• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.148-159
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• 2007

1. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of Metabolic syndrome(MetS) and Intima-media thickness(IMT) of common carotid artery with Sasang constitution. 2. Methods 197 subjects who had taken health examinations and diagnosis of Sasang constitution from Jan 1, 2006 to Dec 31, 2006 at East-west health examination center of Kyung-Hee medical center were included and underwent B-mode ultrasonography for measurement of intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries. MetS was defined by the criteria of the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. 3. Results and Conclusions Mean intima-media thickness of common carotid artery was significantly higher in subjects with MetS compared with control subjects($0.070{\pm}0.017$ vs $0.063{\pm}0.014cm$) and a significant trend towards increased IMT was observed with increasing numbers of metabolic syndrome components(r=0.331, p=0.000). After adjustment for age and sex, IMT of common carotid arteries was significantly different among three constitutional groups (Soyangin:$0.065{\pm}0.015cm$, Taeumin:$0.068{\pm}0.016cm$, Soeumin:$0.056{\pm}0.010cm$), however, after adjustment for age, sex and existence of metabolic syndrome, there was no significant different. But, factor of Taeumin was the effective determinant of the increase of mean IMT of common carotid arteries.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.60-67
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• 2017

Background: Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is a common scapular alignment impairment that causes insufficient upward rotation and muscle imbalance, shortened levator scapulae (LS) and rhomboid, and lengthened serratus anterior (SA) and trapezius. A modified shrug exercise (MSE), performing a shrug exercise with the shoulders at $150^{\circ}$ abduction, is known as an effective exercise to increase scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Previous studies revealed that scapular exercise are more effective when combined with trunk stabilization exercises in decreasing scapular winging and increasing scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Objects: The purpose of our study was to clarify the effect of MSE with or without trunk stabilization exercises in subjects with SDRS. Methods: Eighteen volunteer subjects (male=10, female=8) with SDRS were recruited for this experiment. All subjects performed MSE under 3 different conditions: (1) MSE, (2) MSE with an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM), and (3) MSE with an abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM). The muscle thickness of the lower trapezius (LT) and the SA were measured using an ultrasonography in each condition. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the LT, LS, SA, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle activities. Data were statistically analysed using one-way repeated analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Results: The muscle thickness of the LT and the SA were the significant different in the MSE, MSE with ADIM (MSE+ADIM) and MSE with AEM (MSE+AEM) conditions (p<.05) In both LT and SA, the order of thick muscle thickness was MSE+AEM, MSE+ADIM, and MSE alone. No significant differences were found in the EMG activities of the SA, UT, LS, and LT in all condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSE is more beneficial to people with SDRS when combined with trunk stabilization exercises by increased thickness of scapular stabilizer muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of a sling suspension exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on the thickness of abdominal muscles. Method: Twenty healthy young women volunteered for this study, and they were randomly assigned to either the control group or experimental group. Subjects of both groups performed the ADIM in standard method. And subjects of the experimental group underwent a structured sling exercises additionally, which consists of bridging exercise on supine, elbow support and trunk control exercise on prone, and trunk flexion exercises. The exercises were performed thirty minutes per day, 3 times a week for a 4-week period. Thickness of abdominal muscles (transverse abdominis; TrA, internal obliques; IO and external obliques; EO) was measured by using real-time ultrasonography. Results: After the intervention, subjects of the experimental group appeared to be significantly increased for the thickness of the TrA (p<.05). However, significant difference weren't found for the IO and EO (p>.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that sling suspension exercise with the ADIM may be favorably used to augment trunk stabilizing effort by increasing TrA thickness. Further studies need in this field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to verify the effect of trunk strengthening exercise using oscillation by comparing trunk muscle thickness, as well as balance of healthy adults during exercises performed with an oscillatory device and non-oscillatory device. METHODS: Twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the trunk strengthening exercise using oscillation (TSEO) group (n=11) or the trunk strengthening exercise using non-oscillation (TSEN) group (n=11). Subjects in all groups performed the exercises three days per week for 6 weeks. All subjects performed four types of exercises: pull over, seated twist, power push, and diagonal power plank. Trunk muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA), and multifidus (MT) were measured with an ultrasonography. The balance ability were evaluated using the Romberg test with eyes open, eyes closed, one-leg standing test (OLST), and limits of stability (LOS). All tests were performed before the intervention, as well as after 6 weeks and 8 weeks of exercises. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of RA, IO, TrA, and MT according to the main effect of the time (p<.05). There was a significant difference of IO and LOS according to interaction effect between the time and group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As intended, the cyclic forces induced by the oscillating device did increase trunk muscle thickness. However, the effect was limited and significant only for the IO muscle. Combining trunk strengthening exercise with oscillation appears to be more effective in improving dynamic balance.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Purpose : Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is often accompanied by pain and limited range of motion of the jaw joint, which affect patients' quality of life and result in hypertrophy or hyperactivity of the muscles around the jaw joint. In this study, we compared the muscle thickness and tone of the masseter and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles and the jaw range of motion in individuals with and without TMJD. Correlation comparison was performed on the results of the TMJD group. Methods : This study included 40 patients; 20 patients were assigned to an experimental group (TMJD group) and 20 to a control group (non-TMJD group). Ultrasonography, myotonometry, and measurements performed with digital Vernier calipers were used to determine the changes in muscle thickness, muscle tone, and maximum jaw opening, respectively. The independent t-test was used for intergroup comparison of data, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare correlations in the TMJD group results. Results : We observed a significant intergroup difference in the masseter and SCM thickness during the relaxed and clenched phases (p<.05). A significant intergroup difference was also observed in maximum jaw opening (p<.05). With regard to muscle tone, we observed a significant intergroup difference in frequency (p=.011) and stiffness (p=.011) of the masseter, as well as in the frequency (p=.009) and stiffness (p=.026) of the SCM. We observed a moderate negative correlation (r=-.524) between maximum jaw opening and the frequency of the masseter. Additionally, we observed a moderately negative correlation between jaw opening and muscle stiffness (r=-.321). Conclusion : Planning exercise programs to treat patients with TMJD who present with pain should focus on efforts to reduce muscle thickness and achieve muscle relaxation (to reduce muscle tension) for improved jaw range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2020

Background: Bridging exercises are used to enhance the functional stability of the lumbopelvic region in clinical settings. Although most of the studies on bridging exercises have compared the complete activation of the trunk muscles, some recent studies have examined the functional stability of the trunk and the lumbopelvic region and assessed the appropriate recruitment of the local and global muscles during different task levels. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in muscle thickness in the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles during a common bridging exercise on an unstable surface and to determine whether these changes differ based on the surface used. Methods: Twenty-five healthy young adults (8 males, 17 females) were recruited. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the exercise progression with a sling bridge group or the ball bridging exercise progression group, each with three stages of increasing difficulty. Each position was measured three times with an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system, and the mean values were recorded for analysis. Results: No significant differences were observed between the TrA, IO, or EO muscle thickness ratios between the sling and ball exercise groups (p > 0.05). There were also no significant differences in the EO muscle thickness ratios between the tasks irrespective of whether the sling or ball was used. However, the TrA and IO thickness ratios in both groups were significantly greater during stages 2 and 3 compared to stage 1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the use of slings and balls during bridging exercises is effective in activating the deep abdominal muscles.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.844-851
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess optimal needle length for gluteal intramuscular injections (IM) via simple skinfold thickness (SFT). Methods: For this study, 190 healthy adults were recruited and grouped into eight groups according to gender and body mass index (BMI) (kg/$m^2$). The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity criteria defines a BMI under 20 as underweight, 20.1-22.9 as normal, 23-24.9 as overweight and over 25 as obese. For each participant, the SFT of dorsoguteal (DG) and ventrogluteal (VG) sites were measured using a caliper. Subcutaneous tissue thickness was acquired through ultrasonic images. Results: For men in the overweight and obese groups at the DG site, for the obese group at the VG site, and for women in the normal weight, overweight and obese groups at both sites, the mean subcutaneous tissue thickness exceeded 1.84 cm, the minimal length for a 1 inch needle used for IM. At the DG site, optimal intramuscular needle length (OINL) was 1.4 times in women and 1.0 times in men compared to SFT. At the VG site, OINL was 1.3 times in women and 0.9 times in men compared to SFT. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that SFT is a reliable index to determine optimal needle length with minimal effort prior to IM.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.186-193
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• 2021

Background: While the formal test has been used to provide a quantitative measurement of core stability, studies have reported inconsistent results regarding its test-retest and intraobserver reliabilities. Furthermore, the validity of the formal test has never been established. Objects: This study aimed to establish the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the formal test. Methods: Twenty-two young adults with and without core instability (23.1 ± 2.0 years) were recruited. Concurrent validity was determined by comparing the muscle thickness changes of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscle to changes in core stability pressure during the formal test using ultrasound (US) imaging and pressure biofeedback, respectively. For the test-retest reliability, muscle thickness and pressure changes were repeatedly measured approximately 24 hours apart. Electromyography (EMG) was used to monitor trunk muscle activity during the formal test. Results: The Pearson's correlation analysis showed an excellent correlation between transverse abdominal thickness and pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) pressure as well as internal oblique thickness and PBU pressure, ranging from r = 0.856-0.980, p < 0.05. The test-retest reliability was good, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC1,2) = 0.876 for the core stability pressure measure and ICC1,2 = 0.939 to 0.989 for the abdominal muscle thickness measure. Conclusion: Our results provide clinical evidence that the formal test is valid and reliable, when concurrently incorporated into EMG and US measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.117-124
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of muscle thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscle, muscle tonicity, and muscle fatigue of the superficial cervical flexor muscle by applying a functional latex pillow to patients with chronic cervical pain. METHODS: An experimental group using a functional latex pillow and a control group using a general pillow were assigned randomly to 30 people. Each pillow was applied in a comfortable lying position in the experimental group and control group. The deep cervical flexor muscle thickness was measured in the longus colli and longus capitus using ultrasonography. The muscle tonicity and muscle fatigue of the superficial cervical flexor muscle were measured separately in the sternocleidomastoid muscle using a myotonometer and electromyography. RESULTS: In the experimental group(functional latex pillow), the muscle tonicity of the superficial cervical flexor muscle like the sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly lower than that of the control group (general pillow)(p < .01). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the functional latex pillow may effectively reduce the muscle tonicity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is the superficial cervical muscle, in patients with chronic cervical pain. On the other hand, it was not effective on the muscle thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscle and muscle fatigue of the superficial cervical flexor muscles.