• PNF and Movement
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) applied to the unilateral upper extremity on the muscle activation of contralateral lower extremity. Twenty-two healthy subjects (mean age of 23.7 years) participated in this study. Method : PNF patterns applied on the unilateral upper extremity in all subjects were the flexion/abduction/external rotation and lifting pattern. The hold and appoximation techniques for the irradiation were applied to end range of both patterns. Muscle activations in four patterns were measured in vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius medial muscles of contralateral lower extremity using surface EMG system. Each EMG value in individual muscle was normalized for maximal voluntary contraction. The data were analyzed by one factor analysis of variance with repeated measure test. Result : There were significant differences in the between-subject effect (muscles) and within-subject effect (patterns) in comparison of muscle activation by application of PNF patterns (p<.05). The irradiation led to higher activation in the flexion/abduction/external rotation pattern than that of lifting pattern in all muscles (p<.05). The approximation techniques revealed more activations than these of hold technique in all muscles (p<.05). Conclusion : These results suggest that the application of PNF patterns to the unilateral upper extremity affect on the muscle activation of contralateral lower extremity and increase according to the intensity of resistance. This mechanism of contralateral effect might provide a help to the development of treatment method for the affected side and functional improvement for the patients who have damages of central nervous system or musculoskeletal problems by orthopedic injury.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.20-34
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to establish modified physiological cost index (PCI) for predicting energy consumption by heart rate (HR) at isokinetic ergometer exercise testing. The subjects were twenty-eight healthy men in their twenties. All of them performed upper and lower extremity isokinetic ergometer exercise tests which had six loads (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 kg-m/min) and five loads (400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 kg-m/min) respectively. The exercise sessions were finished when HR was in plateau. HR and oxygen consumption were determined during the final minute. Resting heart rate and oxygen consumption were used for calculating heart rate, oxygen consumption changes and modified PCI. Regression analysis established the relationship between each variable to work load, HR and oxygen consumption. The results were as follows: 1) In the lower extremity ergometer exercise test, oxygen consumption increased continuously as work load increased, but in the upper extremity ergometer test, oxygen consumption only increased until work load was 700 kg-m/min. 2) HR increased as work load increased in both exercise tests, but in the upper extremity ergometer test, HR decreased from the 700 kg-m/min. 3) The modified PCI increased as work load mcreased until the 700 kg-m/min point in the lower extremity ergometer test and until the 500 kg-m/min point in the upper extremity ergometer test when it started to decrease in both tests. 4) In the lower extremity ergometer exercise test, regression analysis established the relation as $dVO_2$ = -.0215HR - .2141 where $dVO_2$ is given in l/min and HR in beat/min ($R^2$ = .2677, p = .000). ln the upper extremity ergometer exercise test. regression analysis established the relation as $dVO_2$ = -.0115HR + .2746 ($R^2$ = .1308, p = .000). The results of this study were similar to previous studies but were different under high work load conditions. So modified PCI should be used with only low intensity work load testing. Subjects for upper extremity ergometer exercise testing should complete a prescribed training course prior to testing, and only low intensity work load should be used for safety considerations.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.147-155
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• 1999

In order to investigate the effect of circulating blood and extinguishing blood stasis method on acute ischemic stroke treatment, we compared muscle weakness in two groups. Dansamhwanotang was administered to experimental group and the Sopungtang was administered to comparison group. In prospective and consecutive study, 24 patients(male 14, female 10) were admitted to hospital within 6hours(median $4.21{\pm}2.45)$ after stroke attack. All of them were diagnosed computed tomography as acute cerebral infarction. We divided that patients into two groups. The experimental group was 13, took median $4.17{\pm}1.72hrs$ to admission after stroke attack and the comparison group 11, median $4.31{\pm}2.72hrs$ to admission after stroke attack. There was no statistical difference in time consumed from stroke onset to admission(P>0.05). Muscle weakness was measured on admission and 7 days later on AMA(American Medical Association) method. In the experimental group, muscle weakness on admission was $2.23{\pm}0.51$ and $2.79{\pm}0.72$ in upper and lower extremity, respectively. In comparison group, muscle weakness on admission was $2.17{\pm}0.43$ and $2.67{\pm}0.82$ in upper and lower extremity, respectively. There was no difference in muscle weakness(P〈0.05). In 7 days after, muscle weakness was $2.31{\pm}0.35$ in upper extremity and $3.15{\pm}0.12$ in lower extremity in experimental group, and $2.27{\pm}0.74$ in upper extremity and $3.45{\pm}0.48$, lower extremity in comparison group. There was no meaningful improvement statistically in upper extremity(p<0.05) but significant evolution in lower extremity(p<0.05). The muscle weakness comparison between admission time and 7 days later was as follows. Experimental group had improvement at the degree of $0.24{\pm}0.92$, $0.42{\pm}0.82$ in upper and lower extremity, respectively and comparison group, $0.12{\pm}0.82$, $0.27{\pm}0.97$ in same part(p<0.05). So, Dansamhwanotang administered group had more good muscle weakness improvement than Sopungtang administered group(P>0.05). From the above result, I suppose that circulating blood and extinguishing blood stasis method helps recover hemiparesis caused by acute ischemic cerabral disease, in acute stage at least.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the use of the lower extremity supporter to ground reaction force(GRF) & EMG in women. Five women participated in the experiment conducted in the study(age: $46.7{\pm}3.5$ yrs, weight: $52.3{\pm}2.2$ kg, lower extremity height: $74.1{\pm}0.9$ cm, knee height: $40.7{\pm}1.4$ cm). The Ground reaction force was measured by AMTI ORG-6 and the Muscle activity of the lower extremity was measured by an 8-channel surface EMG system(Noraxon Myoresearch, USA, 1000Hz). We statistically compared muscle activity and ground reaction force with and without the lower-extremity supporter by one-way repeated ANOVA. The results were as follows. First, the use of the lower extremity supporter affects the ground reaction force along the anterior-posterior axis(Y). Second, the vertical(Z-axis) reaction force on the upper part of the lower extremity supporter increase because of the difference between the interval of vertical movement. Third, the muscle activity of the lateral gastrocnemius and rectus femoris was higher in the upper part of the lower extremity supporter. Further research for example, on a comparative analysis of joint moments, the effects of direct stressor on joints. and the relationship between muscle activity and joint movement, is necessary for a better understanding of the effects of the lower-extremity supporter.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2011

Background: The purpose of the present study was to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index(MBI), Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) and Fugl-Meyer motor function Assessment(FMA) in persons with strokes. Methods: We recruited 77 stroke patients from the Seoul Bukbu Geriatric Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Balance was measured by BBS. Activity of Daily Living was assessed using MBI. Cognitive function was examined using MMSE. Motor Recovery was measured using FMA. Data was analyzed using Pearson' correlation. Resurts: There were a statistically significant correlation between BBS and MBI, BBS and MMES, BBS and FMA upper extremity, BBS and FMA lower extremity. There were a statistically significant correlation between MBI and MMSE, MBI and FMA upper extremity, MBI and FMA lower extremity. There were a statistically significant correlated between FMA upper extremity and FMA lower extremity. Conclusions: This study will help rehabilitation program for stroke patients and will be the reference data for selection of therapy and evaluation method.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was to compare pain, upper extremity function, and anxiety among disease characteristics in the breast cancer survivors and to clarify the relationship among these variables. Methods: One hundred twenty two participants with breast cancer survivors over the age of 30 were recruited from a general hospital. Data were collected from November 1 to December 25, 2006 using a structured questionnaire. Results: The mean age was 51.17 and their mean survival period was 38.08 months. The breast cancer survivors who had received radiation therapy reported lower levels of pain and upper extremity function, and higher levels of anxiety than those who had other treatments. Pain and anxiety were positively related, and upper extremity function was negatively related to pain and anxiety. Conclusion: The breast cancer survivors experienced pain, upper extremity function disorder and anxiety. This study indicates that nursing interventions for the breast cancer survivors may be needed to improve upper extremity function, and to reduce pain and anxiety.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2065-2070
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the abdominal and mid thoracic muscles the lead to thoracic kyphosis of stroke patients. The trunk muscles activity of stroke patients is significantly related to upper extremity. Objectives: To investigate the effect of seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles on upper extremity function and trunk muscles activity in stroke patients. Design: One-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 27 stroke patients were recruited. All stroke patient were given seated abdominal exercise (posterior pelvic tilt exercises) and thoracic exercise (postural-correction exercise). All exercises were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. The manual function test (MFT) and electromyography (EMG) were measured, and EMG electrodes were attached to thoracic paraspinal muscles and lower rectus abdominal muscles. EMG signal is expressed as %RVC (reference voluntary contraction). Results: Experimental group showed significant increases in abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles activity and MFT total score, items of arm motion (forward elevation of the upper extremity, lateral elevation of the upper extremity, touch the occiput with the palm) in MFT after four weeks. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in stroke patients, seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles contribute to improve trunk muscles activity and upper extremity function in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 1996

This study wan described the movement patterns when rising from supine to erect stance in the third through eighth decades. Two hundred fifty six subjects, ranging in age from 30 year to 89 were filmed while rising from a supine position. Movement patterns were classified using categorical descriptions of the action of the upper and lower extremity, head-trunk region. This study was designed to determine whether within the rising task the movement patterns of different regions of the body vary with age level and sex, to describe time by subjects to perform this task. The incidence of each movement pattern was calculated and graphed wi th respect to age level and sex. Erect standing time was increased by age increasing in beth sex group. The most common form of rising for subject in the third through fifth decades both sex usually involved symmeytrical push with upper extremity, symmetrical squat pattern with lower extremity, partial rotation pattern wi th head-trunk and symmetrical push to push and reach pattern with upper extremity, symmetri cal squat pattern with lower extremity. partial rotation with head-trunk. In the sixth through eighth decades usually involved symmetrical push to push and reach pattern with upper extremity, symmetrical squat pattern with lower extremity, partial rotation pattern with head-trunk in both sex group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.169-174
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to resolve, in an efficient manner, the mechanoreceptor problems of the part far from the paretic upper extremity in stroke patients, as well as to provide clinical basic data of an intervention program for efficient neurodynamic in stroke patients, by developing a rhythmic neurodynamic exercise program and verifying functional changes depending on the increase in the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity. Methods: Samples were extracted from 18 patients with hemiplegia, caused by stroke, and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group I for the general upper extremity neurodynamic (n=9) and the experimental group II for rhythmic upper extremity neurodynamic (n=9). An intervention program was applied ten times per set (three sets one time) and four times a week for two weeks (once a day). As a pre-test, changes in the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity and functions were assessed, and two weeks later, a post-test was conducted to re-measure them in the same manner. Results: The wrist and palm sections of the radial nerve and the wrist and elbow sections of the median nerve, as well as the wrist, lower elbow, upper elbow, and axilla sections of the ulnar nerve had significant differences with respect to the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity between the two groups (p<0.05)(p<0.01), and significant differences were also found in the upper extremity functions (p<0.05). Conclusion: Rhythmic neurodynamic accelerated the nerve conduction velocity more in broader neural sections than the general neurodynamic. In conclusion, rhythmic neurodynamic was proven to be effective for improving the functions of upper extremity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric upper limb contraction on the trunk and lower extremity muscles during the sit-to-stand activity in elderly females. METHODS: Eighteen healthy elderly females performed three directional isometric upper extremity contractions (flexion, extension, and horizontal abduction movements) using an elastic band during sit-to-stand activity. Electromyography signals were collected from the internal oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. RESULTS: Internal oblique activity was greater in bilateral shoulder flexion and bilateral shoulder horizontal abduction than in neutral position (p<.05). Erector spinae and rectus femoris muscle activities in bilateral shoulder flexion was greater than in neutral position and bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). Biceps femoris activity was significantly greater in bilateral shoulder flexion than in bilateral shoulder extension and horizontal abduction, and in neutral position compared to bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that incorporating isometric upper limb contraction may be beneficial for enhancing the contribution of trunk and lower extremity muscle activities to trunk stabilization during sit-to-stand activity. Therefore, isometric upper limb contraction during sit-to-stand tasks, especially in flexion, may be used to elicit contraction of the lumbopelvic region muscles within a tolerable range, for developing endurance and strength in the elderly.