• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.232-235
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• 2013

Objective : Major complaints of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are sensory components. However, motor deficit also impedes functional status of hand. Contrary to evaluation of sensory function, the objective, quantitative evaluation of median nerve motor function is not easy. The motor function of median was evaluated quantitatively using load cell and its correlation with findings of electrodiagnostic study (EDS) was evaluated. Methods : Objective motor function of median nerve was evaluated by load cell and personal computer-based measurement system. All of the measurement was done in patients diagnosed as having idiopathic CTS by clinical features and EDS findings. The strength of thumb abduction and index finger flexion was measured in each hand three times, and the average value was used to calculate thumb index ratio (TIR). The correlation of TIR with clinical, EDS, and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. Results : The TIR was evaluated in 67 patients (119 hands). There were 14 males and 53 females, mean age were 57.6 years (range 28 to 81). The higher preoperative nerve conductive studies grade of the patients, the lower TIR was observed [p<0.001, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. TIR of cases with thenar atrophy were significantly lower than those without (p<0.001, t-test). TIR were significantly lower in patients with severe median nerve swelling in ultrasonography (p=0.042, ANOVA). Conclusion : Measurements of median nerve motor function using load cell is a valuable evaluation tool in CTS. It might be helpful in detecting subclinical motor dysfunction before muscle atrophy develops.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.131-140
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which shoulder abduction angle among the three representative angles of lower trapezius strengthening exercises most effectively improves rounded shoulder posture. Methods : Thirty-one people with rounded shoulders, the subjects of this study, were selected. With the use of a random number table, group A was randomly assigned to a Y-type exercise, group B to a T-type exercise, and group C to an MPC exercise. In the prone position, both arms are abducted at the angles suggested for each group (145 °, 90 °, and 45 °, respectively), and the hands are holding dumbbells to assume a functional posture. With the start signal, the thumb raised the arm to the sky and the arm is raised to the level of the ear for 10 seconds and then returned to the original position. Each week, the strength required was increased by changing the resistance weight, number of times, and set, and the exercise was performed three times a week for a total of four weeks. Results : There was a significant difference in the change in shoulder height of each group after four weeks of exercise in comparison to the amount of change in height before and after exercise in all groups (p<.05). However, no significant difference was observed between all groups in the change in muscle activity of the lower trapezius muscle in each group following four weeks of exercise (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that the three lower trapezius strengthening exercises have a positive effect on the improvement of rounded shoulders. In consideration of these results, it is therefore proposed that the various lower trapezius strengthening exercises be applied in parallel during physical therapy for patients with rounded shoulders in clinical practice.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.393-401
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• 2020

Purpose: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using blood flow-restricted exercise (BFRE) or KAATSU training. The KAATSU training method, which partially restricts arterial inflow and fully restricts venous outflow in the working musculature during exercise at reduced exercise intensities, has been proven to result in substantial increases in both muscle hypertrophy and strength. The purpose of this study was to investigate the proper level of pressure for KAATSU training using compound muscle action potential (CMAP) analysis. Methods: Twenty-two healthy adults voluntarily participated in this study. CMAP was conducted by measuring the terminal latency and amplitude using a motor nerve conduction velocity test. For reference-line, supramaximal electrical stimulation was applied to the median nerves of the participants to obtain CMAP for the abductor pollicis brevis. For baseline, the intensity of the electrical stimulation was decreased to a level at which the CMAP amplitude was about a third of the CMAP amplitude obtained by the supramaximal electrical stimulation. The pressure levels for the KAATSU were set as a systolic blood pressure (strong pressure), the median values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (intermediate pressure), and diastolic blood pressure (weak pressure). In the KAATSU condition, CMAP was performed under the same conditions as baseline after low-intensity thumb abduction exercises were performed at the subjects' own pace for one minute. Results: As the pressure increased, the CMAP amplitude was significantly increased, signifying that more muscle fibers were recruited. Conclusion: This study found that KAATSU training recruited more muscle fibers than low-intensity exercise without the restriction of blood flow.