• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2018

Purpose: The neurodynamic test used to implicate symptoms arising from the nerve is proposed to selectively increase the strain of the nerve without increasing the strain of adjacent tissue, although this has not yet been established in the time of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of nerve stretching time on nerve excitability using compound nerve action potential (CNAP) analysis. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (mean age=23.10 years) with no medical history of neurological or musculoskeletal disorder voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median nerve conduction velocity test. The amplitude of the CNAP was measured under three conditions: resting phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), baseline phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, without nerve stretching), and stretch phase (two-thirds of the supra-maximal stimulus, with 1-5 minutes nerve stretching). One-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the latency and amplitude of CNAP. A post-hoc test was analyzed using the contrast test. Results: The latency was significantly delayed after 1 min. of nerve stretching in comparison with the baseline test. However, no significant difference was found during the nerve stretching (1-5 min.). The amplitude was significantly increased by nerve stretching. Conclusion: Nerve stretching can induce nerve excitability without any nerve injury. Based on the results, more than 1 min. of nerve stretching as a neurodynamic test can be a useful method in the clinical setting.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.152-156
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• 2020

Purpose: The subjective visual vertical (SVV) test is used to evaluate the otolith function in the inner ear. This study compared the different balance ability according to the results of the SVV in healthy adults. Methods: This study recruited 30 normal healthy subjects who did not have neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. The subjects were divided into experimental and control groups based on the results of SVV: experimental group, >2°; control group, <2°. The static balance ability was evaluated using the Fourier Index, which could evaluate the balance capacity objectively and quantitatively. Results: The mean angle of the SVV in the experimental and control groups was 4.44° and 0.59°, respectively. In the result of the Fourier series, the F1 frequency band in the experimental group showed a significantly higher value under one condition compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the F2-4 and F5-6 frequency bands, the experimental group showed a significant increase in the Fourier series value under the four conditions compared to the control group (p<0.05). In the F7-8 frequency band, significantly higher values of the Fourier series were observed in the experimental group under the three different conditions (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results showed increased trunk sway while maintaining static balance in the experimental group who showed a larger SVV angle compared to the control group. The SVV can be applied to evaluate the vestibular system and balance ability in normal adults.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences of cervical flexor muscle thickness (i.e., sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles) depending on levels of pressure bio-feedback unit and eye directions during cranial-cervical flexor exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 30 subjects (12 males and 18 females) who had no medical history related to musculoskeletal and neurological disorders were enrolled in this study. They were instructed to perform cranial-cervical flexion exercise with adjustment of five different pressures (i.e., 22 mmHg, 24 mmHg, 26 mmHg, 28 mmHg, and 30 mmHg) using a pressure biofeedback unit, according to three different eye directions (i.e., $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$). Muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was measured according to pressure levels and eye directions using ultrasonography. Results: In results of muscle thickness in sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles, the thickness of those muscles was gradually increased compared to the baseline pressure level (22 mmHg), as levels in the pressure biofeedback unit during cranial-cervical flexion exercise were increasing. In addition, at the same pressure levels, muscle thickness was increased depending on ascending eye direction. Conclusion: Our findings showed that muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was generally increased during cranial-cervical flexion exercise, according to increase of eye directions and pressure levels. Therefore, we suggested that lower eye direction could induce more effective muscle activity than the upper eye direction in the same environment during cranial-cervical flexion exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2009

Purpose: Numerous investigators demonstrated that adaptative changes were induced by motor skill acquisition in the central nervous system. We investigated the changes of neuroelectric potential following motor learning with serial reaction time task in young healthy subjects, using electroencephalography (EEG). Methods: Twelve right-handed normal volunteers were recruited, who have no history of neurological dysfunction and were given to written the informed consent. All subjects were assigned to flex to extend the wrist joint or flex the thumb for pressing the matched button as quickly and accurately as possible, when one of five colored lights was displayed on computer screen (red, yellow, green, blue, white). EEG was measured, whenfive types simulations ware presented randomly with equal probabilities of 20% in total 200 times at the pre and post test. And they were scheduled for 30 minutes practice session during two consecutive days in the laboratory. Results: The results showed that the reaction time at the post test was significantly reduced, compared to one of the pre test in serial reaction time task. In EEG map analysis, the broaden bilateral activation tended to be changed to the focused contralateral activation in the frontoparietal area. Conclusion: These findings showed that acquisition of motor skill led to product more fast motor execution, and that motor learning could change cortical activation pattern, from the broaden bilateral activation to the focused contralateral activation. Thus we concluded that the adaptative change was induced by motor learning in healthy subjects.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2016

Objective: The arm swing is associated with gait ability in healthy young adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of arm swing during gait in healthy young adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-five subjects without any orthopedic or neurological injuries participated in this study. All subjects performed all three conditions according to the arm swing type as follows: first procedure (condition 1), walking as usual without arm swing constraint; second procedure (condition 2), constraint of dominant arm swing walking as usual; third procedure (condition 3), constraint of both arm swing walking as usual. Gait parameters such as gait velocity, stride length, cadence, step time, single limb support, and double limb support were measured in all arm swing conditions performed randomly, with the mean value obtained from three measurements. A rest period of 5 minutes was given to prevent repetition of each condition and learning effect. All data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to notice the changes between arm swing conditions. Results: Within walking conditions, significant difference of gait velocity, stride length, cadence, and double limb support was noticed (p<0.05), except step time and single limb support. Gait velocity and stride length were significant reduced, and in cadence and double limb support were increased (p<0.05). Condition 3 had the most significant decrease of gait ability compared with condition 1 (p<0.05). Conclusions: These finding suggested that constraint arm swing conditions reduced gait ability in healthy young adults. Also, these findings can be utilized as a reference to future studies that not only pelvic, knee and ankle, but also upper limb affect to gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical features, strength, function, and upper extremity musculoskeletal pain during rehabilitation of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The degree and frequency of upper extremity musculoskeletal pain were measured in persons with spinal cord injuries using manual wheelchairs with the use of questionnaires. The pain scores of the hand, wrist, and shoulder joints were calculated by multiplying the seriousness and frequency of pain. We collected data on the manual muscle test, Spinal Cord Independent Measure-III, and the Body Mass Index. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive analysis and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: A total of 47 patients participated in this study and the neurological level of the injuries ranged from C2 to S5. Pain in the shoulder joints was the most common in persons with tetraplegia and paraplegia. Pain was experienced as mild to moderate, and occurred one or more times a week. Of the 32 persons with paraplegia, the most common area of complaint was the shoulder. Of the 15 persons with paraplegia, the shoulder joints were the most common site of pain. The independence levels of the persons with spinal cord injuries were highly correlated to muscle strength levels (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study investigated upper extremity musculoskeletal pain during rehabilitation of manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries and the relationship between physical features, strength, and function. In most persons with spinal cord injuries, pain and frequency of shoulder joints were high and pain levels were also related to functional levels.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.282-288
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• 2022

Background: Pilates exercises are used for body shape correction because they can achieve correct posture alignment through spinal stabilization. Objects: This study aimed to determine whether the use of reformers increases the effectiveness of Pilates core exercises on body alignment in standing. Methods: The study included 30 women without known diagnoses of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders or cancer. Those who had taken more than 10 Pilates lessons were excluded. The participants were randomly assigned to either the reformer exercise group or the mat exercise group, and interventional Pilates exercises were performed for 60 minutes a day, three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks. Ten movements of the reformer and mat Pilates core exercise programs were included. Exbody^® 9100 MOMI musculoskeletal analysis equipment (Exbody Inc.) was used to assess the alignment of the standing posture in the frontal plane. Results: As a result of comparing the differences within and between the groups before and after the intervention using the two-way mixed analysis of variance test, height differences in the head, pelvis, left and right, shoulders, scapulas, knees, and ankles in the frontal plane after the intervention were found in both groups. For example, the left-right symmetry of the body alignment in the standing posture was significantly improved within each group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Both the reformer and mat Pilates core exercises were effective for standing posture alignment, which has clinical significance. If an exercise program is developed based on the analysis of movements necessary for posture improvement and the target muscles to be strengthened, the same effect can be achieved only with mat exercise without using the reformer equipment at the beginner stage.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.88-99
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture on microtraumatic injuries of the knee joint. Methods : Among the outpatients with knee joint pain who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, National Medical Center from February 2000 to September 2000, we selected 15 cases that showed normal finding in both X-ray and neurological examination, and that were categorized into microtraumatic injuries by the physical examination based on the Cyriax's orthopedic medicine. During acupuncture therapy, the patients were ordered to move involved side actively. The effect was assessed through questionnaires of CNRS(Cincinnati Knee Rating System). Results : We investigated 11 female and 4 male patients. The most common distribution of age was 30's(40%). The most commom duration of symtoms was from 3 to 5 months(40%). The most common microtraumatic injury was pes anserinus bursitis(33.3%), and followed by iliotibial band friction syndrome(20%), and patellar tendinitis(20%). In the CNRS, the mean number of before treatment was 60.6 and after was 66.5. 10 cases among the 15 patients were improved(66.6%). Conclusions : These results suggest that the acupuncture therapy combined with active movements of involved side was effective treatment modality on microtraumatic injuries of the knee joint.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.193-201
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• 2010

Purpose : This study achieved to search the effect of the circuit exercise and conventional exercise on walking ability(walking speed, endurance, dynamic balance, speed, endurance and pedestrian crossing) in chronic stroke. Methods : Since is diagnosed by stroke, to 30 chronic stroke patients who more than 1 year past the 15 circuit exercise group, the 15 conventional exercise group random the circuit exercise group applied circuit exercise 3th 8 weeks each week after neurological treatment because assigning and the conventional exercise group executed round trip walk exercise in parallel bar 3th 8 weeks each week after neurological treatment. The data of 25 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. Results : The results of this dissertation were as following : 1) There were significantly increased after experimental of 10 meter walk test, 6 minutes walk test and Timed "Up and Go" test in circuit exercise group (p<.001). 2) There were significantly increased after experimental of 2, 4 and 6 lane road crossing mobility in Walking circuit exercise group(p<.01). 3) There were significantly differences after experimental of 10 meter walk test, 6 minutes walk test and Timed "Up and Go" test change quantity between circuit exercise group and conventional exercise group(p<.05). 4) There were correlations were found between the TUG test and 2, 4 and 6 lane road (2 lane road; r=.463, p<.01., 4 lane road; r=515, p<.01., 6lane road; r=.710, p<.01), and there were correlations were found between the 10 meter walk test and 6 minutes walk test(r=.595, p<.01), TUG test(r=.662, p<.01) and 6 lane road(r=.527, p<.01). Conclusion : Even if improvement of walk function through training consists in room, transfer of actuality pedestrian crossing is no change outside the room. Because it is much variable of the weather, seasonal factor, temperature, pedestrian number, state of underneath etc. outside the room. Then, in room after direction promotion of walk function to be promotion of walk function in actuality life and need development of connectable training method consider.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2010

Cervical disc herniations can press on the spinal cord and cause a problem called cervical myelopathy. The most common symptom of cervical disc herniation is neck pain that spreads down to the upper limb in various locations. There can also be associated with weakness and movement disorders of upper limb. In Oriental medicine, cervical disc herniation is treated with herb-med, physical therapy, acupuncture, Chuna, etc, but the Bee Venom therapy is the most common and effective. In this case, we used the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol for about 2 months to a patient who was diagnosed with disc herniation at Cervical 5-6, 6-7 and appealed weakness, limited elevation and abduction of the left upper limb. As a result, left upper limb disability was improved. Using the Bee Venom therapy at cervical hyeopcheokhyeol that are effective on movement disorders and neurological diseases of upper limb is an effective treatment to upper limb disability diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, and suggests the direction of the treatment to upper limb weakness and movement disorders diagnosed with cervical disc herniation.