• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.398-405
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• 2021

Objective: The interest of clinicians is increasing due to the newly established medical insurance for pulmonary rehabilitation. Improvement of respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function is an important factor in pulmonary rehabilitation, and this study aims to investigate the correlation between changes in respiratory muscle contraction thickness that can affect respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: Thirty-one subjects (male=13, female=18) participated in this study. The respiratory muscle strength was measured by dividing it into inspiratory/forced expiratory muscles, and the pulmonary function was measured by forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC. To evaluate the respiratory muscle length increase, in resting and concentric contraction thickness of diaphragm, external/internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and rectus abdominis were measured by using ultrasonography. Results: Inspiratory muscle strength showed a significant correlation with the length increase of the inspiratory muscle (r=0.368~0.521, p<0.05), and forced expiratory muscle strength showed a significant correlation with length increase of forced expiratory muscle (r=0.356~0.455, p<0.05). However, pulmonary function was not correlated with the length increase of the respiratory muscle. Conclusions: In this study, a correlation between respiratory muscle strength and respiratory muscle length increase was confirmed, but no correlation with the pulmonary function was found. It is considered that the respiratory muscle strength can be improved by increasing the respiratory muscle thickness through appropriate respiratory muscle training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.399-406
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and cough capacity in stroke patients. METHODS: This study used a nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. We recruited thirty-four stroke patients(16male, 18female), who were assigned to intervention (n=17), or control (n=17) groups. Both groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program, with the intervention groups also receiving respiratory muscle training 20 minutes a day, three times a week, for 4 weeks. Respiratory function (forced vital capacity) and respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure) were assessed by spirometry. Cough capacity (peak expiratory flow) was assessed using a peak flow meter. The collected data were analyzed by independent and paired t-tests. RESULTS: The intervention group showed a significant increase in the forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) at the end of the program, while the control group showed no significant changes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that respiratory muscle training increased respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and cough capacity in stroke patients and prevented a decrease in cough capacity. These findings suggest that respiratory muscle training effect on respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and cough capacity for rehabilitation in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.340-347
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect on respiratory function, trunk control, and functional activities of daily living (ADL) through respiratory muscle strength training in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Eighteen subjects who were six months post stroke participated in this study. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental (n=10) and control (n=8). Both groups received physical therapy for five sessions, 30 minutes per week, during a period of six weeks. Subjects in the experimental group participated in an additional respiratory muscle strength training program, in which the threshold PEP device was used for 30 minutes per day, three days per week, during a period of six weeks. Results from pretest-posttest control were evaluated by pulmonary function forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow (PEF), capacity of cough, trunk control, and functional ADL. Results: Significant improvement in the FEV1, PEF of pulmonary function (p<0.05), cough function (p<0.05), and trunk control (p<0.05) was observed among the groups. Conclusion: Respiratory muscle strength training improves pulmonary function, capacity of cough, and trunk control. These results suggest that respiratory muscle strength training is feasible and suitable for individuals with chronic stroke.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1142-1145
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of kinematic taping on respiratory muscle strength in smokers. Twenty - five university students who smoke were involved in the study. All participants were applied to kinematic taping to breathe deeply again. Subjects sit on their backs straight up and place their hands on their thighs. Tape 1 is applied from the lower prominent neck vertebrae(seven cervical vertebra) inward and downward, past shoulder blade, around ribs to the lower tip of sternum. Tape 2 extends to the lower, outer edge of shoulder blade, around ribs to the lower tip of sternum. Respiratory muscle strength was measured with Micro Mouth Pressure Measurement before and after taping. The application of kinematic taping significantly improved the inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (p<.05). These findings suggest that kinematic taping effective in improving respiratory muscle strength and deep breathing.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between abdominal muscle strength and measures of respiratory function in stroke patients. Methods: The study participants comprised 17 (male: 12, female: 5) stroke patients hospitalized at W rehabilitation hospital in Busan, South Korea. Abdominal muscle strength was assessed using a digital manual dynamometer for 5 seconds contacting the sternal notch of the participants to bend the trunk. Respiratory function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow) was assessed using a spirometer. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis, and the significance level was set 0.05. Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between abdominal muscle strength and forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow. However, abdominal muscle strength and forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity were not significantly correlated. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there is a relationship between abdominal muscle strength and respiratory function. Exercise programs to strengthen the abdominal muscles are therefore necessary to improve respiratory function in stroke patients.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.25-32
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between trunk control and pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 30 patients who had been clinically diagnosed with strokes, and trunk control abilities were measured using the trunk impairment scale (TIS). The subjects were classified into a group with high trunk control ability (TIS score ${\geq}20$) and a group with low trunk control ability (TIS score < 20). The patients' forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured. To compare the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength between the two groups, the measurement data were analyzed using an independent T-test, and the relationship between TIS and respiratory function was analyzed using a Pearson correlation. Results: The high trunk control ability group had significantly higher pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength than the low trunk control ability group. Significant positive correlations were found between trunk control and FVC, FEV1, PEF, MIP, and MEP. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that trunk control affects pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.9-16
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• 2011

Background : Smoking reduces the ability of the lungs to function. In particular, smoking reduces the vital capacity of the lungs, which is the amount of air the lungs can take in. This reduction in vital capacity has several important health effects. Purpose : The purpose of this study, therefore was to examine the effects of the respiratory muscle exercise on peak expiratory flow and respiratory muscle strength. Methods : For an experimental research design, it was employed 20 young healthy subjects and these subjects were assigned into two groups; a smoking group(n=10) and an non-smoking group(n=10). All groups were participated in respiratory muscle exercises twice a week for 5 weeks in same condition. For comparison between before and after for post treatment, it was analysed as paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results : The result of this study were as follows; In the case of smoking group, there were significant differences, from $427.77{\pm}76.61$ l/min to $526.66{\pm}58.52$ l/min of peak respiratory flow, from $94.33{\pm}22.07$ kg to $102.16{\pm}21.60$ kg of abdominal muscle strength between the before and the after of respiratory muscle strength exercises. In the case of nonsmoking group, there were significant differences, from $449.54{\pm}77.47$ l/min to $553.18{\pm}61.32$ l/min of peak respiratory flow, from $93.41{\pm}19.21$ kg to $101.58{\pm}18.92$ kg of abdominal muscle strength between the before and the after of respiratory muscle strength exercises. Conclusion : These results were suggested that the peak respiratory flow and muscle strength were improved after respiratory muscle strength exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.31-37
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between being underweight and respiratory function indicators such as pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and diaphragm thickness in normal adults without lung disease. METHODS: The participants in this experiment were thirty young adults. To compare the respiratory function between the underweight and normal weight individuals, 15 participants were selected from each of the underweight and normal weight groups based on body mass index. Respiratory function tests were conducted through pulmonary function tests and respiratory muscle strength tests. Diaphragm thickness was measure with ultrasonography, and physical characteristics were obtained from grip strength and waist circumference. An independent t-test was used to compare the averages of the parameters measured in the two groups. RESULTS: In the respiratory function tests between the two groups, statistically significant differences (p < .05) emerged in the ratio of the predicted forced vital capacity (%FVC), the ratio of the predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (%FEV1), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and diaphragm thickness at the functional residual capacity (FRC). There was no statistically significant difference in the forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, maximal inspiratory pressure, diaphragm thickness at the total lung capacity, and thickening ratio (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Decreases in some variables of respiratory function, such as the %FVC, %FEV1, MEP, and diaphragm thickness at the FRC were observed in underweight subjects. However, it is difficult to determine whether it affected the overall respiratory function. Future studies are needed to clearly identify the relationship between being underweight and respiratory function.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

Background : Pulmonary rehabilitation, called pulmonary rehab or PR, is a broad program that helps improve the well-being of people who have chronic (ongoing) breathing problems. Purpose : The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of the upper abdominal exercise and balloon blow-up on the abdominal muscle strength and Respiratory ability for 20's adults. Method : Recruited Subjects were healthy students attending H university. Twenty-one subjects who agreed to participate in this study were randomly assigned to 3 groups; I group applied upper abdominal exercise, IIgroup applied balloon blow-up, III group applied both upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups. Upper abdominal muscle exercises was applied supine position and $30^{\circ}{\sim}40^{\circ}$ in the upper body lift braced for about 3 seconds, and balloon blow-ups was performed 10 times a day. The exercise programs were performed three times a week for 5 weeks. Results: After 5 weeks of exercises, all three groups were comparable with abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability. Subjects in upper abdominal exercise group, balloon blow-ups group, and upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups group had significantly increased the average of abdominal muscle strength(p<.05) The statistical comparison among the groups indicated that there was a signigicant increase in respiratory ability. In comparison of abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability, there were no significant differences among 3 groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that upper abdominal exercises and balloon blow-ups may have a significant impact in abdominal muscle strength and respiratory ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2016

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine correlations between grip and lower limb muscle strength and pulmonary function and respiratory muscle in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Subjects were 17 children with cerebral palsy. Inclusion criteria for participation were having GMFCS from I to III grade and ability to independently blow into a spirometer. Pulmonary function and respiratory muscle were measured with a spirometer. All subjects performed maximal expiratory flow maneuvers using a spirometer in order to determine their forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and FEV1/FVC, and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Muscle strength was measured in terms of grip strength and lower limb muscle strength in terms of knee extension strength with a dynamometer and manual digital muscle tester respectively. Data were analyzed using Person product correlation. RESULTS: Grip strength significantly positively correlated with FVC (r=0.95, p<0.01), FEV1 (r=0.95, p<0.01), PEF (r=0.84, p<0.01), MIP (r=0.65, p<0.01) MEP (r=0.71, p<0.01) and lower limb strength with FVC (r=0.72, p<0.01), FEV1 (r=0.69, p<0.01), PEF (r=0.54, p<0.05), and MEP (r=0.69, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Grip and lower limb muscle strengths of children with cerebral palsy were positively correlated pulmonary function and respiratory muscle.