• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of muscle contraction torque and muscle fatigue by low-frequency PC. In this article, We would like to experiment on electrical stimulation, determine optimal forms of stimulation setting. We used normal fourteen subjects(seven women, seven men) without neuromuscular disease and all subjects participated in the 3 session. Torque was measured using a computerized Kin-Com dynamometer for MVIC, MIC, Fatigue tests. The following results were obtained; 1. Torque of man were significantly higher than women in the MIC test(p<.05). 2. Torque of women, man were significantly decreased in the Fatigue test(p<.001). Between woman and man groups were significant difference(p<.05). These results lead us to the conclusion that muscle fatigue was influenced by PC, fatigue of women was higher than man. Therefore, A further studies concerning the electrical stimulation should consider differences between sexes in response to treatment and could enhance the development of the most effective treatment regimens.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2003

The present studies are designed to determine whether the NMES can affect the muscle atrophy in rats following administration of steroid. Rats were divided into four groups: 1) Control group treated with administration of distilled water. 2) The group treated with administration of steroid. 3) The group treated with NMES once a day after adminstration of steroid. 4) The group treated with NMES twice a day after administration of steroid. The muscle atrophy was induced by one week administration of dexamethasone once a day by 3 mg/kg. The change in the structure of muscle fiber and the amount. of myofibril protein and gastrocnemius were determined after every week dissection of the tissues. The results were as follows; 1. The administration of steroid significantly affected the decrease in the weight, but NMES did not affect the inhibition of decrease in the weight. 2. The weight of gastrocnemius in the group once treated with NMES was changed two weeks later; similarly in the group twice treated with NMES significantly did two or three weeks later. These indicated that NMES affected the muscular activation of gastrocnemius(p<.05). 3. The changes in the amount of gastrocnemius protein by NMES might, indicate that NMES activated the capacity of synthesis of muscle fiber protein(p<.05).

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.165-166
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• 1998

A multi-parameter neuro muscular electrical simulator (NMES) system was developed to be used to find the optimal parameter condition in obtaining maximum muscle power and minimal fatigue. Since the performance of NMES is mainly determined by the characteristic of its output-stage circuit, we implemented 3 different circuits and compared output characteristics of them. Three amplifier circuits are; 1) a resonant switching converter, 2) a linear amplifier with a transformer, and 3) a step-up DC/DC converter with a high-voltage linear amplifier. Experimental results showed that the step up DC/DC converter with a high-voltage linear amplifier has the best performance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2005

Spasticity has been defined as "a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increased in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex, as one components of the upper motorneuron syndrome". Spasticity is one of the common symptoms of stroke patients and frequently interferes with the motor functions such as gait, posture and activities of daily living. Therefore, its management is becoming a major issue in physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determined the effects of reciprocal inhibition by isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle on spasticity in hemiplegic patients through Hoffmann reflex. The subjects were consisted 45 patients who had hemiplegia due to stroke. All subjects randomly assigned to 3 group: manual reciprocal inhibition program group(manual group), neuromuscular electrical stimulation group(NMES group) and control group. The manual group received voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle. The NMES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation on tibialis anterior. The control group was not received any therapeutic intervention. Before and after experiments, Hoffmann reflex, M-wave and Modified Ashworth scale was measure in all patients. The data of 30 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. Modified Ashworth scale were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.01). The Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.o1). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in control group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in control group(p>.01). The present results revealed that reciprocal inhibition which produced by voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle can be reduce spasticity of gastrocnemius. Therefore, reciprocal inhibition is useful to improve functional activities in hemiplegic patient. Further study should be done to analyse the effects of intervention duration of reciprocal inhibition, appropriate muscle contraction, optimal time to apply the reciprocal inhibition in more long period.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.59-79
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to determined the effects of reciprocal inhibition on spatial-temporal gait parameters in spastic hemiplegic patients through GaitRite system. The subjects were consisted 45 patients who had spastic hemiplegia due to stroke. All subjects randomly assigned to 3 group : manual reciprocal inhibition program group(manual group), neuromuscular electrical stimulation group(NMES group) and control group. The manual group received voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle. The NMES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation on tibialis anterior. The control group was not recieved any therapeutic intervention. Before and after experiments, spatial-temporal gait parameters and functional ambulatory profile was measure in all patients. The data of 30 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. The results of this study were as following : 1. The percentage of change of functional ambulatory profile were markedly increased in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 2. The percentage of change of gait velocity and cadence were markedly increased in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 3. Asymmetry ratio of gait elements were more improved in manual group but statistically non significant(p>.01). 4. There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with functional ambulatory profile, gait velocity, cadence and asymmetry ratios in NMES group(p>.01). 5. There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with unctional ambulatory profile, gait velocity, cadence and asymmetry ratios in control group(p>.01). In conclusion, the present results revealed that reciprocal inhibition which produced by voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle can be improved spatial-temporal gait parameters including functional ambulatory profile in hemiplegic patients. Therefore, reciprocal inhibition is useful to improve functional activities in hemiplegic patient. Further study should be done to analyze the effects of intervention duration of reciprocal inhibition, appropriate muscle contraction, optimal time to apply the reciprocal inhibition in more long period.