• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Purpose: Leg-crossing sitting is very common for men and woman. No solid evidence exists for either a beneficial or a detrimental effect of this posture. This study investigated the change of activities of trunk muscles between the normal group and the low back pain group during various leg-crossing positions. Methods: The subjects were consisted of 10 subjects who don't have low back pain and 10 subjects who have low back pain. In this study, we used electromyography(EMG) to evaluate the activities of both the trunk muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and multifidus) during various leg-crossing positions (up-right, leg-crossing, tailor-crossing, and ankle-crossing). We analyzed the data by using repeated one way ANOVA. Results: In normal group, there were increased in EMG activities of trunk muscles, but no significant differences during leg-crossing positions. In back pain group, there were increased in EMG activities of right external oblique, left. internal oblique, and both multifidus muscles in leg-crossing and tailor-crossing position, but no significant differences during leg-crossing positions. There was no significant difference of muscle activity of trunk muscles between the back pain group and the normal group. Conclusion: We suggest that low back pain people who have weak muscles of rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique are often experienced in leg-crossing posture than normal. To compensate this unstability of trunk, leg-crossing posture is substituted passive structure for activities of active muscle.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.276-281
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• 2016

Objective : Although trunk muscles in the lumbar spine preserve spinal stability and motility, little is known about the relationship between trunk muscles and spinal fusion rate. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the correlation between trunk muscles cross sectional area (MCSA) and fusion rate after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using stand-alone cages. Methods : A total of 89 adult patients with degenerative lumbar disease who were performed PLIF using stand-alone cages at L4-5 were included in this study. The cross-sectional area of the psoas major (PS), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles were quantitatively evaluated by preoperative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging at the L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 segments, and bone union was evaluated by dynamic lumbar X-rays. Results : Of the 89 patients, 68 had bone union and 21 did not. The MCSAs at all segments in both groups were significantly different (p<0.05) for the PS muscle, those at L3-4 and L4-5 segments between groups were significantly different (p=0.048, 0.021) for the ES and MF muscles. In the multivariate analysis, differences in the PS MCSA at the L4-5 and L5-S1 segments remained significant (p=0.048, 0.043 and odds ratio=1.098, 1.169). In comparison analysis between male and female patients, most MCSAs of male patients were larger than female's. Fusion rates of male patients (80.7%) were higher than female's (68.8%), too. Conclusion : For PLIF surgery, PS muscle function appears to be an important factor for bone union and preventing back muscle injury is essential for better fusion rate.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.175-186
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• 2019

Objective: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) has been related to abnormal trunk muscle activations, but literature reported considerable variability in muscle amplitudes of NS-CLBP patients during prolonged sitting periods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups in muscle activity, using muscle co-contraction indices as a more objective approach, and their roles on pain development during a 1-hour period of prolonged sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty NS-CLBP subjects with motor control impairment (MCI) [10 classified as having flexion pattern disorder, and 10 with active extension pattern disorder], and 10 healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects followed a 1-hour sitting protocol on a standard office chair. Four trunk muscle activities including amplitudes and co-contraction indices were recorded using electromyography over the 1-hour period. Perceived back pain intensity was recorded using a numeric pain rating scale every 10 minutes throughout the sitting period. Results: All study groups presented with no significantly distinctive trunk muscle activities at the beginning of sitting, nor did they change over time when pain increased to a significant level. Both MCI subgroups reported a similarly significant increase in pain behavior through mid-sitting (p<0.001). However, after mid-sitting, they significantly differed from each other in pain (p<0.01) but did not differ in the levels of muscle activation. Conclusions: This study was the first to highlight the similarities in trunk muscle activities among homogenous NS-CLBP patients related to MCI and compared them to healthy controls while sitting for an extended period of time, and the significant increase in pain over the 1-hour sitting might not be attributed to trunk muscle activation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.210-216
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• 2013

Purpose: A cost effective tool for the clinical measurement of trunk reposition sense is clearly needed. This study was to analyze intrarater and interrater Reliability of trunk repositioning error (TRE) test which assesses trunk position sense using a portable digital inclinometer. Methods: Twenty four normal healthy subjects were recruited. TRE was measured using a portable digital inclinometer. A digital inclinometer (Acumar-ACU360; Lafayetter Instrument) with precision to $1^{\circ}$ was placed on skin over the spinous process from first to second thoracic vertebra (T1-T2) and secured with double-sided tape. TRE test during sitting forward and lateral flexion movement was assessed. When they reached a point approximately 50% of full trunk flexion range, the examiner instructed the subjects to stop and told them. This was the target position that they should try to reproduce exactly. Each subject performed six trials. Results: ICC (2,1) for intrarater reliability (with-day and between-day) of TRE test in sagittal and frontal plane of movement was 0.75 and 0.78 (excellent reliability). Interrater reliability was 0.66 in sagittal and 0.64, frontal plane (fair to good reliability). However, there were poor correlations between an average of TRE test in sagittal and frontal plane. Conclusion: TRE test using a portable digital inclinometer demonstrated good to excellent reliability. The device may be a cost effective clinical measurement for trunk reposition sense measurement.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.43-51
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• 2015

Purpose : This study examines the effect of trunk stabilization program on the body balance, lung capacity, and muscular activity of the rectus abdominis and external oblique of healthy adults. Method : A survey was conducted for 20 students of K University located in the city of Y in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of Korea. The trunk stabilization program consisted of a hollowing exercise, curl-up, bridging exercise, and birddog exercise. This was performed 14 times in total (7 times a week for two weeks). For analysis, good balance was used to measure both static and dynamic balancing ability. A peak flow meter was used to measure the maximum expiratory flow, and MP150 was used to measure muscular activity of the rectus abdominis and external oblique. Result : After the trunk stabilization program, the participants showed a difference in score and time taken to achieve static and dynamic balance, and muscular activity of the rectus abdominis and external oblique at a statistically significant level (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the left-to-right distance and front-to-back distance in a dynamic balance, and the lung capacity (p>0.05). Conclusion : The results showed that the trunk stabilization program was effective in enhancing both static and dynamic balancing ability and muscular activity. It also increased the lung capacity although the change was not at a statistically significant level.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare ultrasound images of trunk muscles according to gender in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty six subjects(13 males and 13 females) were enrolled in this study. The thickness of trunk muscles was measured for transverse abdominis (TrA), external oblique abdominis (EOA), internal oblique abdominis (IOA), and multifidus (MF) using ultrasound. The thickness of the muscles was measured for the length of cross-section except for fascia. The muscle thickness wasmeasured at the both side, then the mean value was calculated. Also, each of trunk muscle wasanalysed by echodensity, white area index. RESULTS: As a results, there was significant difference in muscle thickness of EOA, IOA according to gender (p<0.05). The male was significant increase than female of EOA, IOA in muscle thickness. There was significant difference in echo intensity of TrA, MF according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of TrA, MF in echo intensity. There was significant difference in white area index of EOA according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of EOA in white area index. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that healthy male have a greater EOA, IOA trunk muscle thickness than female. However, the difference of muscle quality between male and female was showed through thisexperiment. Therefore, the ultrasonography images will be useful tool for seeing quantitative and qualitative difference of trunk muscles according to gender.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2021

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effect of trunk postural stability maintained wearing a spiral elastic band on the upper extremity function of patients with stroke who undertook a functional activity program and to provide fundamental data useful for the application of therapeutic interventions in the clinical environment of occupational therapy. Methods : The research subjects included 16 patients with stroke who were evenly divided into an experimental group and a control group. The eight-week intervention consisted of a functional activity program aimed at improving the function of the affected-side upper extremity. The experimental group performed the functional activity program while maintaining a stable trunk posture by wearing a spiral elastic band. The control group followed the program without wearing the band. Upper extremity function was assessed before and after the intervention using a manual function test (MFT) and a motor activity log (MAL), and the effectiveness on the upper extremity function of the affected side was confirmed. Results : First, in the within-group comparison of the upper extremity function scores before and after the intervention, the experimental group showed a statistically significant difference in the MFT and MAL assessment(p<.05). The control group showed a statistically significant difference in the MAL assessment(p<.05). Second, in the between-group comparison of the change in scores after the intervention, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in all assessments(p<.05). Conclusion : This study confirmed the positive effect on upper extremity function of trunk stabilization posture using a spiral elastic band. The results could be useful when implementing a task-oriented training program in the clinical environment of occupational therapy in the future, as application of the training while maintaining trunk postural stability by wearing a spiral elastic band could be more effective for improving the upper extremity function of patients with stroke.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Medicine & Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of closed chain lower limb exercise with abdominal breathing exercise on stroke patients and their effects on trunk control ability and balance. Method: The subjects were 40 stroke patients, 19 patients in the experimental group and 18 patients in the control group. The period was 5 weeks, 5 times a week, 30 minutes per session. The experimental group was subjected to a closed chain lower limb exercise with abdominal breathing exercise and the control group was subjected to a closed chain lower limb exercise. The posture assessment scale for stroke(PASS), trunk impairment scale(TIS) were used for trunk adjustment ability, and the balance ability was measured as center of pressure(COP) and limit of stability(LOS). Results: Results of this study showed that the PASS and TIS test significantly increased the experimental group compared to the control group. As a result of comparing the changes of pre and post intervention intervals between the two groups, the TIS test was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group, but the LOS test was not significantly increased in the experimental group. Conclusion: Closed chain lower limb exercise with abdominal breathing exercise showed a significant improvement in the trunk control and balance ability of the stroke patients compared to the closed chain lower limb exercise without the abdominal breathing exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.74-78
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• 2019

Objective: Myofascial release (MFR) is used to restore tissue extensibility of the fascia tissue and is considered to be useful in a number of clinical settings, such as low back pain (LBP). Dynamic myofascial release (DMFR) is the manual therapy, which combined the conventional MFR with the joint mobilization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the DMFR on trunk mobility, and furthermore, whether the increase of trunk mobility can carry over the improvement of dynamic standing balance in persons with chronic nonspecific LBP. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty persons with chronic non-specific LBP participated in the study and were randomly assigned to the DMFR group (n=15) or the control group (n=15). DMFR was performed for two sessions (15 minutes/session) per week for four weeks for the treatment group. Both the DMFR and control groups were allowed to perform low-intensity physical activities during the treatment period. The Modified-modified $Sch{\ddot{o}}ber$ test (MMST) for trunk mobility and the Functional Reach Test (FRT) for dynamic standing balance were measured before and after the treatment period in both the DMFR group and the control group. Results: The MMST value of DMFR group increased significantly in all trunk range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) after treatment, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, the FRT value of the DMFR group improved significantly after treatment, compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest that DMFR have a positive effect on trunk mobility and standing balance in persons with chronic LBP.