• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active and passive postural perturbation on ankle dorsiflexor responses in stroke patients. The subjects consisted of 13 stroke patients. Using wireless electromyography, the patients' ankle dorsiflexor muscle responses were measured under the following conditions: active dorsiflexion (AD), active perturbation (AP), and passive perturbation (PP). Tibialis anterior muscle activity increased most significantly during PP of the affected side ($118.64{\pm}56.28$). The most significant increase for the non-affected side was in AD ($72.64{\pm}24.56$). Tibialis anterior muscle activity was compared under each condition. The affected side showed significant differences between PP and AD and between PP and AP (p<.05). The non-affected side showed not significant differences between each condition. The ratios of tibialis anterior muscle activity under AP to that under AD were 1.00 on the affected side and .75 on the non-affected side and the difference was not significant (p>.05). The ratios of tibialis anterior muscle activity under PP to that under AD were 3.30 on the affected side and 1.14 on the non-affected side and the difference was significant (p<.05). Passive perturbation improved tibialis anterior muscle activity on the affected side, and training based on this approach may have the potential to improve the ankle dorsiflexion of people with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.42-52
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• 2019

Background: Whole body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is widely used for the rehabilitation and recovery of patients with various neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Objects: To objectively measure changes in lower extremity and abdominal muscles after sit-to-stand dynamic movement training using WB-EMS. Methods: A total of 46 healthy adults (23 experimental and 23 control subjects) performed sit-to-stand exercise; the experimental group with WB-EMS, and the control group without WB-EMS. The muscle activity of the lower extremity, and the muscle thickness of the lower extremity and abdominal muscles were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In terms of electromyographic activity, there was a significant interaction effect for the rectus femoris (RF) muscle (F=30.212, p=.000). With regards to ultrasonographic imaging, the muscle thickness of the RF muscle had a significant interaction effect at the muscle contraction ratio (F=8.071, p=.007). The deep abdominal muscles, such as the transverse abdominal (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscles, also showed significant interaction effects at the muscle contraction ratio (F=5.474, p=.024, F=24.151, p=.000, respectively). Conclusion: These findings suggest that WB-EMS may help to improve the muscular activity of the RF muscle, and the muscle thickness of the RF muscle and deep muscles such as the TrA and IO muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.53-62
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• 2019

Background: Shoulder function is achieved by the coordinated movements of the scapula, humerus, and thoracic spine, and shoulder disorders can be associated with altered scapular kinematics. The trunk plays an important role as the kinematic chain during arm elevation. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of thoracic hyperkyphosis on scapular orientation and trunk motion. Methods: Thirty-one subjects (15 in the ideal thorax group and 16 in the thoracic hyperkyphosis group) performed right-arm abduction and adduction movements in an unconstrained plane. The scapular orientation and trunk motion were recorded using a motion analysis system. Results: Those subjects with thoracic hyperkyphosis displayed greater scapular posterior tilting at a $120^{\circ}$ shoulder elevation, greater scapular internal rotation throughout the arm raising phase, and greater trunk axial rotation at the upper ranges of the shoulder elevation, compared to those subjects with an ideal thorax (p<.05). Conclusion: Thoracic hyperkyphosis can cause scapular instability, greater trunk rotation and greater scapular posterior tilting, and may contribute to preventing the achievement of a full range of humeral abductions in an unconstrained plane.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.251-255
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• 2021

Background: Physical activity and quality of life (QOL) influence the health status of older adults. Recently, the use of wearable devices to monitor physical activity has increased. Objects: This study examined the relationship between the amount of physical activity, measured using a wearable device, and QOL among older adults. Methods: In total, 71 older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) were enrolled. The amount of physical activity was measured using a wearable device with a wrist strap, and daily physical activity was classified according to intensity (sedentary, light, moderate, or very active). Self-reported QOL was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were conducted to analyze parametric and non-parametric variables, respectively. The relationship between amount of daily physical activity and SF-36 scores was assessed. Results: The correlation analyses revealed positive correlations between the amount of moderate-intensity and very active physical activity (minutes/day) and SF-36 scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity of at least moderate intensity is associated with better QOL in older adults. Further studies are required to verify the effects of increased physical activity on QOL in older adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2021

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Child and Youth version (ICF-CY) is designed to record the characteristics of developing children and examine the influence of a child's environment on their health. Objects: This study was designed to determine the relationship between the clinically extracted ICF-CY items and The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) items. Methods: Thirty patients (17 males and 13 females) who were hospitalized in a pediatric and youth patient unit of a rehabilitation hospital were included in the study. Four health professionals (two physical therapists and two occupational therapists) working independently linked the PEDI and GMFM-66 items to the activity and participation domains of the ICF-CY. Results: There were strong negative correlations between the ICF-CY subdomains and the PEDI subdomains (r = 0.76-0.95; p < 0.05). There were positive strong correlations between the ICF-CY subdomains and the GMFM-66 (r = 0.76-0.95; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The extracted ICF codes were a valid tool for evaluating the mobility and selfcare conditions of cerebral palsy in the pediatric rehabilitation area.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2021

Background: Lunge exercises are lower extremity rehabilitation and strengthening exercises for patients and athletes. Most studies have shown the effectiveness of the forward and backward lunge exercises for treating patellofemoral pain and anterior cruciate ligament injuries (by increasing lower extremity muscle activity) and improving kinematics. Objects: However, it is not known how the two different lunge movements affect trunk muscle activities in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles during forward and backward lunge exercises in healthy participants. Methods: Twelve healthy participants were recruited. Electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae was recorded using surface electrodes during forward and backward lunges, and subsequently normalized to the respective reference voluntary isometric contractions of each muscle. Results: Activity of the erector spinae was significantly higher than that of the rectus abdominis during all stages of the backward lunge (p < 0.05). The activity of the erector spinae was significantly greater during the backward than forward lunge at all stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Backward lunging is better able to enhance trunk motor control and activate the erector spinae muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.235-244
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• 2021

Background: The body schema, which is constantly updated using somatosensory information, enables accurate movement. Since pain is reported as a possible source to alter the body schema, the left right judgement test (LRJT) has been widely used in the pain rehabilitation. However, there was a lack of consistency in the effect of the pain on the LRJT results, and for the effect of the LRJT as a part of intervention programs for pain patients. The deeper understand of the LRJT is necessary for better reproducibility, and to expand the therapeutic applications of the LRJT in the pain and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Objects: This literature review aimed to understand the LRJT and to study the potential of the LRJT for therapeutic applications. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for studies relevant to LRJT. To establish the query set, the term was regarded from various perspectives. Results: The selected studies were classified into three categories: LRJT development, factors influencing LRJT, and therapeutic applications. Conclusion: Left right judgement test is the evaluation tool for the integrity of body schema as well as a tool for implicit motor imagery. Pain, proprioception, and other factors influence the performance of the LRJT.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2021

Background: Flat-back posture refers to a posture in which the pelvis is tilted backward, the lumbar spine is bent, the upper thoracic spine is increasingly bent, and the lower thoracic spine is straight. Given that most of the day is spent sitting, we need to develop exercise programs and devices that are suitable for people who spend less time exercising than sitting. Objects: This study investigated the effects of resistance footrest exercise on spine posture angles in visual display terminal (VDT) workers with flat back. Methods: We measured the upper lumbar angle (ULA) and lower lumbar angle (LLA) using a flexible ruler for the ULA and LLA. Then, after 1 week of resistance footrest exercise designed to strengthen the lumbar spine musculature, we measured these angles again. We measured each angle three times and then compared measurements from before and after exercise. Results: There were no significant differences in the ULA following the strengthening exercise, but significant differences were observed in LLA. Conclusion: The resistance footrest exercise strengthened the muscles affecting the pelvic and lumbar lordotic angles, and increases in the LLA were changed. This suggests that the role of the lower lumbar spine in the lumbar lordotic curve is greater than that of the upper lumbar spine. In addition, considering the contemporary tendency to lead fairly sedentary lives, these results indicate that exercising while seated can be effective.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2019

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a single most arthritic disease. Knee joint space width (JSW) is commonly used for grading severity of knee OA. However, previous studies did not established criterion validity and test-retest reliability of ultrasound (US) image for measuring JSW. Objects: The aim of this study was to establish criterion validity and test-retest reliability of US measurement of medial and lateral knee JSW. Methods: Twenty-nine subjects with knee OA were participated. The US and X-ray were used to measure knee JSW. One sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to confirm the data normal distribution. Pearson correlation coefficient and ICC were used to calculated and establish criterion validity and test-retest reliability, respectively. Results: US measurement of medial and lateral knee JSW was highly correlated with radiographic imaging measure (r=.714 and .704, respectively). Test-retest reliabilities of medial and lateral knee JSW were excellent correlated (ICC=.959 for medial side and .988 for lateral side, respectively). Conclusion: US may be valid tool to measure knee JSW.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.76-83
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• 2019

Background: The hyoid bone is the only non-jointed structure among the skeletal tissues of the head and neck region, and its movement and posture depend on the attached muscle, ligament, and fascia. The location of the hyoid bone is important for airway maintenance, vocalization, chewing, swallowing, breathing, and head and scapular position. In general, the location of the hyoid bone is measured using radiographs and 3D computed tomography, and no studies have reported on clinical measurement methods. Objects: This study was performed to suggest clinical measurement methods for lateral deviation of the hyoid bone and to evaluate their reliability. Methods: In this study, 24 healthy volunteers (12 males, 12 females) in Cheongju-si participated. Two examiners performed the center point test and lateral motion test twice each to measure the lateral displacement of the hyoid bone. The reliability of the center point test was analyzed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), and the reliability of the lateral motion test was analyzed using Cohen's kappa coefficient. Results: The intra-rater reliability of the center point test was good, and the inter-rater reliability was moderate. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the lateral motion test showed substantial reliability. Conclusion: Based on these results, the center point test and the lateral motion test can be used as an alternative methods of the measurement of lateral deviation of the hyoid bone for people who have musculoskeletal disorders of the head, neck, and scapula.