• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of exercise combined with scapular stabilizing on resting scapular position (RSP) in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients. METHODS: A total of 20 patients with lymphedema after mastectomy participated in the study. All assessments of the patients edema sides (ES) and non-edema sides (NES) were evaluated. The assessment tools used wad RSP. RSP are; 1) scapular index, 2) 8th thoracic spines process (T8S) to inferior angle of scapular (IA) distance, 3) standing pectoralis minor (PM) distance, and 4) PM index (PMI). All patients carried out a scapular stabilizing exercise seven times a week for 8 weeks. The collected data were analyzed with PASW 18.0. The statistical significance (${\alpha}$) was 0.05. RESULTS: According to the results, all the variable between the ES and NES for RSP were statistically significant (p<0.05) in the pre-test. After the exercise, the differences in T8S to IA distance and the PMI between the ES and NES weren't statistically significant. The results of the RSP showed a significant improvement in T8S to IA distance, standing PM distance, and PMI. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that, performing the scapular stabilizing exercise had a significant effect on improving RPS in breast cancer-related lymphedema patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine activities of the scapular stabilizers during push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Methods : 9 subjects performed randomly push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises in four point kneeling. The activities of 4 scapular stabilizing muscles were compared between push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Results : PNF backward rocking exercise showed significantly higher lower trapezius and lower serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise. Push-up plus exercise showed significantly higher middle serratus anterior activation than PNF backward rocking exercise. Conclusion : PNF backward rocking exercise facilitates the lower trapezius and serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the intramuscular activation of the scapular stabilizing muscles and the upper trapezius/middle serratus anterior (UT/MSA) ratios during shrug exercise and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) scapular pattern exercise. Methods: The participants of this study were 13 young adult men who voluntarily consented to participate in this experiment after listening to its purpose and methods. All participants were instructed on maximal voluntary isometric contraction and scapular exercises. The intramuscular activation of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), middle serratus anterior (MSA), and lower serratus anterior (LSA) muscles while performing scapular exercises in a side-lying position were measured using surface electromyography. To analyze the muscle activation and UT/MSA ratio between the two exercises, a one-way repeated ANOVA was performed. Post-hoc analyses were conducted using Tukey's multiple comparison and analysis. Hamstring flexibility for each group was measured by a passive straight leg raising test. Results: The shrug exercise showed significantly higher UT activation compared to PNF anterior elevation and posterior elevation scapular patterns. The PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern showed significantly higher serratus anterior activation than the shrug exercise. Additionally, the UT/MSA ratios were significantly lower in the PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern than in the two exercises. Conclusion: Although shrug exercise was effective for strengthening UT, the PNF scapular anterior elevation pattern may be effective for strengthening MSA and improving the UT/MSA ratio.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 2012

Background: The research examined the effect of a scapular stabilizing exercise on shoulder pain, active range of motion (AROM) and changes in the position of the shoulder blade of patients with frozen shoulder. Methods: General physical therapy and a scapular stabilizing exercise were applied to a 53-year-old female patient with frozen shoulder three times a week for four weeks. Before and after the therapy, measurements were made on the visual analog scale (VAS) and of the AROM, and a lateral scapular slide test was conducted. Results: Following the therapy, VAS fell from 7 to 3. Before therapy, flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation recorded $133^{\circ}$, $102^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $53^{\circ}$ respectively; after the therapy they increased to $150^{\circ}$, $123^{\circ}$, $55^{\circ}$, and $65^{\circ}$ respectively. The lateral scapular slide test showed sliding distances before therapy of 8.5cm at $0^{\circ}$, 9.2cm at $45^{\circ}$, and 11.3cm at $90^{\circ}$; after therapy, the distances decreased to 6.8 cm at $0^{\circ}$, 8.2 cm at $45^{\circ}$, and 9cm at $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The scapular stabilizing exercise was effective in alleviating shoulder pain, increasing AROM, and reducing changes in the position of the shoulder blade of frozen shoulder patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1975-1980
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• 2020

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of a four-week scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique on scapular symmetry and range of flexion motion (ROM), pain, function, and quality of life (QOL) in post-mastectomy women with breast cancer. Methods: This study included 20 women divided into an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). All patients performed complex decongestive physiotherapy for 40 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. The experimental group performed the extra scapular stabilizing exercise program using the PNF technique for 50 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. Scapular symmetry, shoulder flexion ROM, pain and function, and QOL were subsequently assessed. For ROM measurement, the range of shoulder flexion was measured using a clinometer smart phone application; the pain of the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the scapular position was measured using a lateral scapular slide test (LSST); the level of pain and functional activity was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); and the QOL was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Results: There were significant differences in shoulder flexion ROM, VAS, SPADI, and LSST 0˚ and 45˚ when the experimental group was compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, there was an improved within-group change in the ROM, SPADI, LSST, and QOL in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique may be used as a possible treatment option for post-mastectomy women with breast cancer that aims to improve scapular position, shoulder ROM and function, and QOL.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2017

Background: To compare the effects of scapular stabilization exercise on the range of motion, pain, and function in the shoulders of women with breast cancer surgery. Methods: Fifteen patients were performed scapular stabilizing training using dumbbells for 30 minutes daily, five times per week for 4 weeks. The range of motion, pain, and function in the shoulder were assessed. Goniometer was used for ROM of shoulder external rotation. Shoulder pain and disability index was used for pain and function of shoulder. Comparison of the pre and post intervention was calculated by a paired t-test. Results: After 4 weeks of training, range of motion, pain and function in the shoulder improved significantly in patients with breast cancer surgery (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate the more favorable effects from scapular stabilization exercise in patients with breast cancer surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

Purpose: Due to the high incidence of shoulder injuries, including shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), among CrossFit practitioners due to frequent overhead movements, serratus anterior exercises are considered crucial for scapular stabilization in both intervention and prevention. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the muscle activity and ratios of scapular stabilizing and shoulder girdle muscles between individuals with and without SIS during serratus punch and wall slide exercises, both targeting the serratus anterior muscle, in CrossFit training practitioners. Methods: Surface electromyography was used to compare the muscle activity and activity ratio of scapular stabilizing muscles and shoulder muscles during serratus punch and wall slide exercises in two groups of 20 CrossFit practitioners: ten with SIS and ten without symptoms. Results: The group with SIS showed higher activation of the pectoralis major, upper trapezius, and a higher pectoralis major/serratus anterior and upper trapezius/serratus anterior muscle activation ratio during the serratus punch exercise compared to the group without SIS. Similarly, during the wall slide exercise, the group with SIS exhibited higher activation of the upper trapezius and a higher upper trapezius/serratus anterior muscle activation ratio compared to the group without SIS. However, no significant difference in serratus anterior muscle activation was observed between the two groups. Conclusions: This study highlights the higher activation of the pectoralis major and upper trapezius muscles in CrossFit practitioners with SIS during the serratus anterior exercise, suggesting the importance of minimizing the overactivation of these muscles to prevent impingement syndrome in this population.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare modified sling exercise and general isometric exercise in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: Twenty subjects were studied. The control group, n1 = 10, received instructions for doing general isometric (ISO) exercise. An experimental group, n2 = 10, received instructions for doing push-ups from standing and sitting positions and modified scapular exercises using a sling (3 sets, 3 times per week for 6 weeks). To evaluate the effects of exercise, subjects were evaluated using a visual analog scale for pain, a goniometer for range of motion, and electromyography for onset time of muscle contraction. Statistical analysis was done using the Wilcoxon Signed rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Pain in the sling group was significantly decreased after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.05) pain in the general ISO exercise group was not significantly decreased (p>0.05). Flexion and external rotation were significantly increased after 6 weeks of treatment in both groups (p<0.05) and the change in the Sling group was greater than in the ISO group (p<0.05) in the flexion test. Time of onset of contractions in the Sling group for the upper trapezius, lower trapezius and serratus muscle were significantly decreased after 6 weeks of treatment (p<0.05), but the onset time for the middle trapezius did not significantly decrease (p>0.05). Conclusion: Scapular stabilizing exercise using a sling increases range of motion and decreases pain, and onset time of muscle contraction in patients with impingement syndrome.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise in the progressive sitting position on the dynamic balance ability of a patient with a cerebellar injury. Methods: The subject had ataxia due to cerebellar injury. The subject participated in a PNF bilateral scapular pattern exercise with stabilizing reversal technique during a progressive sitting position session as well as baseline for 20 minutes a day for 4 weeks. In the first session, PNF exercises were performed at a height of 40 cm for 10 minutes, and in the second session they were performed at 50 cm for 10 minutes from a lower center of gravity (COG) to a higher COG sitting position. We used the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST), and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) to measure the subject's dynamic balance ability every two days through the entire session. Results: After participating in the program, the subject's dynamic balance ability improved compared to the first baseline, as measured by BBS (2 points increased), FTSST (5.3 sec decreased), and TUGT (2 sec decreased). The increase was also maintained in the second baseline session. Conclusion: PNF exercise using bilateral scapula patterns with a stabilizing reversal technique helps to enhance the dynamic balance ability of a cerebellar injury patient.