• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to compare changes in abdominal muscle thickness in different standing postures with a handheld load between subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Twenty subjects with CLBP and 20 controls participated in this study. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles. Muscle thickness in three different standing postures (standing at rest, standing with loads, standing with lifting loads) was compared with the muscle thickness at rest in the supine position and was expressed as a percentage of change in the thickness of the muscle. Results: While standing with loads, the change in IO muscle thickness in the CLBP patients increased more significantly than in the pain-free controls (p < 0.05). The standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant increase in the change in thickness of the TrA compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). In addition, the standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant decrease in the change in the thickness of the EO when compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The automatic activity of the IO muscle in subjects with CLBP increased more than that of the pain-free controls in the standing with loads posture. These findings suggest that IO muscle function may be altered in those with CLBP while standing with loads. Additionally, TrA the activation level was found to be associated with increased postural demand caused by an elevated center of mass.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 2023

Background: This study comparatively evaluated the effects of equipment-based pilates exercises (EPE) and lumbar stability exercises (LSE) in patients with chronic low back pain in terms of their Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), and abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: A total of 30 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to either the EPE or the LSE. The VAS, ODI, and abdominal muscle thicknesses of the participants were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The EPE were more effective in terms of the duration of a sustained reduction in VAS scores. post hoc test revealed that EPE were more efficacious in terms of a sustained improvement in ODI scores. With respect to changes in abdominal muscle thickness, there was a significant difference in the thickness of internal oblique muscles(IO) and the external oblique muscles(EO) between the two groups. Conclusion: In this study, both types of exercise interventions resulted in improvements in the VAS, ODI scores, and abdominal muscle thickness in patients with chronic low back pain. However, EPE were found to be more effective than LPE in terms of longer sustained improvements in VAS and ODI scores. Also, with respect to abdominal muscle thickness, the thickness of EO and IO improved only in the EPE group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Postural and structural asymmetry due to muscle imbalances around the lower back and pelvis are the causes of back pain. Muscle imbalances in patients with chronic low back pain affect the pelvic tilt and movement, and it is necessary to assess the pelvic movement ability using the appropriate tools to determine the mediating effects of lower back pain. This paper reports the reliability and validity of the Sensbalance Therapy Cushion (STC) for pelvic movement and proprioception. METHODS: In this study, the Wii balance board (WBB) was used as a golden standard for pelvic movement measurements. FABQ, KODI, Myovision, and Pelvic movement were measured in 50 patients with chronic low back pain. The correlation between the lower-back muscle activity and pelvic movement was checked. The pelvic movement parameter was measured twice to determine the intra-rater reliability. RESULTS: The STC showed high test-retest reliability in the pelvic tilt measurements (ICC = .672 - .809). The test-retest reliability of proprioception measurements (ICC = .588 - .859) and reaction time measurements (ICC = .542 - .836) were also high. The relationship between the WBB and STC showed a significant positive correlation with the pelvic tilt test (p < .01). The posterior pelvic tilt and lower-back muscle activity showed a significant negative correlation (p < .01). The pelvic left tilt and lower-back muscle activity showed a significant negative correlation (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The results revealed the high reliability and validity of the STC. Therefore, the STC can be used as an objective measuring device for evaluating pelvic tilt, proprioception, and reaction time in low back pain patients.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 2001

The effects of brisk walking & muscle strengthening exercise on pain, fatigue, physical function & disease activity were examined in 28 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Research design was a quasi-experimental study of non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. 14 for the experimental group and 14 for the control group were selected from the out patients on rheumatoid arthritis clinic of Dong-A University Hospital. The experimental group underwent 16 weeks of brisk walking and muscle strengthening exercise using Thera-Band. Pain, fatigue, physical function & disease activity was measured before and after 16 weeks of exercise. At baseline test, Fatigue & physical function score between groups were significantly different. So differences with in experimental group(baseline versus follow up) were compared with differences within the control group by Mann-Whitney test. There were significant differences between groups in the difference score on pain (U=6.50 p<.001) and fatigue (U=26.5 p<.01). For the experimental group, the score on the pain & fatigue was significantly decreased but no changed for the control group. Also there was a significant differences between groups in the difference score of the physical function (U=22.5 p<.001). For the experimental group, the score of the physical function has been significantly in creased. However, for the control group, it has been no changed. But there were no significant differences between groups in the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and the CRP (C-reactive protein)level. In summary, brisk walking & muscle strengthening exercise led to significant improvements in pain, fatigue, and physical function without exacerbating disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of kinesio taping on upper extremity pain and muscle activation of lateral epicondyle DOMS. This research is randomized controlled designd study and conducted as a single-blind. Twenty four subjects were participated in this study, All the patients were divided two group, were kinesio taping applied group, placebo kinesio taping applied group. The participants were tested pressure upper extremity pain threshold and muscle activation, pre-post intervention. After raining, the change values of the pain and muscle activation in KT group were significantly greater than PKT group(p<0.05). This findings show that kinesio taping training convergence interventions for lateral epicondyle DOMS pain and upper extremity. Continued development on convergence interventions for lateral epicondyle DOMS with pain and upper extremity in the practice are suggested.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.27-36
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• 2021

Background : Prone hip extension (PHE) is commonly used for exercises and tests in patients with low back pain. Previous studies have shown that pelvic compression belts (PCB) and non-elastic taping (NET) contribute greatly to improvements in lumbopelvic stability. This study aimed to compare the effect of two lumbopelvic stability methods such as PCB and NET on the trunk and hip extensor muscle activities during PHE tests. Methods: Subjects who experienced low back pain (low back pain group, LBPG; n=20) and those who did not experience low back pain (non-LBPG; n=20) participated in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform PHE with and without a PCB and NET. PHE tests were performed in the condition wherein the two stabilization methods were applied, and the actions of the muscles at that time were measured using surface electromyography (EMG). EMG data were collected from the hamstring, gluteus maximus, erector spine (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles. The data were collected three times for 5 s with a 1-min rest between each of the three sets. Results: In the LBPG, EMG of the ES muscle was significantly reduced when NET or a PCB was applied (p<.05). There was no difference in the change in the ES muscle activity when NET and a PCB were applied. The ratio of MF/ES muscleactivity showed a significant increase in the LBPG with NET (p<.05). Conclusion: Both NET and PCB applied to subjects who experienced low back pain significantly reduced the ES muscle activity during PHE exercises and helped control the balance of the superficial and deep trunk extensor muscles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of work environment and low back pain on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine to helpful for preventation and cure of low back pain. Methods : Through measuring of lumbosacral angle, lumbar lordotic angle, lumbar gravity line ratio analyzed structure of lumbar spine and using Trunk Extension Flexion Program of CYBEX NORM System(cybex770+TMC, USA) analyzed Flex. PT, Ext. PT, E/F ratio of lumbar spine of company employees given a medical examination. Results : According to work environment, lumbar gravity line ratio is higher in white collar group than in blue collar group, Ext. PT is significantly lower in white collar group than in blue collar group. According to low back pain or not, lumbar gravity line ratio, Ext. PT is lower in low back pain group than in non-low back pain group. Conclusions : Work environment and low back pain effects on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out the evidence concerning the effectiveness of manual therapy intervention in the treatment of low back pain related to spondylolisthesis Methods : 12men with lumbar pain from L5~S1 spondylolisthesis of 2 or 3 grade were treated during 12-week period. The manual therapy applied twice per week. The results of back and radiating pain were measured by VAS, and abdominal muscle strength was measured by Power track II. The measurement of degree of slip in spondylolisthesis was confirmed by the lateral view of X-ray and took a measurements of the anterior displacement of a vertebral body in relation to the vertebral below. Results : 1. There was significant decrease in the back and radiating pain.(p<0.05) 2. There was significant increase in the abdominal muscle strength.(p<0.05). 3. There was significant decrease in the degree of the anterior displacement. Conclusion: The intervention of manual therapy for lumbar spondylolisthesis is effective in back pain, radiating pain, abdominal muscle strength and degree of the anterior displacement. So, nonsurgical treatment should be attempted before surgical treatment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.476-482
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• 2017

This study examined the effects of the seat height of a chair on the muscle activity of the erector spinae and rectus abdominis. Thirty healthy subjects were asked to sit on chairs at three different seat heights. The muscle activities of both the erector spinae and rectus abdominis were measured by surface electromyography. The data were analyzed by repeated one way ANOVA and the muscle activity was compared according to the seat height. The alpha level was set to 0.05. The results showed that the muscle activities of the erector spinae were not significantly different among the three seat heights. The muscle activities of the rectus abdominis were significantly different among the three seat heights. Both the rectus abdominis muscle activities were significantly greater in the low seat height than the other seat heights. These results showed that the seat height of the chair affects the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis muscle, leading to musculoskeletal pain, such as low back pain. Therefore, the seat height of a chair with a correct sitting position is important for preventing musculoskeletal pain.

• 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.