• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.157-166
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of self-sit-to-stand training on balance ability and sit-to-stand ability in hemiplegic stroke patients using a multisensory feedback device. Methods: A total of 19 stroke patients participated in this study, and they were divided into two groups: 10 underwent self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device, and 9 underwent sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. In both groups, sit-to-stand training was performed for 30 min, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The subjects also underwent physical therapy twice a day for 30 min, 10 times a week, for a total of 60 sessions. Balance ability was evaluated using the AFA-50 and Berg Balance Scale. Sit-to-stand ability was evaluated using the five times sit-to-stand test. Results: Sway length, pressure, and total pressure all significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The Berg Balance Scale results showed that balance ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. The five times sit-to-stand test results showed that sit-to-stand ability significantly increased in both groups, and there was no difference between the two groups. It was found that the self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device had a positive effect on balance control and sit-to-stand ability. When the two groups were compared, no difference in balance ability or sit-to-stand ability was observed. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device is as effective as sit-to-stand training with a physical therapist. Hence, self-sit-to-stand training using a multisensory feedback device could be an effective home-based exercise protocol for hemiplegic stroke patients to improve their balance and sit-to-stand abilities.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.171-183
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare universal goniometry (UG), which is commonly used in clinical practice to measure the range of motion (ROM) of finger joints with a wearable soft sensor glove, and to analyze the reliability to determine its usefulness. Methods: Ten healthy adults (6 males, 4 females) participated in this study. The metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP), interphalangeal joint (IP), and proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) of both hands were measured using UG and Mollisen HAND soft sensor gloves during active flexion, according to the American Society for Hand Therapists' measurement criteria. Measurements were taken in triplicate and averaged. The mean and standard deviation of the two methods were calculated, and the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) of the measurements were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot to examine the reliability and discrepancies between the measurements. Results: The results of the mean values of the flexion angles for the active range of motion (AROM) of the finger joints showed large angular differences in the finger joints, except for the MCP of the thumb. In the inter-rater reliability analysis according to the measurement method, the ICC (2, 1) value showed a low level close to 0, and the mean difference by the Bland-Altman plot showed a value greater than 0, showing a pattern of discrepancy. The 95% LOA had a wide range of differences. Conclusion: This study is a preliminary study investigating the usefulness of the soft sensor glove, and the reliability analysis showed a low level of reliability and inconsistency. However, if future studies can overcome the limitations of this study and the technical problems of the soft sensor glove in the development stage, it is suggested that the measurement instrument can show more accurate measurement and higher reliability when measuring ROM with UG.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.27-35
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• 2023

Purpose: Hallux valgus (HV) is one of the most common chronic foot disorders, occurring when the first toe deviates laterally toward the other toe. HV impairs muscle strength and affects gait function (postural sway and gait speed). Thus, this study aims to investigate using the FDM system the effect of wearing braces on gait while wearing a virtual reality (VR) device. Methods: This study was conducted on 28 healthy adults with HV of 15 degrees or more. To compare differences in walking, depending on whether a toe brace can be worn, the subject walked without wearing anything, walked after wearing the VR device, and walked after wearing the VR device and the toe brace, and the FDM system was used for the gait ability measurement analysis. Results: As a result of a one-way repeated analysis of variance, the walking speed-related variables (cadence, velocity, etc.) in the HV group were higher during comfortable walking. In addition, walking while wearing a VR device and walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace demonstrated more significant values in terms of six gait parameters (double stance phase, loading response, stage, stage, stage, and stage). The maximum pressure of the forefoot was significantly reduced when walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace compared to comfortable walking, but in all variables, there was no statistically significant difference between walking while wearing a VR device and walking while wearing a VR device and a toe brace. Conclusion: Orthosis with a VR device during gait (OVG) and gait with a VR device (GVR) affect gait in HV patients. However, there was no significant difference between GVR and OVG. Thus, it is necessary to conduct experiments on various HV angles and increase the duration of wearing the toe brace.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.345-356
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical therapy combined with a virtual reality (VR) game on pain, quality of life (QOL), engagement, and knee function in post-knee-surgery patients. Methods: Twenty-four patients who had undergone knee surgery four weeks or more before the study were recruited. Two withdrew from the study during the four-week experimental period, and a total of 22 patients were included in the final analysis. Routine physical therapy consisting of electrostimulation (10 min.) and therapeutic massage (10 min.) was the base intervention for all groups. The experimental group (n = 10) was additionally exposed to a VR game intervention, while the control group (n = 12) underwent an intervention involving similar motions as the experimental intervention but with no VR. The intervention for the experimental group used the game Rig Fit Adventure on Nintendo switch. Both groups underwent their respective interventions 3 times a week (35 min. per session) for 4 weeks. Pain was assessed using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and QOL was assessed using the EuroQol five-dimensional five-level questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Engagement was assessed using the Korea flow state scale (K-FSS). Finally, knee movement and function were assessed based on knee flexion and extension, range of motion (ROM), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: After the four-week physical therapy, both groups showed significant reductions in pain (on the NRS), increased knee ROM (flexion), better WOMAC scores, and increased EQ-5D-5L scores (p < 0.05), with the experimental group showing significantly better improvements in EQ-5D-5L and K-FSS scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that a VR-game-integrated intervention is effective for improving pain, QOL, engagement, and knee function in post-knee surgery patients and that VR-game-integrated interventions could be therapeutic alternatives for patients bedridden for prolonged periods with little motivation for rehabilitation.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three relaxation techniques, namely, Static Stretching Exercise (SSE), Eccentric Contraction Exercise (ECE), and Suboccipital Muscle Release (SMR) on the flexibility and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. Methods: The participants were 45 adults in their 20s with hamstring shortening. They performed three exercises (i.e., SSE, ECE, and SMR) for two weeks. We measured flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance before and after the intervention, applying each relaxation technique. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: Flexibility increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with the SSE group showing the greatest improvement. Muscle tone and stiffness decreased in all groups, with the ECE group exhibiting the highest reduction. Proprioception increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with SSE demonstrating the greatest enhancement. Balance also increased in all groups, with the ECE group showing the most pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Overall, all three relaxation techniques for hamstring shortening resulted in improved flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. The findings of this study underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate technique according to the purpose of treatment and the condition of the patient.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.275-288
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of breathing techniques on trunk muscle activity and balance during Pilates reformer footwork exercises, comparing results both within and between groups before and after the intervention. Methods: Thirty-one adult women over the age of 20 were selected as subjects for this study. They were divided into a Pilates breathing group (n = 15) and a general breathing group (n = 16) using a randomized control group study design. A surface electromyogram was used to measure muscle activity within and between the groups before and after the reformer footwork exercise. Static balance measurements were taken while standing on two legs, and dynamic balance measurements were taken while standing on one leg. All measurements were taken three times, and the average values were used for analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that muscle activity increased with significant differences in the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles after exercise in the pre-post comparison within the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference in the increase in muscle activity of the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles in the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the pre-post comparison of static and dynamic balance within the Pilates breathing group, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) after exercise. The Pilates breathing group also showed a significant increase even in the between-group comparison (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing has positive effects on muscle activity and static balance ability of trunk muscles in adult women. Therefore, reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing can be presented as an effective exercise method to increase trunk stability and balance ability through the simultaneous activity of the trunk muscles.