• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF have on trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 20 stroke patients who performed trunk stability exercises combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF. The exercise program consisted of 30-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Trunk strength (BTE, Primus RS) and balance ability (Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Significant differences were observed the both groups for truck strength and balance ability. The results of the study were as follows: trunk strength was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after the intervention (p<.05). Balance ability was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF are effective for improving trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. For stroke patients, trunk stability exercises with PNF are very useful and effective and they areeffectiveinclinicalpractice.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2021

Purpose : This study was conducted to find out the effect on the activity of trunk and lower limbs muscles during abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic rearward sloping taping for trunk stabilization movement. Methods : The study subjects were recruited by using the on-campus bulletin boards for healthy adult males and females in their 20s attending K University in Changwon-city, South Gyeongsang Province. The subjects were 30 persons (15 males and 15 females) who agreed to the study purpose in accordance with the criteria for selection and exclusion. Results : The results were obtained by measuring the muscle activity of the trunk and lower limbs during abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic fixed tapping. The effects on erector spinae and hamstring muscles was statistically significantly lower (p<.05), it was confirmed that there were no statistically significant differences between the multifidus and gluteus maximus muscle (p>.05). Conclusion : Through this study, it was found that the excessive flexion of the waist was significantly reduced from erector spinalis and hamstring muscle after abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic rearward sloping tapping compared to the general bridging exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on flexibility of bridge and plank exercises using sling suspension on an unstable surface. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy adults in their 20s (plank=10, bridge=10). Both types of exercise were performed three times per week for a period of four weeks. Each exercise was performed in the front and side direction. Exercise intensity was altered through the use of a sling, which was placed at the knee and ankle. Flexibility at trunk forward flexion and backward extension was measured. The trunk forward flexion was measured at sitting position. The trunk backward extension was measured at prone position. The data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the pre- and post-test for both the bridge and plank exercise groups. In the bridge exercise, significant differences were shown in the trunk forward flexion and the trunk backward extension (p<.05). In the plank exercise, a significant difference was shown in the trunk backward extension (p<.05). No significant differences were noted in interaction effect or the main effects in either group. CONCLUSION: Bridge and plank exercises on an unstable surface improve flexibility. The bridge exercise improves the flexibility of the forward and backward muscles of the trunk. The plank exercise improves the flexibility of the forward muscles of the trunk. This information would be useful in the development of exercise programs including bridge and plank exercises for improving flexibility and core stability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.381-387
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• 2017

Purpose: Although some studies indicate that the Sorensen test may not be used to examine back muscles such as the erector spinae, alternatives to the back-extension test are rarely suggested. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate an effective way to stimulate the erector spinae muscles by adding a component of trunk rotation and lateral bending to general back extensions. Methods: A total of 18 healthy, physically active participants performed simple trunk extension, extension with trunk rotation, and extension with lateral bending. Surface electromyography responses of the latissimus dorsi, thoracic, and lumbar levels of the erector spinae; the gluteus maximus; and the biceps femoris muscles were investigated during these 3 conditions of modified back extension tests. Results: The simple trunk extension exercise caused significant increases in activity of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscles as compared to the extension with rotation and lateral bending exercises. The extension with trunk rotation exercise showed significantly greater activation in the thoracic and lumbar levels of the erector spinae and in the latissimus dorsi as compared to the other exercises. The index measuring subjective difficulty was significantly lower in the simple trunk extension exercise as compared to the extension with trunk rotation and extension with lateral bending exercises. Conclusion: The present study suggests that extension with trunk rotation has the advantage of stimulating the para-spinal muscles, while simple trunk extension may not be adequate to selectively simulate the para-spinal muscles but may be appropriate for examining global trunk extensors.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.249-258
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• 2014

Purpose: This study examines deficits in upper-extremity function and trunk control ability on the osmotic demyelination syndrome of a patient with Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia. Using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation program, this case report aims to describe the effects of trunk stability exercises on trunk control ability, hand function, and daily living activities as well as its effects on the osmotic demyelination syndrome of a patient with Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia. Methods: The patient is a 47-year-old woman with osmotic demyelination syndrome as well as trunk and upper extremity impairment. She participated in this training intervention for four weeks. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in trunk control ability, hand function, and performance of ADL. The following outcomes were measured before and after the training program: trunk impairment scale, hand power, Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, the Chedoke arm and hand inventory, and the modified Barthel index. Conclusion: The results suggest that trunk stability exercises in the form of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation program in Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia patients may increase trunk control ability, increase hand function, and improve ADL.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.171-181
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curl-up and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercises on stroke patients' trunk muscle activity, ability to control the trunk, and balance by comparing two exercise methods. Methods : The study involved patients who had been diagnosed with stroke based on the results of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at O Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, between January and July 2020. In total, 30 subjects were selected and by flipping a coin, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) that performed PNF neck flexion exercises and a control group (n=15) that performed curl-up exercises. Both groups received traditional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day five times a week for a six-week period. In addition, the experimental group performed PNF neck flexion exercises and the control group curl-up exercises for 15 minutes a day five times a week over the same period. The subjects' muscle activity in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) were measured before and after the experiment. The subjects' trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were also assessed. Paired t test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change before and after intervention in both groups. An independent sample T test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change between the two groups. Results : Both groups experienced statistically significant increases in their RA, IO and EO muscle activity, total TIS scores, and total BBS scores after the intervention. No statistically significant differences in the changes before and after the intervention were found for any of the resulting values between the two groups. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of the study's results suggested that neck flexion exercises using the PNF irradiation concept and curl-up exercise are effective in increasing stroke patients' abdominal muscle activity and improving trunk control ability and balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2229-2236
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• 2020

Background: Few comparative studies have been conducted on strengthening the anterior and posterior muscles of the trunk via lumbar stabilization exercises. Objectives: To compare the effects of forward leaning exercise and supine bridging exercise in stability exercise. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind). Methods: Thirty subjects with spondylolisthesis were participated in this study. Fifteen subjects performed the bridging exercises and fifteen subjects performed the forward leaning exercises. Each exercise was held for ten seconds per repetition, and four repetitions were considered one sub-session. A total of four sub-sessions were performed in one full exercise session. The full exercise session required thirty minutes, including rest time. Trunk strength and range of motion and Oswestry disability index were measured. Results: Two weeks later, trunk flexion strength and trunk extension range of motion were significantly increased in the forward leaning exercise group than in the supine bridging group, trunk extension strength were significantly increased in the supine bridging exercise group than in the forward leaning group. After two weeks, the pain score was significantly lower in the forward leaning exercise group than in the supine bridging group. Conclusion: This study has shown that stabilization exercises are effective in increasing range of motion and strength in spondylolisthesis subjects. It was especially confirmed that the method of strengthening the anterior muscles of the trunk is more effective than the standard stabilization exercise method.

• 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 Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk exercises on the balancing ability of elderly Hansen's disease patients with lower extremity dysfunction. Method : A total of 24 elderly Hansen's disease patients were divided into two groups: 10 without lower extremity dysfunction and 14 with lower extremity dysfunction. The groups exercised for 60 minutes, two days a week, for a total 12 weeks; balancing ability was measured with the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test. The patients were tested and their results were compared both before and after the completion of their exercise programs. Lower extremity dysfunction was assessed according to the following criteria: unilateral foot-drop, toe-loss, and below-knee amputation. Results : After the exercises, participants in both groups showed a positive, statistically significant difference in balance, compared with before the exercises (the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test; p<.05). For comparison purposes, the group with dysfunction and the group without dysfunction were tested before and after the completion of their exercises. Before the exercises, there was a statistically significant difference in the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test (p<.05). However, after the exercises, there was no significant difference in the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test (p>.05). Conclusion : Ultimately, balancing ability was improved in both of the groups after trunk exercises were performed. Although balancing ability was improved, elements of lower extremity dysfunction remained, such as unilateral foot-drop, toe-loss, and below-knee amputation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2016

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine muscle activities of trunk and lower limb during squat and 108 bows exercises and to provide objective data for establishing a training method for improving muscle strength of trunk and lower limb. Methods: Twenty normal healthy subjects participated in this study. Each exercise was divided into five periods. Muscle activities of trunk and lower limb in each period of both 108 bows and squat exercises were measured and analyzed by independent t-test. Results: In starting, mid-flexion, mid-extension, and end period muscle activities obtained from 108 bows exercise were significantly higher than those from squat exercise. However, in the final flexion period, muscle activities of multifidus, elector spinae, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior from squat exercise were significantly higher than those from bow exercise. Conclusion: In this study, high muscle activities in most muscles of trunk and lower limb were observed from all periods of 108 bows exercise except the final flexion period. Therefore, it is likely that 108 bows exercise rather than squat exercise is more suitable for high strength exercise to improve muscle strength of trunk and lower limb and thus will be applicable for strengthening muscles of trunk and lower limb of patients.