• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2023

PURPOSE: Recently, the proportion of respiratory diseases has been increasing worldwide, and deaths from respiratory diseases in Korea are increasing. Maintaining a healthy respiratory function is a crucial factor in preventing respiratory diseases. There are various ways to improve respiratory function, such as respiratory muscle and aerobic exercises. In other countries, respiratory muscle exercise is performed using a respiratory resistance mask, but such research is insufficient in Korea. Therefore, this paper proposes a respiratory exercise program using a respiratory resistance mask. METHODS: This study was conducted by dividing healthy adults in their 20s into a treadmill exercise + respiratory resistance mask group and a treadmill exercise group into an experimental group and a control group. The changes in the subject's physical function before and after exercise were confirmed by cardiopulmonary exercise and pulmonary function tests. RESULTS: As a result of the study, the experimental and control groups increased their physical function significantly (p < .05). On the other hand, when the increase rate according to the group was confirmed, the increase rate of the experimental group was higher. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it is necessary to develop a respiratory exercise program using respiratory exercise tools such as a respiratory resistance mask and provide it easily to various subjects.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Breathing is controlled by complex interactions between the central and peripheral nervous systems in conjunction with the respiratory system. Neurological diseases predispose patients to nocturnal desaturation and pneumonia due to respiratory dysfunction, which increases mortality, daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and reduces the quality of life. Respiratory function tests are required to identify respiratory function decline and to consider compensatory management. This review summarizes the characteristics of several respiratory function tests and their applications to neurological diseases.

• 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 Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of posture difference on respiratory function in cerebral palsy patients. Methods : Twenty-two cerebral palsy childrens were recruited this study. Respiratory Function test was measured with Cardio Touch 3000 and Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter. Cardio Touch 3000 was used to assess cerebral palsy childrens' forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second. Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter was to assess Maximum inspiratory pressure and Maximum expiratory pressure. Subjects had four respiratory functions measured in supine, slouched sitting, and elected sitting postures. Statistical analysis was used Paired t-test for within-group comparisons and Independent t-test for between-group comparisons. SPSS statistics Ver 20.0 was used for statistical anlysis and statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than 0.05. Result : The subjects' respiratory function according to posture showed significant difference in Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Maximum Expiratory Pressure(MEP) and Maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP)(p<.05). Elected sitting posture had a positive effect on respiratory function than slouched sitting, supine. Conclusion : In conclusion, We could see that change of posture in children with cerebral palsy affects respiratory function and Elected sitting can be a positive help for the respiratory function of children with cerebral palsy.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.374-378
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• 2013

Purpose: Human body have biological rhythmic pattern in a day, which is affected by internal and external environmental factors. We investigated whether respiratory function was fluctuated according to the influence of time-of-day (around at 9 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm) in health subjects, using pulmonary function test (PFT). Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers (8 men, mean ages; $22.4{\pm}1.6$, mean heights; $166.61{\pm}9.60$, mean weight; $59.3{\pm}10.3$) were recruited. Pulmonary function test (PFT) was measured at three time points in day, around 9 am, 1 pm, and 6 pm in calm research room with condition of under 55dB noise level, using a spirometer (Vmax 229, SensorMecis, USA). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), FVC/FEV1, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were acquired. Results: In comparison of raw value of PFT among three time points, subjects showed generally better respiratory function at 9 am, than at other points, although no significance was found. In comparison of distribution of ranking for respiratory function in each individual, only PEF showed significant difference. In general, distributional ratio of subjects who showed best performance of respiratory function in a day was high. Conclusion: These findings showed that circadian rhythm by diurnal pattern was not detected on respiratory function throughout all day. But, best performance on respiratory function was observed mostly in the morning, although statistical significance did not exist.

• 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 The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of virtual reality combined robot assist gait training (VRG) on improvement of balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients. Methods : A single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 35 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly allocated 2 groups; VRG group (n=18) and conservative treatment group (CG; n=17). The VRG group received 30 minutes robot assisted gait training combined virtual reality training, robot assisted gait training was conducted in parallel using a virtual reality device (2 sessions of 15 minutes in a 3D-recorded walking environment and 15 minutes in a downtown walking environment). In the conservative treatment group, neurodevelopmental therapy and exercise therapy were performed according to the function of stroke patients. Each group performed 30 minutes a day 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome balance and respiratory function were measured by a balance measurement system (BioRescue, Marseille, France), Berg balance scale, functional reach test for balance, Spirometry (Cosmed Micro Quark, Cosmed, Italy) for respiratory function Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), and maximum expiratory volume (PEF) were measured according to the protocol. The measurement were performed before and after the 8 weeks intervention period. Results : Both groups demonstrated significant improvement of outcome in balance and respiratory function during intervention period. VRG revealed significant differences in balance and respiratory function as compared to the CG groups (p<.05). Our results showed that VRG was more effective on balance and respiratory function in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion : Our findings indicate that VRG can improve balance and respiratory function, highlight the benefits of VRG. This study will be able to be used as an intervention data for recovering balance and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.29-36
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The respiratory function and range of joint mobility deteriorate due to aging, respectively, and the respiratory function may be related to the range of joint mobility. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there has been little research on how the deterioration of the range of joint mobility caused by aging is related directly to the respiratory function. This study investigated the relationship between the respiratory function and the range of joint motion in the cervical and lumbar regions of older adults. METHODS: Thirty-two older adults participated in the study. The forced vital capacity (peak expiratory flow: PEF and forced expiratory volume in 1 second: FEV1) and the range of cervical joint motion were assessed in all subjects. The results were analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The respiratory function moderately correlated with age. A moderate correlation was observed between FEV1 and right cervical lateral flexion. PEF was moderately correlated with the lumbar lateral flexion. In addition, FEV1 correlated strongly with lumbar lateral flexion. CONCLUSION: The respiratory function was correlated with the cervical and lumbar lateral flexion. Therefore, rehabilitation of the respiratory function should involve improving the limited range of motion of the joints, and a stretching program is needed for older adults.