• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2024

Purpose: The aim of this study was to apply suboccipital muscle inhibition combined with neck muscle stabilization exercise to 20~30s IT industry employees who suffer from chronic non-specific neck pain. Methods: This study was designed as single-blind and randomized controlled trial. The study participants were 20~30s IT industry employees with chonic non-specific neck pain (VAS 3/10) who were divided into an experimental group (n= 20) subjected to suboccipital muscle inhibition with neck muscle stabilization exercise, and control group (n= 20); suboccipital muscle inhibition only. The intervention was applied three times per week for eight weeks. The neck pain·pressure pain threshold·range of motion, and disability index were measured at the 1st, 8th, and 10th week at follow up, then analyzed with an analysis of variance(ANOVA) using the SPSS program. Results: The total number of study participants was 37 (experimental group 19, mean age 34.6±5.3, control group 18, mean age 35.7±4.9). The comparison and analysis of change in VAS, the pressure pain threshold, and the range of motion except the extension (p>.05) revealed a statistically significant decrease between groups over eight weeks and follow up measurement (p<.01). Regarding the within the group differences, the right side of the neck pressure pain threshold showed a statistically significant decrease over eight weeks in the control group (p<.01). The right and left lateral flexion, and the right and left rotation were statistically significant for the experimental group over eight weeks and follow up measurement, but only the left lateral flexion (p<.05) for the control group over eight weeks. The neck disability index showed a slight decrease but this was not satistically significant for the between-grop or the within-group differences (p>.05). Conclusion: The intervention of suboccipital muscle inhibition and a neck muscle stabilization exercise are more beneficial for neck pain and the range of motion than the application of suboccipital muscle inhibition alone.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare changes in the flexibility of hamstring muscles which are relaxed on suboccipital muscle through suboccipital muscle inhibition and combination technique. Methods: Thirty sample subjects (16 male and 14 female) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). 1. Suboccipital muscle inhibition: Suboccipital muscles of the patients were placed on a bed. The occipital region was placed on a therapist's fingers, and the posture was maintained for three minutes before remeasurement. 2. Treatment with combination technique (body bolster and wooden pillow): Wooden pillows were placed where the participants could relax the posterior arch of the atlas; additional body bolsters were also placed to avoid high pressure, and the treatment was maintained for three minutes before remeasurement. Results: There was a statistical difference in finger floor distance (FFD) and straight leg raise (SLR) results for those treated with SMI (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in FFD and SLR results for those treated with the combination technique (P>0.05). Conclusion: Between the two intervention methods; the suboccipital muscle inhibition technique was more effective in increasing the flexibility of subjects with a shortened hamstring than was the combination technique.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.231-241
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• 2023

Purpose: Weakness of the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO), or the imbalance between VMO and vastus lateralis muscle (VL) activity, is one of the most important factors in knee joint problems. Rigid taping techniques, such as patellar inhibition taping and VL inhibition taping, are frequently used in clinical practice to treat knee joint problems. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of three different types of taping (patellar inhibition taping (PIT), distal VL inhibition taping (DVLIT), and proximal VL inhibition taping (PVLIT)) on electromyography (EMG) activity of VMO, VL, and VMO:VL ratio during walking. Methods: Thirty-eight normal healthy subjects (38 males; mean age = 31.00 years) voluntarily participated in this study. EMG was applied to investigate muscle activation during walking. Repeated measures of ANOVA and one-way ANOVA compared the three different conditions (PIT, DVLIT, and PVLIT) for each variable. Results: VMO and VL activation were significantly increased after PTIT application, and VMO and VL activation were significantly decreased after DVLIT and PVLIT application. The VMO:VL ratio increased after the three types of taping application, but there were no significant differences among the three types of taping. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, PTIT is more effective than DVLIT and PVLIT in increasing the muscle activation of the VMO and VL during walking. Also, DVLIT is more effective for increasing the VMO:VL ratio and has beneficial effects on the imbalance between VMO and VL activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.441-444
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• 2007

Despite the importance of cell fate decisions regulated by epigenetic programming, no experimental model has been available to study transdifferentiation from myoblasts to smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we show that myoblast cells can be induced to transdifferentiate into smooth muscle cells by modulating their epigenetic programming. The DNA methylation inhibitor, zubularine, induced the morphological transformation of C2C12 myoblasts into smooth muscle cells accompanied by de novo synthesis of smooth muscle markers such as smooth muscle ${\alpha}$-actin and transgelin. Furthermore, an increase of p21 and decrease of cyclinD1 mRNA were observed following zebularine treatment, pointing to inhibition of cell cycle progression. This system may provide a useful model for studying the early stages of smooth muscle cell differentiation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.385-408
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• 1998

Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) has been used in Korea for many centuries as a treatment for respiratory disease. The effect of Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) on tracheal smooth muscle is not known. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) on histamine and acetylcholine induced tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pig (500 g, male) and Sprague Dawley rats (200 g, male) were killed by $CO_2$ exposure and a segment (8-10 mm) of the thoracic trachea from each rat and guinea pig was cut into equal segments and mounted 'in pairs' in a tissue bath. Contractile force was measured with force displacement transducers under 0.5 g loading tension. The dose of histamine (His) and acetylcholine (Ach) which evoked 50% of maximal response ($ED_{50}$) was obtained from cumulative dose response curves for histamine and acetylcholine $(10^{-7}{\sim}10^{-4}M)$. Contractions evoked by His $(ED_{50})$ and Ach $(ED_{50})$ were inhibited significantly by Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). In guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was 13.5% (p<0.05) after $10{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散), $64.6\(p<0.01)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散), and $92.8\(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction was $60.9\(p<0.01)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散), and $91.2\(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). Also, in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $104.8\(p<0.01)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) and $142.3\(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). In rat tracheal smooth muscle, the mean percent inhibition of histamine induced contraction was $63.7\(p<0.01)\;after\;30{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散), and $107.5\(p<0.01)\;after\;100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). Propranolol $(10^{-7}M)$ slightly but significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). Following treatment with propranolol, the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) fell to 15.7% (p<0.05) in guinea pig induced by acetylcholine contraction and the mean percent inhibition caused by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) fell to 22.3% (p<0.05) in guinea pig induced by histamine contraction and by $100{\mu}l/ml$ Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) fell to 28.7% (p<0.01) in rat induced by histamine contraction. Indomethacin and methylene blue $(10^{-7}\;M)$ did not significantly alter the inhibitory effect of Pyeongpaesan (平肺散). Also, I could find the effects of Pyeongpaesan (平肺散) and Pyeongpaesanga (平肺散加) morphine on the tracheal smooth muscle in guinea pig and rat did not change significantly. These results indicate that Pyeongpaesan. (平肺散) can relax histamine and acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig and rat tracheal smooth muscle, and that this inhibition involves sympathetic effects and the release of cyclooxygenase products.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on increase of H-reflex inhibition and fascilitation of range of motion of spastic ankle joint in chronic stroke patients. Methods : 30 chronic stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, a control group(placebo rTMS group), 5 Hz rTMS group and manual therapy group. The MAS and ROM of ankle joint and H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle were evaluated on each group. Results : The rTMS group decreased MAS of ankle joint and increased H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle, and ROM of ankle joint than manual therapy group. The placebo rTMS group did not affected the change of MAS, ROM of ankle joint and H-reflex inhibition of soleus muscle. Conclusion : The rTMS was a good therapeutic tool to improve the foot drop in the chronic stroke patients.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2003

Purpose: MEPs elicited by transmagnetic stimulations of the motor cortex are facilitated by voluntary muscle contraction. We evaluated the effects of the imagination of the movements on latencies of MEPs and reciprocal inhibition by using transmagnetic stimulations. Methods: Twenty two healthy volunteers(eight men and fourteen women) were studied. TMSs were delivered at rest and during imagining abducting or adducting right thumb. A stimulator with a round coil and a fixed intensity of 80% of maximum was used to evoke MEPs. MEPs were evoked by magnetic stimulations over the scalp and cervical spine(C7-T1), and central motor conduction times(CMCT) were calculated by subtracting the latency of compound muscle action potentials(CMAPs) obtained by stimulating over the cervical spine from that obtained by stimulating over the scalp. The motor evoked potentials were recorded from right abductor pollicis brevis muscle(APB) and adductor pollicis muscle(AP) simultaneously. Results: Imagination of abduction resulted in a shortened latency of the CMAPs in APB, and a prolonged latency in AP. Imagination of adduction resulted in a shortened latency in AP, and a prolonged latency in APB. But the imagination caused no significant change in the latency of CMAPs elicited by stimulation over cervical spine. Therefore, the changes of the CMCTs account for these latency changes with imagination of movement. With the imagination of abduction, there are significant reduction of the CMCT's in APB(10.8%) and prolongation in AP(5.8%). On the other hand, with the imagination of adduction, prolongation of the CMCT's in APB(7.3%) and reduction in AP(5.9%) were observed. Conclusion: These findings indicate that imagination of muscle contraction increases the excitability of the human corticospinal system. Reciprocal inhibition may be accountable for the prolonged latency in the antagonist muscle.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2010

Purpose : This study examines the effects of pre-eccentric exercise and stretch ing to bicepsbrachii to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness and recovery of muscular function depending on the training intensity with 28 normal adults in their twenties. Methods : The subjects were divided into a control group, a group without any previous eccentric exercise, and a stretching group. Pre-eccentric exercise group conducted exercise with the intensity of 25% of maximal voluntary contraction. Pre-eccentric exercise and stretching was applied before to induce delayed onset muscle soreness and after, 24 hour post, 48 hour post, and 72 hour post. Measurements were conducted to examine pain and muscular function changes before, immediately after, and after inducing delayed onset muscle soreness. After inducing delayed onset muscle soreness, measurements were taken at the 24th hour, 48th hour, and 72nd hour. Results : The pre-eccentric exercise group and stretching group showed a significant difference from the control group by isometric contract ion power and mechanical pain threshold as a result of measuring delayed onset muscle soreness. Conclusion : From these results, electrical stimulation using presynaptic inhibition mechanism of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) had positive effects for walking ability on inhibition of muscle tone in lower extremity. The motor level stimulation group experienced a more significant effect than the sensory level stimulation group. Therefore, the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is considered to be effective on walking ability increasing through inhibition of muscle tone in lower extremity for rehabilitation of post stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor N-[3-aminomethyl]benzyl]acetamidine (l400W) on the reperfused cremaster muscle. The extracellular superoxide dismutase knockout ($EC-SOD^{-/-}$) mice was used to make the experimental window for ischemia-reperfusion injury. The muscle was exposed to 4.5 h of ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion and the mice received either 3 mg/kg of 1400W or the same amount of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) subcutaneously at 10 min before the start of reperfusion. The results showed that 1400W treatment markedly improved the recovery of the vessel diameter and blood flow in the reperfused cremaster muscle compared to that of PBS group. Histological examination showed reduced edema in the interstitium and muscle fiber, and reduced nitrotyrosine formation (a marker of total peroxinitrite ($ONOO^-$) in 1400W-treated muscle compared to PBS. Our results suggest that iNOS and $ONOO^-$ products are involved in skeletal muscle I/R injury. Reduced I/R injury by using selective inhibition of iNOS is perhaps via limiting cytotoxic $ONOO^-$ generation, a reaction product of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion ($O_2^-$). Thus, inhibition of iNOS appears to be a good treatment strategy in reducing clinical I/R injury.