• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the pediatric functional muscle testing (PFMT) when applied to children with developmental delay. Methods: Sixteen children with developmental delay (seven females, nine males) participated in this study. For the inter-rater reliability, each was scored on the PMFT by two pediatric physical therapists with more than 8 years of clinical experience on the same day. For assessment of the test-retest reliability, one therapist tested the children again within 10 days. The second measurement was performed by taking a first measurement in video. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the PFMT, and Chronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1) The test-retest ICC of the score of the infant action month and the right side of the PFMT was from 0.53 to 1.00 and from 0.63 to 0.99, respectively. 2) The inter-rater ICC of the score of the infant action month and the right side of the PFMT was from 0.66 to 1.00 and from 0.64 to 1.00, respectively. 3) Chronbach's alpha was 0.93. The internal consistency indicated excellent. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed that the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the PFMT was relatively high, except for a few items. Therefore, it can be suggested that the PFMT will be a useful tool for measurement of muscle strength for children with developmental delay if it be some modifications.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.51-58
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to compare the postural muscle activity during wearing a lead apron with and without applying waist belt at working posture. Ten healthy male subjects were recruited for this study. Electromyography using a surface EMG recorded the activity of the splenius capitis, trapezius, and erector spinae. EMG activity was recorded at quiet standing, 45 degrees of neck flexion, 45 degrees of neck flexion with 15 degrees of trunk flexion. The testing order was selected randomly. The subjects were asked to maintain the each posture for 3 minutes. The mean root mean square (RMS) of EMG activity was calculated. EMG activity was normalized using the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) elicited using a manual muscle testing technique. Two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the average RMS value of EMG activity for each condition. The EMG activity of trapezius muscle was significantly decreased with applying waist belt (p<.05). The muscle activity of splenius capitis and erector spinae showed significant difference according to postures (p<.05). These results suggest that applying waist belt during wearing a lead apron will be useful to prevent shoulder pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 2009

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of turtle neck syndrome, so called, on muscular fatigue and muscle activity. Six subjects (males) participated and performed the prolonged casual computer work in the study. EMG signals from six muscles of the dominant neck-back region were acquired and recorded for 10 seconds at the beginning and the end of three hours computer work. EMG was recorded from six muscles by using a computerized data recording and analysis system. Power spectrum function of EMG was calculated off-line by means of a signal processing software package. Power spectrum functions were smoothed with a moving average filter of 21 points and normalized with respect to the maximal value achieved during the trials. Muscle activity and median frequencies of Sternocleidomastoid(SCM) in turtle neck posture was approximately 51%, which were less than those in normal neck posture. SCM also showed the biggest decrease in median frequency. Results will provide the insight into the neck-back injury mechanism of turtle neck patients. Furthermore, they will be helpful in developing rehabilitation programs for restoring patients' neck-back functions.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2017

Applied Kinesiology (AK) is an evaluation system on the functional balance and integration of the body. Functional aspects of the triad of health are evaluated through muscle testing to see if the balance and integration is in an optimal status or is influenced by a given environmental stimulation. Triad of health refers to the structural, chemical, and psychological aspects of the body. Muscle testing in AK is a functional neurological assessment of muscular response to a given environmental stimulation in a given individual. Meridian system and stomatognathic system as in TMJ balancing medicine serve as one of the theoretical basis of AK. This article reviews core concepts of AK, discusses yin-yang balance medicine perspectives and clinical applications of it.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this experimental study have been testifying about reactive muscle control regarding sternocleidomastoid and psoas. Low back pain patient do not sit-up exercise without abnormality of trunk flexor. The reason of problem is unbalance sternocleidomastoid and psoas. According to George J, Goodheart who have been developing Applied Kinesiology (A. K.) since reactive muscle recognized gait testing in 1964. Materials and Methods: From September, 2004 to February, 2005, I have controled sternocleidomastoid and psoas. It is applied to the patients who are unable sit up exercise at Yang-Dong local clinic, Yang-Pyung county, Kyung-Gi Do province in Korea. 24 Patients divided 2 groups. A group is applied general physical therapy. Also B group is added reactive muscle control from M.E.M.P.T.(Korean society of muscle and energy monitoring physical therapy) Results : The results of this study follow. 1. Possible sit up group 8 persons of the second group. 2. Not possible sit up group the others. Conclusion: The study present that reactive muscle control sternocliedomastoid and psoas is useful in patient with low back pain is difficult to sit up.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.270-273
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• 2016

Muscular hypertrophy is caused mainly due to myopathic disorder. But, it is also rarely produced by neurogenic disorder. A 74-year-old woman complained of right calf pain with hypertrophy for several years. Recent lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed central and lateral canal narrowing at the L4-L5 intervertebral space. Lower extremity MRI revealed fatty change of right medial head of the gastrocnemius and soleus, causing right calf hypertrophy. Electrodiagnostic examinations including electromyography and nerve conduction velocity testing demonstrated $5^{th}$ lumbar and $1^{st}$ sacral polyradiculopathy. Integrating all the results, the diagnosis was neurogenic muscle hypertrophy. Neurogenic muscle hypertrophy is very rare, but we recommend that clinicians consider this problem when a patient complains of lower limb hypertrophy and pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of sympathetic conversation on stress, anxiety and depression, and muscle tone in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=7) or control group (CG, n=7). Both groups participated in a pretest before intervention. Subjects were asked to undergo: 1) electroencephalogram, 2) Stress Response Inventory, 3) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, 4) muscle tone and stiffness testing. After the pretest, EG received sympathetic conversation and CG received a simple explanation about stroke recovery and rehabilitation. Following the intervention, both groups were immediately administered a post test. RESULTS: In EG, the electroencephalogram relative alpha power was significantly increased (p<.05), while the electroencephalogram relative gamma power was significantly decreased (p<.05). The Stress Response Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores decreased significantly in both groups (p<.05). In addition, muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in the EG (p<.05) CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that sympathetic conversation had a positive effect on stress, anxiety and depression, and muscle tone in patients with chronic stroke. Therefore, sympathetic conversation could be used to improve not only psychological problems in chronic stroke patients including stress and anxiety, but also physical conditions including muscle tone.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the aquatic exercise program on lower muscle strength, balance and gait activity on 12 weeks aquatic exercise program in the elderly women. Methods : The Subjects in this study were 20 aged 70s who were long-term residents admitted to elderly nursing home of S, Gyeongsangnam province. They performed aquatic exercise programs 60-minute sessions, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The physical evaluation was used for measuring lower muscle strength, balance activity was used for measuring balance testing, and gait activity was used for measuring gait velocity and maximal step length evaluation. All data were analyzed by paired t-Test by SPSS(version18.0). P-values of <.05 were considered significant. Results : Lower extremity muscle strength, static dynamic balance and gait activity were significantly increased both in the exercise group and between groups. Conclusion : This study suggests that aquatic exercise program has an effect on lower extremity muscle strength, balance and gait activity of the elderly women. Therefore, it is considered as a safe and helpful self-support activity for the elderly people.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.232-242
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop a Korean version of the pediatric functional muscle test (K-PFMT) for children with motor developmental disorders, and to verify its reliability and validity. Methods: The subjects were 40 children, aged below 5 years. Each was scored on the K-PFMT by 14 physical therapists to determine inter-rater reliability and internal consistency. Additionally, 3 of the 14 therapists tested 20 children again one or two weeks later to determine test-retest reliability. The internal consistency was calculated by Cronbach's alpha. The inter-rater and test-retest reliability were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). One-way ANOVA and the paired t-test were used to compare differences among the three evaluator groups and between the test and retest group. Concurrent validity was evaluated by Pearson's correlation with a total score of GMFM. Results: Chronbach's alpha was over 0.98 for each test item and 0.99 for the total items. There was no significant differences in the score of K-PFMT among the three evaluator groups except for a few items. The test-retest ICC was from 0.89 to 1.00 and from 0.82 to 1.00, respectively. There was no significant difference between the test and retest group, except for a few items. There were high significant correlations between K-PFMT and GMFM. Conclusion: This study showed that a K-PFMT with relatively high reliability and validity was successfully developed. The K-PFMT will be a useful tool for measurement of muscle strength of children with motor developmental disorder.