• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.55-59
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effect of a water exercise program on the pennation angle of the lower-limb muscle in women in their 20s. Methods: Ten female subjects were randomly divided into two groups, with 5 subjects exercising in water 0.7 m deep and 5 subjects exercising in water 1.4 m deep. They did the water exercising program for 40 minute per day, 3 days per week, for total 6 weeks. We measured the pennation angle of lower-limb muscle using ultrasonography. All measurements for each group were performed at pre-training and after 6 weeks of training. Results: The pennation angle was compared before and after the water exercise period for each group, and statistically significant changes within each group in measurements of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in muscle architecture by water depth (p>0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion: These results show that the pennation angle of the lower-limb muscle of women in their 20s changed after 6 weeks of participating in a water exercise program, but these changes were not dependent on the depth of the water in which the exercises were performed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.71-76
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in autonomic nerve responses after low-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Methods: Research subjects were 24 students who attend University. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1 = a low intensity group; 2 = a high intensity group. Electrodes were attached to the forearm of the dominant arm and electrical stimuli were administered for 15 minutes. Outcome measures were skin conduction velocity, skin temperature, blood flow, and pulse frequency, each of which was measured a total of 4 times. The data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. Results: In changes in conduction velocity, the main effect of time variation (in black) was statistically significant. The interaction between time and group main effects was not statistically significant; nor was the difference between the groups. Results showed that skin conduction velocity changed without any relation to group. Conclusions: Low frequency TENS selectively increases skin conduction velocity, which may be helpful for activating sudomotor function regardless of intensity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the effect of a backward walking exercise using a mirror on balance and gait in patients with stroke. METHODS: Twenty subjects with post-stroke hemiparesis volunteered to participate in this study. The experimental and control groups performed backward walking exercise plus conventional therapy or conventional physical therapy, respectively, for 6 weeks. Assessment instruments included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and 10-m walking test (10MWT). Evaluation was performed before and after the 6-week training period. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$ for all variables. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant within-group change in the BBS, TUG, and 10MWT (p<.05). The control group also showed a significant change (p<.05). A significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups with regard to changes in the BBS, TUG, and 10MWT results after the interventions (p<.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that backward walking exercise using a mirror may be valuable for future research. Further studies with a wider range of pathology and longer experiment duration are required to validate the results of the present study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether backward walking exercise was more effective than conventional physical therapy for balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=9) or control (n=9) group. The experimental and control group performed backward walking exercise and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Stability Index (SI) and Weight Distribution Index (WDI) during standing were assessed using the Tetrax Balance System. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS) were used to evaluate balance and fall risk. Walking speed, stride length, and step length on the affected side were measured using the 10-Meter Walk and ink foot printing tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for within- and between- group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly higher changes in SI (p<.01), WDI (p<.01), TUG (p<.001), and BBS score (p<.001) following intervention compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed significantly greater improvements in walking speed (p<.01), stride length (p<.001), and step length on the affected side (p<.001) after intervention compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Backward walking exercise is an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2011

Background : The aim of this study is to effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on double limb support, balance ability and risk of fall index in elderly people. Methods : A six-week lumbar stabilization program training for improvement of balance ability and prevention of fall down were applied by dividing into ten people of experimental group and ten people of control group for elderly aged below sixty-five more than eighty years who were capable of independent activity of daily living. for double limb support, balance ability and fall index assessment, the TETRAX were used. Results : The double limb support, balance ability and fall index in experimental group indicating changes in statistical significance(p<0.05), But changes in significance were not found of all parts in control group(p>0.05). Conclusion : The above results mean that the lumbar stabilization exercise was effective for promotion of elderly people's double limb support, balance ability and fall index and further study considered need to be more the study relative to effect of fall prevention exercise program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of neck exercises on neck-shoulder posture and pain of high school students with neck disorders. Methods: Twenty seven subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups a craniocervical flexion training group (CCFT), a neck strengthening exercise group (ST), and a basic stretching exercise group (CG). CCFT and ST exercised five times a week for eight weeks under the researcher's guidance. The control group performed basic stretching exercises. Diagnostic radiologic equipment was used for the measurement of neck-shoulder posture. Neck disability index, and numeric rating scales were used. Results: The CCFT showed a significant pre-post treatment difference on measures of neck flexion angle and forward shoulder angle changes compared to the ST and CG groups (p<0.05). The CCFT group also showed a significantly greater improvement on the neck disability index and numeric rating scales changes than the ST and CG groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: Because CCFT decreases neck flexion angle, forward shoulder angle, neck disability index, and pain in the forward head posture, it is useful for treating patients with neck disorders.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1785-1790
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• 2019

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) causes neurological symptoms by compression of the dura mater and nerve roots. Due to the changed in proprioception inputs that can result in abnormal postural pattern, delayed reaction time, and changed in deep tendon reflex. Objective: To investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercises on motor neuron excitability and neurological symptoms in patients with LDH. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind) Methods: Thirty patients with LDH were recruited; they were randomly divided into the balance center stabilization resistance exercise group (n=15) and the Nordic walking group (n=15). Each group underwent their corresponding 20-minute intervention once a day, four times a week, for four weeks. Participants' motor neuron excitability and low back pain were assessed before and after the four-week intervention. Results: There were significant differences in all variables within each group (p<.05). There were significant differences between the experimental and control groups in the changes of upper motor neuron excitability and pain (p<.05), but not in the changes of lower motor neuron excitability and Korean Oswestry Disability Index. Conclusion: Lumbar stabilization exercises utilizing concurrent contraction of deep and superficial muscles improved low back function in patients with LDH by lowering upper motor neuron excitability than compared to exercises actively moving the limbs. Lumbar stabilization exercises without pain have a positive impact on improving motor neuron excitability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.273-278
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three-dimensional virtual reality horse riding simulator training using a head-mounted display on gait and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Ten children with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to the horse riding simulator (HRS) group (n=5) or the horse riding simulator with virtual reality (HRSVR) group (n=5). To evaluate balance, center of gravity (COG) sway velocity and total sway distance of each group were assessed using the Wii balance board, and gait speed and stride length of each group were assessed using a gait analysis system. Results: Intra-group comparisons between pre- and post-intervention measures revealed that there were significant changes in all gait and balance variables such as stride length, gait velocity, COG sway velocity and COG sway distance in the HRSVR group (p<0.05). In the HRS group, there were significant changes in all variables except stride length (p<0.05). In addition, inter-group comparisons showed significant differences between the two groups in stride length, gait velocity and COG sway distance except COG sway velocity (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that horse riding simulator training combined with 3D virtual reality can be a new positive therapeutic approach for improving functional performance in children with cerebral palsy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of myofascial decompressiontherapy using moving suction on body temperature, pain, neck disability index, and cervical rotation for young adult with nonspecific neck pain. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned 22 patients with chronic cervical pain who met the study conditions to the experimental group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). In the experimental group, the myofascial decompressiontherapy (MDT) was performed for 10 minutes using moving suction withnegative 15 mmHg pressure from the insertion to the origin of the upper trapezius muscle, while the control group without negative pressure. In order to investigate the effects of the intervention, an infrared thermometer, a visual analogue scale, neck disability index, and goniometer were used. Results: As a result of comparing the pre- and post- changes in each group according to the intervention, skin temperature, pain, neck disability index, and cervical rotation in both the experimental and control groups were significantly improved (p<0.05). Comparison of pre- and post- changes between the experimental and control groups showed significant differences for pain and cervical rotation (p<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the body temperature and neck disability index. Conclusions: Based on the results, MDT using moving suction was effective in reducing pain and increasing of cervical rotation for young adult with nonspecific neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate changes in upper extremity joints and leisure satisfaction in children with brain lesions through sports stacking activities. Methods: A sports stacking program was conducted on three children with brain lesions who had upper extremity joint limitations and joint range of motion lower than the normal range. It was conducted 10 times, 1 to 2 times a week, 40 minutes each time. Upper extremity joint angles were measured using a goniometer in the order of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers, and leisure satisfaction was measured using a smile evaluation. Results: As a result of measuring the upper extremity joint angles, all three children showed slight angle changes in the shoulder, elbow, and wrist areas. Differences in joint angles appeared differently for each child. Smile evaluation results were evaluated in various psychological, educational, and physical aspects. Only child A was evaluated for Smile Evaluation No. 1. Conclusion: Sports stacking activities changed the upper extremity function of children with brain lesion disorders and showed differences in psychological, physical, and educational aspects of leisure satisfaction. As this is a short-term study result, the change in upper extremity function is minimal, but if sports stacking activities are continued, it will be a rehabilitation program that can prevent upper extremity dysfunction and improve physical strength. Accordingly, continuous attention should be paid to increasing accessibility and enjoyment of daily life according to individual characteristics and level.