• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between standing balance and head-forward posture in adolescents. Methods: The participants in this study were 15 female adolescents. We took photographs of the participants' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of head-forward posture. Standing balance was evaluated using the 30-second Romberg test of BT4. The measurements were taken on a stable-support surface and on an unstable-support surface using a balance pad. The data measured in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was established as 0.05. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of head-forward position of the participants and their balance ability. Results: When we measured 30 seconds of the Romberg test, we observed that, with their eyes open, the participants' head-forward posture and balance were not correlated. However, with their eyes closed, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and the balance ability, which declined as the head position increased. Conclusion: Adolescents with severe head-forward posture exhibited problems with balance in posture control with closed eyes when visual information was not available. It can be inferred that an abnormality occurs in proprioceptor sensation due to their habitual head-forward posture. Education on correct posture and preventive activities should be recommended to improve the health of such adolescents and avoid possible future problems of physical deterioration.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how the position of tibial rotation affects peak force and hamstring muscle activation during isometric knee flexion in healthy women. Methods: Seventeen healthy women performed maximum isometric knee flexion at 30˚ with three tibial rotation positions (tibial internal rotation, neutral position, and tibial external rotation). Surface electromyographic (EMG) activity was recorded from the medial hamstring (MH) and lateral hamstring (LH) muscles. The strength of the knee flexor was measured with a load-cell-type strength-measurement sensor. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated analysis of variance. Results: The results showed that MH and LH activities and peak force were significantly different among the three tibial rotation conditions (p < 0.01). The post-hoc comparison revealed that the MH EMG activity in tibial neutral and internal rotation positions were significantly greater than tibial external rotation (p < 0.01). The LH activity in tibial external rotation was significantly greater than the tibial neutral position and internal rotation (p < 0.01). The peak force of the knee flexor was also greater in the external tibial rotation position compared with the tibial neutral and internal rotation positions (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hamstring muscle activation could be changed by tibial rotation.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

Purpose : Sit-to-stand (STS) is one of the important activities of daily living (ADL) and each of its parameters is used frequently. This study aimed to examine the influence of different seat height on performance time and floor reaction force strength during an STS movement. Methods : Fifteen young-adult male subjects participated in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups based on lower leg length. Subjects performed an STS movement twice from chairs at height adjusted by the lower leg length of each subject. To examine the influence of the chair seat height, ground reaction forces during a STS performed with 3 chair heights adjusted to each subjects lower leg length were compared. Results : Vertical ground reaction force and time during an STS movement were measured to evaluate. Parameters regarding ground reaction force were selected for analyses. Significant differences were found in ground reaction force at G1 was greater than G2 and G3. Conclusion : The STS movement achievement strategy differed since chair seat height changes relatively by the difference in lower leg length. When conducting the ability to achieve STS movement rating test, chair seat height considering each subject's lower leg length may be needed.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.163-172
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between physical function and forward head posture in spastic diplegia. Methods: The subjects of this study were 10 spastic diplegia patients. We took pictures of the subjects' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of forward head posture and then analyzed them using the NIH image J program. The physical function test used the TCMS, the BBT, and a spirometer. The data in this study were measured using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was 0.05. A Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of the subject's head forward position and physical function. Results: When we performed the BBT and spirometer tests, the subjects' forward head postures were not correlated (p < 0.05). However, with the TCMS, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and balance, with balance decreasing as the head position increased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Spastic diplegia patients with severe forward head posture showed problems with static balance, dynamic balance, and equilibrium reaction when sitting. Intervention on the right posture and preventive activities will be needed to improve the health of spastic diplegia patients and prevent future problems with physical function.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.173-182
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of underwater and ground-based diagonal pattern exercises on the balance confidence and respiratory functions of chronic stroke patients. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients were assigned randomly to an experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group performed an underwater diagonal pattern exercise. The control group performed a ground-based diagonal pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six weeks. Balance confidence was measured using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale-Korea version. Respiratory function was measured using a spirometer. Results: In a comparison within groups, the experimental and control groups showed significant differences in balance confidence after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant difference in balance confidence than the control group (p < 0.05). In a comparison within groups, the experimental group showed a significant difference in respiratory functions after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed a more significant difference in respiratory functions than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, underwater diagonal pattern exercises effectively improved the balance confidence and respiratory functions of chronic stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion and slump motion on thoracic-lumbar erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscle activity. Methods: Seventeen healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. All participants performed two motions (thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, slump motion). Muscle activation during the two motions was measured using a surface electromyography device. The data from this were collected from the iliocostalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, and rectus abdominis. The activities of these muscles before and after each motion were then compared. Results: The iliocostalis thoracis activation was significantly greater during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion than during the slump motion (p <0.05). The iliocostalis lumborum activation was greater during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). The rectus abdominis activation was lesser during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that individual contraction of the erector spinae muscles is possible during thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, which increases the stability of the thoracic spine. In addition, this motion could improve control of the rectus abdominis. Therefore, thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion should be considered for rehabilitation programs for patients with kyphosis and back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2024

Purpose: Ankle instability is a common issue in both daily activities and sports, often leading to recurrent injuries. Elastic taping is a non-pharmacological intervention used to improve ankle stability. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of elastic taping on ankle stability, center of pressure (COP) movement, and foot pressure distribution. Methods: A single-group pre-posttest design was employed, with 30 participants included in the study. Plantar pressure and COP parameters were measured before and after the application of elastic taping. Taping was administered in three distinct patterns to enhance ankle stability. Results: Immediate effects of elastic taping were evident in COP parameters. Following taping application, there was a significant decrease in COP total displacement, COP area, and COP velocity. However, no significant changes were observed in plantar pressure parameters. Conclusion: The application of elastic taping in this study demonstrated immediate effects on ankle stability and COP parameters, indicating its potential as a viable intervention for improving balance. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is needed to elucidate the sustained effects of elastic taping on ankle stability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.291-299
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the improved sensory, hand function, postural balance and activities of daily living (ADL) through somatosensory stimulation, such as the facilitation of functional reaching and tactile, proprioceptive stimulus of the upper limb (UL) and hand. Methods: Seventeen stroke patients having problems with motor and somatosensory deficits were selected in Bobath Memorial Hospital adult rehabilitation center. The patients were divided into two groups; the sensorimotor deficit group (SMDG) and motor deficit group (MDG). Somatosensory stimulation on the UL, physical therapy and occupational therapy were carried out three times a week over a six week these treatments were performed in both group period. To compare each group, the following assessment tools were used: such as tactile detection thresholds (TDT), two point discrimination on the affected side (TPDas), unaffected side (TPDus) stereognosis (ST) manual function test, hand function on the affected side (HFas) and unaffected side (HFus), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) and Korean version Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). Results: In the SMDG, somatosensory stimulation on the UL was statistically important for TDT, TPDas, TPDus (except for the thener), ST, hand function on HFas, on HFus, PASS length of displacement with foam (LDFSEO), and K-MBI. In the MDG, somatosensory stimulation on the UL was important for TDT, TPDas, TPDus (except index finger) length of displacement with the eyes open, LDFSEO, HFas, HFus, PASS and K-MBI. In addition, there was a significant difference in the PASS between SMDG and MDG. Conclusion: Somatosensory stimulation on the UL affects the sensory, hand function, postural control and ADLs performance.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.339-351
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• 2019

Purpose: This study identified the effects of dual-task gait training on balance, gait function, and activity of daily living in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: This study used a single-subject design. Two patients with Parkinson's disease participated in this study. Dual-task gait training was performed 1 hour per day 8 times during intervention phase. The subjects were measured 8 times in the baseline phase, 8 times in the intervention phase, and 8 times in the follow-up phase. The outcome measurements included a timed up and go test (TUG), a Berg balance scale (BBS), a 10 meter walk test (10MWT), a 6 minute walk test (6MWT), a dynamic gait index (DGI) and a Korean modified Barthel index (K-MBI). Results: When compared to the average of the baseline process, the data collected during the intervention period showed that the TUG and 10MWT results improved and the tendency line was above the baseline. In addition, BBS, 6MWT, DGI, and K-MBI values for both patients increased remarkably after the training. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that dual-task gait training may be helpful to improve balance, walking function, and activity of daily living for patients with Parkinson's disease. Further studies need to confirm our findings.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.369-378
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of virtual reality-based task training (VRBTT) using a smart glove on upper extremity function and activity of daily living in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with chronic stroke disease were randomly allocated to two groups: the VRBTT group (n=14) and the control group (n=15). All patients received 30 minutes of standard occupational therapy, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. The VRBTT group performed an additional 30 minutes of virtual reality-based rehabilitation training, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in upper extremity function, yielding an increase in FMA and K-WMFT (p<0.05). There was a more significant increase in the VRBTT group before and after interventions (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in MAS for the control group (p>0.05); however, there was a significant increase for the VRBTT group (p<0.05). In the activities of daily living, there was a significant difference in the values for K-MBI (p<0.05). In addition, both groups showed a significant increase for K-MBI and K-RNLI (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that VRBTT using smart gloves can have a more positive effect on upper extremity function and activities of daily living in stroke patients than conventional intervention methods. A variety of virtual reality-based contents and glove-shaped wearable devices will help stroke patients in rehabilitation clinics recover and return to society.