• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.370-375
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the hip joint muscle strength of patients with chronic back pain with lumbar instability and normal subjects. Design: A case control study. Methods: Five types of lumbar instability test were conducted on forty young women with chronic low back pain for more than six months, and those who had 3 or more positive tests were selected as subjects. To select chronic back pain patients with lumbar instability group, aberrant movement patterns during lumbar flexion test (FMT), prone instability test (PIT), posterior-anterior mobility test (PAT), passive lumbar extension test (PLE), and pressure bio-feedback (PBF) were applied. In addition, a digital muscle strength meter was used to measure the hip flexor, extensor, adductor, and abductor muscles of chronic low back pain patients with lumbar instability group (n=20) and normal subject group (n=20). Results: As a result of comparing the hip joint muscle strength between the chronic back pain patient group with lumbar instability and the normal group, there were significant differences in the hip extensor, abductor, and adductor muscles (p<0.05). Conclusions: Patients of chronic back pain with lumbar instability were found to have weak hip joint muscle strength. Therefore, this study suggest that include hip joint strength exercise for functional recovery of chronic back pain patients.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate whether verbal and spatial working memory functions were impaired not only in patients with schizophrenia but also in people at ultra-high risk for first-episode psychosis. Methods : Twenty-five patients (M 13, F 12) with schizophrenia (SPR), 21 people at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR)(M 10, F 11) and 19 normal controls (NC)(M 10, F 9) were recruited. The working memory was assessed by using the verbal and spatial n-back test. The working memory load increased incrementally from the 0-back to the 3-back condition. Results : SPR performed significantly lower than NC and UHR in terms of hit rates of verbal and spatial n-back test. UHR subjects conducted significantly lower than NC and higher in trend-level than SPR in terms of hit rates of verbal and spatial n-back test. These differences were derived from the high working memory load (2-back and 3-back), not from the low working memory load (0-back and 1-back). There was no significant difference between the verbal and spatial n-back test across the three groups. Conclusion : These findings suggest that verbal and spatial working memory dysfunction may be general rather than differential in terms of stimuli modality, and this working memory deficit may be an important trait factor in schizophrenia.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.95-102
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• 2019

This study was to investigate the effect of eye movement and intentional finger movement on cognitive ability. Normal adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups: saccadic eye movement(SEM) and intentional finger movement(IFM). After 2 weeks of intervention, Digit span was used for short-term memory test and N-back was used for working memory test. As a result, the short-term memory of the IFM group increased significantly over time, and the follow-up test showed difference between group. The IFM group's the execution time, the error count and the accuracy rate of n-back item showed significant effects over time. The SEM group's the execution time and the accuracy of n-back item showed significant effects over time. In conclusion, the IFM method, which is a multiple stimulus that can activate the cerebral cortex more extensively than the single stimulus SEM, may be more useful as an intervention method of cognitive function improvement.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2021

Objective: We aimed to identify the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching on pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In total, 45 patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into a conventional stretching group (n=22) and a PNF stretching group (n=23). Both interventions were performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Assessments were made using the visual analog scale, Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation test, modified Thomas test, prone hip extension test, and Oswestry disability index before and after the 6-week intervention period. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group findings before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α=0.05, for all variables. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability after the intervention (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed in pain, hip range of motion, and functional disability in patients belonging to the PNF stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the application of PNF stretching can effectively reduce pain and improve hip range of motion and functional disability in patients with chronic low back pain.

• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.478-483
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• 2014

We propose a new method which can extract the information about the electronic traps in the semi-insulating GaN buffer of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) using a simple test structure. The proposed method has a merit in the easiness of fabricating the test structure. Moreover, the electric fields inside the test structure are very similar to those inside the actual transistor, so that we can extract the information of bulk traps which directly affect the current collapse behaviors of AlGaN/GaN HEFTs. By applying the proposed method to the GaN buffer structures with various unintentionally doped GaN channel thicknesses, we conclude that the incorporated carbon into the GaN back barrier layer is the dominant origin of the bulk trap which affects the current collapse behaviors of AlGaN/GaN HEFTs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to measure the change of strength of trunk flexion and extension on abdominal and back muscles. Methods : Each taping group 1(n=14), taping group 2(n=14), taping group 3(n=14) and control group(n=15) were measured a muscle strength by Biodex at first test, second test, third test and forth test in 3 days. Results : The strength of trunk flexion and extension was significantly different among the experimental groups (p<.05). It also shows that significant increasing of muscle strength at 48 hours after application of taping (p<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, we were found that taping technique base on taping type show immediately assistance of muscle strength and enduring effect for 48 hours.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2018

Background: This study investigated the effects of pelvic floor stabilization exercise of pain, disfunction, psychosocial, electromyography (EMG) activity on the lower back pain with postpartum. Methods: The study included 20 postpartum women who were randomly assigned to a sling exercise group (SEG, n=10) or a general physical therapy group (GPTG, n=10). Outcomes were assessed using to lower back pain with postpartum the quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI), the fear avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ), the inventory of functional status after childbirth (IFSAC), the edinburgh postnatal depression scale-Korean (EPDS-K), and trunk muscle activity before and after a 4-week exercise intervention. Statistical analysis were performed using a mean, standard deviation, crosstab test, paired t-test, independent t-test. Kolmogorove-Smirnov test was used for test of normality. Results: Compared to the GPTG, the SEG showed significant improvement in the QVAS, KODI, FABQ, IFSAC, and EPDK-K scores (p<.05) after 4 weeks. Conclusion: Postpartum pelvic strengthening exercise proved to have a positive effect.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of active and passive soft tissue mobilization and active stretching on pain, functional disability, and flexibility in patients with nonspecific low back pain (NS-LBP). Specifically, it compared the effectiveness of these interventions when applied to the hamstring muscles. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 45 participants (mean age: 23.03±3.90 years) with NS-LBP were randomly assigned into three groups: active soft tissue mobilization (ASM) group (n=15), passive soft tissue mobilization (PSM) group (n=15), and hamstring active stretching (AS) group (n=15). The interventions were conducted for 20 minutes, three times a week, for four weeks. Outcome measures included pain assessed by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), functional disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and flexibility assessed using the Sit and Reach Test and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) test. Results: The ASM group showed a significant reduction in NPRS scores (p<0.01) and ODI scores (p<0.01) compared to the PSM and AS groups. The ASM group also demonstrated significant improvements in flexibility in both the Sit and Reach Test (p<0.01) and PSLR test (p<0.01) compared to the other groups. Conclusions: Active soft tissue mobilization was more effective than passive soft tissue mobilization and active stretching in reducing pain, improving functional disability, and enhancing flexibility in patients with NS-LBP. These findings suggest that active interventions should be prioritized for managing NS-LBP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and assess the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the balance ability of young college studets with low back pain after having performed spinal stabilization exercise by using 3-dimensional air-balance system and gym ball. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 low back patients in their early twenties. They were divided into two groups: 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17) and gym ball lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17). The period of the intervention was for five weeks. VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) for pain test, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index) for ADL limitation test, Tetrax system for static balance test, and Air-balance system 3D for dynamic balance test were used as evaluation tools for this study. Results: Pain showed significant decrease in both groups after having performed the experiment, but ADL limitation of the groups did not show any remarkable difference between before and after the experiment. Dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional angle comparison test significantly increased in all directions except for the backward, left-backward, and right-backward directions. As for dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional postural test, 3D exercise group showed statistically significant reduction in every direction while gym ball exercise group did not(p<.05). However, when it comes to static balance ability in the weight distribution and stability test, there was not significantly change between pre and post test in both groups. Conclusion: This study shows 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise is more effective in the lumbar stabilization of coordinated movement than gym ball exercise, which may imply that 3D air-balance system can be used for the therapeutic treatment of body imbalance for patients with low back pain.