• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2015

PURPOSE: Low-intensity exercise with transient restriction of blood flow to muscle could be an alternative rehabilitation method which avoids the problems associated with conventional high-intensity exercise. However, the mechanism of low-intensity exercise with transient restriction of blood flow is not clearly known. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of improvement of muscular function after low-intensity exercise with transient restriction of blood flow using H-reflex analysis. METHODS: Twenty one healthy young adults with no medical history of neurological or musculoskeletal disorder voluntarily participated in this study. The ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the triceps surae was assessed using the H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: rest, after low-intensity exercise without restriction of blood flow and after low-intensity exercise with restriction of blood flow. The subjects performed low-intensity ankle plantar flexion exercise at their own pace for one minute without or with transient restriction of blood flow achieved by a sphygmomanometer cuff on popliteal fossa at a pressure of 120mm of mercury(120 mmHg). RESULTS: No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three different conditions. CONCLUSION: This study found that low-intensity exercise with transient restriction of blood flow did not influence to ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the triceps surae. From the results, I could come to the conclusion that further study will be required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.527-534
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• 2010

Purpose : The application of tape to modulation of pain and muscular excitability has become common clinical practice among musculoskeletal physical therapy. However, the techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. The aim of this study was to determine whether elastic and non-elastic taping across a muscle does indeed change ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability. Methods : The study was performed on 10 neurologically healthy adults. Two different types of tape were applied to skin overlying gastrocnemius. The elastic tape stretched up to 120% of its original length but non-elastic tape didn't stretched up of its original length. The tape applied across the direction on thickest part of the gastrocnemius. The ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the gastrocnemius was assessed using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. Results : No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. Conclusion : From the results, I could come to the conclusion that further clinical work will be required.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.9
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• pp.278-286
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• 2009

The aims of this study were to determined whether excitability of the $\alpha$-motor neuron is modulated by stretching and this changes were associated with flexibility of the muscle. In this study, $\alpha$-motor neuron excitability was measured by using the Hmax/Mmax ratio of the gastrocnemius H-reflex, and muscle flexibility was measured with the range of motion of the ankle dorsiflexion. The gastrocnemii of 10 healthy volunteers were stretched for 4 minutes(2 minutes stretching, 1 minute rest, and 2 minutes stretching) in each session by manual force. The Hmax/Mmax ratio of the H-reflex, as well as the range of motion of the ankle dosiflexion was measured through four different conditions: before stretching, as soon as after $1^{st}$ stretching, as soon as after $2^{nd}$ stretching and at 48 hours after $2^{nd}$ stretching. Excitability of the $\alpha$-motor neuron was decreased significantly after $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ stretching(p<0.05). Furthermore, the range of the dorsiflexion was increased significantly after $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ stretching(p<0.05). However, the excitability of the $\alpha$-motor neuron and range of the dorsiflexion at 48 hours after $2^{nd}$ stretching were not different from those of before stretching. These results suggest that reduced $\alpha$-motor neuron excitability of the gastrocnemius and increased flexibility of the ankle dorsiflexion would be followed by activation of the type III mechanoreceptor which around the ankle joint and the Golgi tendon organ in the gastrocnemius.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.167-174
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• 2008

The application of tape is being widely used for treatment of the musculoskeletal disorders and injury prevention. The techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. In this study, we assessed the effect of the elastic and non-elastic tape upon the gastrocnemius ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. This results were quite different with other recent studies, which needs to be explored further.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.791-799
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• 2013

This study to evaluate the spinal motor neuron and electroencephalogram effects of applying different kinesio taping method therapy in normal people. The study was performed on 16 healthy adults. We divide two group; group I(n=8); Tape along muscle, group II(n=8); Tape across muscle. Two different method taping were applied to gastrocnemius in two weeks. Spinal motor neuron measurement to evoke H-reflex, the posterior tibial nerve was stimulated. Electroencephalogram measurement for ${\beta}$-SMR, attached to active electrode C3, Cz, C4. The H-reflex, ${\beta}$-SMR results were measured before, immediately, one week later and two week later after the apply taping. The results of this study, spinal motor neuron change of group I were decreased ${\alpha}$-motor neuron and the duration time longer than group II(p<.05). Electroencephalogram change of group I were increased ${\beta}$-SMR and the duration time longer than group II(p<.05). Thus, we knew the taping along muscle was ${\beta}$-SMR brain wave more active and reduces the activity of spinal motor neuron.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.81-89
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• 2001

There are two independent mechanisms to control the segmental reflex gain in humans during gait. They are presynaptic inhibition and homosynaptic depression. Through the mechanism of the presynaptic inhibition, the muscle spindle afferent feedback can be properly gated during eccentric phase of gait. The modulation of the presynaptic inhibition is reflected in the level of H-reflex at a constant EMG level. During the eccentric muscle activation presynaptic inhibition should increase to account for the lower amplitude level of H-reflex at a constant level of EMG. Homosynaptic depression is another mechanism responsible for regulating the effectiveness of the muscle spindle afferent feedback. Both the presynaptic inhibition and the monosynaptic depression are responsible for modulating reflex gain during gait initiation. Reflex modulation is influenced not only as a passive consequence of the alpha motor neuron excitation level, but also through supraspinal mechanisms. Spastic paretic patients show the impaired soleus H-reflex modulation either during the initial stance phase, or during the swing phase. This abnormal modulatory mechanism can partially and artificially be restored by the application of peripheral stimulus to the sole of the foot, provided that the segmental circuitry remains functional.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.15-20
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure changes in the H-reflex and V wave under loading conditions (e.g. prone and standing position) and to investigate whether postural change would affect the H-reflex and V wave in post stroke hemiplegic patients. Methods: Thirty persons with hemiplegia resulting from stroke (20 males, 10 females) participated in this study. Electromyography (EMG) was used to electrically stimulate and record the soleus H-reflexes and V waves under various loading conditions. The normality of the distribution of each variable (H latency, $H_{max}/M_{max}$ ratio, $V_{max}/M_{max}$ ratio) was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The means of normally distributed continuous data were assessed by independent t-test (${\alpha}$=0.05). Results: There were statistically significant differences in $H_{max}/M_{max}$ ratio (p<0.01), $V_{max}/M_{max}$ ratio (p<0.01), H latency (p<0.01) among the prone and standing position. Conclusion: We found that the H-reflex and V wave in standing position was more active to weight bearing load than prone position.