• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1849-1855
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• 2019

Background: Stroke patients require arm movement exercising for various stimulations in standing position for various stimulations rather than in a sitting position because they require integrated skillful movements, such as stretching, holding, and controlling. Objective: This study was conducted to provide foundational clinical data about lower limb global synkinesis in stroke patients using arm movements in a standing position. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects were divided into a control group (n = 10) and an experimental group (n = 10), and a pre-test was conducted to evaluate leg global synkinesis (GS) and balance. Intervention method is stretching an arm to hold a ball, repeating supination and pronation of the hand only while maintaining the arm extended as much as possible, repeating shoulder abduction and adduction while holding the pegboard. This was followed by a three-week intervention during which re-measurement was conducted in the same way as was done for the pre-test. Results: The control group showed a significant difference in GS and balance during plantar flexion (p<.05), and the experimental group showed a significant difference in GS and balance during all movements (p<.05, p<.01, respectively). There was a significant difference in GS and balance between the two groups during dorsiflexion (p<.05, p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that human arm movements in a standing position can reduce GS in the affected limb, and balance can be improved by stimulating the surrounding tissues of the affected limb and changing them positively.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2021

Objective: Patients with stroke generally diminished ankle range of motion, which decreases balance and walking ability. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle self-mobilization with movement (s-MWM) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial design Methods: Twenty-four post-stroke patients participated in this study. The participants were randomized into the control (n = 12) and self-MWM groups (n = 12). Both groups attended standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, self-MWM group was performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. All participants have measured ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in before and after the intervention. Results: After 8 weeks of training, self-MWM group showed greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index than in the control group (p<0.05). Further, self-MWM group had significantly improvement in all dependent variables compared to the pre-test (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our investigation demonstrates that self-MWM is beneficial for improving functional ability. Also, self-MWM was superior to control with respect to improving ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.278-288
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of stabilization exercise on whole-body vibration on pain, dysfunction, psychosocial factors, balance ability, and abdominal contraction with patients with low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 34 patients with low back pain were assigned randomly to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a neuromuscular stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the neuromuscular stabilization exercise program using whole-body vibration. All interventions were applied 60 min per session, 3 times per week for total 4 weeks. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), balance ability, muscle thickness and contraction ratio were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in NRS, balance ability, and muscle thickness in contraction, contraction ratio before and after intervention (p<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant difference in the amount of change in NRS, balance ability and muscle thickness in contraction, contraction ratio values than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Neuromuscular stabilization exercise program combined with whole-body vibration stimulation has been proven to be an effective and clinically useful method to decrease pain, dysfunction, increase balance ablilty, and transverse abdominis muscle thickness in contraction and contraction ratio for patients with low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.56-67
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review clinical studies of herb medicine and acupuncture treatment on obesity in menopausal women. Methods: Key words "Obesity", "Menopause", "Herb medicine", "Acupuncture", "Moxibustion", "Catgut embedding" were searched on 9 database systems (PubMed Central, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, Embase, China Academic Journals, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, DBpia) on April 30th 2019. Results: 1 case report and 17 clinical trials were collected in accordance with the selection and exclusion criteria. Among the 17 trials, 6 were randomized controlled trials, 1 was controlled clinical trial, and 10 were single-arm trials. The types of intervention were herb medicine, electroacupuncture, acupuncture, auricular acupuncture, warm needle acupuncture, moxibustion, laser acupuncture, and catgut embedding. The study design, study results and method of intervention were analyzed. Conclusions: 1 case report described the effectiveness of pharmacopuncture, 4 trials described the effectiveness of herbal medicine, 2 of electroacupuncture, 1 of laser acupuncture, and 2 of catgut embedding. Among the 17 trials, 2 studies showed that herbal medicine treatment was more effective than no treatment or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and 1 study showed that electroacupuncture was more effective than hormone therapy. All of 18 selected studies reported the effectiveness of weight reduction and abdominal obesity reduction after the traditional Korean medicine treatment for obesity in menopausal women.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-33
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the current status of registration of interventional studies focusing on children and adolescents in South Korea and the status of Korean medicine interventional studies through Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS). Methods CRIS was used to search interventional clinical researches which were registered from May, 2010 to October, 2018. Key words of 'child', 'children', 'adolescents', 'infant', 'toddler', 'elementary school student', 'middle and high school', 'middle school student', and 'high school student' were used. Results A total of 37 intervention clinical studies were selected. To identify the trends, years of registration in the CRIS, intervention types, disease categories, recruitment status, phase, institutions responsible for the research, consent, compensation and safety investigation were analyzed. Conclusions This study shows the current state of registration of interventional studies in children and adolescents in Korea. Since interventional studies in children and adolescents are essential for providing safe and effective treatment, further interventional studies, Korean medicine interventional studies and ethical considerations are needed.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this randomized controlled trial study was to examine the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive function and depression in stroke patients. Methods : Thirty stroke patients were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group received tDCS while performing computerized cognitive rehabilitation programs, and the control group was provided with sham tDCS while operating the same programs. The 30-minute intervention was implemented five times per week for six weeks. To assess cognitive function before and after the intervention, the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination was conducted; the Beck Depression Inventory BDI was employed to assess depression. Results : The experimental group showed statistically significant increases in cognitive function and decreases in depression (p < .05 ). Comparing the amount of variation between the groups after arbitration also showed significant differences in cognitive function and depression between the two groups (p > .05). Conclusion : The application of tDCS and computerized cognitive rehabilitation programs for stroke patients may positively affect their cognitive function and depression. Therefore, tDCS used with computerized cognitive rehabilitation programs is positively applicable to the enhancement of cognitive function in stroke patients and reduction of depression.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2019

Purpose: Cancer patients are at a higher risk of being unemployed or facing difficulty in returning to work (RTW) than individuals without health concerns. The aim of this study is to identify and describe interventions developed specifically to assist cancer patients to RTW after treatment. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted from September to October 2018 in different international databases: PubMed, Medline, and Embase. Studies using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed designs were included if they satisfied the following criteria: (a) described an intervention to assist cancer patients to RTW during or after treatment; (b) conducted on patients aged 18 and over and diagnosed with cancer; (c) written in English; (d) published in peer-reviewed journals. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Counseling with physical activity intervention, behavioral training to reduce fatigue, and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programs were found to be effective. Conclusion: Interventions adopting a multidisciplinary approach were effective for RTW in cancer patients. This literature review emphasizes the need for more tailored interventions based on survivors' needs and characteristics in the RTW field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 2019

PURPOSE: Despite the widespread occurrence in the general population, few studies have directly evaluated the effects of shingles on non-specific neck pain (NSNP). This study investigated whether sensory training or therapeutic stretching exercises are more effective in increasing neck mobility and reducing neck pain in chronic NSNP patients. METHODS: Eighty-one subjects aged between 20 and 32 years with chronic neck pain (> six months), were allocated randomly to three groups: sensorimotor training group (STG), therapeutic stretching group (TSG), and home exercise group (HEG). All participants received a half-hour training session, three times weekly for six weeks. The outcomes were evaluated using the neck disability index for measuring neck pain, and a universal goniometer to measure the cervical passive range of motion before and after the six-week intervention. RESULTS: The post-test neck disability index scores in the STG (t = 4.86) and TSG (t = 3.24) were decreased significantly (p < .05). The passive range of motion changes in all cervical movements in the STG was increased significantly (p < .05) after intervention compared to those in the other two groups. CONCLUSION: Sensorimotor training using chin tuck exercises may improve neck pain and mobility in subjects with chronic NSNP.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.48-61
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was aimed to review the effect of acupuncture on endometriosis related pain in patients. Methods: Researchers searched data through 6 online databases up to November 2020. The data was limited to randomized controlled trial studies on endometriosis patients diagnosed with laparoscopy. Results: 7 Randomized controlled trials were included in this study. All of studies were published in Chinese, in China. Intervention of treatment group were composed of simple acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Intervention of control group were made up with mifepristone, herbal medicine and acupuncture. Outcome measurements were effective rate, serum Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125), Visual analogue scale (VAS)/pain score, and recurrence rate in 1 year. In all outcome measurements, treatment group were more effective than control group and it was statistically significant. Conclusions: Acupuncture therapy is effective in decreasing endometriosis related pain and preventing recurrence. However, because endometriosis is easy to recur, additional long-term research is needed.

• 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.