• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.451-461
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• 2019

Purpose: This study identified the effect of abdominal muscle contraction using changes in waist circumference for healthcare workers with back pain due to inadequate posture during working hours. Methods: In this study, we provided educational training focused on posture alignment and utilized waist circumference change sensors to induce the contraction of abdominal muscles as a method to address low back pain in healthcare workers. All 32 participants received the same training and then were assigned to two groups: wearing the keeping core band (CB) and not wearing the keeping core band (NCB). For the CB group, the waist circumference change sensor was applied for 6 weeks during working hours. Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test and paired t-tests were used to compare the differences between the groups. All statistical significance levels were set to α=0.05. Results: Trunk muscle endurance increased significantly in the CB group. There was no significant difference in stability index to evaluate static postural control, but active hip abduction tests, which evaluate dynamic postural control, showed significant decrease in the CB group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the induction of abdominal contraction using the waist circumference change sensor may improve the trunk muscle endurance and the postural control ability of the hip and pelvis of healthcare workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.81-89
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• 2019

PURPOSE: To solve the problems of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients complaining of muscle fatigue and having limited motor abilities, this study provided the clinical basic data for pulmonary rehabilitation by examining the effects of High Low-Frequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) on the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and life quality. METHODS: Samples were collected from 20 COPD patients and placed randomly in a low-frequency group (n=10) and high-frequency group (n=10). For a pretest, the respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP), quadriceps muscle activity (LF, VM, VL), and life quality (SGRQ) were measured. After applying NMES to each group for 30 minutes at a time, five times a week, for four weeks, a posttest was conducted in the same way as the pretest. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant differences in the respiratory muscle strength, quadriceps muscle activity, and quality of life within the groups and there were significant differences in the quadriceps muscle activity between the groups. CONCLUSION: The four-weeks NMES positively influenced the respiratory muscle strength and life quality by enhancing the function of the quadriceps and exercise tolerance. In particular, high-frequency(75 Hz) NMES was more effective than low-frequency (15 Hz) NMES. This result can be an alternative means to improve the physical functions of COPD patients clinically in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.275-282
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the optimal positions of safety grab bars for effective sit-to-stand (STS) movement by comparing the results of the STS movement while using a safety grab bar installed under two different conditions: the height of the grab bar installation was determined by (1) the Building Act and (2) the principle of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF). Methods: A total of 50 undergraduate students participated in this study, and they were required to perform an STS movement twice under each condition. A baropodometric platform for sitting and a Biorescue (RM Ingenierie, France) were used to collect and analyze changes in the center of pressure (COP) on the left and right sides before and after performing the STS movement. The average completion time for the STS movement was also measured for analysis. Moreover, the participants were asked to express their individual subjective preferences regarding the two positions of the grab bars. Results: The COP changes were significantly smaller when performing the STS movement with the grab bar installed at the height determined by the PNF principle than the Building Act (p<0.01), and the difference in the completion time of the STS movement was not statistically significant between the two conditions. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the principle of PNF can be useful for planning therapeutic exercise as well as for proposing the optimal grab bar position for older adults and those with health-related issues when performing the STS movement. In addition, this may serve as a basic rehabilitation technique for maintaining remaining functions and providing functional efficiency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.389-399
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• 2016

This study examined the status of studies on exercise interventions for middle-aged women with chronic low back pain that had been conducted over the past 10 years (2005-2014) in Korea. The existing reports were searched electronically using the database of RISS, National Assembly Library, KISS, and DBpia with the key words of middle-aged women, chronic low back pain, exercise, and exercise program. Finally, 12 articles were included in the review. One article was from nursing science, and 11 were from other disciplines. In a qualitative evaluation on the papers, 1 study scored 8 out of 10 points, 8 studies scored between 5-6 points, and 3 studies scored 3-4 points. Intervention sessions were conducted for 55 minutes, on average, each at a frequency of 3.1 sessions per week, for a total of 29.7 sessions. This study found that lumbar neuromuscular exercise, yoga exercise, and aquatic exercise were effective in rehabilitation in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. In the future, these findings are expected to be used in nursing intervention for the establishment of the basis for evidence-based nursing practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.275-286
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of an intensive rehabilitation program on the pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, function, quality of life (QoL), and depression of patients with traumatic rotator cuff injury caused by an industrial accident. Methods: Seventeen patients with traumatic rotator cuff injury caused by an industrial accident participated in this study. The 12-week treatment included 30 min of manual therapy and 30 min of exercise therapy twice a day, five times a week. The outcomes were measured for evaluating the pain, ROM, muscle strength, function, QoL, and depression before the commencement of the program and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results: According to the time of applying the intensive rehabilitation program, the pain (p<0.01), ROM (p<0.01), muscle strength (p<0.01), function (p<0.01), and depression (p<0.05) significantly improved with time. However, QoL was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study confirmed the excellent effect of an intensive rehabilitation program on the pain, ROM, muscle strength, function, and depression of patients with traumatic rotator cuff injury caused by an industrial accident. However, this study was limited by the absence of a control group. This pilot study highlights the need for more extensive research with a larger sample.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-55
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of contract relaxation and a combination of isotonics in proprioceptive neuromucular facilitation (PNF) on hip and lumbopelvic motions of male patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: As the subjects of this study, a total of 45 male patients with chronic low back pain were divided into groups: 15 who underwent contract relaxation (CR) of the PNF of their hip joints, 15 who underwent a combination of isotonics (CI) of the PNF, and 15 who underwent both techniques. A device for analyzing three-dimensional motion was used to measure hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles, and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation during hip medial rotation. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the average values. Results: There were interactions in the hip medial rotation angles, lumbopelvic rotation angles and hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation based on the methods and periods of exercise (p < 0.05). The CR and the CR+CI groups displayed more increased hip medial angles when compared to the CI group. The CR+CI group had more decreased lumbopelvic rotation angles when compared to the CR and the CI groups. The CR+CI group had more increased hip medial rotation angles at the start of lumbopelvic rotation when compared to the CR and the CI groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of stretching and stability exercises was effective in male patients with chronic low back pain who showed limited hip medial rotation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of side walking training combined with squats on the balance and gait ability of stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of side walking training combined with squats among stroke patients. Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) that underwent side walking training combined with squats and a control group (n=15) that performed general rehabilitation exercises. Both groups performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. Balance was assessed using the functional reach test and timed up and go test, while gait ability was evaluated using the 10-meter walk test. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the intervention. Differences between the experimental and control groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: After the exercise, significant within-group improvements in balance and gait ability were observed in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was also a significant between-group difference in balance and gait ability following the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: While general rehabilitation is commonly employed in treating stroke patients and is relatively effective, the application of side walking training combined with squats may offer additional benefits in terms of improving balance and gait ability in these patients.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.35-45
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine spiral way movement of a trunk exerts on the movement ability. The details established to achieve for this article. This examination confirmed the weight, weight/height2 index, ratio of lumbar to pelvic, musculoskeletal quantity, push up for 2 minute, pitch a ball and voluntary isometric contraction with flexion and extension of knee joint of the subjects with spiral direct movement. Healthy eighteen subjects who understand fully the significance of procedure, consented to a plan, without neuromuscular disease were participated in two groups of experiment. The group were a spiral movement(9), rectilinear movement(9). Trunk movement tested 2 sessions of a spiral movement and rectilinear movement with a push up for 2 minute, 5days per a week, for the 4 weeks. This experiment tested 3 times with a sufficient rest for fatigue limitation. An analysis of the results used a paired samples t-test for difference from before and after experiment. The following results were obtained; At an internal change of the body, the musculoskeletal quantity was increased significantly to spiral movement group, but the weight was increased significantly, the musculoskeletal quantity was not significant to rectilinear movement. The movement ability evaluation for a external change was increased significantly in a push up for 2 minute, pitch a ball, isometric contraction with extension of knee joint of a spiral movement group, but a push up for 2 minute was increased significantly in a push up for 2 minute on the abdominal muscle training of a rectilinear movement group. As compared with a rectilinear movement, a spiral movement was more effect by cooperation with nerve and musculoskeletal system and an increase in movement ability was caused by learning acknowledgment, muscular reeducation. These results lead us to the conclusion that a spiral movement of trunk was more effect than a rectilinear movement, the coordination of nerve and musculoskeletal system was of importance of Multi-direction movement. Therefore, A further studies concerning the therapeutic exercise intervention and active-dynamic analysis could enhance the development of the most effect on the trunk.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.90-95
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between gross motor capacity and neuromuscular function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) through a short-term intensive intervention. Methods: Twenty-four children younger than 6 years of age (17 boys, 7 girls, mean $age{\pm}standard$ deviation, $42.71{\pm}14.43months$) who were diagnosed with CP underwent short-term intensive treatment for 8 weeks. An evaluation of gross motor function capacity using the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66 and GMFM-88) was performed to measure muscle strength, selective motor control (SMC), and spasticity, factors related to neuromusculoskeletal function. Changes in spasticity, strength, range of motion, selective motor function, and exercise intensity scores were evaluated in terms of the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and ages. Results: The GMFM-88 and GMFM-66 scores significantly increased, by $4.32{\pm}4.04$ and $2.41{\pm}1.51%$, respectively, following the 8-week intervention. The change in the GMFM-66 score did not reflect a statistically significant difference in the GMFCS level. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the GMFM-88 score change in individuals at GMFCS Level III, the strength and spasticity of subjects at GMFCS Levels I-II did not significantly differ (p<0.05). The changes in the GMFM-66 scores for strength, SMC, range of motion (ROM), and spasticity significantly differed according to age (p<0.05) in children aged 36 months and older. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in strength, SMC, and spasticity (p<0.05) before and after intensive short-term treatment. Conclusion: The 8-week short-term intensive care intervention improved the motor function score of study participants, emphasizing the need for early intervention and additional research in this area.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.343-351
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to suggest effective lunge exercise methods for various purposes by comparing differences in the muscle activity of thigh and plantar pressure according to changes in base of support during lunge exercises. Methods: The subjects were 20 college students who agreed to participate in the experiment. They performed three types of lunges-a basic lunge (BL), wide lunge (WL), and narrow lunge (NL). In a static position during each lunge, the muscle activity of the thigh and plantar pressure were measured. Each movement was maintained for 7 seconds, and the muscle activity for the 3 seconds in the middle was measured and analyzed. The plantar pressure was divided into six areas for analysis. The subjects randomly performed the lunges to prevent the influence of an experimental sequence. Each movement was performed three times, and the mean value of the three measurements was analyzed. Results: The analysis of muscle activities in the thigh during the three lunge movements showed statistically significantly higher muscle activity of biceps femoris in WL and NL than BL. Moreover, the analysis of plantar force showed statistically significant differences between BL and WL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot and medial-midfoot, as well as between BL and WL and BL and NL on the lateral-midfoot. The analysis of plantar contact pressure exhibited statistically significant differences between BL and NL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot, as well as a statistically significant difference between WL and NL on the medial-midfoot and lateral-hindfoot. Conclusion: This study suggests that changing the base of support during lunges can be useful to suit the purposes of various rehabilitation programs.