• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.99-114
• /
• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to introduce the Chuna Manual Therapy (CMT) using Bong (a type of stick which is called 'bong') as a part of Oriental Medicine. Methods : We searched several traditional methods of CMT using Bong, either individual contact to specialist of CMT using Bong or referred to publications, and summarized briefly for introduction. Authors also made a comparative study between existing CMT and CMT using the bong. Results & Conclusions : The indications of Bong CMT are regarded as acute or chronic pain syndrome, whiplash associated disorders, facet syndrome, vertebral misalignment, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity and also lower extremity length difference caused by malalignment of vertebrae and pelvic bone. The Meridian Muscle Therapy by pressing down using the Bong can be carried out on the imbalances of the muscle by shortening and lengthening contraction. CMT with Bong is considered more effective than other existing CMT in terms of effectiveness. In the case of pelvic correction which needs a tremendous amount of force, it can reduce the force required effectively. This fact can be inferred by the theory of composition and decomposition of force during the transmission of power. We can perform Bong CMT feeling less fatigued subsequently than general CMT. Pressing down with flexed fingers to grip bong acts on the contraction of flexor digiti and extensor digiti muscle, this protects the $doctor^{\circ}{\emptyset}s$ wrist joints from injury. The bong which acts as a tool between the doctor and the patient, while being given treatment, absorbs and spreads out the direct impact from the patient to the doctor. CMT with Bong is able to apply to both existing massage therapies with the hand. The bong appliance can be used in all applications, particularly, but not limited to; Orthopedic and Manual Correction Therapy, Meridian Muscle Pressing, Exercise Therapy, and Meridian Point Manual Pressing Therapy. CMT with Bong belongs to the category of oriental rehabilitation and Chuna manual medicine.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.144-149
• /
• 2017

Background The purpose of this study was to identify the epidemiologic characteristics of hand tendon injuries in children and to compare these with those of adults. Methods This retrospective study was conducted on acute traumatic tendon injuries of the hand treated at our institution from 2005 to 2013, based on medical records and X-ray findings. Age, sex, hand injured, mechanism of injury, tendons and zones injured, number of affected digits, and comorbidities and complications were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a pediatric group (${\leq}15years$) and an adult group (>15 years). Results Over the 9-year study period, 533 patients were surgically treated for acute traumatic tendon injuries of the hand. In the pediatric group (n=76), being male, the right hand, the extensor tendon, complete rupture, the middle finger, and glass injury predominated in hand tendon injuries. In the adult group (n=457), results were similar, but injury to the index finger and knife injury were the most common. An accompanying fracture was more common in the adult group and complication rates were non-significantly different. Conclusions This comparative analysis revealed no significant epidemiologic intergroup differences. The belief that pediatric tendon injuries tend to be less severe is misplaced, and careful physical examination and exploration should be conducted in pediatric cases of hand injury.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Two experienced physical therapists examined twenty six patients (17 male and 9 female) with an age range of 19-83 years (mean=51.9 SD=15.2). They assessed the elbow flexor/extensor muscle spasticity in the affected side. Interand intra-rater reliability of the MAS and the MTS were calculated using kappa statistics. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the angle of muscle reactions (R2-R1). Results: The intra-rater reliability of the MAS (K=0.39-0.55) and MTS (K=0.33-0.55) was fair to moderate. The inter-rater reliability was significantly higheras measured with MTS (K=0.54-0.66) in comparison with MAS (K=0.52). Intra-rater reliability of R2-R1 was moderate to almost perfect (ICC=0.52-0.86), and inter-rater reliability was substantial (ICC=0.74-0.76). Conclusion: The MTS provides higher inter-rater reliability compared with the MAS in hemiplegia patient analysis, but intra-rater reliability of both scales was not significantly different. Thus further research is needed to examine not only reliability, but also validity of these measurement systems.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.681-686
• /
• 2010

Although the height of a ramp is an important design element, it has not been considered in prior studies. Therefore, in this study, the ramp slope and height are considered as independent variables. To analyze the effects of the slope and height, five levels of slope (1:6, 1:8, 1:10, 1:12 and 1:14) and three levels of height (15cm, 30cm and 45cm) are considered. For the dependent variables, the total time, velocity and perceived discomfort were considered as usability measures, pulse rate changes and EMG signals of four related muscles (extensor carpi radialis, triceps brachii, anterior deltoid and posterior deltoid) were considered as physiology measures. As a result, differences among usability and physiological characteristic for the five slopes increased as the height increased. Additionally, slope effects were minor when the height was low (15cm). Almost domestic/international regulations and guidelines related to ramp recommended 1:12 slope for the ramp design, however, there was no significant difference between 1:10 and 1:12 according to result of this study. In addition, slope effects were minor at a low height; thus, a slope of 1:8 can be recommended if the installation space for a gentler ramp is not sufficient.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to see the changes in muscle activity of the upper limb in persons using a smartphone. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: An experiment was conducted to target 15 right-handed university students. Experiments were carried out for students using cell phones for more than a year. In this study, experiments were carried out with one-handed and both handed operation of smartphone use in a sitting position, the same parameters with smartphone use in a standing position. The experiments were carried out by having the subjects write a text message in Korean on the smartphone for 3 minutes repeated 3 times with a rest period of 10 seconds given between each 3 minute period. Electromyography (EMG) was used to record the muscle activity of the upper trapezius (UT), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and abductor pollicis (AP) during phone operation. Results: The muscle activity of the AP and ECR were significantly higher during single handed compared to double handed in both sitting and standing position (p<0.05). The muscle activity of the ECR was significantly higher in standing position compared to sitting position with double handed use of the smartphone (p<0.05). UT muscle activity of the right has been activated more than twice compared to the left UT in a sitting position (p<0.05). And UT muscle activity on the right has been activated more than five times compared to the left in a standing position (p<0.05). Conclusions: Using smartphone with double hand is useful for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2015

In this paper, we propose the robotic arm control method based on upper extremity electromyogram for lower upper extremity amputation patient. The muscle activity of the forearm flexor, forearm extensor and biceps was analyzed to utilize distribution of muscle activity to a specific position in order to the control input. This control input is converted into a control command for controlling the robotic arm through the algorithm. For the experiment and verify the proposed method, 5DoF robotic arm control system was constructed with 1 channel EMG Module and PC applications through the interworking with each module to perform a three-channel EMG analysis. For accuracy and performance evaluation of control, Experiments were performed with robotic arms moving objects. As a result of experiments which after training for 10 hours by middle 20's man, Validity of the proposed method was evaluated based an average accuracy of 92.5%.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study reviewed articles to identify the optimal rhythmic stabilization or stabilizing reversals application method for improving balance. Methods: The Cochrane, EBSCO, eArticle, Embase, DBpia, KISS, Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, SAGE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springer, and Wiley databases were used to search articles from 1990 to January 2017. The search terms included: "rhythmic stabilization" and "stabilizing reversals." Only experimental human studies (randomized controlled trials) that compared the effects of varying the optimal application of rhythmic stabilization or stabilizing reversals to improve balance were included in the review. Non-English language (except Korean) and unpublished studies were excluded. Results: During the research, 1,098 articles were initially identified. Of these articles, nine were randomized controlled trials. Of these nine articles, five were in English, and four were in Korean. In addition, three of the trials did not measure the patients' balance, two did not report the intensity and location of the resistance, and three performed the rhythmic stabilization incorrectly. Only one article met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The remaining study evaluated the participants' performance of the alternating trunk flexor and extensor isometric contraction of the scapulae using the optimal resistance for 10 seconds in a sitting position. The participants completed three sets of eight repetitions with rest intervals of 30 seconds between the repetitions and 60 seconds between the sets. Conclusion: Due to the lack of the scientific research on the topic, this review may not provide the evidence needed to support the optimal application of rhythmic stabilization or stabilizing reversals to improve balance. Future research should consider the methodological quality to identify the proper rhythmic standardization and stabilizing reversals application method.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.145-150
• /
• 2018

Background: This study evaluated the shoulder girdle muscle characteristics of elite archery athletes and provides suggestions for archery training programs. Methods: This study enrolled 15 cases of high level archery athletes (7 males, 8 females) and 30 cases of (15 males, 15 females) sex, age-matched, healthy, non-athletic individuals. We measured peak torques of flexion (FL), extension (EX), abduction (ABD), adduction (ADD), external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR) of both shoulders at an angular velocity of $30^{\circ}/sec$, $60^{\circ}/sec$, and $180^{\circ}/sec$. The peak torques and peak torque ratios of FL/EX, ABD/ADD, and ER/IR of the two groups were compared. Results: The archer group had a greater peak torque of IR and ADD, but only in the left shoulder (p<0.05). In the same group, both shoulders had greater peak torque of EX and lower peak torque of FL. The peak torque ratios of FL/EX of both shoulders were significantly lower in the archer group at all three angular velocities (p<0.05). The peak torque ratios of ABD/ADD were significantly greater in only the left shoulder of the archer group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The prominent characteristics of the shoulder girdle muscles of an elite archer are stronger adductor muscles of the bow shoulder and stronger extensors of both shoulders, as compared to healthy, non-athletic individuals. These muscle groups of the shoulder probably contribute a major role in maintaining the accuracy and stability during archery shooting. Hence, a training program that selectively enhances the adductor and extensor muscles could prove helpful in enhancing the archery skills of the athlete.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.723-728
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The disinsertion of the phalangeal tendon distal insertion has difficulties in ordinary tenorrhaphy operation for the anatomical features, and still has controversy between non-surgical and surgical management. The purpose of this study is to select treatment for the injury of the phalangeal tendon distal insertion, as we've had a good results from operation treatment with Pull-in suture technique. Methods: We reviewed the hospital records of 12 patients treated with Pull-in suture technique with disinsertion of the phalangeal extensor or flexor tendon distal insertion from June 2006 to June 2007. Eight patients were involved with the tendon disinsertion without bone fracture, and 4 patients were involved with the fracture of the phalangeal tendon distal insertion site. After removal of the K-wire in week 6, active physical exercises were commenced immediately. The mean follow-up period was 12.4 months. Results: All the patients who had tendon disinsertion with bone fracture had IIB, by Wehbe and Schneider's classification 2, and we evaluated the results comparing the same finger of the other hand according to Crawford's evaluation criteria 5. The nine excellent and three good results were obtained and there were no limitation of motor for the patient who had operation for the rupture of flexor tendon as well. There were no particular complications during the follow-up period. Conclusion: The most important thing for the disinsertion of the phalangeal tendon distal insertion is to maintain an accurate and durable reduction state keeping the tension of tendon. At this point, after removal of the K-wire, the Pull-in suture technique allows accurate realignment of the tendon-bone unit without any specific instrumentation under the more stable state. The Pull-in suture technique seems to be a strong alternative for the treatment of disinsertion of the phalangeal tendon distal insertion, with successful treatment outcome(rapid functional recovery and high patient satisfaction).