• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was an investigation of the effect of unstable supporting exercise in young adults with functional ankle instability. The study tested the use of a jumper and virtual reality (VR) training via a VR-head mounted display (HMD) system to provide functional improvement in proprioception, range of motion (ROM), ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance. Methods: The subjects comprised 61 young adults (in their twenties) with functional ankle instability to decide as less than 24 points using Cumberland ankle instability tool. The subjects were divided into three groups: VUS (VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 20), VSS (VR-HMD and stable supporting exercise, n = 19), and NUS (non-VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 22). The exercise program was conducted three times per week for three weeks. VR training via a VR-HMD system and a VR application on a smart mobile device were used with the VUS and VSS groups, and unstable supporting exercise was used in the VUS and NUS groups for 30 minutes. Proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance were measured before and after training. Results: The VUS group showed significant differences in most results, including proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance to compare before and after, and the VSS and NUS groups partially. Moreover, the VUS group had significant differences in most results when compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Unstable supporting exercise and VR training via a VR-HMD system improved functional ankle instability in terms of proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2021

Background: This study was to investigate the effects of active stretching and stability exercise on piriformis muscle thickness and low back pain of male patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: 45 male patients participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned. Subjects divided into 15 who underwent contract relaxation (CR) of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to their hip joints, 15 who underwent a combination of isotonic (CI) of the PNF, and the rest 15 who underwent the two techniques (CR+CI). Real-time diagnostic ultrasound was used to measure thickness of the piriformis muscles. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure degrees of low back pain. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the average values. The SPSS 24.0 was used as the statistical program, and the significance level was set at .05. Results: The CR and the CR+CI groups had more decreased thickness of piriformis muscle when compared to the CI group. The CR+CI group had more decreased pain when compared to the CR and the CI groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that combination of stretching and stability exercise was effective on male patients with chronic low back pain showing limited hip medial rotation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Medicine & Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.5-11
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether intensive ankle training using biofeedback to increase proprioceptive senses and ankle-joint muscle strength effectively improves the balance of normal adults. Method: This study included 20 voluntary participants with normal adults. The subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: the biofeedback intensive ankle training group (n=10) and the ankle training group (n=10). The biofeedback group used a visual biofeedback program. Subjects of the group that underwent ankle training only tried to keep their bodies balanced as well as possible on an Aero-Step. Both groups performed the exercise equally for three 30-minute sessions weekly for six weeks. The differences between the measurements before and after the experiment were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the differences in variations between the groups. Results: The biofeedback group showed significant differences in the weight distributions A, B, C, D, LEFT, and HEEL and on the weight-distribution index. In contrast, the ankle training group showed significant differences in the weight distributions A, C, and LEFT. A comparison of the differences between the two groups found significant differences between them in the weight distributions A, B, C, D, LEFT, and HEEL. Conclusion: The biofeedback group showed a greater ability to control weight distribution. A longer experimental period involving more subjects would aid in developing exercise programs that are more diverse.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.19-23
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to describe the prevalence and causes of occurrence on work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs) in physical therapist. Methods : Self-administered questionnaires were distributed by mail to 100 physical therapists in Daegu city. 85 of the questionnaires were returned and 80 of them except 5 unclearly answered ones were analyzed. Results : They felt the pain at shoulders(80%), lower back(74%), wrists(71%), neck(70%), elbow(48%), finger(40%). The major causes of the pain were "repeating the same job constantly(93%)," and "bending wrists too much and doing things that require excessive strength(90%)." It was significant different more Exercise therapist than modality therapist. Conclusion : We suggest that physical therapist for exercise therapy need the development and applies of various program for prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mat activities in PNF on improvement of balance performance in stroke patients. Methods : Included 12 persons with stroke who were living in the community. They participated in exercise class for 60minutes duration three times a week for 6 weeks. Mat activities in PNF program was modified PNF patterns and techniques on various posture. Balance indexes were measured at pre-treatment, post-treatment and follow-up by K.A.T.3000. Results : Balance index scores had larger improvements after 6 weekends of treatment(p<.05) than pre-treatment, also follow-up test(p<.05). Conclusion : The result of this study showed that PNF mat activities intervention can improve balance performance in disabled persons after stroke.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.587-595
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate exploring the field application of combined cognitive-motor learning program based on proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Bartenieff Fundamental program. The combined cognitive-motor learning program(CC) was applied to the 10 MCI elder while 10 elder in occupational therapy(OT) took cognitive learning class. MMSE-K, Time up & go test(TUG), Tandem gait test(TA), GQOL-D were measured and analyzed. The collected data were analyzed by Independent & Paired T-test. The results were as follows: Both groups showed similar learning effect in MMSE-K test. However, in TA & GQOL-D test, CC group showed significant learning effect than OT group. From these result, we conclude that combined cognitive-motor learning program is valuable as alternative program for cognitive development and social development as well as physical development of MCI elder.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was investigated to find the approach in the PNF and TC for frail elder Method : This is a literature study with books, articles, seminal note and books for PNF and TC international course. Result : Neural mechanisms contribute significantly to the gains that occur in the range of motion about a joint with stretching exercises. The participation in a stretch-training program decreases tonic reflex activity and increases flexibility and decreases in force production and muscle activation. Also the stretching-induced decreases may be due to a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism. PNF stretch techniques can increase ROM in older adults. These results may differ from those of studies performed with younger populations because of age-related physiologic changes. TC exercise improves balance control and muscle strength and were associated with reorganized lower extremity neuromuscular patterns. Conclusions : The stretch training program of the PNF and TC contribute to increase the balance and coordination for frail elder. Therefore, The frail elder prevent falling. Further study, The PNF and TC be introduced as the new therapeutic intervention for frail elder.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.317-331
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• 2017

Purpose: Balance and walking ability are important elements of functional independence for people with stroke and are major goals in rehabilitation. These abilities require trunk performance, but most chronic stroke patients reach a plateau in their rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a self-training trunk program to improve balance and walking ability in people with stroke, and to suggest such a self-training program for integrated rehabilitation of people with stroke. Methods: The study recruited 7 people with stroke. The subjects performed trunk training for 30 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks. Participants were measured on the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Korean Activities-specific Balance Confidence (K-ABC) scale, the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and a gait analysis to measure the training effects. Statistical analysis used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test as a non-parametric statistical test. Results: TIS was not significantly different after the self-training trunk program, but BBS (p>0.05), K-ABC, and FES were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05). Furthermore, the 6MWT, stride/height %, and one-leg stance were significantly improved after the training program (p<0.05), but cadence, stance, and swing duration were not significantly different after the training (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that a self-training trunk program should be integrated into stroke rehabilitation to improve balance and walking ability, and further research is needed to develop the program to be more effective for chronic stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2018

This study investigated the effect of community-based health intervention program to improve metabolic disease in Jeju island. There were 50 obese local residents in the experimental group (body mass index, $BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$). They participated in cooking therapy with nutrition education (4 times), exercise program with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and stretching training (9 times), and alternative medicine program with healing touch massage (3 times) during a 3-week period. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, body composition, blood lipid profiles, blood glucose, and waist circumference were assessed before and after the intervention program. After the program, the value of total cholesterol (TC), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), diastolic blood pressure, percent body fat, and waist circumference were decreased, and became the normal value. Especially, HbA1C, percent body fat, and waist circumference were significantly decreased (P<0.001) in the experimental group, while HbA1C, percent body fat, and waist circumference were significantly increased (P<0.001) in the control group (N=50), who had no intervention. Our results suggest that metabolic syndrome associated markers need intervention program for improving them. In conclusion, although this study did not analyze the effect of the health intervention program and cooking therapy separately, considering the result of this 3-week, short term program, the effect will be more profuse if cooking therapy and exercise program were performed concurrently.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-205
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stability techniques on walking speed, trunk stability, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Ten stroke patients volunteered to participate in the study, and each of subjects was randomly assigned to either the stability technique (ST) group (n=5) or to the treadmill (TM) group (n=5). Each therapeutic exercise program was provided for 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The ST group performed a PNF pattern combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of the PNF stability technique. Walking speed (measured using a 10-meter walking test), trunk stability (TIS), and balance (BBS, FRT) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. The significance level for statistical inspection was set at 0.05. Results: Both groups showed improvements on the 10-meter walking test, the trunk impairment scale, the Berg balance scale, and the functional reaching test. Conclusion: PNF stability techniques are effective for improving trunk stability, balance, and walking speed in stroke patients. For stroke patients, PNF stability techniques are very useful and effective, including in clinical practice.