• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.161-170
• /
• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the effects of a thoracic flexibility exercise program on pain, heart rate variability (HRV), and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods : Fifty patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. Each participant performed a pre-test and post-test. The outcome measures evaluated were a visual analog scale, HRV test results (automatic activity, standard deviation normal to normal [SDNN], low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF ratio), and the Beck Depression Inventory. Patients underwent conventional physiotherapy for 35 minutes per session. In addition, a thoracic flexibility exercise program (trunk rotation exercise, McKenzie exercise, and supine thoracic extension exercise) were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Results : After the training period, the visual analog scale results showed a significant decrease in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Automatic activity, SDNN, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio significantly increased in the post-test compared to the pre-test. The Beck depression inventory results significantly decreased in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that a thoracic flexibility exercise program improves a visual analog scale, HRV (automatic activity, SDNN, LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio), and the Beck Depression Inventory in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.238-245
• /
• 2017

This retrospective observational study was aimed to evaluate that Daoyin Exercise therapy improves the symptoms related to lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the medical records of 7 patients, who satisfied with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects of the study were the patients who were prescribed Daoyin Exercise Therapy and Korean medical treatments for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation at Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from July 25th, 2016 to March 31th, 2017. The effects of Daoyin Exercise Therapy was evaluated by comparing before and after taking Daoyin Exercise Therapy through 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ), Trunk Extension Flexion(TEF) Program, EuroQol five Demension Questionnaire(EQ-5D, EQVAS) of the symptoms including lower back pain. The Daoyin Exercise Therapy combined with Korean medicine treatment reduced NRS($3.357{\pm}3.038$) and RMDQ($9.50{\pm}6.364$), and improved Muscle endurance($44.429{\pm}45.136$), EQ-5D($0.09{\pm}0.12$) and EQVAS($6.571{\pm}19.260$) of the 7 patients without side effects. These results implied that Daoyin Exercise Therapy might helps to improve symptoms of patients with lumbar disc herniation by reducing the symptoms of lower back pain and improving muscle endurance, quality of life, strength enhancement and core muscles.

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

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of the augmented reality (AR)-based knee joint short period exercise program and used a motion analyzer with a 3D camera to determine the range of motion and dynamic balance and further investigate the effects of therapeutic exercise on patients. Methods: This study used AR-based motion analysis and a Y-balance test to measure the range of motion (ROM) of each joint: the hip joint and the knee joint. After the measurements, an exercise program was applied to the subjects, using the knee motion program function, and the muscles of the quadriceps femoris and the hamstring were stretched or strengthened. Results: Our results showed knee joint extension at the dominant hip joint flexion position. While there was no significant difference (p>.05) at this position, there were significant differences in the non-dominant hips, unbalanced knee joint flexion, and superior knee joint flexion (p<.05). The Y-balance test using the non-dominant leg supported by the dominant legs showed that the absolute reach was $69.70{\pm}7.06cm$ before the exercise, and the absolute reach after the exercise was $77.56{\pm}6.09cm$ (p<.05). Conclusions: There was a significant difference when the movement of the lower limbs supported the superior limbs, and a significant difference was found in the ROM when the non-dominant side supported the dominant side. Therefore, the AR-based exercise program improves the balance of the human body and the range of motion of the joints, and research that aims to improve patients abilities should continue.

• Clinical Pain
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2020

Objective: A prospective, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic low back pain to evaluate the efficacy of portable low power laser therapy (LPLT) and the effect when combined with exercise therapy on pain and functions. Method: 60 patients were recruited and 56 patients, excluding 4 dropouts, were randomly allocated to the LPLT group (Group 1: 19 patients), placebo laser therapy with exercise group (Group 2: 18 patients), and LPLT with exercise group (Group 3: 19 patients). Laser therapy and exercise was performed five times a week for 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Schober test, lumbar range of motion (ROM) measures (flexion, extension and lateral flexion), Oswestry Disability index (ODI) were measured at baseline, at 4 weeks after intervention, and at 6 weeks after 2 weeks of no intervention. Results: Statistically significant improvements were noted in all group by time interaction with respect to all outcome parameters (p<0.05). All parameters in each group improved not only in the period of treatment (4 weeks), but also in the final evaluation (6 weeks) 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Post-hoc analysis showed statistically significant difference between the LPLT with exercise group and the other groups in all outcome parameters except for the ODI at 4 weeks and at 6 weeks. Conclusion: Portable LPLT is effective treatment in reducing pain and improving lumbar ROM and with exercise is more effective than laser or exercise monotherapy for the chronic low back pain patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the underwater Ai-Chi exercise on the joint range of motion, balance and posture. METHODS: Thirty-six college students (30 men, 6 women) were divided into a 'low physical activity' groups (Group I). and an 'appropriate physical activity' groups (Group II). The Ai-Chi underwater exercise was conducted three times a week for two weeks for both groups. A goniometer was used to measure the range of motion of the hip joint, and Y-Balance and the posture screen mobile were used to measure the stability of the lower extremities. RESULTS: An evaluation of the range of motion of the hip joint before and after the Ai-Chi exercise showed significant results in the low physical activity group. However, the flexural range showed a significant increase after exercise, but not significant result. In the comparison of the mean increase between groups, only the right hip joint showed a significant difference in both groups. Also, in the comparison of the Y balance test and posture screen test before and after exercise, both groups showed significant. CONCLUSION: The Ai-Chi underwater exercise helped improve the range of motion of the hip joint and the ability to balance. Also It helped improve posture alignment. In addition, although the increase in all physical activity groups lower than the appropriate physical activity groups was greater in all figures, the increase in the number of samples, the extension of the experimental period, and various variables could be obtained.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2023

Background: Although warm-ups before exercise are widely accepted, research on sex differences in improving hamstring flexibility is limited. Differences in the physical and physiological characteristics between males and females may result in different responses to warm-ups. Objects: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the effects of specific warm-up on hamstring flexibility. Methods: This study included 24 young adults with hamstring tightness. The participants performed five maximal knee extensions and flexions at 90° flexion of the hip, and the maximal knee extension angle was measured in real-time using a smartphone clinometer application. Results: The groups did not significantly affect the maximal knee extension angle but showed a significant effect for repetition (p = 0.002) and group-repetition interaction (p = 0.002). Males had no significant change in hamstring flexibility; however, females showed a significant increase in flexibility in the 5^th trial compared with the 1^st trial (p = 0.041). These results demonstrated sex-specific differences in flexibility improvement over time. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that specific warm-up can successfully improve hamstring flexibility in females. This may be due to various factors, such as muscle stiffness of the lower extremity, estrogen levels, and temperature sensitivity. In clinical settings, specific warm-up might be helpful for females who participate in sports or activities, such as running or jumping, which require a full range of motion in the hip and knee joints.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.280-288
• /
• 2013

Hua-Tuo(145-208) created five "WuQinXi" exercise by imitating the movements of a tiger, a deer, a bear, a monkey and a bird. The "WuQinXi" exercise, one of the medical Qi-gongs, is an exercise maximizing human's self healing power and has been effective significantly at several modern researches. There are many exercise therapies in western medcine, such as Willamss flexion exercise, Mckenzie's extension exercise, vertebral stabilization exercise and so on. However, there isn't a special exercise therapy which can be applied for medical practice in oriental medicine. So We selected some motions from "WuQinXi" exercise, which are suitable for lumbar spinal disease, and analyzed them. After that, We assorted them by kinds of lumbar spinal disease. First, We selected 22 motions which are related with lumbar movements from 3 type "WuQinXi" exercises ; 10 mode, 15 mode, 18 mode. And then, We classified them according to lumbar movements as flexion, extention, lateral bending and rotation, and also functions as stabilization and rubbing. Next, with these classifications, We assorted those motions by kinds of lumbar spinal disease as HIVD(herniation of intervertebral disc), spinal stenosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, facet joint syndrome, compression fracture and spondylosis. We expect that trying "WuQinXi" exercise at clinic in this way, the particular exercise therapy of oriental medicine, "WuQinXi" exercise will become more popular. And Oriental medical doctors will be able to teach patients "WuQinXi" exercise's motions easily at clinic, depending on kinds of lumbar spinal disease each patient suffers from. We plan to study more about 20 mode, 30 mode, 40 mode and the effect of "WuQinXi" exercise by comparing patients who do the "WuQinXi" exercise with the patients who do the western medical exercise therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate activation of accessory respiratory muscles using electromyography during chest expansion upper extremity flexion, abduction, and external rotation exercises with an elastic band in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: The subjects were 10 children with cerebral palsy. The inclusion criterion for participation was a Gross Motor Function Classification System level of I to III. The subjects were instructed to perform upper extremity flexion, abduction, and external rotation exercises with inspiration, and extension, adduction, and internal rotation exercises with expiration while seated on a chair without a backrest. PM (Pectoralis major), SCM (sternocleidomastoid), RA (rectus abdominis), and EO (external oblique) muscle activities were measured using electromyography. RESULTS: All tested muscles showed a statistically significant increase in activity after elastic band exercise. There were significant differences in PM, SCM, RA, and EO results after chest expansion exercise using elastic band. SCM showed the largest increase in activity after use of elastic bands, at $52.37{\pm}45.88$%, followed by the RA ($50.56{\pm}79.31$), EO ($35.42{\pm}35.45$), and PM ($31.72{\pm}25.64$). The increase in the SCM was greatest, followed by increases in the RA, EO, and PM CONCLUSION: These finding suggest that activity of accessory respiratory muscles increases with use of elastic bands during chest expansion exercise in cerebral palsy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2015

Objective: This study was carried out to compare changes in pain, swelling and range of motion (ROM) between the two groups according to physical therapy intervention. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: There were a total of 20 elderly subjects ages 65-75 years old who have been admitted to the hospital for a total knee arthroplasty. After surgery, the experimental group (n=10) carried out quadriceps femoris muscle strengthening exercise, hamstring stretching exercises and gastrocnemius stretching exercise with a physical therapist for 30 minutes and additionally, received ice pack therapy for 20 minutes once a day. The control group (n=10) carried out continuous passive motion for 30 minutes and received ice pack therapy for 20 minutes once a day. The experimental group and control group carried out each intervention program for 2 weeks 3 times a week. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess pain, tape measurements were taken to assess swelling, and a steel goniometer was used to assess knee joint ROM. Results: As a result, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in the pain and swelling, and a significant increase in knee flexion ROM after the intervention, compared to the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant improvement in pain, edema, and knee flexion and extension ROM in all subjects after intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: According the results of this study, exercise in the experimental group is effect on the pain, swelling and ROM for total knee arthroplasty.