• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the influence of smartphone usage on the upper limb muscles while in stable and unstable positions and during gait. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study was conducted with 20 right-handed university students between 20 and 27 years of age. Experiments were carried out on students who have used cell phones for more than a year. In this study, experiments were performed with one-handed and two-handed smartphone operations while on stable ground, and the same parameters were measured during smartphone use on unstable ground and during gait. Subjects were instructed to write a text message in Korean on the smartphone for 3 minutes. This was repeated 3 times, with a rest period of 10 seconds given between each 3-minute period. Electromyography was used to record the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, extensor carpi radialis, extensor pollicis longus, and abductor pollicis (AP) during phone operation. Results: The muscle activity value for the right AP in one-handed and the left-AP in two-handed operations was statistically higher than the other muscles in the stable position and during gait (p<0.0001). Also, the right AP in the one- handed operation condition was statistically higher than the two-handed condition (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The use of smartphones while in a stable position resulted in high muscle activity of the right upper limb AP. However, in an unstable position, there were no significant differences from the other muscle activities. Using smartphone while assuming various positions may lead to musculoskeletal disorders in different places.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2023

Very few studies have been reported on upper extremity replantation following traumatic amputation. This case study aimed to report the progress of a patient treated with complex Korean medicine for 1 year after elbow replantation. The patient mainly complained of forearm sensory loss, muscle weakness, and hand pain after undergoing upper limb amputation and emergency replantation. He was hospitalized for approximately 50 days and then received outpatient treatment for approximately 10 months, followed by electroacupuncture, moxibustion, Chuna, herbal medicine, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. The muscle strength of the wrist joint improved to good (flexion) and fair (extension), and the forearm sensation was partially recovered approximately 10 months after the onset. To our knowledge, this is the first case report on replantation rehabilitation in Korean medicine, and it suggests that complex Korean medicine treatment might be beneficial for patients undergoing replantation after upper extremity amputation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Purpose: Among computer users, the awkward posture and workstation setups of workers contribute to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a traditional physical therapy and ergonomic intervention by physical therapists in 4 computer users. Methods: After checking Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), four subjects who were treated by physical therapy for neck and shoulder problems related to VDT syndrome were enrolled in the study. All subjects spent at least 40 hours per week at a computer workstation. All subjects had pain and ergonomic states evaluated using methods such as VAS, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Workstyle short form, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and OSHA VDT checklist (Occupational Safety and Health Administration video display terminal) before a physical therapy + ergonomic intervention. Participants were re-evaluated 1 month later. Results: Participants showed more improvement of their neck pain after being treated with a physical therapy plus ergonomic intervention than when treatment consisted only of physical therapy. Improvements in RULA, Workstyle short form, and OSHA VDT checklist also were achieved. Conclusion: This case study suggests the importance of examining the work habits and work-related postures of subjects who complain of neck and shoulder pain that is exacerbated by computer use. Personalized ergonomic interventions and physical therapy can lead to improvement of patients with VDT syndrome.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of elastic resistance exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the daily activities of a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. The result will be proposed as background data for effective intervention in a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods: The target subject was a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury to the cervical cord (C6). Elastic resistance exercise based on PNF was performed for 30 min daily, five times a week, for eight weeks. The ASIS motor scale was applied to test the muscular strength of the upper limb, and the spinal cord independence measure II (SCIM II) was used to evaluate the capacity of daily activity. Results: By applying elastic resistance exercise based on PNF, the muscular strength of the upper limb increased and the performance of daily activity improved. Conclusion: Because elastic resistance exercise based on PNF positively influences the ASIA motor scale and SCIM II of the patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. It can be used for training programs to improve the capacity of daily activity of the patient.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.187-191
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of a muscle activity by applying the complex exercise method of sling in accordance with the provision of various vibration intensities for paraplegia-spinal cord injury. Method: The subjects of the study were 15 men in their 40s and 50s with lower limb disabilities and low potential risk, who were randomly divided into a sling exercise group (SG n=4), a sling with low frequency vibration group (SLVG n=4), a sling with mid-frequency vibration group (SMVG n=4), and a sling with high frequency group (SHVG n=4) in accordance with the provision of slings and vibration stimuli. The vibratory intensity provided was divided into low frequency (30 Hz), mid-frequency (50 Hz), and high frequency (70 Hz). The anterior deltoid (AD), the posterior deltoid (PD), the pectoralis major (PM), the upper trapezius (UT), the latissimus dorsi (LD), and the multifidus (MF) were measured to compare and analyze muscle activity. Results: The closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise to the shoulder joint showed higher muscle activity in most muscles for the SMVG, and statistically significant differences in the anterior deltoid (AD), the pectoralis major (PM), and the multifidus (MF) in particular. Conclusion: The intermediate frequency (50 Hz) string vibration was the effective vibration stimuli for Closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.927-932
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• 2010

Estimation methods of motion intention from bio-signal present challenges in man machine interaction(MMI) to offer user's command to machine without control of any devices. Measurements of meaningful bio-signals that contain the motion intention and motion estimation methods from bio-signal are important issues for accurate and safe interaction. This paper proposes a novel motion estimation sensor based on a geometrical muscle changes, and a motion estimation method using the sensor. For estimation of the motion, we measure the circumference change of the muscle which is proportional to muscle activation level using a flexible piezoelectric cable (pMAS, piezo muscle activation sensor), designed in band type. The pMAS measures variations of the cable band that originate from circumference changes of muscle bundles. Moreover, we estimate the elbow motion by applying the sensor to upper limb with least square method. The proposed sensor and prediction method are simple to use so that they can be used to motion prediction device and methods in rehabilitation and sports fields.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-89
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Modified Constraint-Induced Therapy (MCIT) on the effected upper extremity of children with hemiparesis. Four children with hemiparetic upper extremity caused by brain injuries were trained by MCIT for ten weeks. During the same period, all of the subjects were also involved in thirty-minute regular physical therapy and occupational therapy. During the treatment period, the unaffected upper extremities of the subjects were restrained by a specially designed hand splint or a mitten for five hours a day, five days per week. For two hours out of the five-hour restraint period, the affected upper extremities were intensively trained by performing various functional tasks, which were individually structured to emphasize use of the affected arm. A single-subject design with A-B-A reversal was employed in this study. The affected limb motor ability was evaluated by Melbourne Assessment, measuring the time to grasp and release nine pegs, and measuring grasping power. As a consequence of this study, the affected limb motor test scores of all four subjects in the baseline period were improved during the treatment period. Furthermore, the treatment effect was maintained during a one-month follow-up period. The results of this study support the assumption that MCIT is an effective therapeutic method to improve the sensory and motor abilities of hemiparetic children. It also increases the frequency of functional use of the hemiparetic hands of brain-injured children. Based on the results of this study, it can also be assumed that the modified CIT method is especially beneficial to these children by reducing the negative emotional effects of forceful restraint of the unaffected upper extremity. To optimize the functional recovery of the paretic upper extremity by CIT, the restriction period per day should be decided individually, according to the characteristics of the individual.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2020

Our objective is to evaluate the applicability of segmental phase angle (PhA) via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for post-stroke complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Due to its noninvasiveness and convenience, various studies have used BIA in clinical conditions. We measured segmental PhA in 4 patients at the time of CRPS diagnosis and repeated 4 weeks after 2 weeks of steroid pulse therapy. In 3 cases, the affected-to-unaffected ratio of the upper limb PhA decreased at the time of diagnosis. In 2 cases with improvement of more than 5 points in the CRPS severity score (CSS), increased ratios were observed. In other 2 cases with improvement of less than 4 points in the CSS, no remarkable changes in the ratios were found. We suggest that the segmental PhA can be helpful in assessment of post-stroke CRPS and its recovery.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.595-602
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sequential intermittent pneumatic compression in patients with lymphedema who were hospitalized for three days at Samsung Medical Center. Thirty-three subjects with lymphedema was selected by physician referral. A selection of the patients was made according to the following criteria : 1) no known metastases, 2) no infection after the a difference of at least 10% in the volumes of edematous limb. All patients were treated with the Lympha-Press(Model 103-A). Circumferential limb mesurements was done before and after a 3-day treatment period. As a result of sequential intermittent pneumatic compression therapy. All extremity showed a decrease in circumferential measurements with the maximal reduction occurring at the wrist(55.75 %) for the upper extremities and at the lower 1/3 of calf (40.61%) for the lower extremities. Upper extremity arm was reduced by 42.1% and lower extremity leg by 33.61%. In contrast with this, the proximal levels of arm patients and leg showed comparatively poor reduction than distal levels. Almost 44.44% of arm patients and 5.26% of leg patients experienced significant reduction(> 50%) after compression therapy. These data clearly indicates that Sequential Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy was effective treatment for reducing of extremity volume in patients with lymphedema. but this was variable degree and dependent on the amount of pre-existing lymphedema. Other factors such as duration of edema, etiology, previous history of radiology, age did not appear to influence the extend of improvement. Further sutdies will be necessary to determine long term benefit of this therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.75-82
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of arm training in standing position on balance and walking ability in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Sixteen chronic stroke patients were allocated equally and randomly to an experimental group (n=8) or a control group (n=8). All participants received 60 minutes of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, the experimental group additionally received an arm training in standing position for 30 minutes, while the control group additionally performed a treadmill training for 30 minutes. These 30-minute training sessions were held three times per week for six weeks. Upper extremity function was assessed using Fugle-Meyer motor assessment function upper extremity (FMA-UE), balance was assessed using Berg balance scale (BBS), and walking ability (gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limb support period) was assessed using the GAITRite system. RESULTS: Improvement on all outcome measures was identified from pre-to-post intervention for both groups (p<.05). Post-intervention, there was a significant between-group difference on BBS, gait speed, cadence, step length, and double limp support period (p<.05). The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the BBS (p=.01; z=-2.48), gait speed (p=.01; z=-3.26), cadence (p=.02; z=-2.31), step length (p=.01; z=-3.36), and double limb support period (p=.03; z=-2.84) compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that arm training in standing position may be beneficial for improving balance and walking ability of patients with chronic stroke.