• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2002

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on chest function and mobility and to provide the information of physical therapy for patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Forty female subjects who were diagnosed with scoliosis participated in this study and were divided into the experimental and control groups. The experimental group consisted of 20 patients who were treated with thoracic flexibility exercise program during the admission (10 days) ad one month after discharge. The control group consisted of 20 patients who were not treated with thoracic flexibility exercise program. Vital capacity was measured using a respirometer. The chest expansion were calculated using differences of chest circumference between maximum inspiration and maximum expiration measured under armpits, at the junction between the sternum and xyphoid process, and at the waist. All subjects were measured two times: before the admission and at one month after discharge. Data were compared by groups using independent t-test, Vital capacity and chest expansion values (the armpit, chest and waist values) were significantly higher for the experimental group compared to those of the control group (p<.05). The findings of this study show that thoracic flexibility exercise program can lead to an increase in vital capacity and chest expansion and has a positive effects in relieving symptoms and restoring thoracic mobility.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.161-170
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of a thoracic flexibility exercise program on pain, heart rate variability (HRV), and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods : Fifty patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. Each participant performed a pre-test and post-test. The outcome measures evaluated were a visual analog scale, HRV test results (automatic activity, standard deviation normal to normal [SDNN], low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF ratio), and the Beck Depression Inventory. Patients underwent conventional physiotherapy for 35 minutes per session. In addition, a thoracic flexibility exercise program (trunk rotation exercise, McKenzie exercise, and supine thoracic extension exercise) were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Results : After the training period, the visual analog scale results showed a significant decrease in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Automatic activity, SDNN, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio significantly increased in the post-test compared to the pre-test. The Beck depression inventory results significantly decreased in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that a thoracic flexibility exercise program improves a visual analog scale, HRV (automatic activity, SDNN, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio), and the Beck Depression Inventory in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.498-507
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study suggests the exercise programs for improving the function and structure by applying the Schroth exercise method and sling exercise method to the scoliosis patient. METHODS: The subjects were 16 patients who were diagnosed with scoliosis. They were randomly assigned either to a Schroth exercise group (n=8) that received Schroth exercise program or to a sling exercise group (n=8) that received sling exercise program. Flexibility, static balance, dynamic balance, and spinal angles were measured by using the modified sit and reach test, one leg standing with closed eyes, functional reach test, and Cobb's angle, respectively. The chest expansion were calculated using differences of chest circumference between maximum inspiration and maximum expiration measured under armpits, at the junction between the sternum and xiphoid process, and at the waist. RESULT: Schroth group before and after the intervention there was a difference in the static balance, spine angle, chest expansion (p<.05). sling group before and after the intervention there was a difference in the flexibility, static balance, spine angle, chest expansion (p<.05). There were significantly differences between the both groups for chest expansion thoracic level inspiratory variables at post-exercise. CONCLUSION: These results revealed that two exercise program improved flexibility, static standing balance, spine angle, chest expansion level and ability used as scoliosis management and intervention. Therefore, it is expected to be used as a method for the treatment and prevention in the process of rehabilitation of patients with scoliosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2022

Background: A spinal extension and intensive rehabilitation program reduced the symptoms and pain of kyphosis, and improved function. Objects: This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of a spine extension device on the degree of thoracic kyphosis and extension angles, confirm reduction of the kyphosis angle and an increase in flexibility. Methods: Thirteen adults were enrolled in the experiment, using the spine extension device, which was set to passively extend the spine. The angle between the spinous process of the first thoracic vertebra and the spinous process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra was measured by dual inclinometer before and after using the spine extension device. Results: In the static posture, the thoracic kyphosis decreased after using the spine extension device in the thoracic extension posture, and there was a significant difference (p < 0.05); thoracic extension angle increased with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the thoracic kyphosis angle and thoracic extension angle of the subjects before and after using spine extension device was compared and analyzed, which proved that the spine extension device can effectively improve the mobility of spinal extension.