• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, based on ballistic stretching and the contract-relax technique, on hip joint flexibility and muscle tone in adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles. Methods: The study involved 40 adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles, identified using the modified Thomas test. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: PNF stretching, employing the contract-relax technique, and ballistic stretching. Measurements included muscle tension, hip joint range of motion, and muscle characteristics. The rectus femoris muscle shortening effect was confirmed by the modified Thomas test, while the flexibility effect was assessed through hip joint motion range. The muscle tension effect was determined using Myoton-PRO. Results: Both stretching methods resulted in significant improvements in modified Thomas test angles and frequency, with the PNF stretching group showing notably greater changes. However, neither stretching method significantly affected decrement or stiffness measurements. These findings suggest that PNF stretching may be more effective for certain outcomes compared to ballistic stretching. Conclusion: In summary, both stretching methods positively influenced flexibility and muscle tension, with PNF stretching showing a greater impact. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate stretching technique for achieving functional improvements in muscles, which could serve as valuable indicators for preventing and treating muscle injuries in both sports and daily activities.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.93-101
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to the effects of a cervical stabilization exercise using pressure biofeedback intervention on suboccipital muscle tone, deep neck flexor muscle endurance, and craniovertebral angle in college students with forward head posture. The subjects of the study were selected as BCSEG(n=12) and CG(n=12), and the intervention was performed for 50 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The results of the study showed that after biofeedback neck stabilization exercises, the suboccipital muscle significantly decreased in stiffness and muscle tone in the BCSEG(p<.01), and the deep neck flexors significantly increased in muscle endurance(p<.01) and craniovertebral angle(p<.01). The results of the cervical stabilization exercises with biofeedback are thought to improve cranio- vertebral angle by improving muscle function of the suboccipital muscles and deep neck flexors, which cervical stabilization exercises with biofeedback may be suggested as an intervention to improve FHP.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.185-196
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• 1995

The purposes of this study are to identify effectiveness of the hospital-based home care project, to manage patients' problems in comprehensive way, to decrease the patients' economical burden to the arthritis patients. The design is nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design with matched samples in terms of age, sex and disease severity. Fifty two patients were assigned in each of the experimental and control groups in Seoul, Kyunggi, Kangwon and Kwangju. Before the experiment and after 3-month period of experiment of home care, level of pain, duration of morning stiffness, Richie Index, ADL, self-efficacy and depression were measured. Nine patients were excluded from the control group because of denial of participation. Contents of home care provided to the experimental group include distribution of prescribed drugs, assessment of patient's condition and side-reactions of drug, pain control, depression control, nutrition guide, exercise teaching, and family counselling. Patients assigned to the control group visited the outpatient clinic once a month as usual. Null hypotheses were selected because physicians concerned about the ineffective change of patients' conditions due to indirect communication with patients through nurses. Level of pain, Richie Index, ADL, self-efficacy, depression and duration of morning stiffness did not significantly different between two groups as expected. In the experimental group, level of pain, ADL, Richie Index and duration of morning stiffness changed to the positive direction from the pretest to the posttest. However, level of depression and self-efficacy did not show any changes. Ninety percent of patients in the experimental group satisfied with the home care provided to them. Since this is the intermediate report, more detailed and long-term report will be prepared.

• Korean Journal of Family Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.347-354
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• 2018

Background: BMI alone may not serve as an index of obesity because it does not reflect body composition. The present study aimed to compare arterial stiffness as assessed by the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) among groups defined by body fat percentage (pBF) and BMI. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on 1,700 participants (1,044 men and 656 women) who completed a health screening examination at a national hospital between January 2011 and February 2016. Participants were divided into four groups according to BMI and pBF: normal fat and normal weight (NFNW); excessive fat and normal weight (EFNW); normal fat and obese (NFO); and excessive fat and obese (EFO). The ba-PWV and other cardiometabolic factors were compared among the four groups in men and women separately. Results: For both sexes, the NFNW group had a lower metabolic risk compared to that in the other groups (EFNW, NFO, and EFO). After adjusting for multiple variables, the NFO males had a significantly lower ba-PWV compared to those in the other groups, including NFNW males. The NFO group had significantly more skeletal muscle mass and muscle mass compared the other groups (P<0.05). Among women, the NFNW group had a significantly lower ba-PWV compared the other groups, even after adjusting for multiple variables. Conclusion: Lower pBF in obese men may be associated with improved cardiovascular risk.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.193-202
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of myotonometric measurements of tone, elasticity and stiffness for the erector spinae muscles of the young and the elderly populations. Methods : A total of 102 (69 young adults from K university and 33 older adults from the D community center in Daejeon) were enrolled in this study. The two different raters measured each side of the erector spinae muscles at prone position. After each rater performed first measurement for a subject, 30 minutes of rest was given. The same rater then repeated the second myometric measurement on the subject. The collected data on the tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to determine inter- and intra- rater reliabilities. Results : The inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of the myotonometric measurement of the erector spinae for the total subjects were excellent (ICC > 0.9, p < 0.001). Within each of the elderly group and the young group, inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were also excellent (ICC > 0.8~0.9 / p < 0.001, ICC > 0.75~0.9 / p < 0.001, each). Conclusion : The measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness for the erector spinae muscles using the myotonometer had excellent reliability. It was confirmed that a highly reliable myometric measurement on the erector spinae can be obtained regardless of whether it is from young or elderly people. This suggests that the myotonometer can be a useful tool to measure muscular properties of the erector spinae of the young and old as an evaluative instrument.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of the Tai Chi self-help program with a self-help program on pain, stiffness, physical functioning, and fear of falling in women with osteoarthritis. Method: Total of 82 women with Osteoarthritis recruited from outpatient clinics or community health centers were randomly assigned either to a Tai Chi self-help group or a self-help group. Thirty subjects in the Tai Chi self-help group and 39 in the self-help group completed posttest measures(pain, stiffness, physical functioning, and fear of falling) at 6 months. Results: After the 6 month study period, the subjects in the Tai Chi self-help group reported significantly less difficulties in performing daily activities(mean difference=-0.16 vs. 6.19 for the self-help), and less fear of falling(mean difference=-3.20 vs. 0.27 for the self-help) than those in the self-help group. There were no significantly differences in pain and stiffness between the groups. Conclusion: The Tai Chi combined with self-help program was more effective than the self-help only program in reducing difficulties in performing daily activities and fear of falling in women with Osteoarthritis. Whether these changes prevent fall episodes requires further study.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Background: Studies investigating the immediate effects of a single intervention to correct forward head posture are rare. Objects: This study aimed to compare the changes in treatment effects in patients with forward head posture and neck pain after manual and self-exercise therapy over a 1-hour period. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were randomly divided into manual and self-exercise therapy groups. Following the initial evaluation, manual or self-exercise therapy was applied to each group for 30 minutes each in the prone, supine, and sitting positions. The variables measured were the craniovertebral angle (CVA), stress level, pain level, and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) stiffness. After the intervention, re-evaluation was conducted immediately, 30 minutes later, and 1 hour later. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the maintenance of treatment effects between the two groups. Results: Based on the two-way mixed ANOVA variance, there was no interaction between the groups and time for all variables, and no main effects were found between the groups. However, a significant effect of time was observed (p < 0.05). Post hoc tests using Bonferroni's correction revealed that in both groups, the CVA, pain, and stress showed significant improvements immediately after the intervention compared with before the intervention, and these treatment effects were maintained for up to 1 hour after the treatment (p < 0.0083) in the manual therapy group. However, the stress level was maintained until 30 minutes later (p < 0.0083) in the self-exercise group. There was no significant decrease in right SCM stiffness before and after the intervention; however, left SCM stiffness significantly decreased after the self-exercise intervention (p < 0.0083). Conclusion: Both manual and self-exercise therapy for 30 minutes were effective in reducing forward head posture related to the CVA, pain, and stress levels. These effects persisted for at least 30 minutes.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.771-782
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• 2017

This paper describes the development of a wearable robot to assist ankle power for the elderly. Previously developed wearable robots have generally used motors and gears to assist muscle power during walking. However, the combination of motor and reduction gear is heavy and has limitations on the simultaneous control of stiffness and torque due to the friction of the gear reducer unlike human muscles. Therefore, in this study, Mckibben pneumatic muscle, which is lighter, safer, and more powerful than an electric motor with gear, was used to assist ankle joint. Antagonistic actuation using a pair of pneumatic muscles assisted the power of the soleus muscles and tibialis anterior muscles used for the pitching motion of the ankle joint, and the model parameters of the antagonistic actuator were experimentally derived using a muscle test platform. To recognize the wearer's walking intention, foot load and ankle torque were calculated by measuring the pressure and the center of pressure of the foot using force and linear displacement sensors, and the stiffness and the torque of the pneumatic muscle joint were then controlled by the calculated ankle torque and foot load. Finally, the performance of the developed ankle power assistive robot was experimentally verified by measuring EMG signals during walking experiments on a treadmill.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.254-264
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate changes in posture and muscle characteristics by applying mat pilates and kinesio taping to college students with round shoulder posture and to investigate effective interventions. Subjects were 28 men and women with a round shoulder posture, and they were randomly assigned to a mat pilates group (MPG, n=14) and a Kinesio taping group (KTG, n=14). Each group performed the intervention for 4 weeks, and the distance from the ground to the acromion(DGA) and muscle characteristics (F: Frequency; S: Stiffness; D: Decrement) were measured before and after the intervention. Independent T-test was performed for the difference in the amount of change between groups, and the paired-sample T-test was performed for the difference between pre-post values within the group. Statistical significance level was set as 𝛼=.05. As a result of measuring the change in DGA in both groups, it was significantly decreased in MPG (p<.05). As a result of measuring the change in muscle characteristics of the two groups, the change in F in TL was significantly increased in MPG (p<.05), there was no change in TG, and the amount of change in MPG was larger in the amount of change between the two groups. appeared (p<.05). The change in S was significantly increased in MPG (p<.05). Therefore, the mat pilates conducted in this study is considered to be an effective intervention for improving the round shoulder posture and changing the muscle characteristics than kinesio taping.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.135-140
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the appropriate stimulus strength that could result in a positive effect on the ankle joint spasticity when patients with chronic stroke performed whole body vibration (WBV) exercise. Methods: Among 72 patients who were diagnosed with stroke at least 6 months ago, those able to perform a half squat pose with ambulation issues due to ankle joint spasticity (modified Ashworth scale, $MAS{\geq}2$) were included for analysis. Individuals participated in four different frequencies of vertical WBV exercise; 0 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 30 Hz. Vibration amplitude was 3-4 mm and 5 minutes WBV exercise was performed at each frequency, followed by a measurement after 2-minute rest. We assigned 18 individuals to each frequency and asked them to participate in the WBV exercise once every 3 weeks. The level of spasticity was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment. The myoton PRO was utilized to objectively evaluate the level of spasticity and check the muscle tone and stiffness. Results: Participants showed 0 Hz VAS was a significant difference between 20 Hz application conditions (p<0.05). Muscle tone was significantly different at 0 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05), significantly difference at 10 Hz between 30 Hz (p<0.05). Muscle stiffness significantly difference at 0 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05), significantly difference at 10 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study show that the frequency of more than 20 Hz was effective in improving the ambulatory ability in patients with chronic stroke. Currently, the effective WBV protocol is limited. Hence, this study was designed to suggest an effective WBV protocol to improve neuromodulation ability for chronic stroke patients.