• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.194-201
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of muscle thickness (MT) and pennation angle (PA) measurements of the ankle muscle, including the tibialis anterior (TA) and the medial gastrocnemius (MGCM), using a hands-free fixed probe and to compare it with the conventional linear probe. Design: Observational inter-rater reliability study. Methods: Thirty-three healthy subjects (20 male, 13 female) were included. In all subjects, ultrasound images were acquired from the TA and MGCM using a hands-free fixed probe and a conventional linear probe in random sequence by two examiners at two time-points within a 7-day interval. MT and PA were calculated on the taken images. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement and the Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to estimate reliability and validity. And also, Bland-Altman plots were generated for a visual representation of MT and PA at the TA and MGCM. Results: The ICC for all intra-rater reliability was 0.943 to 0.995 and that for all inter-rater reliability was 0.928 to 0.993, indicating excellent reliability. A significantly high correlation was observed between MT and PA at the TA and MGCM with use of the hands-free fixed probe and the conventional linear probe (r>0.938; p<0.001). Conclusions: The hands-free fixed probe provided excellent images for measurement of the MT and PA of the TA and MGCM and is a useful device for making clinical measurements of muscle structure without grasping of the probe.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.155-164
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to compare muscle structure, balance, and gait parameters between healthy adults and persons with stroke and to analyze the correlation among these variables. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty persons with stroke (11 male, 9 female) and twenty healthy participants (9 male, 11 female) were included. Ultrasound images of the triceps surae and the tibialis anterior were acquired in sitting resting, sitting co-contraction, and standing resting positions and also during the functional reach test (FRT) and single leg anterior reaching test (SLART). Muscle thickness and fascicle length were measured. Spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured using a pressure walkway. Gait speed, cadence, step length, stride length, stance time, and swing time were measured. Results: Changes in percent fascicle length were significantly greater in the gastrocnemius and soleus (SOL) muscles of healthy adults in the sitting co-contraction position (p<0.05). The percent fascicle length of the SOL in FRT and SLART were significantly greater in healthy adults (p<0.05). The mid-stance phase of stroke patients was shorter than healthy adults (p<0.05). A negative correlation was observed between percent fascicle length of the SOL in the sitting co-contraction position and the proportion of the mid-stance phase (p<0.05). Conclusions: The function of the triceps surae is affected in persons with stroke when compared with healthy adults. This can lead to difficulty in performing tasks that involve forward transfer of weight. If the triceps surae is not sufficiently secured, the possibility of compensation in the stance phase increases during gait.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.193-196
• /
• 2017

A 14-year-old, castrated male, domestic shorthair cat was referred for gastrointestinal (GI) signs, including nausea, regurgitation, anorexia, and weight loss. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed thickening of the wall of the gastric and proximal duodenum, moderately enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and coarse echotexture of the splenic parenchyma. The results of the feline leukemia virus test were positive. Based on gastrointestinal endoscopic characteristics and histopathological examinations, low-grade alimentary lymphoma was identified in multiple regions of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone and chlorambucil chemotherapy, and the clinical signs resolved gradually. During serial follow-up, ultrasonographic findings demonstrated decreases in the duodenal wall thickness and size of the abdominal lymph nodes over a period of 550 days. Survival time was 886 days with prednisolone and chlorambucil chemotherapy. This report describes clinical features, imaging findings, endoscopic characteristics, histopathological features, and long-term management with chlorambucil chemotherapy in a case of feline low-grade alimentary lymphoma.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2020

Objective: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a major sequela after surgery or radiotherarpy for breast cancer. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is designed to reduce lymph swelling by facilitating lymphatic drainage. This study attempted to determine the histologic changes in the skin and subcutaneous layer, and the immediate effect of MLD in decreasing lymphedema using ultrasound imaging, which is the method used most commonly to eliminate BCRL. Design: A single-group experimental study. Methods: Five subjects who were diagnosed with hemiparetic upper extremity lymphedema more than six months after breast cancer surgery participated in the study. MLD was performed for 60 minutes in the order of the thorax, breast, axilla, and upper arm of the affected side. In order to determine the effect of MLD, ultrasound imaging and limb volume were assessed. Two measurement tools were used for asessing lymphedema thickness among the pretest, posttest, and 30-minute follow-up period. Results: Significant diferences in ultrasound imaging and upper limb volume were found between the affected side and non-affected side (p<0.05). On the affected side, although ultrasound imaging showed a significant decrease after MLD (p<0.05), there were no significant difference in upper limb volume when compared to the baseline. Conclusions: In this study, a significant decrease in lymphedema by MLD was demonstrated by ultrasound imaging, which is considered to be more useful in assessing histological changes than limb volume measurements. Further research on the protocol for eliminating lymphedema will be needed.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.302-308
• /
• 2020

Objective: The endurance and strength of deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles have a major role on the function and stability of the cervical spine. In recent years, there has been a lack of research that have investigated the muscle tone of the superficial neck muscles. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of between contraction ratio of the DNF and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, DNF endurance, and muscle tension of the neck muscles. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-seven subjects (male=20, female=27) participated in this study. The muscle tone of the upper trapezius (UT), SCM, and suboccipital (SO) muscle was measured using a contact soft tissue tone-measuring instrument. For the contraction ratio of the SCM and longus colli muscle, the thickness of the relaxation and maximum contraction state of the SCM and longus colli muscles were assessed using a diagnostic ultrasound measuring instrument and a pressure biofeedback unit. The deep neck flexor endurance test (DNFET) was performed in a cranio-cervical flexion posture. The correlations between the measured variables were investigated. Results: The relationship between the DNFET and SO tone showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05). The relationship between the DNFET and contraction ratio showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the DNFET and SCM and UT tone. Conclusions: This study confirmed that there is a relationship between DNF endurance, DNF activation, and SO tone. The information on the results of this study may be used as a reference that can be actively applied in the clinical environment.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.804-813
• /
• 2018

Objective To elucidate the effect of a 12-week horizontal vibration exercise (HVE) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients as compared to vertical vibration exercise (VVE). Methods Twenty-eight CLBP patients were randomly assigned to either the HVE or VVE group. All participants performed the exercise for 30 minutes each day, three times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Altered pain and functional ability were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. Changes in lumbar muscle strength, transverse abdominis (TrA) and multifidus muscle thicknesses, and standing balance were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, ultrasonography, and balance parameters, respectively. These assessments were evaluated prior to treatment, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the first treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment (that is, 16 weeks after the first treatment). Results According to the repeated-measures analysis of variance, there were significant improvements with time on VAS, ODI, standing balance score, lumbar flexor, and extensor muscle strength (all p<0.001 in both groups) without any significant changes in TrA (p=0.153 in HVE, p=0.561 in VVE group) or multifidus (p=0.737 in HVE, p=0.380 in VVE group) muscle thickness. Further, there were no significant differences between groups according to time in any of the assessments. No adverse events were noticed during treatment in either group. Conclusion HVE is as effective as VVE in reducing pain, strengthening the lumbar muscle, and improving the balance and functional abilities of CLBP patients. Vibrational exercise increases muscle strength without inducing muscle hypertrophy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.18-23
• /
• 2022

Background: This study was performed to evaluate periprocedural factors, complications, and repuncture rate of the newly developed puncture needle and compare it with the routinely used puncture needle for ultrasound (US)-guided paracentesis. Methods: We retrospectively identified 137 patients who underwent US-guided paracentesis between July 2018 and March 2019. Among them, 82 patients underwent US-guided paracentesis with a newly developed puncture needle. The other 55 patients underwent US-guided paracentesis with a routinely used puncture needle. The periprocedural factors, complications, and repuncture rate were compared between the two groups using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. The repuncture-associated factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: There were no major or minor complications in either group. The rate of repuncture was significantly lower in the group using the newly developed puncture needle compared with the group using the routinely used puncture needle (p=0.01). The duration of the procedure was significantly shorter with the newly developed puncture needle compared with the routinely used puncture needle (p=0.01). In univariate analysis, the thickness of the abdominal wall (p=0.04) and the use of the newly developed puncture needle (p=0.01) were significantly associated with the rate of repuncture. In multivariate analysis, only the use of the newly developed puncture needle was significantly associated with the rate of repuncture. Conclusion: Using this novel puncture needle with a hard plastic sheath and plastic wings, the rate of repuncture and the duration of the procedure were decreased without complications of US-guided paracentesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the shoulder lesions in patients experiencing shoulder pain through the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound during Korean medicine intervention treatments. Methods A total of 20 cases were collected, including biceps tendinitis (n=4), calcification (n=3), SASD bursitis (n=4), partial tear (n=2), full-thickness tear (n=1), tendinopathy (n=5), and impingement syndrome (n=1). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used by Korean medicine doctors to perform real-time scanning and to explain the patient's condition during treatment sessions. Results The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound allowed Korean medicine doctors to perform treatments such as pharmacoacupuncture, acupotomy, and acupuncture more safely and effectively. Patients were able to better understand their conditions through real-time imaging and explanations provided by the doctors. Conclusions Musculoskeletal ultrasound has the potential to enhance the safety and efficacy of Korean medicine intervention treatments for patients with shoulder pain. Institutional or governmental support is needed to further promote the use of medical devices by Korean medicine doctors, ultimately leading to an increase in cases and clinical evidence.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.82 no.6
• /
• pp.1388-1401
• /
• 2021

Postoperative imaging of the rotator cuff may be performed routinely, even if pain or disability develops after surgery or if there are no symptoms. Postoperative images are obtained through MRI or US, and the purpose is to confirm the integrity of the restored tendon in general. Postoperative MRI has a relatively poor diagnostic accuracy compared to that of preoperative images because various materials used in surgeries deteriorate the image quality. US can dynamically check the condition of the restored tendon and avoid artifacts from the surgical instruments used for recovery. Although imaging findings are not always consistent with the clinical symptoms or prognosis, sub-deltoid fluid retention is more important for pain and functional recovery than the thickness of the reconstructed tendon. Strain elastography can also be a useful method for predicting the prognosis.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.209-217
• /
• 2013

Adiponectin (AdipoN), brain-derived nerotrophic factor (BDNF) and leptin (LeP) are mainly secreted from adipose tissue and are known to be involved in regulation of the development of obese. However, there are not many studies on the association between abdominal fat and neuropeptides such as AdipoN, BDNF and LeP. The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the association between abdominal fat thickness, neuropeptides and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The participants in the study were 138 male employees without CVD. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Written informed consent for the participants in this study was obtained from all individuals. We obtained subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) by using ultrasonography and neuropeptides levels were measured with ELISA kit according to the method suggested by kit manufacturer. The mean SFT and VFT were $1.58{\pm}0.51$ and $4.52{\pm}1.44$ cm. The mean concentrations of AdipoN, BDNF and LeP were $3.14{\pm}3.52$ ng/ml, $24.11{\pm}8.52$ pg/ml and $4.27{\pm}2.38$ ng/ml, respectively. VFT were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.217, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.271, p<0.01), triglyceride (r=0.233, p<0.05) and insulin (r=0.338, p<0.01), but was inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=-420, p<0.01). AdipoN levels were positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.220, p<0.05) and were inversely correlated with total cholesterol (r=-0.196, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=-0.190, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.199, p<0.05), SFT (r=-0.195, p<0.05) and VFT (r=-0.412, p<0.01). However, LeP levels showed a reverse trend to AdipoN. AdipoN level was significantly higher in non-obese participants (BMI<25 kg/m), but LeP concentration was significantly higher in obese participants (BMI>25 kg/m) than in non-obese. On multiple logistic regression analysis, obese were significantly associated with AdipoN (odds ratio=0.784) and LeP (odds ratio=1.494). These results suggested that AdipoN and LeP concentrations are affected abdominal fat and that dysfunction and/or declination in the production and secretion of neuropeptides might induced ultimately obese and CVD.