• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.110-116
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of study was to investigate the effects of combination patterns exercise of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on unstable surfaces on pain, functional disability, and fear avoidance belief in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Twenty four patients were assigned to either the experimental group (n=12) or the control group (n=12). Patients in the experimental group performed combination patterns exercise of PNF on unstable surfaces. Patients in the control group performed combination patterns exercise of PNF on stable surfaces. Both exercises were performed for five days per week, for a period of six weeks. Pain was measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Functional disability was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Fear avoidance belief was measured using the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ). A paired t-test was used for determination of differences before and after treatment, and an independent t-test was used for determination of differences between treatment groups. Results: In within group comparison, the experimental group showed statistically significant difference for all variables (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed relatively greater significant difference for all variables (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on such results, it can be said that combination patterns exercise of PNF on unstable surfaces has an effect on pain, functional disability, and fear avoidance belief in patients with chronic low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.13-23
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• 2004

Objective : Compare the results of CPM and PNF in recovery rates when applied as an initial physical therapy. Methods : Randomly selected 19 patients who underwent through total knee replacement surgery. 23 cases were studied and divided into 12 CPM and 11 PNF cases. CPM case was carried out for 60 minutes, a maximum allowed exercise without pain. PNF case was carried out for 20 minutes by a therapist to a patient as 'one on one'. Result : Result showed that PNF treatment was increased significantly at P<0.05 in flexor muscle strength in 8 days after the surgery. Conclusion : The study revealed that in comparison with CPM, PNF was more effective treatment increase of flexor muscle strength in rehabilitation on after total knee replacement surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.253-261
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• 2012

Purpose: In this study, the following experiment was conducted to see how to apply the sprinter pattern in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and functional weight bearing exercise affected balance capabilities and weight bearing among chronic stroke patients. Methods: The subjects included 27 subjects who had been diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke. A total of 12 sessions was held, 3 sessions a week over 4 weeks, were provided to the groups. The control group received general rehabilitation program, and the experimental group performed sprinter pattern in PNF or functional weight bearing exercise. The weight bearing capability and static balance capability test was implemented by using Good-Balance System and Frailty and Injuries Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques, while the dynamic balance capability test was carried out by using Four Square Step Test and Timed "Up and Go". Results: The paretic/nonparetic side weight bearing by application of each exercise showed that there were no significant differences in variation among each groups on before exercise, after exercise, 2 weeks after exercise. Static balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Dynamic balance test by application of each exercise showed that there were significant differences after exercise and 2 weeks after exercise. Conclusion: To put the results together, the application of sprinter pattern and functional weight bearing exercise was effective in improving static and dynamic balance capabilities. Therefore, these exercises are helpful to improve balance in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제29권6호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) on lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability according to different methods of exercises in football player and use it as basic data for the rehabilitation training of chronic ankle instability. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the two groups, which each group have 15 members, are WBVE group and neuromuscular training (NMT) group according to training method. The exercise program was conducted for six weeks. Subjects were measured on lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability. Results: The muscle activity increasement of the WBVE group was significantly higher than that of the NMT group (p<0.05) and the balance ability decreasement of the WBVE group was significantly higher than that of the NMT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings of this study suggest that WBVE may have a beneficial effect on improvement of lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in football player with chronic ankle instability.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.151-159
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the activation of the contralateral upper and lower extremities and trunk muscle during ipsilateral upper extremity diagonal isokinetic exercise. Methods: Twenty-one healthy male subjects with no history of shoulder injury undertook ipsilateral diagonal isokinetic exercise at 60, 120, and $180^{\circ}/sec$, utilizing a standard Biodex protocol. Muscle activation amplitudes were measured in the upper trapezius, pectoralis major, biceps brachii, rectus abdominis, external oblique, rectus femoris, adductor longus, and biceps femoris muscles using electromyography. A one-way analysis of variance and paired t-tests were conducted, and the data were analyzed using SPSS, version 21.0. Results: The results revealed no statistically significant interaction between motion and angular velocity and no statistically significant contralateral muscle activation according to angular velocity (p>0.05). However, they revealed statistically significant contralateral muscle activation according to motion (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the movements involved in contralateral upper extremity diagonal isokinetic exercise can enhance muscle strength in patients affected by stroke, fracture, burns, or arthritis.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to review of effect of the PNF application for improvement of the basic physical fitness in the elderly. Methods : By using internet, we research the PubMed, Science Direct, KISS, DBpia and the article on the effect of PNF. We selected the article between 1970 and 2007. Key words were PNF, Exercise, Elderly. Results : PNF refers to any of several post-isometric relaxation stretching techniques in which a muscle group is passively stretched, then contracts isometrically against resistance while in the stretched position, and then is passively stretched again through the resulting increased range of motion. Most PNF techniques employ isometric agonist contraction/relaxation where the stretched muscles are contracted isometrically and then relaxed. The most common PNF techniques are CR, HR, CRAC, HR-AC, AC. PNF exercise effected on the muscular strength and flexibility and balance and ROM in the elderly. Conclusion : PNF is a safety and effective exercise to improve the muscular strength and flexibility and balance and ROM in the elderly. Therefore, we suggest that PNF need to generalize for the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.129-134
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the changes in pulmonary function, gait ability, and quality of life when NMES is applied along with CBE and to provide basic clinical data to be used in pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines for patients with COPD to treat patients with severe COPD. Methods: For this study, CBE and NMES of quadriceps femoris on both sides were applied to the experimental group (n=10), and only CBE was applied to the control group (n=10). For a pre-test, a 6-minute walk test was performed, and pulmonary function and health-related quality of life were measured. Moreover, an exercise program was applied to each group for 30 minutes per session, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. After that, a post-test was conducted the same way as the pre-test. Results: In the within-group comparison, there were significant differences in forced expiratory volume in one second, 6-minute walk test and health-related quality of life between the experimental group and the control group (p<0.01)(p<0.05). In the between-group comparison, the experimental group showed an increase in forced expiratory volume in one second and 6-minute walk test (p<0.05) and showed a decline in health-related quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: The 6-weeks NMES program improved health-related quality in patients with severe COPD by increasing expiratory volume by reinforcing the function of quadriceps femoris. This finding implies that NMES could be an alternative mode for improving physical functions of patients with severe COPD, who cannot participate in a breathing exercise program or are reluctant to participate.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.250-257
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• 2019

Objectives: Flatfoot, or low medial longitudinal arch, contributes to back and lower extremity injuries and is caused by weak abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) alone or with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on navicular height, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity in flexible flatfoot. Methods: Thirty-six otherwise healthy people with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to a group that received SFE with placebo NMES treatment (the control group) or a group that received both SFE and NMES treatment (the experimental group). Each group received 4 weeks of treatment (SFE alone or SFE with NMES). Navicular height, the CSA of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: No significant differences were found in navicular height or the CSA of the AbdH muscle between the control and experimental groups, while AbdH muscle activity showed a statistically significant difference between the groups ($SFE=73.9{\pm}11.0%$ of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]; SFE with $NMES=81.4{\pm}8.3%$ of MVIC; p<0.05). Moreover, the CSA of the AbdH muscle showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in the SFE with NMES group ($pre-treatment=218.6{\pm}53.2mm^2$ ; $post-treatment=256.9{\pm}70.5mm^2$ ; p<0.05). Conclusions: SFE with NMES was more effective than SFE alone in increasing AbdH muscle activity. Therefore, SFE with NMES should be recommended to correct or prevent abnormalities in people with flexible flatfoot by a physiotherapist or medical care team.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.171-181
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curl-up and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercises on stroke patients' trunk muscle activity, ability to control the trunk, and balance by comparing two exercise methods. Methods : The study involved patients who had been diagnosed with stroke based on the results of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at O Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, between January and July 2020. In total, 30 subjects were selected and by flipping a coin, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) that performed PNF neck flexion exercises and a control group (n=15) that performed curl-up exercises. Both groups received traditional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day five times a week for a six-week period. In addition, the experimental group performed PNF neck flexion exercises and the control group curl-up exercises for 15 minutes a day five times a week over the same period. The subjects' muscle activity in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) were measured before and after the experiment. The subjects' trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were also assessed. Paired t test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change before and after intervention in both groups. An independent sample T test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change between the two groups. Results : Both groups experienced statistically significant increases in their RA, IO and EO muscle activity, total TIS scores, and total BBS scores after the intervention. No statistically significant differences in the changes before and after the intervention were found for any of the resulting values between the two groups. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of the study's results suggested that neck flexion exercises using the PNF irradiation concept and curl-up exercise are effective in increasing stroke patients' abdominal muscle activity and improving trunk control ability and balance in chronic stroke patients.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.215-224
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• 2022

Background: The presence of the lumbopelvic-hip neuromuscular chain is essential for dynamic spinal stabilization; its therapeutic effects on dynamic movements of the distal extremity segment and underpinning motor mechanism remain unknown and warrant further study on participants with low back pain (LBP). Objects: We aim to compare the effects of the broken chain exercise (BCE) and connected chain exercise (CCE) on electromyography (EMG) amplitude and onset time in participants with and without LBP. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial. A convenience sample of 40 nonathletic participants (mean age: 24.78 ± 1.70) with and without LBP participated in this study. All participants underwent CCE for 30 minutes, 30-minute daily. We measured EMG amplitude and onset times on bilateral erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) during the prone hip extension (PHE) test before and after the BCE and CCE. We used multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to analyze the amplitude and onset time difference between exercises (BCE and CCE) and Pearson's correlations to determine any synergistic relationship among the HAM, GM, bilateral TrA/IO, and ES muscles. The statistical analyses were used at p < 0.05. Results: MANOVA showed that CCE was more decreased on EMG amplitude in HAM and bilateral ES, while increased GM and contralateral TrA/IO than BCE (p < 0.05). MANOVA EMG onset time data analyses revealed that the main effect of the conditions was significant for all HAM, GM, and bilateral ES muscles, whereas the main effect for the group was significant only for GM and contralateral ES in healthy and LBP groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was computed to assess the relationship between BCE and CCE on dependent variables. In most of the muscles, there was a strong, positive correlation between the two variables, and there was a significant relationship (p < 0.001). Conclusion: CCE produced more effective and coordinated core stabilization and motor control mechanism in the lumbopelvic-hip muscles in participants with and without LBP during PHE than BCE.