• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.257-268
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• 1990

A system has been developed for monitoring the effect of neuromuscular blocking frugs and the neuromuscular function during anesthesia and surgery. This system is composed of software and hardware, the latter are nerve stimulator, force transducer, interface board(preamplifier, filter, peripheral input/output) and personal computer (apple ll) , the former are programmed in ASSEMBLY and BASIC language. The nerve stimulator which is controlled by personal computer is capable of delivering single shocks at o.)Hz, train of four at 2Hz and tetanic stimulation at 30, 100, 200Hz. The response, adduction of the thumb, is sensed by the force transducer. The output of the force transducer Is amplified, filtered, converted digital signal and then processed by the per- sonal computer. The personal computer quantia4es twitch and traln of four tesponse and calculates the 74 ratio (Ta/Tl )between the first and fourth response of train of four. This ratio is used to estimate the level of the neuromuscular block. This system has reaserch potential for determining the effect of newer neuromuscular blocking drugs for comparlsion with presently used drugs of alternatively, for delerminig the effects of blocking drugs in altered physilogical states.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2365-2369
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• 2021

Background: Patients with dysphagia after stroke are treated with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), but its effect on masseter muscle thickness and bite force in the oral phase is not well known. Objectives: To investigated the effect of NMES on masseter muscle thickness and occlusal force in patients with dysphagia after stroke. Design: Two group, pre-post design. Methods: In this study, 25 patients with dysphagia after stroke were recruited and allocated to either the experimental or the control groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with NMES to the masseter muscle at the motor level for 30 minutes and were additionally treated with traditional swallowing rehabilitation for 30 minutes. In contrast, patients in the control group were only treated with traditional swallowing rehabilitation for 30 minutes. Masseter muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography before and after intervention, and bite force was measured using an bite force meter. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in masseter muscle thickness and bite force compared to the control group. Conclusion: NMES combined with traditional dysphagia rehabilitation is effective in improving masseter muscle thickness and bite force in patients with dysphagia after stroke.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of 50% MVIC was applied. Sixteen subjects (8 male, 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control (no electrical stimulation) group and 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the experiments, the MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by the use of dynamometer, and the ultrasonography in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle was measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC was significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. Pennation angle, muscle density, and white area index also considerably changed in the electrical stimulation groups. In conclusion, the NMES training of 50% MVIC, comparative low level, improved the skeletal muscle architecture and the qualitative properties as well as the muscle contraction force.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2010

Recently, core and neuromuscular training(CNT) is emerging as a clinically relevant tool to improve neuromuscular control and to prevent sports injuries. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 12 weeks CNT program on the dynamic stability after drop landing. The subjects attempted drop landing onto the force platform on single foot from a 40 cm height distance. The collected data was used to calculate the dynamic stability index. The Dynamic stability index was derived by measuring the medial-lateral stability index(MLSI), anterior-posterior stability index(APSI), and the vertical stability index(VSI). In comparison to the control group, the MLSI and APSI showed no difference, yet, it resulted in higher VSI. The results of this study suggest that CNT is worthwhile to be considered as a way to improve neuromuscular control and to prevent traumatic injuries. However, the results are taking into consideration to discuss the limitations of CNT and suggested future approaches.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.336-345
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• 2023

The present study was designed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular properties and the structural and qualitative characteristics of muscles during submaximal isometric contractions at low-to-relatively vigorous target forces and to determine their influence on force steadiness (FS). Thirteen young adult males performed submaximal isometric knee extensions at 10, 20, 50, and 70% of their maximal voluntary isometric contraction using their non-dominant legs. During submaximal contractions, we recorded force, EMG signals from vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF), and ultrasound images from the distal RF (dRF). Force and EMG standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) values were used to measure FS and EMG steadiness, respectively. Muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), echo intensity (EI), and texture features were calculated from ultrasound images to assess the structural and qualitative characteristics of the muscle. FS, neuromuscular properties, and texture features showed significant differences across different force levels. Additionally, there were significant differences in EMG_CV among the quadriceps at the 50% and 70% force levels. The results of correlation analysis revealed that FS had a significant relationship with EMG_CV in VM, VL, and RF, as well as with the texture features of dRF. This study's findings demonstrate that EMG steadiness and texture features are influenced by the magnitude of the target force and are closely related to FS, indicating their potential contribution to force output control.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1988

An instrumentation system for the automatic measurement of body sway has been developed. The system consists of a force platform, amplifiers, and data acquisition and display software, operating on a computer. We used only the force platform and electronic amplifying unit in Kistler Biomechanics System to obtain precise measurements, and developed the data acquisition and analysis software using an IBM PC With 12 bit A/D converter. The system can be used in various specialized disciplines, such as ergonomics, rehabilitation, neuromuscular control, as well as sprots biomechanics.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.587-598
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to test the microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation on muscle soreness, serum creatine kinase levels and force deficits evident following a high-intensity eccentric exercise bout. 10 volunteer male subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment group or to a control group. Exercise consisted of high-intensity eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors. Resistance was reduced as subjects fatigued, until they reached exhaustion. Muscle soreness rating was determined using a visual analog scale. Serum creatine kinase levels were analyzed using a blood sample. Force deficits were determined by measures of maximal voluntary isometric contraction at $90^{\circ}$ of elbow flexion on a Orthotron II dynamometer. Muscle soreness rating, serum creatine kinase levels and maximal voluntary isometric contraction were determined at the before exercise and again at 24 and 48 hours postexericse. Treatments were applied immediately following exercise. The control group subjects rested following their exercise bout. Statistical analysis showed significant increases in muscle soreness rating and significant decreases in maximal voluntary isometric contraction when the before exercise was compared with 24 and 48 hour measures(p<0.01). No significant effects were observed between groups in muscle soreness rating and maximal voluntary isometric contraction(p>0.05). Highly significants differences in serum creatine kinase levels were found using on Analysis of variance(ANOVA) repeated measures between groups for each time cycles(p<0.001). This modality may have benefits when used early stage in the muscle damage.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.263-274
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• 2019

Purpose: This article was conducted to determine the immediate effects of unilateral contract-relax (CR) stretching on contralateral knee extension range and to compare both sides of the knee extension range between experimental and control groups. Methods: This study recruited 16 adult males and females with straight leg raising abilities below $90^{\circ}$. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group comprising 8 subjects each. The experimental group performed direct CR stretching on the right hamstring muscles with straight hip extension adduction, and the control group performed indirect CR stretching on the right hamstring muscles with straight hip flexion abduction. Each group performed CR stretching 4 times with 4 repetitions comprising 10 sec of contraction and a 10 sec break between repetitions. Before and after the CR stretching exercises, the subjects' passive knee extensions were measured at the hip in a $90^{\circ}$ flexed position. The subjects' peak force on the right leg and peak pressure on the left leg during each CR stretching exercise were also measured. Results: After doing CR stretching 4 times, each group showed a significantly increased passive knee extension range on both sides, and there was no difference in the passive knee extension ranges between the groups. The peak force on the right leg was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. There was no difference in peak pressure between the groups. Conclusion: After applying unilateral CR stretching, the study subjects experienced a significantly increased passive knee extension range on the contralateral side. For patients who find it difficult to apply stretching techniques to knee joints directly, the use of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique of CR stretching may be useful in improving the range of the knee joint on the contralateral side without direct treatment.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of various contract-relax (CR) techniques on the peck force and passive range of motion (ROM) of knee extension. Methods: This study recruited 17 adult males and females who obtained below $90^{\circ}$ in straight leg raising. The subjects randomly performed one of three different CR techniques (direct CR, indirect CR, and modified CR) on the right knee extension four times per day for three days. The subjects' peck force during each CR and their passive knee extension on the hip at a $90^{\circ}$ flexed position before and after each CR were measured. Results: The peck force was significantly higher in the direct and modified CR than in the indirect CR. The ROM in the passive knee extension significantly increased after direct and indirect CR. Comparing between each CR, the passive knee extension range was significantly more improved in the direct and indirect CR than in the modified CR. Conclusion: Direct and indirect CR are more effective than modified CR in the ROM of passive knee extension. The study results suggest that the modified CR did not have the same effect on the ROM of the knee extension as the direct and indirect CR and that further research is needed to recruit more subjects and to determine the effects on different muscles after modified CR.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES) and isometrical exercise(IE) to strengthen the quadriceps femoris muscle. The relationships between the strength changes and the relative force and duration of training contractions were also studied. Methods : The subjects were divided into three group. The control group(n=6) received no exercise and/or stimulation. The isometric exercise (IE) group(n=6) performed maximum isometric contractions, and the neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)(n=6) engaged electrically stimulated isometric contractions, three days a week for four weeks. Results : Results showed that both IE group and NMES group were found to have an increase in strength significantly greater(p<0.05) than the control group at 4 week. But between IE group and NMES group were not found to have an difference in strength significantly. Conclusion : The relative increase in isometric strength, using IE and NMES, may be determined by the ability of the subjects to tolerate longer and more forceful contractions. Suggestions for further research and implications for the clinical of IE and NMES for strength-training are discussed.