• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2023

Objective: The practice of breathing exercises involves altering the depth and frequency of respiration. Strengthening respiratory muscles plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. The efficiency of the respiratory system affects not only physical activity but also various physiological processes including cardiovascular health, lung function, and cognitive abilities. The study evaluated the reliability of the developed device for inspiratory/expiratory training using pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone application. Design: Design & development research Methods: The research methodology involved connecting a custom-made respiratory sensor to an IMT-PEP BIC Breath device. Various pressure conditions were measured, and statistical analyses were performed to assess reliability and consistency. Results showed high Intraclass Coefficient Correlation (ICC) values for both inspiratory and expiratory pressures, indicating strong test-retest reliability. The device was designed for ease of use and wireless monitoring through a smartphone app. Results: This study conducted at expiratory pressure confirmed the proper operation of the IMT/PEP breathing trainer at the specified pressure setting in the product. The pressure sensor demonstrated high test-retest reliability with an ICC value of 0.999 for both expiratory and inspiratory pressure measurements. Conclusions: The developed respiratory training device measured and monitored inspiratory and expiratory pressures, demonstrating its reliability for respiratory training. The system could be utilized to record training frequency and intensity, providing potential benefits for patients requiring respiratory interventions. Further research is needed to assess the full potential of the device in diverse populations and applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.67-74
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of vibration frequency and amplitude on scapular winging during the knee push-up plus exercise. METHODS: A total of 26 female subjects with scapular winging were evaluated while performing the knee push-up plus exercise with no vibration, low-frequency/low-amplitude (5 Hz/3 mm) vibration, low-frequency/high-amplitude (5 Hz/9 mm) vibration, high-frequency/low-amplitude (15 Hz/3 mm) vibration, and high-frequency/high-amplitude (15 Hz/9 mm) vibration. The surface EMG of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle was compared between the vibration frequency and amplitude. The EMG amplitude was normalized using the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The statistical significance of the results was evaluated using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The SA muscle EMG values increased at low-frequency/low-amplitude vibration and at low-frequency/high-amplitude vibration compared to no vibration. Furthermore, the same values increased at high-frequency/low-amplitude vibration and high-frequency/high-amplitude vibration compared to no vibration. In general, a higher vibration frequency and amplitude was associated with higher EMG values of the SA muscle, with particularly greater increases observed during high-frequency/high-amplitude vibration. There was also a significant difference between each condition with a high-frequency/high-amplitude vibration (p<.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there were remarkable clinical effect of the knee push-up plus exercise with vibration, which enhanced the SA muscle activation in persons with scapular winging. Furthermore, applying a higher vibration frequency and amplitude more effectively increased for increasing SA muscle activation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.731-735
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• 2007

We developed the 4channel Light Medical Therapy Apparatus for External Injury Cure using a high brightness LED. This equipment was fabricated using a micro-controller and a high brightness LED, and designed to enable us to control light irradiation time, intensity, frequency and so on, Especially, to control the light irradiation frequency, FPGA was used, and to control the change of output value, TLC5941 was used. Control stage is divided into 4 levels by program. Consequently, the current value could be controlled by the change of level in Continue Wave(CW) and the output of a high brightness LED could be controlled stage by stage. Compared with one LED irradiation, several LEDs irradiation could increase optical power.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2021

Background and objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a forest healing program in terms of depression, neuropsychological and physiological benefits for the elderly. Methods: For this purpose, we developed a forest therapy program for the elderly who are vulnerable to dementia and conducted a total of 11 sessions of forest therapy activities in a forest once a week. We measured the changes in depression, resting-state Electroencephalography(EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV) before and after the program. There were 60 subjects aged over 65 yesrs old. 30 subjects participated in the forest therapy program, and the other were in the control group. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to measure the level of depression, neuroNicle FX2 (Laxtha, Korea) was used to measure the resting-state EEG, and photoplethymogram (ubpulse T1, Laxtha, Korea) was used to measure the HRV. Results: The results showed that the depression index of the experimental group improved with statistical significance after the program (experiment group = 3.267 decrease of the mean). In the EEG measurement, the alpha-peak frequency at rest (experimental group = 0.227 Hz increase of the mean) was improved (mean increase = 0.23 in the experimental group, p < .05). The high frequency of HRV, which represents the parasympathetic nerve activity of the body's autonomous response, was also significantly improved (mean increase = 0.396 in the experimental group, p < .05). Conclusion: The results suggest that the forest therapy program can reduce the cognitive, psychological and physical risk factors of dementia for the elderly at risk of cognitive decline. Therefore, forest therapy activities may be suitable for the prevention of dementia in the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.298-310
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the laughter therapy program on perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune responses in obese women. Methods: A nonequivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design was used. The participants (n=60), whose age ranged from 30 to 50 years (pre-menopausal and body mass index of over $25kg/m^2$), were assigned to the experimental group (n=24) or control group (n=26). The experimental group was provided with the laughter therapy program (12 sessions) for 6 weeks. Results: There were significant differences in perceived stress, psychological stress response, fasting blood sugar, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant differences in normalized low frequency (norm LF), normalized high frequency (norm HF), LF/HF ratio, and cortisol between the two groups after the program. Conclusion: It was found that the laughter therapy program had positive effects on some variables in terms of perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immuno responses. It is suggested that the laughter therapy in this study can provide the direction for developing a program for obese women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.487-498
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• 2010

Purpose : To investigate the immediate effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on the spasticity and the balance in the stroke patients. Methods : 26 subjects with spasticity over lower limbs were allocated randomly into two groups : (1) TENS group, (2) placebo-TENS group. TENS was applied on the both gastrocnemius for 60 minutes(100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 2 times sensory threshold). The modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) and Manual Muscle Tester were used to assess the spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors. Static balance under three conditions was measured by force-plate; in (1) the condition of standing with eyes opened, (2) with eyes closed and (3) the condition of standing on unstable surface with eyes opened. Results : When compared with the pre and post TENS application, TENS showed significant reduction of ankle spasticity in MAS and MMT measurement. Also, Application of high-frequency TENS improved the balance under three conditions. Conclusion : A single session of TENS to stroke patients could reduce spasticity and improve the balance.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1740-1748
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the long-term high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on the spasticity and the balance in chronic stroke patients. Twenty-six subjects with spasticity over lower limbs were allocated randomly into two groups under standard rehabilitation: (1) TENS group, (2) placebo-TENS group. TENS stimulation was applied on the both the gastrocnemius for 30 minutes, 5 days a week for 4 weeks(100 Hz, 0.25 ms, 2 times sensory threshold). The Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) and Hand-held manual muscle tester were used to assess the ankle plantarflexor spasticity. Balance function under three conditions was measured by using force-plate and the amount of postural sway was assessed; in (1) the condition of standing with eyes opened, (2) with eyes closed and (3) the condition of standing on unstable surface with eyes opened. Both groups showed significant improvement in spasticity and balance function after treatment for 4 weeks(p<.05). Especially, TENS group showed a significant reduction of spasticity compared to placebo-TENS group(p<.05). These results suggested that additional stimulation of a long-term high-frequency TENS to standard rehabilitation induced an improved balance function and a spasticity reduction. The long-term application of high-frequency TENS will be an effective intervention for reducing spasticity and increasing balance ability in the chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.977-988
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• 1999

This study compared the effects of Intermittent traction therapy alone(Group1=Control group) and Intermittent traction therapy plus Auriculotherapy (Group2=Experimental group) to 20 Sciatica patients. Subjects were assigned to two groups with each 10. The two groups received Intermittent traction therapy (Hold:25, Rest:15) for 15 minute and experimental group did received auricular stimulation. Auricular acupuncture points(max=17, min=13) were stimulated with low frequency, high intensity Electro-Acupunture stimulator for 20 seconds per a each point. Treatment and measurements(SLR and VAS) was administered to each patient during the two weeks of 10 times therapy. The results were significant differences between the two groups. Experimental group produced significantly greater pain relief, and significant improvement of limited SLR.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2006

This study conducted RIII reflex measurement to examine degree of pain depending on polarity of high voltage pulsed current of primary and secondary hyperalgesia site in hyperalgesia rat by local thermal injury. Hind paw which was injury site was taken as primary hyperalgeisa site, sole which was injury adjacent site was taken as secondary hyperalgesia site, and mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold and root mean square of RIII reflex were measured. This study was conducted with control group I of hyperalgesia rat at hind paw by thermal injury and experimental groups divided into cathodal high voltage treatment group II, anodal high voltage treatment group III and alternate high voltage treatment group IV, applied active electrode of high voltage pulsed current to hind paw directly, placed reference electrode on the sole of injury adjacent site and applied pulse frequency. It measured RIII reflex and obtained the following results: Root mean square of RIII reflex at primary hyperalgeisa site was significantly reduced in group II after 2 days of hyperalgesia. Group II showed significant decrease after 5 and 6 days of hyperalgesia. Root mean square of RIII reflex at secondary hyperalgesia site showed significant reduction in group II after 6 days of hyperalgesia. Consequently it was found that application of high voltage pulsed current of hyperalgesia site reduced RIII reflex at primary hyperalgeisa site and secondary hyperalgesia site by electrical stimuli. Effects by polarity of high voltage pulsed current showed the greatest reduction of pain threshold when cathodal active electrode was used.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2007

Electrical acupuncture has been shown to induce hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin diabetic rats. The Zusanli acupoints have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve symptoms of diabetes mellitus. But, the effects of electrical acupuncture stimulation of different frequencies are still unclear. We designed an experiment to investigate the effect of electrical acupuncture of high (100 Hz) and low (2 Hz) frequencies on Zusanli acupoint for 15 minutes in streptozotocin diabetic rats. They were divided into 4 groups, high frequency electrical acupuncture (HFEA group, n=5), low frequency electrical acupuncture (LFEA group, n=5), without any treatment (control group, n=5) and normal group (n=5). After 2 weeks of treatment, the HFEA and LFEA groups had a significantly decreased glucose concentration in serum in comparison to the control group. Additionally, the HFEA group had a significantly decreased glucose concentration in serum compared with the LFEA group. Both the HFEA and LFEA groups had a significantly decreased Immunoglobulin G concentration in serum compared with control group. The LFEA and control groups had a significantly increased cholesterol concentration in serum compared with the normal group, but the HFEA did not have a significantly increased cholesterol concentration. Thus we suggest that electrical acupuncture stimulation at the Zusanli acupoints is effective on hypoglycemic effect and immune function. Overall, the therapeutic effects of electrical acupuncture at 100 Hz was better than effects at 2 Hz.