• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.126-146
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• 1999

In clinical neurology various different electrophysiological tests are widely used to demonstrate the unsuspected malfunctioning in the nervous system and to monitor over time the clinical status of patients. In addition clinical neurologists and neurosurgeons take advantage of the intraoperative monitorings to increase the quality of neurosurgical operations in the posterior fossa, in the spinal cord, or in visual pathways. In the field of movement disorders, elecrophysiolgical tests provide neurologists with making accurate differential diagnoses with useful therapeutic stratergies as well as with investigating the pathophysiological machanisms. By using the electromyographic tests it could be possible for us to evaluate the types of blephalospasm, the extent of hemifacial spasm, the level of myoclonus, and the prime muscles of torticollis etc. Sometimes the myographic guidance may be critical for choosing the exact injecting site of botulinum toxin. These several decades various electroencephalographic and evoked potential tests has been utilized in the electrophysiological laboratories to understand the basic pathophysiology of myoclonus, spasticity and other central motor dysfunctions. It could be one of the breakthroughs in the area of behavorial neurology that the brain function can be mapped by the spontaneous or evoked electrical activities of nervous system since the movement related potentials (MRPs) had been studies for several decades. Various reflex tests such as masseter reflex, blink reflex, click evoked vestibulocollic reflex, facial reflex, stretch reflex, flexor reflex, H-reflex, H-reflex recovery curve, vestibular inhibition of H-reflex, reciprocal inhibition, recurrent or Renshaw reflex, Ib inhibition, cutaneous reflex have been also used to understand normal or abnormal physiology in movement disorders. Polysomnography, posturography and gait studies are also applied in clinical neurology in association with with movement disorders which are useful in deciding the treatment regimen.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2014.04a
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• pp.728-729
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• 2014

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.1180-1185
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• 2009

Spasticity is a velocity-dependent stretch reflex disorder of the body motor system developing after the injury of the central nervous system, in which certain muscles are continuously contracted involuntarily. Conventional methods such as the modified Ashworth scale, Spasm frequency scale, pendulum test and isokinetic dynamometer had some disadvantages: limitation in discriminating the increase of resistance, immovable and expensive device, not enough study parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce clinically more useful instrument, which can produce objective data and are more convenient on spasticity measurement. Spasticity measuring methods were reviewed and a new measuring instrument was designed and introduced. The new measuring system is a portable spasticity-measurement system, which encompass various scopes of spasticity-related human signals such as electrophysiologic, kinematic and biomechanical data. Our device was designed in order to measure the joint angle, angular velocity, electromyographic signals and force. We suggest that this new system can diagnose the spasticity of the muscles, objectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to identify both the mechanical and reflex properties associated with spasticity in hemiplegic patients. Ten hemiplegic patients were included in this study. Multiple pendulum tests were executed for each subject, and knee joint angle and EMG of Rectus Femoris muscle were measured. The neuromusculoskeletal system model was developed from generally accepted mechanism and identified through minimization of the error in the model-predicted pendulum trajectories. The identification was successful in terms of small error in simulated kinematics and high sensitivity and precision of simulated torque against EMG activity. The reflex threshold showed significant difference between different clinical scores (p<0.01) and significant negative correlation (r=-0.93) with the EMG duration. It is expected that the suggested method may help in understanding mechanisms underlying spasticity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-42
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• 1997

The theory of plyometric exercise was introduced by Soviet Jump Coach Yuri Verhoshanski in 1967. Plyo comes from the Greek word pleythein, which means to increase. Plyo is the Greek word for "more", while metric means "to measure". The practical definition of plyometrics is a quick powerful movement involving a prestretching or countermovement that activates the stretch-shortening cycle. The purpose of plyometric training is to heighten the excitability of the nervous system for improved reactive ability of the neuromuscular system. The success of plyometric exercise is based on the utilization of the serial elastic properties and stretch-reflex properties of the muscle.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was investigated to find the approach in the PNF and TC for frail elder Method : This is a literature study with books, articles, seminal note and books for PNF and TC international course. Result : Neural mechanisms contribute significantly to the gains that occur in the range of motion about a joint with stretching exercises. The participation in a stretch-training program decreases tonic reflex activity and increases flexibility and decreases in force production and muscle activation. Also the stretching-induced decreases may be due to a central nervous system inhibitory mechanism. PNF stretch techniques can increase ROM in older adults. These results may differ from those of studies performed with younger populations because of age-related physiologic changes. TC exercise improves balance control and muscle strength and were associated with reorganized lower extremity neuromuscular patterns. Conclusions : The stretch training program of the PNF and TC contribute to increase the balance and coordination for frail elder. Therefore, The frail elder prevent falling. Further study, The PNF and TC be introduced as the new therapeutic intervention for frail elder.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.11 s.176
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• pp.24-29
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• 2005

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2005

Spasticity has been defined as "a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increased in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex, as one components of the upper motorneuron syndrome". Spasticity is one of the common symptoms of stroke patients and frequently interferes with the motor functions such as gait, posture and activities of daily living. Therefore, its management is becoming a major issue in physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determined the effects of reciprocal inhibition by isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle on spasticity in hemiplegic patients through Hoffmann reflex. The subjects were consisted 45 patients who had hemiplegia due to stroke. All subjects randomly assigned to 3 group: manual reciprocal inhibition program group(manual group), neuromuscular electrical stimulation group(NMES group) and control group. The manual group received voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle. The NMES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation on tibialis anterior. The control group was not received any therapeutic intervention. Before and after experiments, Hoffmann reflex, M-wave and Modified Ashworth scale was measure in all patients. The data of 30 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. Modified Ashworth scale were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.01). The Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.o1). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in control group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in control group(p>.01). The present results revealed that reciprocal inhibition which produced by voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle can be reduce spasticity of gastrocnemius. Therefore, reciprocal inhibition is useful to improve functional activities in hemiplegic patient. Further study should be done to analyse the effects of intervention duration of reciprocal inhibition, appropriate muscle contraction, optimal time to apply the reciprocal inhibition in more long period.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1568-1574
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether group III muscle afferents play an important role eliciting abnormal blood pressure response mediated during passive muscle stretch in prehypertensive individuals. Eleven middle-aged prehypertensive men (average BP 133/80 mmHg) and nine middle-aged normotensive men (average BP 119/74 mmHg) participated in this study. After 1 min rest baseline data collection, the subject's foot was flexed (dorsiflexion) by an automated cybex for one minute. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance were continuously measured on a beat-by-beat basis from a finger via a Finapres device for 1 minute. To evaluate the role of mechanoreflex, a component of exercise pressor reflex, SBP, DBP, and MAP responses over the course of time were examined. The results showed that the pressor response mediated by the muscle mechanoreflex was faster in prehypertensive individuals compared to the normotensive individuals. The substantial pressor response was observed within mean 20 sec of the onset of passive stretch in prehypertension, while mean 45 sec in normotension (p<0.05). It is concluded that excessive pressor response produced during exercise in prehypertension may be due to the dysfunction of the mechano-receptors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2014

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the influence of PNF direct and indirect breathing treatments for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems. Methods: For each cervical spinal cord patient, force vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow, maximum phonation time (MPT), rib cage width, and VAS were measured pre-intervention and four weeks after post-intervention. The indirect method and the direct method were used for interventions. We treated patients with the indirect method using scapular anterior depression pattern, bilateral extensor pattern with rhythmic initiation, and a combination of isotonic. We treated patients with the direct method, applying pressure on the sternum and using rhythmic initiation (hold relax and stretch reflex) for the rib cage. Training occurred for 50 minutes a day and three days per week for four weeks. Results: FVC, MPT, peak expiratory flow, and rib cage width were increased and decreased at the VAS point for rolling after treatment. Conclusion: Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems felt uncomfortable when they had conversations on a couch. We found that PNF direct and indirect treatments improved rib cage width and breathing functions of patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.