• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.9-13
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• 2024

Purpose: Although microwave diathermy is widely employed, research conducted in South Korea indicates a lack of theoretical understanding concerning the appropriate application intensity. Consequently, there is a need to enhance the objectivity of microwave diathermy by conducting quantitative studies to determine its effective application intensity and provide suitable application parameters. Methods: The study was performed on 60 participants, divided equally into 40W or 80W microwave diathermy intervention groups. Microwave diathermy was applied at 2,450MHz to iliocostalis and longissimus muscles for 15 minutes in each group. Ranges of motion were compared before and after intervention using straight leg raise (SLR) test results. The analysis was performed using the paired t-test and the independent t-test. Results: SLR angles increased significantly in both groups after intervention, but the 80W group exhibited a greater post-intervention angle increase. While no significant intergroup difference was observed between pre-intervention angles, post-intervention angles were significantly different. Conclusion: The study confirms that microwave diathermy treatment at 40W for 15 minutes effectively increases SLR angles but that treatment at 80W has a greater effect. Further research is warranted to establish quantitatively the optimal time and intensity settings for microwave diathermy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.235-243
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of flexion-distraction spinal manipulation on intervertebral height, pain, spine mobility in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. Design: Randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest control group design Methods: A total of 96 participants with degenerative disc disease participated in the study and were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received intervention for 3-5 minutes a day. The experimental group (n=48) underwent flexion-distraction spinal manipulation for 3-5 minutes, and the control group (n=48) was maintained in the same position as the experimental group for 5 minutes without any intervention. The intervertebral height was measured by computed tomography, pain was assessed using visual analog scale, and the spine in flexion mobility was measured using the finger-to-floor distance test and passive straight leg raise test. Pre-test and post-test measurements were obtained. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in intervertebral height, degree of pain, and spinal mobility (p<0.05). The intervertebral height increased from 6.32±1.90 to 6.93±1.85 mm (p<0.05), lower back pain decreased from 69.17±13.35 mm to 48.48±12.20 mm (p<0.05), lumbar spine mobility changed from 17.37±4.49 to 12.69±4.34 cm (p<0.05), and passive straight leg raise test range increased from 46.94±13.05° to 56.01±12.20° (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that flexion-distraction spinal manipulation could be an effective treatment for decreasing pain and improving function in patients with degenerative disc disease.

• Clinical Pain
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.90-96
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two physical examinations (straight leg raise [SLR] and Bragard test) and electromyography (EMG) in patients with lumbosacral monoradiculopathy in acute and chronic state on confirmation of different diagnostic criteria (MRI vs MRI and diagnostic selective nerve root block [DSNRB]). Method: We identified 297 participants retrospectively from the departmental database. MRI evidence of L5 or S1 nerve root compression and a positive result in diagnostic SNRB served as reference standards. They were divided into two groups by the symptom duration: lasting more than 12 weeks in the chronic group and less than 12 weeks in the acute group. The diagnostic value of clinical tests and EMG were compared. Results: The clinical tests (SLR and Bragard test) done in acute stage on detection by MRI and DSNRB had the highest sensitivity (68%) compared to the chronic stage (63%), but sensitivity was low (57%) on confirmation of MRI alone. However, there was no significant difference on sensitivity and specificity of EMG regardless of reference standards and symptom duration. Electromyography was a significant predictor of neuropathic abnormalities on both acute (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.4 to 16.7; p<0.01) and chronic (OR, 6.8; 95% CI, 2.9 to 16.3; p<0.01). Conclusion: In general, individual physical tests are easy to do and a combination of those tests could be a sensitive indicator of L5 or S1 radiculopathy. Furthermore, the use of provocation tests could provide useful information, especially in proceeding therapeutic selective nerve root block.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.45-51
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activity ratio of the lower limb according to changes in straight leg raise (SLR) test angles on hamstring muscle shortening during squat exercises. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects were 14 healthy adults who were informed of and agreed to the method and purpose of the study. The participants were classified into SLR groups according to two angles (over $80^{\circ}$ or under $80^{\circ}$) assessed using the SLR tests. After training and practicing the wall squat posture to be applied to the experiment, electromyography (EMG) was used to measure changes in muscle activity during the performance of a wall squat. After stretching, a sequence of pre-stretch tests were performed again, and the active and passive SLR tests were also reconducted; thereafter, a wall squat was performed again by attaching EMG electrodes. The EMG results before and after stretching were compared. Results: The muscle activity of the vastus lateralis oblique muscle increased in both groups. The muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique muscle decreased in over both group. Rectus femorus activity increased in the under 80-degree groups but decreased in the over 80-degree group. The muscle activity of the biceps femoris muscle decreased after stretching in the over 80-degree group and increased in the under 80-degree group, and the semitendinosus muscle activity after stretching was decreased. The quadriceps-to-hamstring muscle (Q:H) ratio before and after stretching between groups showed that the hamstring muscle ratio decreased after stretching in both groups. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the Q:H ratio before and after stretching between groups was not significantly different.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.44-48
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) in young healthy subjects. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Twenty-three healthy university students (13 men and 10 women) voluntary participated to the study in S University. The ASLR was performed with the subject lying supine with lower extremities straight on a standard plinth, hands resting on the chest, and elbows on the plinth. When one subject performed ASLR from each angles ($30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$), compared changes in the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle. Changes in muscle thickness during ASLR test were assessed with ultrasonography. All subjects were to provide enough time of rest after performed ASLR. Rectus abdominis thickness were measured using rehabilitative ultrasound image. Results: Good quality rectus abdominal muscle activation data were recorded during ASLR. The length changes of linea alba showed significantly shorter in between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). The thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were significantly different between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$. According to increase of pelvic angle, the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were more thickening (p<0.05). Conclusions: This result is changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the ASLR.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.81-88
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• 2013

Active straight-leg raise (ASLR) is a physical evaluation procedure to test lumbar spine stability. Several previous studies have reported various methods to control the activation of abdominal muscles during ASLR. We investigated the effects of three different hip positions in frontal plane on abdominal muscles to increase or decrease the difficulty level of lumbar spine stability exercise during ASLR in pain free subjects. Eleven young and healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this study (6 men, 5 women; mean age=$24.0{\pm}1.2$ years, height=$160.0{\pm}7.3cm$, weight=$55.0{\pm}10.6kg$, body mass index=$21.5{\pm}2.3kg/m^2$). The subjects had three trials on each ASLR with hip $10^{\circ}$ adduction, neutral hip, and hip $30^{\circ}$ abduction. Separate repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post hoc Bonferroni tests (with ${\alpha}$=.05/3=.017) were performed for each muscle among the three different hip positions in frontal plane (ASLR with hip $10^{\circ}$ adduction, neutral hip, and hip $30^{\circ}$ abduction). The ipsilateral external oblique (EO), contralateral EO, ipsilateral internal oblique/transverse abdominis (IO/TrA), and contralateral IO/TrA were significantly greater in ASLR with hip $30^{\circ}$ abduction compared with ASLR with hip $10^{\circ}$ adduction. Also, the ipsilateral EO, contralateral EO, and ipsilateral IO/TrA were significantly greater in ASLR with hip $30^{\circ}$ abduction compared with ASLR with neutral hip. These results suggest that ASLR with hip $30^{\circ}$ abduction and neutral would be useful method to strengthen the EO and IO/TrA. And, ASLR with hip $10^{\circ}$ adduction would be effective in early stages of lumbar stabilization program due to low activation of EO and IO/TrA during maintaining of ASLR position with low load.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.92-104
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) and neural mobilization (NM) in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) accompanied by radiating pain. Design: Three-group pre-test-post-test control group design. Methods: We enrolled 48 participants, whom we randomly assigned to three groups. The SMWLM group (n=16) underwent 20 min of conventional physical therapy (CT) and 20 min of SMWLM. The NM group (n=16) underwent 20 min of CT and 20 min of NM. The control group (n=16) underwent 20 min of CT. These interventions in all the groups were performed three times a week for 4 weeks. Numeric pain rating score (NPRS), body grid chart score (BGCS), passive straight leg raise (PSLR), active lumbar flexion range of motion (ALFROM), korean version oswestry disability index (KODI), and korean version fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (KFABQ) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results: In all three groups, the NPRS, PSLR, KODI, and KFABQ scores were significantly different pre- and post-intervention (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed in BGCS and ALFROM in the SMWLM and NM groups pre- and post-intervention (p<0.05). The SMWLM group showed more improvement in the NPRS of leg pain, ALFROM, and KFABQ score than that exhibited by the NM and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: Both SMWLM and NM were effective for improving back and leg pain, centralization of symptoms, mechanical sensitivity, lumbar mobility, lumbar functional disability, and psychosocial functioning in patients with LDH with radiating pain.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.63-73
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• 2020

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) using Korean Medicine treatment on acute lower limb muscle weakness through four case studies. Methods SMWLM, with other Korean Medicine treatments, was performed on four patients who underwent treatment at OOOO Korean Medicine Hospital from August 2017 to July 2018. Additionally, results of the Numerical Rate Scale(NRS), EuroQol-FiveDimensions(EQ-5D),Oswestry lowback pain disability questionnaire(ODI), Straight Leg Raise(SLR) test, and Manual Muscle Test(MMT) were evaluated. Results There was a significant increase in NRS, ODI, and EQ-5D scales with im-rovements of SLR angle and MMT figures to a normal range. Conclusions This study suggested that Korean Medicine treatment combined with SMWLM may affect treating acute lower limb muscle weakness. Further clinical studies are needed to establish a definite conclusion.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제16권11호
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• pp.7439-7446
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• 2015

이 연구는 FMS를 통하여 선수들의 상해에 대한 위험요인 등을 찾아내고 이를 복합트레이닝프로그램에 적용하여 선수들의 신체 불균형 및 기초체력, 근 기능을 개선함으로써 FMS 점수에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 규명하고 국가대표 여자 럭비선수들의 경기력을 향상시키고자 실시되었다. 제17회 인천아시안게임에 참가를 준비하는 국가대표 여자럭비선수 14명을 대상으로 하여 FMS 검사를 실시하였으며, 2014년 5월~8월까지 12주간 복합트레이닝프로그램을 실시하여(주4회/120분${\geq}$) 복합트레이닝 전 후의 FMS 점수를 paired t-test를 통해 검증하였다. 이 연구의 결과에서 Deep Squat와 Hurdle Step, Active Straight Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push up의 항목에서는 12주간의 복합트레이닝 전보다 트레이닝 후에 FMS의 점수가 유의하게 증가되었으며(p<.05), Inline Lunge(p<.01)와 Rotary Stability(p<.001)에서도 트레이닝 후, 유의하게 증가된 것으로 나타났다. 또한 전체 항목의 점수 합산도 복합트레이닝 후에 유의하게 증가되었다(p<.001). 그러나 Shoulder Mobility 항목에서 유일하게 트레이닝 후에 약간 증가하는 경향을 보였지만 통계적 유의수준에는 도달하지 못하였다. 이상의 결과에서 복합트레이닝프로그램이 FMS 점수를 유의하게 증가시키는 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났으며 이는 국가대표 여자럭비선수들의 상해 위험성이 줄이는데 효과가 있음을 의미한다. 또한 주기적인 FMS의 평가는 선수들의 상해예방과 경기력 향상에 도움일 될 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.45-53
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The current case study focuses on identifying the effects of the independent application of TECAR therapy and physiotherapeutic intervention using TECAR therapy on pain self-awareness and hip joint function in patients with hip impingement syndrome caused by nonstructural changes. Subjects: The research subject was a 34-year-old woman struggling with acute pain in her left hip, difficulty in actively moving the hip, and a problem in its overall function. METHODS: The subject's pain awareness and hip joint function were measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and passive range of motion (PROM), respectively. The experimental intervention was carried out in 24 sessions of 16 minutes each, three times a week, for eight weeks. RESULTS: The VAS score decreased to 0 cm on the post-test from 4.3 cm, 6.5 cm, and 7.2 cm in the pre-test at the rest, standing, and gait positions, respectively. The index of PROM measured hip joint flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, and passive straight leg raise. The values increased to 122.5°, 24.5°, 78°, 33°, 65°, 42°, and 96.5° in the post-test compared to 88.5°, 15°, 39°, 21.5°, 23°, 22°, and 46.5° in the pre-test, respectively. CONCLUSION: TECAR therapy and physiotherapeutic intervention using TECAR can help reduce pain and enhance the hip joint function in patients with hip impingement syndrome.