• Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical benefits between high-intensity and low-to moderate-intensity statin therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 1,230 patients in the Korea AMI Registry (KAMIR) were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the dosage of statin for the secondary prevention after AMI. The primary endpoint was composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including cardiac death, non-fatal MI, repeat revascularization during the 12 months of clinical follow-up. Result: The primary endpoint occurred in 101 patients (11.3%) from the low-to moderate-intensity statin group and 45 patients (13.4%) from the high-intensity statin group. The cumulative incidence of MACEs during 12-month follow-up was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.323). After multi-variate analysis, MACEs-free survival rate was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: High-intensity statin therapy did not show additional clinical benefit over low-to moderate-intensity statin therapy after AMI.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the abdominal bracing (AB) and abdominal bracing combined with ankle dorsiflexion (ABDF) on abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Sixteen subjects were divided randomly into two group: ABDF group (n=8), and alone AB group (n=8). The ABDF group practiced AB exercise with additional ankle dorsiflexion. AB group practiced only AB exercises. Subjects in both groups received ABDF exercise and AB exercise for 40 min per day, three days per week during a period of three weeks, respectively. All the subjects were evaluated for abdominal muscle thickness and strength before and after intervention using ultrasonography and MedX machine. Results: The external oblique (EO), internal oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness and the strength produced at $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$ showed a significant increase in the ABDF group after intervention, with a more significant improvement in EO and TrA muscle thickness in the ABDF group compared with the AB group (p<0.05). Also, the strength at $48^{\circ}$ strength showed a significant improvement in the ABDF group than the AB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that abdominal muscle contraction exercises with AD in patients with LBP had an influence on abdominal muscle thickness and strength. Therefore, these findings suggest that ABDF may be useful approach for enhancement of abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare changes in the flexibility of hamstring muscles which are relaxed on suboccipital muscle through suboccipital muscle inhibition and combination technique. Methods: Thirty sample subjects (16 male and 14 female) were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). 1. Suboccipital muscle inhibition: Suboccipital muscles of the patients were placed on a bed. The occipital region was placed on a therapist's fingers, and the posture was maintained for three minutes before remeasurement. 2. Treatment with combination technique (body bolster and wooden pillow): Wooden pillows were placed where the participants could relax the posterior arch of the atlas; additional body bolsters were also placed to avoid high pressure, and the treatment was maintained for three minutes before remeasurement. Results: There was a statistical difference in finger floor distance (FFD) and straight leg raise (SLR) results for those treated with SMI (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in FFD and SLR results for those treated with the combination technique (P>0.05). Conclusion: Between the two intervention methods; the suboccipital muscle inhibition technique was more effective in increasing the flexibility of subjects with a shortened hamstring than was the combination technique.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.147-153
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• 2018

Objective: This study investigated the effects of air stacking training (AST) on pulmonary function, respiratory strength, and peak cough flow (PCF) in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 persons with CSCI were randomly allocated to the AST group (n=12) or the incentive spirometry training (IST) group (n=12). Patients with CSCI received AST or IST for 15 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks, and all groups performed basic exercises for 15 minutes. In the AST group, after the subject inhaled the maximal amount of air as best as possible, the therapist insufflated additional air into the patient's lung using an oral nasal mask about 2-3 times. In the IST group, patients were allowed to hold for three seconds at the maximum inspiration and then to breathe. The pre and post-tests measured forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume one at second (FEV1), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and PCF. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in FVC, FEV1, MEP, MIP and PCF values after training (p<0.05). The FVC in the post-test and the mean change of FVC, FEV1, MIP were significantly higher in the AST group than the IST group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that AST significantly improved pulmonary function, respiratory strength, and PCF in persons with CSCI. Therefore, AST should be included in respiratory rehabilitation programs to improve coughing ability, pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.39-52
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• 2020

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of parent education on feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Method : Articles published between 2000 and May 2019 were identified through a database search of Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid-Medline, and PubMed as well as through additional manual searches. A total of six articles were selected and qualitatively analyzed according to the level of evidence of the study and arranged according to PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome). Results : Six articles were used for the data analysis; four articles were at evidence level 1 and two articles were at evidence level 3. Behavioral therapy was the most common interventional approach to parent education, and all of the articles based on behavioral therapy had evidence level 1. Conclusion : This study examines the various ways of parenting to help families with autism spectrum children with feeding problems in order to find directions for parent education that can be applied in clinical practice.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.565-576
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• 2020

Background and objective: The elderly living in homeless living facilities for a long time suffer from various mental health problems. This study aims to determine the psychological, emotional, and social effects of a horticultural therapy program composed of gardening activities, which was designed based on the semantic structures of life for the homeless elderly living in the facilities for a long time. Methods: A total of 12 subjects (6 in the control group and 6 in the experimental group) participated in the study. The horticultural therapy program consisted mainly of gardening activities, and a total of 16 sessions were conducted once a week for 16 weeks, 60-90 minutes per session. The subjects were tested to evaluate their self-esteem, depression, and horticultural activities. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank test, and Friedman test, which were nonparametric tests, conducted at a 95% significance level. Results: First, in the case of self-esteem, a significant difference was found between the groups, 20.00 points (SD = 5.69) in the control group, and 25.50 points (SD = 3.73) in the experimental group (p = .034). Second, in the case of depression, no statistically significant difference was found in the posttest. Finally, in the case of the horticultural activity evaluation, the scores of most variables gradually and significantly increased during the program [Verbal interaction during activity (p = .006), Self-concept and identity (p = .006), Need-drive adaptation (p < .001), Interpersonal and social relations (p < .001)]. Conclusion: These results support that the horticultural therapy program could help the elderly improve psychological relaxation, emotional stability, and social relationships. In order to generalize the results, it is suggested to increase the number of subjects or conduct additional repetitive experiments in further research.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of task-oriented treadmill training on the gait and balance ability and functional activity in 20 patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: The study subjects were twenty stroke patients, ten randomly placed in the experimental group and ten in the control group. Both the experimental and control groups received 30 minutes of traditional physical therapy and an additional 15 minutes of functional electrical stimulation therapy. The experimental group was given task-oriented treadmill training, while the control group received general treadmill training. Each session lasted for 25 minutes, three times a week, over four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in the 10-metre walk test (10MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), and Modified Barthel index (MBI). However, statistically significant differences in the Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were seen only in the experimental group. There were statistically significant differences in the between-group differences value comparisons in the 10MWT, BBS, TUG, FMA, and MBI. CONCLUSION: Task-oriented treadmill training positively impacts gait, balance, and daily function in subacute stroke patients. This study highlights the benefits of training on unstable surfaces and offers valuable insights for stroke rehabilitation and gait training.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.482-487
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in wrist extensor activity, pain, and grip strength before and after wearing a forearm strap in their 20s who complained of chronic lateral epicondylitis for more than 6 weeks. As a result of the study, there was an increase in wrist extensor activity on both the injured and non-injured sides after wearing the forearm strap, but this was not statistically significant. There was a statistically decrease in pain after wearing the forearm strap on the injured side, and a statistically significant increase in grip strength on both. After applying the forearm strap with pad, there was an increase in muscle activity of ECRB (extensor carpi radialis brevis) on both the injured and non-injured sides. This is thought to be due to the strap pad acting as a compressive force, reducing pain, and increasing muscle recruitment ability due to stability in wrist extension. However, considering that the number of study subjects is insufficient to generalize the results, additional supplementary research is deemed necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study aimed to study the immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in patients with hematologic malignancies. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study of hematology patients aimed to evaluate their antibody levels against the receptor-binding domain of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein and seroconversion rates following two doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. Between June and July 2021, we enrolled 61 patients and included 44 patients in our analysis. Antibody levels were assessed 8 and 4 weeks after the first and second injections, respectively, and compared with those of a healthy group. Results: Eight weeks after the first dose, the geometric mean antibody level was 1.02 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL in the patient group and 37.91 BAU/mL in the healthy volunteer group (p<0.01). Four weeks after the second dose, the geometric mean antibody level was 9.44 BAU/mL in patients and 641.6 BAU/mL in healthy volunteers (p<0.01). The seroconversion rates 8 weeks after the first dose were 27.27% and 98.86% in the patient and healthy volunteer groups, respectively (p<0.001). The seroconversion rate 4 weeks after the second dose was 47.73% in patients and 100% in healthy volunteers. Factors leading to lower seroconversion rates were rituximab therapy (p=0.002), steroid therapy (p<0.001), and ongoing chemotherapy (p=0.048). Factors that decreased antibody levels were hematologic cancer (p<0.001), ongoing chemotherapy (p=0.004), rituximab (p<0.001), steroid use (p<0.001), and absolute lymphocyte count <1,000/mm³ (p=0.009). Conclusion: Immune responses were impaired in individuals with hematologic malignancies, particularly patients undergoing ongoing therapy and B-cell-depleting therapy. Additional vaccinations should be considered for these patients, and further investigated.