS and SW (2.27 ± .72 s) in the preparatory phase time during each sit-to-stand exercise (p = .002) and showed significant differences between SS (13.90 ± 6.44 cm) and SW (34.62 ± 39.38 cm) and between SR (16.14 ± 8.04 cm) and SW in the mediolateral COP range during each sit-to-stand exercise (p = .013). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that more complex task-oriented sit-to-stand exercise requires a high-level motor programming process than a simple sit-to-stand task. Therefore, a variety of tasks-oriented sit-to-stand exercises will be useful training to achieve better ADL ability for stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• Proceeding of Spring/Autumn Annual Conference of KHA
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.346-351
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• 2006

Community facilities in apartment complex was developed through combination with residents' needs about housing environmental amenity, marketing competition among construction companies and social trend 'Well-being' . But community facilities and fitness center which are situated in the beginning are alienated by residents because the designers plan community facilities without considering about residents' life-style and preference. In this paper, the study includes present status of fitness center and residents' preference for proper fitness center design. The result presents that fitness center users in apartment complex want a resting space which is already located in fitness center of mixed-use residential building. A resting space provides conditions that users can make up with the community each other as well as they can rest after exercise. And the fitness center users prefer wood as interior finish material of floor and wall in exercising space and resting space because they have a feeling comfortable and splendid.