• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the hand acupressure and lumbar strengthening exercise on young adult women with back pain. Methods: The study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects consisted of 37 female young adults (19 persons in the experimental group and 18 persons in the control group). The hand acupressure and strengthening exercise for lower back were developed by the investigator and a hand acupressure expert. The experimental group was exposed to this program 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The visual analog scale, back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life were used as measurement instruments. The data were analyzed with frequency, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS 18.0. Results: In this study, the hand acupressure and strengthening exercise showed siginificant effects on the back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, back pain score was not significantly decreased after the program. Conclusion: The study suggests that this program can be applied for the women with low back pain in order to enhance the back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.207-230
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• 2012

Nowadays CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer) became widely used materials for the strengthening and retrofitting of structures. Many experimental and analytical studies are encountered at literature about strengthening beams by using this kind of materials against static loads and cyclic loads such as earthquake or wind loading for investigating their behavior. But authors did not found any study about strengthening of RC beams by using CFRP against low velocity impact and investigating their behavior. For these reasons an experimental study is conducted on totally ten strengthened RC beams. Impact loading is applied on to specimens by using an impact loading system that is designed by authors. Investigated parameters were concrete compression strength and drop height. Two different sets of specimens with different concrete compression strength tested under the impact loading that are applied by dropping constant weight hammer from five different heights. The acceleration arises from the impact loading is measured against time. The change of velocity, displacement and energy are calculated for all specimens. The failure modes of the specimens with normal and high concrete compression strength are observed under the loading of constant weight impact hammer that are dropped from different heights. Impact behaviors of beams are positively affected from the strengthening with CFRP. Measured accelerations, the number of drops up to failure and dissipated energy are increased. Finite element analysis that are made by using ABAQUS software is used for the simulation of experiments, and model gave compatible results with experiments.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.297-303
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• 2021

Purpose: The mass of facial muscles can be increased through exercise, as is also the case for muscles in the extremities. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of facial exercises on facial muscle strengthening and facial rejuvenation, focusing on recent studies. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. The quality of the trials was evaluated according to the PEDro scale. In total, 11 studies were included in this review: four studies on facial exercise for facial rejuvenation and seven studies on strengthening the muscles of the face. Results: Facial exercises for facial rejuvenation increased the mechanical properties and elasticity of the skin of the face and neck, the thickness and cross-sectional area of the facial muscles, and the fullness of the upper and lower cheeks. Conclusion: A study aimed at strengthening facial muscles showed improvements in labial closure strength and tongue elevation strength. Despite the positive results for facial rejuvenation and muscle strengthening, the level of evidence was low. Therefore, in future research, it will be necessary to investigate the effects of facial exercise in a thoroughly controlled experiment with a sufficient sample size to increase the level of evidence.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.556-575
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• 1996

In an attempt to investigate the effect of a muscle strengthening exercise program on muscle strength, pain, depression, self-efficacy and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis, a pre-experiment, one group pre-test & post-test design, was planned. Muscle strengthening exercise was carried out from May 22 through August 14, 1995 at isokinetic exercise room in rehabilitation department of University Hospital in Taejon. The subjects were seven female clients conveniently sampled from University Hospital located in Taejon, between 39 and 61 years of age, who had a osteoarthritis in knee. Muscle strengthening exercise program was composed of three sessions per week, one isokinetic exercise at angular velocity of 60° and 180° with Cybex isokinetic dynamometer and two resistance home exercise sessions with elastic band. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentage of change, Friedman test, Duncan test using SAS program. Results were obtained as follows : 1) Flexion and extension muscle strength at angular velocity of 60° and 180° were increased after 12weeks' exercise than those of before experiment. But exept flexion muscle strength at angular velocity of 180°(F=3.34, P=0.0261), there was no statistically significant difference among muscle strengths, which is measured every 3 weeks. 2) Pain was decreased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before experiment, and after 12weeks' exercise than that of 6weeks' exercise. There was statistically significant difference (F=4.28, P=0.0396). 3) Depression was increased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before experiment, and after 12weeks' execise than that of 6weeks' exercise. There was no statistically significant difference between before experiment and after 6weeks' exercise. But, there was statistically significant difference between after 6weeks' exercise and 12weeks' exercise(F=9.38, P=0.0035). 4) Self-efficacy was decreased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before exercise. But, it was increased after 12weeks' exercise than that of be-fore exercise and after 6weeks' exercise. But there was no statistically significant difference (F=1.46, P=0.2706). 5) Quality of life was increased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before exercise, and after 6weeks' exercise than that of 12weeks' exercise. But there was no statistically significant differ once (F=1.06, P=0.3816). Thus, the significant of muscle strengthening exercise for the improvement of muscle strength, pain, depression, is verified. But, this study was a pre-experiment with small size subjects. So, con-trolled experimental study is necessary to determine the effect of this muscle strengthening exercise program on muscle strength, pain, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2003

Defocused CO$_2$ laser beam irradiation strengthening of 60kgf/$\textrm{mm}^2$ grade steel sheet was investigated to obtain the tensile strength similar to that of fully penetrated one by the focused beam. The melted line width by the defocused beam was 3∼4 times larger compared to that of the focused beam. However, the increase of tensile strength with 1 line irradiation by the defocused beam was similar to that of 2~3 lines by the focused beam. The increase(37.6%) of bending strength with 1 line by the defocused beam was higher than the increase(12.9%) of tensile strength. Also, the effect of cooling gas to strengthening was observed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2019

Background: This study was planned to assess and compare the effectiveness of cervical region stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise on pain and range of motion in patient with chronic neck pain. Methods: Fifty-one patient with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated into strengthening and stabilization exercise (SSE) group (n=27) and Strengthening exercise (SE) group (n=24). The program was carried for 12 sessions, 3 days/week in 4weeks. Pain intensity with visual analog scale (VAS), cervical range of motion, deep cervical flexor strengthening were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: After the program, pain intensity decreased in group SE and SSE were found (p<.05). Range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength increased in group SE and SSE were found(p<.05). The intergroup comparison showed that significant difference in range of motion and deep cervical muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: The study suggest that both SSE program and SE program might be a useful treatment for patients with chronic neck pain. However SSE program might be superior in improving cervical range of motion and deep cervical flexor strength compare to SE program.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 2024

Strengthening of hollow structural sections using through-bolts is a cost-effective and straightforward approach. It's a versatile method that can be applied during both design and service phases, serving as a non-disruptive and budget-friendly retrofitting solution. Existing research on axially loaded hollow sections T-joints has demonstrated that this technique can amplify the joint strength by 50%, where single bolt could enhance the strength of the joint by 35%. However, there's a gap in understanding their use for K-joints. As the behavior of K-joints is more complex, and they are widely existent in structures, this study aims to bridge that gap by conducting comprehensive parametric study using finite element analysis. Numerical investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of through bolts on K-joints focusing on using single through bolt to achieve most of the strengthening effect. A full-scale parametric model was developed to investigate the effect of various geometric parameters of the joint. This study concluded the existence of optimal bolt location to achieve the highest strength gain for the joint. Moreover, a rigorous statistical analysis was conducted on the data to propose design equations to predict optimal bolt location and the corresponding strength gain implementing the verified by finite element models.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) abdominal muscle strengthening exercise on the activity, posture, and body function of clients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. Methods: PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied to one patient with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied five times a week for four weeks. The 5-time supine-to-long sitting test (5-TSLST) and supine-to-stand test (SST) were used to measure activity, and the pelvis tilt angle test (PTAT) and anterior head translation test (AHTT) were used to measure posture. Body function was assessed using the transverse abdominis muscle strength test (TAMST), the internal oblique and external oblique muscle strength test (IOEOMST), and the rectus abdominis muscle strength test (RAMST). Results: Activity, posture, and body function were improved post-intervention. Conclusion: The study verified that PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are effective when applied to patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. The findings of this study provide useful data for future interventions in patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.641-648
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• 2009

Concrete structures become more common in railway systems with an advancement of high speed train technologies. As the service life of concrete structures increases, structural strengthening for concrete structures may be necessary. There are several typical strengthening techniques using steel plate and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials, which have their own inherent shortcomings. In order to enhance greater durability and resistance to fire and other environmental attacks, basalt fiber material attracts engineer's attention due to its characteristics. This study investigates bonding performance of basalt fiber sheet as a structural strengthening material. Experimental variables include bond width, length and number of layer. From the bonding tests, there were three different types of bonding failure modes: debonding, rupture and rip-off. Among the variables, bond width indicated more significant effect on bonding characteristics. In addition the bond length did not contribute to bond strength in proportion to the bond length. Hence this study evaluated effective bond length and effective bond strength. The effective bond strength was compared to those suggested by other researches which used different types of FRP strengthening materials such as carbon FRP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effect of lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercises on pain, neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), and lower trapezius muscle strength in patients with unilateral neck pain. Following baseline measurements, the subjects (N=40) with unilateral neck pain were randomized into one of two 5 weeks exercise intervention groups: a experimental group (EG, $n_1=20$) that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (CG, $n_2=20$) that received routine physical therapy program. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. All participants performed 2 repetitions of each intervention per day. The numeric pain rating scale for pain, NDI, ROM, and lower trapezius strength were recorded both pre- and post-intervention for both groups. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes post-intervention compared with pre-intervention and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the 2 groups. After the 5-weeks intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and disability level (p<.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p<.05). The EG that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and functional disability level, cervical rotation, and lower trapezius strength than the CG (p<.05). These results suggest that a lower trapezius strengthening exercises reduce neck pain and neck disability level and enhance cervical ROM and lower trapezius strength level in patients with unilateral neck pain.