• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.7-17
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of coordinative locomotor training in a chronic stroke patient. Methods: A left hemiplegic patient diagnosed with a right middle cerebral artery stroke participated in this research. The patient's functional conditions were assessed, and a coordinative locomotor training program was initiated to resolve the problems identified. A set of movements deemed difficult based on the brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for stroke and d4501 (long-distance walking) were agreed as improvement targets. The program comprised warm up, main, cool-down, and home exercises. Repeated measurements were obtained, as follows: five times at baseline (A), 10 times during the intervention (B), and five times after the intervention (A). The study period was 7 weeks, and the intervention period was 1 h per day, twice a week for 5 weeks. Various tools, including the community walking test (CWT), 10-m walking test (10 MWT), 6-min walking test (6 MWT), and timed up and go (TUG) test, were conducted to assess the patient's walking ability. Changes in functional domains before and after the ICF Qualifier were compared. The mean values of the descriptive statistics were calculated, and a visual analysis using graphs was used to compare the rates of change. Results: The results showed that the CWT, 10 MWT, 6 MWT, and TUG test scores during the intervention period improved and that this improvement remained, even during the baseline period. In addition, the ICF Qualifier before and after the comparison decreased from moderate to mild. Conclusion: Based on the results, we propose that coordinative locomotor training can have positive effects on community ambulation of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.89-97
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of coordinative locomotor training on the spine appearance and quality of life of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: This study included two patients with idiopathic scoliosis: one with a thoracic and lumbar type scoliosis and the other with thoracic type scoliosis. The study design was a single case study (A-B-A'), with a baseline-intervention/phase-post-intervention. The baseline (A) was designed and measured five times, intervention phase (B) ten times, and post-intervention (A') five times. The coordinative locomotor training program was divided into 10 minutes of warm-up exercise, 30 minutes of the main exercise, and 10 minutes of the finishing exercise, for 50 minutes each time. The primary outcome measurements were measured using the Cobb's angle, Adam's test, and Gait view pro 2.0 to determine the changes in the spine appearance. The secondary outcome measurements were compared before and after using the SRS-22 questionnaire to determine the quality of life of the scoliosis patients. A statistical test analyzed the mean and standard deviation, and the rate of change was presented by a visual analysis method using descriptive statistics and graphs. RESULTS: The findings showed that the spine appearance and quality of life of the two subjects were improved compared to the baseline measurements during the intervention phase, and the improved state was maintained during the post-intervention period. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that coordinative locomotor training may help improve the spine appearance and quality of life of patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2022

The trade-off between morphology and physical function may vary according to ecological traits. Taking a quantitative approach, we attempted to analyze the differences in the skeletal shape of the lower body and limbs in relation to the ecological traits of four anuran species (Dryophytes japonicus, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and Lithobates catesbeianus) occurring in South Korea. Body size, locomotor mode, microhabitat, trophic positions, and predator defense mechanisms were selected for the ecological traits of the anurans. The pelvis, ilium, and urostyle, which are associated with locomotor performance, were selected for the skeletal shape of the lower body. The ratio of limbs, which is related to locomotor mode and microhabitat, was confirmed by analyzing the skeletons of the forelimbs (radio-ulnar and humerus) and hindlimbs (femur and tibiofibular). Both landmark-based geometric morphometrics and traditional methods were used for skeletal shape comparison. The skeletal shape of the lower body was completely different among the four species, whereas the ratio of the limbs was only different in D. japonicus. The skeletal shape of the lower body may be related to body mass and predator defense mechanisms, whereas the ratio of the limbs was related to the locomotor mode and microhabitat. Quantifying these morphological differences among various species can help elucidate the mechanisms of behavioral and morphological changes in response to ecological effects.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Globally, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a big burden, including 90% suffering permanent disability, and 60%-69% experiencing neuropathic pain. The main causes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. The efficacy of the stem cell secretome is promising, but the role of human neural stem cell (HNSC)-secretome in neuropathic pain is unclear. This study evaluated how the mechanism of HNSC-secretome improves neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI rat models through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities. Methods: A proper experimental study investigated 15 Rattus norvegicus divided into normal, control, and treatment groups (30 µL HNSC-secretome, intrathecal in the level of T10, three days post-traumatic SCI). Twenty-eight days post-injury, specimens were collected, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, F2-Isoprostanes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed. Locomotor recovery was evaluated via Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Rat Grimace Scale. Results: The HNSC-secretome could improve locomotor recovery and neuropathic pain, decrease F2-Isoprostane (antioxidant), decrease MMP-9 and TNF-α (anti-inflammatory), as well as modulate TGF-β and BDNF (neurotrophic factor). Moreover, HNSC-secretomes maintain the extracellular matrix of SCI by reducing the matrix degradation effect of MMP-9 and increasing the collagen formation effect of TGF-β as a resistor of glial scar formation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the mechanism of HNSC-secretome in improving neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.331-335
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• 2005

The methanolic extract of Hibiscus vitifolius flowers (HVE), was evaluated for neurophamacological activities by carrying out rota rod, locomotor activity and traction performance in mice and swim endurance activity in rats in different dosages (10, 30 and 100mg/kg body weight). HVE showed a significant effect on central nervous system by increasing the time taken for rota rod, traction performance and locomotor activity while swimming time was found to be decreased when compared to normal control animals. These results suggest that HVE possess significant anxiolytic and anti depressant activity which may be attributed to the presence of flavonoid in HVE.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Hwangryunhaedok-tang(Huanglianjiedu-tang HHT) water extract on locomotor dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats. Methods : SCI was induced by mechanical contusion following laminectomy of 10th thoracic vertebra in Sprague-Dawley rats. HHT was orally given once a day for 14 days after SCI. Neurological behavior was examined with the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. Tissue damage and nerve fiber degeneration were examined with cresyl violet and luxol fast blue staining. Using immunohistochemisty, cellular damage to neurons and nerve fibers were examined against Bax and MAP-2. As inflammatory response markers, iNOS and COX-2 expressions were also examined. Results : 1. HHT ameliorated the locomotor dysfunction of the SCI-induced rats. 2. HHT attenuated the reduction of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 3. HHT significantly reduced the number of Bax positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 4. HHT attenuated the reduction of MAP-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 5. HHT significantly reduced the number of iNOS and COX-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. Conclusions : These results suggest that HHT improves the locomotor dysfunction of SCI by protecting motor neurons from cell death through anti-inflammatory effect.

• 재활복지
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.83-104
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify improvement in locomotor skills by physical activity programs. Method of this study indicates that the current literature (2004-2015) were reviewed and the data from 24 studies with 518 disabled children were analyzed by using CMA3 (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis ver.3) program. Analyzing the data of the primary studies included gender, age, type of disabilities, duration of the physical activity program intervention(weeks, session per week, minutes per session), run, gallop, hop, leap, horizontal jump, and slide. For sensitivity analysis, publication bias and outlier were reviewed. Results of analysis indicates that the overall effect size of improvement in locomotor skills by physical activity programs was 1.143. There were large effect size in categorical analyses. Autistic spectrum among type of disabilities was 1.697 and run among 6 of locomotor skills was 1.019. 8~10 aged was 0.920 and the intervention of 100~120minutes(1.261)per session, 3sessions(1.078) per week, 16~20(1.587)weeks was found to be more larger than the others. In conclusion, improvement in locomotor skills by program participation showed that treated group was 37% more effective than control group.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.250-261
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• 2021

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) consists of disorders caused by spontaneous pain or induced by some stimulus. The objective was to verify the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) using 830 nm wavelength light at the affected paw and involved spinal cord segments during the warm or acute phase. Methods: Fifty-six mice were randomized into seven groups. Group (G) 1 was the placebo group; G2 and G3 were treated with PBM on the paw in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G4 and G5 treated with PBM on involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G6 and G7 treated with PBM on paw and involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively. Edema degree, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, skin temperature, and functional quality of gait (Sciatic Static Index [SSI] and Sciatic Functional Index [SFI]) were evaluated. Results: Edema was lower in G3 and G7, and these were the only groups to return to baseline values at the end of treatment. For thermal hyperalgesia only G3 and G5 returned to baseline values. Regarding mechanical hyperalgesia, the groups did not show significant differences. Thermography showed increased temperature in all groups on the seventh day. In SSI and SFI assessment, G3 and G7 showed lower values when compared to G1, respectively. Conclusions: PBM irradiation in the acute phase and in the affected paw showed better results in reducing edema, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, and in improving gait quality, demonstrating efficacy in treatment of CRPS-I symptoms.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2008

The behavioral phenotypes of out-bred ICR mice were compared with those of in-bred C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. In particular, this study examined the locomotor activity and two forms of hippocampus-dependent learning paradigms, passive avoidance and object recognition memory. The basal open-field activity of the ICR strain was greater than that of the C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains. In the passive avoidance task, all the mice showed a significant increase in the cross-over latency when tested 24 hours after training. The strength of memory retention in the ICR mice was relatively weak and measurable, as indicated by the shorter cross-over latency than the C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. In the object recognition memory test, all strains had a significant preference for the novel object during testing. The index for the preference of a novel object was lower for the ICR and BALB/c mice. Nevertheless, the variance and the standard deviation in these strains were comparable. Overall, these results confirm the strain differences on locomotor activity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.288-296
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• 2001

The behavior of declawed emus in a farm environment has not been described despite its importance in the husbandry and welfare of the emu. This study examined whether declawing of emus causes chronic pain resulting in permanent changes in the locomotor and general behavior of declawed yearling emus compared to emus not declawed. One group of 40 emus were declawed on the day of hatch by removing the distal phalangeal joint using a Lyon beak-trimming machine. Another group of 40 emus not declawed were the controls. Declawed emus one year of age were allocated to a paddock $250m{\times}125m$, while the control group was placed in an adjoining paddock of the same dimensions. One hour video records of individual emus from each treatment were made from 08:00 and 17:00 h over 2 periods; firstly when food and water was available and secondly during a period when food and water was not available after being withdrawn overnight. Inactive, ingestive, posture change, grooming, aggressive and locomotor behaviors were monitored from the videotape. There was no behavioral evidence to indicate loss of locomotor ability of declawed emus or to suggest declawed emus were suffering from severe chronic pain as indicated by declawed emus engaging in significantly more bouts (p<0.05) and time of searching (p<0.05). Declawed emus also engaged in less stereotype pacing (p<0.05) indicating they were under less stress and not as frustrated as control birds which engaged in more step pushing behavior (p<0.05). Modelling analysis showed that pecking behavior in birds was most closely related to foraging behavior. Birds subject to pecking attacks demonstrated higher levels of stereotype behavior presumably as a method to cope with stress. The behavioral evidence in this study would indicate that declawing does not compromise the locomotor ability of emus and has the benefit of improving the social structure in the groups by reducing stereotype behavior and aggression.