• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a community-based muscle and joint self-management program with muscle stretching and muscle strengthening exercises for community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The study was a pre-and-post design in a single group, which examined the effects after the intervention of muscle and joint self-management program for 6 weeks, on the 42 subjects of the elderly who registered in a Community Senior Center in J city. Data analyses were conducted with paired t-test by using a SAS (version 9.2 for Windows) program. Results: The effectiveness of muscle and joint self-management program on shoulder flexibility and right knee extension (flexibility) were significantly improved (t= 2.72, p= .010; t= -2.26, p= .029). Joint symptoms (pain, stiffness), physical functioning, depression, fatigue, and left knee extension were not significantly improved after the muscle and joint self-management program. Conclusion: The results showed the possibility of this 6-week exercise program in improving shoulder and knee flexibility for community-dwelling older adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inclination treadmill training with dynamic stretching on the spasticity and gait of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty two subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n=11) or a control group (CG, n=11). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the EG participated in inclination treadmill training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks, and the CG participated in treadmill walking training for 20 min per day, five times per week, for 4 weeks. Outcome measurements, recorded before and post intervention. Walking ability was measured using the 10m walking test (10MWT) and Timed up and go (TUG) test. Spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius was measured using a myotonometer. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed the both groups for walking ability and spasticity after the training program. The results of the study were follows: 10MWT and TUG was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after intervention (p<0.05). Spasticity was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that inclination treadmill training improves gait ability and reduces spasticity of the medialis gastrocnemius. Inclination treadmill training may be used as an easy, effective and accessible way to improve the walking ability and decrease spasticity in stroke patients. Further studies are necessary to generalize the findings of this study.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.413-421
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• 2012

Few studies address the use of manual muscle stretching to improve spinal active range of motion(AROM). There is evidence that' Hold-Relax'(HR) is effective for increasing ROM in the extremities, which leads the researchers to anticipate similar benefits in the spine. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of HR(trunk flexors) and active thoracic flexion and extension on thoracic mobility, specifically flexion and extension in healthy individuals. A convenience sample of 30 physical therapy students(22-38 years) were randomly assigned to intervention sequence 'A-B' or 'B-A', with at least 7 days between interventions. Intervention' A' consisted of HR of the ventral trunk musculature while 'B' consisted of thoracic flexion-extension AROM. Thoracic flexion and extension AROM were measured before and after each intervention using the double inclinometer method. Paired t-tests were used to compare AROM pre and post-intervention for both groups, and to test for carry-over and learning effects. There was a statistically significant increase(mean=$3^{\circ}$ ; p=0.006) in thoracic extension following HR of the trunk flexors. There were no significant changes in thoracic flexion following HR, or in flexion or extension following the AROM intervention. No carryover or learning effects were identified. HR may be an effective tool for improving AROM in the thoracic spine in pain free individuals. Further investigation is warranted with symptomatic populations and to define the minimal clinical difference(MCD) for thoracic spine mobility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2022

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a group exercise program with competitive games on balance in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects were chronic stroke patients living at home after their discharge from the hospital. A total of 32 subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group performed a group exercise program with competitive games, and the control group performed individual exercises. The exercise program duration was one hour, and it comprised 10 minutes of stretching, 40 minutes of the main exercise, and 10 minutes of stretching at the end. The experimental group was divided into two teams of 8 players each and played competitive games (transfer a gym ball to another person, relay 10 m walking and return, transfer an object to the next person using both arms while sitting). The control group performed an arm/trunk exercise for 15 minutes and gait training for 25 minutes. These exercises were conducted twice a week (4 weeks). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests were performed to confirm the change in balance. RESULTS: In the experimental group, BBS showed a significant increase (p < .05) and TUG showed a significant decrease (p < .05). In the control group, there was no statistically significant change in the BBS. However, the TUG showed a significant decrease (p < .05). The BBS and TUG both showed statistically significant differences (p < .05) in the between-group comparison of the change in pre-post intervention values. CONCLUSION: A group exercise program with competitive games to improve the balance ability for fall prevention in chronic stroke patients could be used as a good intervention method.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2014

Background: To compare the effect of different starting periods of rehabilitative exercise (early or delayed passive exercise) on the rate of retear and other clinical outcomes after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods: In total, 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff were included in the study. Determined at 2 weeks post-operation, patients who were incapable of passive forward elevation greater than $90^{\circ}$ were allotted to the early exercise group (group I: 79 patients; 42 males, 37 females), whilst those capable were allotted to the delayed exercise group (group II: 24 patients; 14 males, 10 females). The group I started passive exercise, i.e. stretching, within 2 weeks of operation, whilst group II started within 6 weeks. The results were compared on average 15.8 months (11-49 months) post-operation using the passive range of motion, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Constant scores. Stiffness was defined as passive forward elevation or external rotation of less than $30^{\circ}C$ compared to the contralateral side. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on average 1 year post-operation and the rate of retear was compared with Sugaya's criteria. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in gender, age, smoking, presence of diabetes, arm dominance, period of tear unattended, pre-operative range of motion, shape and size of tear, degree of tendon retraction, and tendon quality. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes. Whilst stiffness was more frequent in group II (p-value 0.03), retear was more frequent in group I (p-value 0.028) according to the MRI follow-up. Conclusions: During rehabilitation after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff, the delay of passive exercise seems to decrease the rate of retear but increase the risk of stiffness.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1273-1278
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• 2009

Purpose:Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), a common musculoskeletal disorder in infants, is characterized by the rotation and flexion deformity of the neck caused by sternocleidomastoid muscle shortening. We investigated the clinical courses and perinatal risk factors of CMT. Methods:Less than 6-month-old patients (98; M:F = 60:38) diagnosed with CMT between February 2007 and August 2008 were classified into 2 clinical subgroups, namely, SMT (sternocleidomastoid tumor) and POST (postural torticollis). All the patients were physically and neurologically examined prospectively and their cervical X-rays and ultrasonographies were obtained. Their medical histories about perinatal problems were recorded. Of the 98 patients, 45 with normal range of motion were taught passive physical exercises and 43 were referred to the Department of Rehabilitation for undergoing manual stretching therapy. Results:The mean age at initial assessment was 2.2 months (SMT: $1.4{\pm}1.0$, POST: $2.7{\pm}1.6$). SMT presented earlier than POST. All ophthalmologic examinations and cervical X-rays were normal. SMT was associated with higher incidence of caput succedaneum and cephalhematoma. POST was highly associated with plagiocephaly. Mean duration of rehabilitative physical therapy was 3.7 months (SMT: $4.6{\pm}2.5$, POST: $2.6{\pm}1.9$). POST resolved earlier than SMT. Of the 88 patients with follow-up, 87 had total resolution and only 1 had residual torticollis. Conclusion:All the patients received early treatment with passive stretching exercises. CMT was associated with perinatal problems and had various risk factors such as obstetrical problems.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2016

Background: For the treatment of forward head posture (FHP) and forward shoulder posture, methods for strengthening scapular retractors and deep cervical flexors and stretching pectoralis and upper cervical extensors are generally used. No study has yet assessed whether suboccipital release (SR) followed by cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) (SR-CCFE) will result in a positive change in the shoulders and neck, showing a "downstream" effect. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of SR-CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM), shoulder pain, and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction in subjects with FHP. Methods: In total, 19 subjects (7 males, 12 females) with FHP were recruited. The subject performed the fifth phase of CCFE immediately after receiving SR. CVA, shoulder abduction ROM, shoulder pain, muscle activities of UT, LT, and SA, and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction were measured immediately after SR-CCFE. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the significance of differences in scores between pre- and post-intervention in the same group. Results: The CVA (p<.001) and shoulder abduction ROM (p<.001) were increased significantly post-versus pre-intervention. Shoulder pain was decreased significantly (p<.001), and LT (p<.05) and SA (p<.05) muscle activities were increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention. The LT/UT muscle activity ratio was increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention (p<.05). However, there was no significant change in UT muscle activity and SA/UT muscle activity ratio between pre- and post-intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: SR-CCFE was an effective intervention to improve FHP and induce downstream effect from the neck to the trunk and shoulders in subjects with FHP.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.242-249
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• 1998

Stiffness of the elbow joint is relatively common after trauma, ectopic ossification, bum, postoperative scar, and etc. Mild flexion deformity can be reduced by use of active or passive motion exercise, dynamic sling, hinged distractor device, or turnbuckle orthosis. But these methods have disadvantages of difficulty in gaining acceptable range of motion only with stretching exercise, re-contracture after conservative managements and poor results that flexion contracture remained. The common described operative exposures for treatment of the stiff elbow are anterior, lateral, posterior, and medial approach. Through Anterior, lateral and medial approach each has not access to all compartments of the elbow. But, posterior approach has benefits that access to posterior, medial and lateral aspects of the elbow and as needed, fenestration to the olecranon fossa that produces a communication between the anterior and posterior compartments of the elbow are possible. From June 1991 through April 1997, 11 patients who had posttraumatic stiff elbow, were treated with debridement arthroplasty through the posterior approach. The purpose of this study are to introduce technique of the debridement arthroplasty and to evaluate final outcomes. With regarding to preoperative pain degree, mild degree matches to 3 cases, moderate to 3 cases, and severe to 2 cases. In preoperative motion, flexion was average 85° and extension was 30°. Postoperatively nine patients had got the complete relief of pain and two patients continued to have mild pain intermittentely. Postoperative flexion improved to 127° and extension to 2°, so that elbow flexion had improved by an average of 42° and elbow extension by 28°. On the objective scale all patients had good or excellent results and they all felt that they were improved by operation. Debridement arthroplasty is one of excellent procedures for the intractable stiff elbow if it is not unstable or it has not incongrous. But it need a meticulous operative technique and a well-programmed rehabilitation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2022

Purpose: We investigated the effects of multimodal vs. stabilization exercises on chronic low back pain. Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned to a multimodal exercise (n = 20) or a stabilization exercise group (n = 20). Participants in the multimodal exercise group performed stabilization, stretching, and endurance exercises, whereas those in the stabilization exercise group performed only stabilization exercises. Participants in both groups performed the exercises for 1 hour thrice a week for 5 weeks. The following outcomes were evaluated: pain intensity (numeric rating scale), disability (the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire [RMDQ]), pain-induced fear (the Fear of Daily Activities Questionnaire [FDAQ], the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire [FABQ], and the Tampa scale for kinesiophobia-11 [TSK-11]). Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline and after intervention. Results: Significant post-intervention improvement was observed in pain intensity and the RMDQ and FDAQ scores in both groups (p < 0.01). The post-intervention ODI, FABQ, and TSK-11 scores were improved in the multimodal exercise group (p < 0.01). Additionally, significant differences were observed in pain intensity, as well as in the ODI, FDAQ, and FABQ scores in the multimodal exercise group compared with these findings in the stabilization exercise group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The multimodal and stabilization exercise programs reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. Compared with stabilization exercises, multimodal exercises more effectively reduced pain intensity, disability, and pain-induced fear. This study highlights that musculoskeletal rehabilitation for people with chronic low back pain should include a multimodal exercise program.

• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.429-433
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• 2000

A study of the tunable fiber DFB laser using PZT-stretcher is presented. The device has an laser ocsillator by using a fiber Bragg grating at 1559.4 nm written directly into a 3-cm long $Er^{3+}$ doped fiber. Post UV-exposure method to provide the necessary phase shift is used for a single mode operation. The device shows the single mode operation of $230\muW$ output power and has a narrow linewidth of 35 kHz. The lasing wavelength of the laser can be tuned in a range of 3 nm by stretching the grating.rating.