• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2331-2337
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• 2021

Background: More women than men experience genu recurvatum, which can lead to knee pain and arthritis if left unattended. Pilates combined with taping is a suitable rehabilitation method for women with genu recurvatum. Objectives: To aimed the effect of taping and Pilates stabilization exercise on physical alignment and improvement of genu recurvatum in women with genu recurvatum. Design: A Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-one women were divided into three groups: taping group (back of knee taping and quadriceps femoris taping, n=7), Pilates exercise group (hip, knee and abdominal muscles exercise, n=7), and combined group (taping with pilates exercise, n=7). The measured variables were sagittal plane alignment and back and abdominal muscle, knee flexor and extensor strength. Results: After the intervention, all sagittal plane alignments were significantly improved in both the Pilates and combined groups. Sagittal plane alignment was significantly improved in the combined group compared with the taping group. Back and abdominal muscle strength were significantly improved in the Pilates and combined groups compared with the taping group. Knee flexor and extensor were significantly improved in the combined group compared with the Pilates group and in the Pilates group compared with the taping group. Conclusion: Pilates exercise with taping or Pilates exercise alone was effective intervention methods to improve physical alignment and strength in women with genu recurvatum.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.217-223
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• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) using elastic bands on the flexibility and body alignment of right-handed baseball players in elementary school. Methods: The subjects were 20 instructed right-handed baseball players in elementary school. They were classified into the experimental group with 10 players (n=10) to be given coordinative locomotor training using elastic bands and the control group with 10 players (n=10). Flexibility was measured by the sit and reach exercise. Body alignment was measured using formetric 4D method to measure the trunk imbalance angle (TI), trunk torsion angle (TT), pelvic tilt angle (PTi), pelvic torsion angle (PTo), pelvic rotation angle (PR), kyphotic angle (Ky), and lordotic angle (Lo). Results: There was a significant increase in the flexibility within the experimental group (p<0.05). after the intervention. There was also a significant increase in the difference between the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in PR during body alignment in the experimental group after intervention (p<0.05). An analysis of the differences between groups showed a significant decrease in the PR of the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that coordinative locomotor training using elastic bands would be effective for enhancing the flexibility and pelvic rotation of elementary school right-handed baseball players.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.76-83
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effects of applying the Pilates reformer exercise to 17 adult women on the alignment of the standing posture. Methods: The subjects performed a Pilates reformer exercise for 60 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of eight weeks. The Pilates reformer exercise consisted of five types: 1) lower and lift, 2) hundred, 3) plow, 4) airplane, and 5) twist. The standing posture alignment in the sagittal and frontal planes was measured using exbody 9100MOMI musculoskeletal analysis equipment. Results: A comparison of before and after the exercise using paired t-test revealed a significant decrease in the difference between the horizontal inclination and the vertical height that approached zero after the intervention in the frontal plane of anterior and posterior standing postures (p<0.05), and the lateral standing posture in the sagittal plane. In addition, the difference between the horizontal inclination and the vertical height decreased and approached zero after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: The Pilates reformer exercise had a positive effect on the alignment of the standing posture.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1810-1817
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• 2019

Background: Effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment, however insufficient research has been undertaken on self traction exercises targeting patients with scoliosis. Purpose: To determine the effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blinded) Methods: Twelve adults(20s) with scoliosis were included in this study and performed a traction program that was composed of a 5-min warm-up exercise, a 15-min main exercise, and a 5-min cool-down exercise (25 minutes in total), three times a week for four weeks. The Chiro traction machine was used for the self-traction exercise. Vertebral alignment, muscle strength, and flexibility were compared before and after the intervention using the paired T-test. Results: The scoliosis angle, pelvic torsion, and lumbar extensor were significantly changed by intervention; however, there was no significant difference in flexibility. Conclusion: The results revealed that self-traction exercise activated blood flow through the extension and contraction of muscles, effectively increasing the function of the muscles around the vertebrae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1018-1024
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical alignment, pain, and physique to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques in patients with forward head posture (FHP). The subjects of this study were 24 patients diagnosed with FHP. They were randomly divided into two groups: a PNF group(n=12) and a control group(n=12). The intervention was performed a total of 24 times, 30 min a day, six times a week for four weeks. Data on cervical alignment(forward head displacement, FHD), pain(visual analog scale, VAS), and physique(height, weight, and body mass index) were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the groups and time. For FHD, the VAS, and physique(height and BMI), there was an interaction effect for the groups and time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05) and main effects for time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05). For weight, there were main effects of time(p<.01). For FHD(p<.01) and the VAS(p<.05), there were main effects for the groups. In the PNF group, there were significant improvements in FHD, VAS, and physique. In the control group, there was a significant increase in FHD. The results of this study indicated that PNF intervention using scapular and upper extremity patterns effective in FHP positively. The use of a therapeutic intervention on physique changes may also be effective in improving poor posture and help to better patients' quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.226-233
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the exercise limit that may occur depending on changes in postural alignment by examining the significance of postural alignment changes, foot pressure, and balance of patients with stroke. Methods: In this study, 50 patients diagnosed with a stroke were selected as subjects. Imbalance of postural alignment of the trunk, pelvic tilt of trunk rotation of the body, angle of kyphotic curving of the thoracic, and angle of lordotic curving of the lumbar vertebra were measured. Foot pressure was examined by measuring average pressure and weight bearing. Balance was examined by measuring the center of pressure and limit of stability. Results: The significance of postural alignment, foot pressure, and weight bearing of the non-paretic side was examined. In addition, the significance between postural alignment and balance was examined. Conclusion: It is thought that limits of foot pressure and balance in the standing position can be caused by postural alignment. Thus, both a therapeutic intervention program and postural alignment training should be provided together in order to improve the function of patients with stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.113-124
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise intervention combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation on postural alignment and cerebral cortical activity in subjects with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : The study included 28 participants with FHP, randomly divided into a 3D visual feedback plus motion observation group (n=14) or control group (n=14). The experimental group received corrective exercise combined with 3D visual feedback and motion observation for FHP, three times a week for four weeks. We examined cervical spine radiographs in the lateral standing position with both arms crossed to measure the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and cervical lordosis (CL). Relative alpha (RA) and beta waves (RB) were measured by wireless dry EEG. Results : The CVA value was significantly different between the groups, and the CL value was significantly different only in the experimental group. RA and RB values were not significantly different before and after intervention in the control group. RB values were significantly decreased before and after intervention in the experimental group. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, we suggest that interventions combined with motion observation and 3D visual feedback may be effective as exercise methods to improve postural alignment and cerebral activity in subjects with FHP. Further research is required to generalize our results on technical supplementation complemented with 3D visual feedback devices.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2022

Background: Pilates exercises are used for body shape correction because they can achieve correct posture alignment through spinal stabilization. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether the use of reformers increases the effectiveness of Pilates core exercises on body alignment in standing. Methods: The study included 30 women without known diagnoses of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders or cancer. Those who had taken more than 10 Pilates lessons were excluded. The participants were randomly assigned to either the reformer exercise group or the mat exercise group, and interventional Pilates exercises were performed for 60 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks. Ten movements of the reformer and mat Pilates core exercise programs were included. Exbody^® 9100 MOMI musculoskeletal analysis equipment (Exbody Inc.) was used to assess the alignment of the standing posture in the frontal plane. Results: As a result of comparing the differences within and between the groups before and after the intervention using the two-way mixed analysis of variance test, height differences in the head, pelvis, left and right, shoulders, scapulas, knees, and ankles in the frontal plane after the intervention were found in both groups. For example, the left-right symmetry of the body alignment in the standing posture was significantly improved within each group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both the reformer and mat Pilates core exercises were effective for standing posture alignment, which has clinical significance. If an exercise program is developed based on the analysis of movements necessary for posture improvement and the target muscles to be strengthened, the same effect can be achieved only with mat exercise without using the reformer equipment at the beginner stage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2018

The prevalence of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) has been reported as high as 68%. ASD often leads to significant pain and disability. Recent emphasis has been placed on sagittal plane balance and restoring normal sagittal alignment with regards to the three dimensional deformity of ASD. Optimal sagittal alignment has been known to increase spinal biomechanical efficiency, reduce energy expenditure by maintaining a stable posture with improved load absorption, influence better bony union, and help to decelerate adjacent segment deterioration. Increasingly positive sagittal imbalance has been shown to correlate with poor functional outcome and poor self-image along with poor psychological function. Compensatory mechanisms attempt to maintain sagittal balance through pelvic rotation, alterations in lumbar lordosis as well as knee and ankle flexion at the cost of increased energy expenditure. Restoring normal spinopelvic alignment is paramount to the treatment of complex spinal deformity with sagittal imbalance. Posterior osteotomies including posterior column osteotomies, pedicle subtraction osteotomies, and posterior vertebral column resection, as well anterior column support are well known to improve sagittal alignment. Understanding of whole spinal alignment and dynamics of spinopelvic alignment is essential to restore sagittal balance while minimizing the risk of developing sagittal decompensation after surgical intervention.