• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effect of intervention using a smartphone application on abdominal muscle thickness and maximum voluntary ventilation when conducting pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME). Methods : This study was performed on 14 subjects. They were divided into two groups; PFME using smartphone application (n=7), common PFME (n=7). Both of group executed the exercise 5 times a week for 1 weeks. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. Maximum voluntary ventilation was measured using a spirometer. The smartphone application used the paid version of Kegel trainer. This material was analyzed by the paired t-test to compare differences on each group and the independent t-test to compare between the two groups. Results : The PFME group using the smartphone application showed a significant increase in the transverse abdominis and internal oblique muscles (p<.05). The common PFME group showed a significant increase in the internal oblique muscle (p<.05). There was no significant difference in variation of the muscle thickness between the two groups (p>.05). The PFME group using the smartphone application showed a significant increase in the maximal voluntary ventilation (p<.05). There was no significant difference in variation of the maximal voluntary ventilation between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion : As a results of this study, PFME using a smartphone application seems to induce voluntary participation of subjects and maintain continuity against time constraints. As a result, it is thought that using a smartphone application when performing PFME is efficient and convenient in terms of research method. However, this study is difficult to generalize due to the small number of subjects and short intervention period. Therefore, additional research should be conducted by modifying and supplementing these limitations.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.278-287
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• 2024

Striated muscle insertions into the skin and mucosa are present in the head, neck, and pelvic floor. We reexamined the histology of these tissues to elucidate their role in transmission of the force. We examined histological sections of 25 human fetuses (gestational ages of ~11-19 weeks and ~26-40 weeks) and 6 cadavers of elderly individuals. Facial muscle insertion or terminal almost always formed as an interdigitation with another muscle or as a circular arrangement in which muscle fiber insertions were sandwiched and mechanically supported by other muscle fibers (like an in-series muscle). Our examination of the face revealed some limited exceptions in which muscle fibers that approached the dermis were always in the nasalis and mentalis muscles, and often in the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle. The buccinator muscle was consistently inserted into the basement membrane of the oral mucosa. Parts of the uvulae muscle in the soft palate and of the intrinsic vertical muscle of the tongue were likely to direct toward the mucosa. In contrast, the pelvic floor did not contain striated muscle fibers that were directed toward the skin or mucosa. Although 'cutaneous muscle' is a common term, the actual insertion of a muscle into the skin or mucosa seemed to be very rare. Instead, superficial muscle insertion often consisted of interdigitated muscle bundles that had different functional vectors. In this case, the terminal of one muscle bundle was sandwiched and fixed mechanically by other bundles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is an involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra when intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as from sneezing, coughing, or physical exertion. It is caused by insufficient strength of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles, resulting from vaginal delivery, obesity, hard physical work, or aging. The pelvic floor electrical stimulator is a conservative treatment generally used to relieve the symptoms of urinary incontinence. it recommended to applied before surgery is performed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine if the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TCES) would be effective for the physiological symptoms and psychological satisfaction of women with SUI for an 8-weeks intervention. Methods: Easy-K is a specially designed user-friendly TCES. Five female who were diagnosed with SUI by a gynecologist but who did not require surgical intervention were included in this study. Intervention was implemented over an 8-week period. Outcome measures included vaginal ultrasonography, Levator ani muscle (LAM) contraction strength, incontinence quality of life (I-QOL), and female sexual function index (FSFI) questionnaires. Results: The bladder neck position significantly decreased across assessment time. Funneling index and urethral width significantly decreased after 8 weeks of intervention (p<.05). The bladder necksymphyseal distance and posterior rhabdosphincter thickness statistically increased and the anterior rhabdosphincter thickness showed a tendency to increase. All participants demonstrated a significant increase in the LAM contraction score across three assessment times (p<.05). Although the total score of the I-QOL did not show significant improvement, it steadily increased and among I-QOL subscales, only the "avoidance" subscale showed statistical improvements (p<.05). The total score of the FSFI statistically improved and the "desire" score significantly changed (p<.05). Conclusion: The TCES is recommended for women who want to apply conservative treatments before surgery and who have suffered from SUI in aspects of sexual function and quality of life.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.11-19
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of trunk control using pelvic movements upon the foot pressure in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Twelve males with hemiplegia were the procedure executed turnk control using pelvic movements. The foot pressure were measured using Parotec-system. Results: The data were analysed with paired t-test. First, there was a significant increase in external and internal sensors of dynamic foot pressure change of the hindfoot before and after therapy. Also there was significant increase in hallux (p<0.05). Second, there was a significant increase of affected side in support phase(p<0.05) and decreased of affected side in overlapping phase(p<0.05). Third, there was a significant increase in foot floor contact time and impulse pressure rate between affected and non affected side(p<0.05). Conclusion: The trunk control with pelvic movement had an significant effect on the legs by increase activities of hip flexors and abductors. Also had an effect on ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexor by biomechanical movement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2023

Background: The gluteus medius (Gmed) plays a critical role in maintaining frontal plane stability of the pelvis during functional activities, such as one-leg lifting. Side-lying hip abduction (SHA) has been used as a dynamic test to evaluate Gmed function. However, the abduction force of the lower leg against the floor is not controlled during SHA. Therefore, hip abduction performance with contralateral adduction in the side-lying position (HAPCA) can be proposed as an alternative method to assess performance of hip abduction. If the number of HAPCA is related to the lateral pelvic shift distance, a new quantitative measurement for hip abductor function may be presented. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of successful HAPCA and the lateral pelvic shift distance during one-leg lifting. Methods: Thirty healthy participants were recruited, and lateral pelvic shift distance was measured during one-leg lifting test using two-dimensional analysis. The number of successful HAPCA was counted when participants touched both target bars at the beat of a metronome. Results: There was a negative correlation between the number of HAPCA and lateral pelvic shift distance during one-leg lifting (r = -0.630, p < 0.05). The number of HAPCA accounted for 39.7% of the variance in the lateral pelvic shift distance during one-leg lifting (F = 18.454, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The number of successful HAPCA is significantly correlated with lateral pelvic shift distance during one-leg lifting. This finding suggests that HAPCA can be proposed as a new measurement for hip abductor performance and more research is needed on its relationship with hip abductor strength.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.2102-2106
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• 2020

Background: Static hamstring stretching exercises have been widely used to improve flexibility of the hamstring muscles. However, few studies have examined the influence of standing static hamstring stretching (e.g., jack-knife stretching) on movements of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. Objectives: To examine the short-term effects of jack-knife stretching on movements of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. Design: Case series. Methods: Fourteen participants with hamstring tightness (8 male, 6 female) were recruited. Participants performed jack-knife stretching for 150 s. Before and after stretching, participants performed the finger-to-floor distance (FFD), sit and reach (SRT), active knee extension (AKE), passive straight leg raising (PSLA), and active straight leg raising (ASLR) tests as well as pelvic tilt while standing to identify the effects of stretching. Results: There were significant improvements in the FFD, SRT, AKE, PSLA, and ASLR tests after stretching. However, pelvic tilt angle while standing did not significantly change. Conclusion: Jack-knife stretching can be a useful exercise to improve flexibility of the hamstring muscles, but not pelvic alignment while standing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to effect of the manual therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercise interventions in patient with acute lumbar sprain. Based on this, proceed to present an effective physical treatments. Methods: Subject was 55 year old female patient with acute lumbar sprain. Subject was damaged, wash in the morning. Subject was hoping to return to work and Activity daily living (ADL) without pain. I proceed in order screening, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment planning and intervention, re-screening. To solving problem, was conducted in parallel to a manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. Results: To investigate changes in body functions and activities was measured, Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in posture, maintain in posture, 10m walk test. The improved results were compared before and three weeks after mediation interventions. Conclusions: Frequency manual therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercise is thought to be an efficient way of patients with acute lumbar sprain.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2015

Objectives: This study used semiology based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to investigate vital energy (Qi) behavior in women with abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (AMPS). Methods: Fifty women diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) secondary to AMPS were evaluated by using a questionnaire based on the theories of "yin-yang," "zang-fu", and "five elements". We assessed the following aspects of the illness: symptomatology; specific location of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs); onset, cause, duration and frequency of symptoms; and patient and family history. The patients tongues, lips, skin colors, and tones of speech were examined. Patients were questioned on various aspects related to breathing, sweating, sleep quality, emotions, and preferences related to color, food, flavors, and weather or seasons. Thirst, gastrointestinal dysfunction, excreta (feces and urine), menstrual cycle, the five senses, and characteristic pain symptoms related to headache, musculoskeletal pain, abdomen, and chest were also investigated. Results: Patients were between 22 and 56 years old, and most were married (78%), possessed a elementary school (66%), and had one or two children (76%). The mean body mass index and body fat were 26.86 kg/cm2 (range: 17.7 - 39.0) and 32.4% (range: 10.7 - 45.7), respectively. A large majority of women (96%) exhibited alterations in the kidney meridian, and 98% had an altered gallbladder meridian. We observed major changes in the kidney and the gallbladder Qi meridians in 76% and 62% of patients, respectively. Five of the twelve meridians analyzed exhibited Qi patterns similar to pelvic innervation Qi and meridians, indicating that the paths of some of these meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region. Conclusion: The women in this study showed changes in the behavior of the energy meridians, and the paths of some of the meridians were directly related to innervation of the pelvic floor and abdominal region.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2000

The 30 percent or more women who have urinary incontinence have some problem in contraction of perineal muscles. In fact. to increase the strength of perineal muscles, voluntary muscle contraction is more effective than electrical contraction. Electrical stimulation or bio feedback therapy is safe and effective therapy for Patients who have complex urinary incontinence. because these therapies can solve the problems of the voluntary perineal muscle contraction these therapies can help women to know to contract the perineal muscles effectively. The combined therapy ie. Electrical stimulation and bio feedback therapy with pelvic muscle training program or bladder drill can be considered as good treatment method. Pelvic floor muscle exercise is importance to make patient itself participate by making to be interested about exercise and by tacking motivations at therapy to themselves.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-51
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the brain and the pelvis. Methods : The relationship between the pelvis and the brain was searched in PubMed, and these searching studies were reviewed. Conclusions : 1. Urinary disorder is influenced by brain. 2. Brain is influenced by luteinizing hormone. 3. Pelvic floor muscles are influenced by brain. 4. Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome(UCPPS) is influenced by brain. 5. Brain is influenced by the low intensity laser acupuncture stimulating thirteen ghost acupoints(includes CV1).