• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.57-67
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• 2021

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups muscle energy technique (8 subjects) and cervical traction (8 subjects). Each group performed their exercise 70 minutes per day, three times week for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). Cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. Results: After four weeks of therapy, VAS (p<.05) and NDI (p<.05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 1996

For effective rehabilitation of the shoulder, physical therapists must have correct knowledge of shoulder movements. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between shoulder movements and the rotation of the humerus in the sagittal, coronal and scapular planes. Fifty normal subjects(25 male, 25 female) were tested using a Dualar-plus digital goniometer and an air-splint. The subjects performed active shoulder elevation in each plane with the humerus rotated in both medial and lateral directions. The range of motion(ROM) of the glenohumeral joint was measured three times. The paired t-test was used to determine the difference in ROM between medial and lateral rotation of the humerus. Results showed that, in the sagittal and the coronal planes, there was a significant difference(p < 0.01) in ROM of the shoulder between medial rotation and lateral rotation which was greater. But in the scapular plane, there was no difference between medial and lateral rotation. Physical therapists should consider these results when the goal of treatment is to increase ROM of the shoulder.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2020

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) before Mobilization with Movement (MWM) on ankle ROM, pennation angle, balance in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 22 subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received intervention STM before MWM. STM was applied for one minute, MWM was applied one set of six times, in a total 3 sets. The passive ankle joint range of motion (ROM) was measured using a goniometer, the pennation angle was measured using RUSI, and the balance was measured using Timed Up & Go Test. Results: The ROM of the ankle dorsi-flexion, muscle tissue (pennation angle) and balance were significantly increased. Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the ankle dorsi-flexion ROM, pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, and balance were significantly improved in the group where STM was performed before the MWM intervention. Therefore, the physiotherapists should consider these results in their intervention. If MWM is applied to stroke patients, applying STM first is a better intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of group exercise, manual therapy, and a home exercise program on VAS (visual analogue scale), ROM (range of motion) of shoulder, and functional outcome in adhesive capsulitis. Methods: The study was conducted with 45 patients. All subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group exercise (n=15), manual therapy (n=15), home exercise (n=15). The subjects performed an intervention program 3 times a week for 4 weeks a total of 12 times. Outcome measurements were VAS, ROM, and Constant-Murley score outcome measures. Measurements were taken four times, at baseline, 4 weeks later, 8 weeks later, and 12 weeks later. Results: VAS, ROM of the shoulder, and functional outcomes showed improvement in all groups at the final follow-up (p<0.05). VAS and ROM showed greater improvement with group exercise and manual therapy than home exercise, however, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). Functional outcomes showed the greatest improvement in group exercise at the final follow-up. This improvement was greater than with manual therapy or home exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: Group exercise and manual therapy were more effective for improving pain, ROM, and function than home exercise in adhesive capsulitis. In particular, group exercise is more effective in functional recovery than other physiotherapy interventions.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1642-1650
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching exercise and joint mobilization on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), plantar pressure, and balance in subjects with stroke. Thirty patients (n=30) were organized into three groups, each of which received different treatments: PNF stretching (n=10), joint mobilization (n=10), and joint mobilization and PNF stretching combined (n=10). Each group received three exercise sessions per week for four weeks. The ankle ROM was measured using a goniometer, and plantar pressure and balance ability were measured using BioResque static posturography. In comparison within each group, the joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group showed significant improvements in ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability (p<.05). In comparison between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found in SECS change between the PNF stretching group, joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group. This study found demonstrates that the joint mobilization and joint mobilization with the PNF stretching methods were effective in improving ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.65-90
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• 2003

To identify the effects of joint mobilization on the functional improvement of patients with neck pain, the present research investigated 60 neck pain patients, dividing them into a group doing joint mobilization, a group doing Mckenzie exercise and a group using modalities. This study examined patients degree of recovery from neck pain by comparing their neck pain before and after the treatment, and compared three groups to find difference in the degree of recovery from neck pain. The results of this study are as follows : 1. For the joint mobilization group, the visual analogue scale (VAS) decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion (ROM) of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 2. For the Mckenzie exercise group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 3. For the modality using group, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly for three weeks treatment, and the range of motion of cervical vertebrae increased significantly(p<.05). 4. In the comparison of VAS and ROM of the three groups before and after the treatment, significant differences were found among the three groups in VAS after three weeks' treatment, and in ROM before the treatment(p<.05). 5. In all the three groups, VAS decreased and the ROM of cervical vertebrae increased after the treatment, and in particular, the decrease of VAS and the increase of the ROM of cervical vertebrae were remarkable in the joint mobilization group.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.137-146
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• 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercise on pain, cervical range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: Following baseline measurements, the subjects (n = 30) with chronic neck pain were randomized into two groups: the PNF group (n = 15) that received PNF strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (n = 15) that received gentle palpation of the skin. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 min, three times per week for six weeks. The visual analogue scale for pain, ROM, and NDI of both groups were recorded at both pre- and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes in the post-intervention compared with pre-intervention, and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the six-week intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and NDI (p < 0.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p < 0.05). The PNF group that received PNF strength exercise of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and NDI and cervical rotation of ROM than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the PNF lower trapezius strengthening exercise reduces neck pain and disability level and enhances cervical ROM in patients with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.33-40
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• 2022

Background: The cross-body and the sleeper stretches have been used to improve posterior shoulder tightness (PST). However, such stretching techniques may not always help achieve scapular stability and may even aggravate patient's symptoms. Therefore, a new stretching technique (passive glenohumeral internal rotation with bridging) was developed as a more effective method that may allow for greater scapular stability without aggravating the symptoms. Thus, this study aimed to examine and compare this novel stretching technique to determine its effect on the range of motion (ROM) and acromio-humeral distance (AHD) in patients with glenohumeral internal rotation deficits (GIRD) with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: A total of 30 symptomatic patients with asymmetrical GIRD were randomly assigned to two groups: the novel stretching group (n=15) and the joint mobilization group (n=15). The intervention was conducted twice a week for a total of four weeks. The ROM of shoulder internal rotation was measured by a goniometer and the AHD was evaluated by an X-ray before and after the intervention. Results: Both the treatments improved ROM and AHD in patients with GIRD (p<.05). However, the improvements in internal rotation ROM and AHD in the novel stretching group were significantly greater than that of the subjects in the mobilization group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results show that both novel stretching and joint mobilization improved ROM and AHD in patients with GIRD with PST. However, novel stretching was more effective than joint mobilization.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Background: Various methods are used for recovery of knee flexion range of motion (ROM) due to a tightened rectus femoris muscle (RFM) or limited inferior glide of the patella. Stretching methods are common interventions for restoring the tightened RFM length. Also patellar inferior gliding (PIG) technique can recover tightened RFM length too. However, effect of applying the PIG to passive knee flexion (PKF) has not been studied. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combining PIG with RFM stretching for improving knee flexion ROM in subjects with RFM tightness. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with RFM tightness were recruited. Two different methods of knee stretching were tested: 1) PKF during modified Thomas test (MTT) and 2) PKF with PIG during MTT. The passive stretching forces was controlled by hand-held dynamometer. The knee flexion ROM angle was measured by a MTT with ImageJ software. Differences between the conditions with and without PIG were identified with a paired t-test. Results: The knee flexion ROM was significantly greater for PKF with PIG ($114.44{\pm}9.33$) than for PKF alone ($108.97{\pm}9.42$) (p<.001). Conclusion: A combination of passive knee flexion exercise and PIG can be more effective than PKF in increasing knee flexion ROM in individuals with RFM tightness.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of intervention using neuromuscular control, self-stretching (SS), and neck stabilization exercises (NSEs) on neck pain, range of motion (ROM), and proprioception of position sense in adults with neck discomfort. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Forty-four adults who complained of neck pain participated in the experiment. They were randomly assigned to the following groups: neuromuscular control exercise (NMCE) group (n=15), SS group (n=14) and NSE group (n=15). The NMCE group did rolling with only upper limb pattern on both sides. The SS group performed neck stretching on each side, 3 sets of 30 seconds for each muscle. The NSE group had the pressure biofeedback applied with increases in pressure by 2 mmHg at a time from 20-30 mmHg while in the hook-lying position. All groups performed exercises for 10 minutes. Neck pain, ROM, and proprioception were measured to determine differences between the intervention methods. Results: Intra-group comparisons showed significant improvement after exercise in pain, ROM, and proprioception in the NMC group (p<0.05). In the comparison between groups, the NMC group had a significant decrease in pain compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). There was no difference in ROM between the groups but the NMC group showed significant improvement in left rotation compared to the stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). For proprioception, the NMC group had significantly lower error than the other two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: NMCEs through upper extremity pattern rolling exercise is effective in improving neck pain, ROM, and proprioception.