• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2004

The purpose of present study is to examine the relative efficacy of active exercise programs for work-related chronic low back pain and to figure out how much they affect mechanical stability of lumbar. Subjects are 43 employees with work-related chronic low hack pain, and they were randomly divided into two groups with general physiotherapy groups and thoracic exercise groups for increasing thoracic mobility. Active exercise programs were done 3 times a week, for 6 months, and the subjects were tested for Pain intensity(VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index, Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction and the lumbar region angle of inclination. All subjects were reassessed with same measurement with Pre-study and 6 months after study After applying active exercise programs, pain intensity didn't show any significant difference between two groups. The Oswestry Disability Index showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise groups decreased significantly compare to general physiotherapy group(p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group increased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups(p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group decreased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). According to the results above, exercise for increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. For the work-related chronic lower hack pain workers, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2019

Purpose : Lower back pain is a common disorder experienced by approximately 90-% of the population at least once in a lifetime. This study examines changes in the thicknesses and ratios of the deep and superficial fibers of the multifidus according to the lumbar stabilization exercise used for spinal stabilization. Methods : Ten different lumbar stabilization exercises were implemented by 20 healthy men in random order, and the thickness of multifidus muscle was measured ultrasound image during each exercise. Results : The surface muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles significantly increased in the exercise method in which the arms and legs were lifted (p<.05), while the deep muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles increased significantly in the exercise in which the arms and legs were not lifted (p<.05). The ratio of the thickness of surface muscle fibers to the total thickness of muscle fibers was higher in the exercise method in which the arms and legs were lifted (p<.05), while the ratio of the thickness of deep muscle fibers to the total thickness of muscle fibers was higher in the hollowing and bracing exercise method in which the arms and legs were not lifted (p<.05). Conclusion : When lumbar stabilization exercise should be performed at clinics to strengthen the deep muscle fibers of the multifidus muscles that have larger effects on the stability of spinal segments, taking the stability of the spine into consideration indicates that, hollowing and bracing exercise methods that do not that cause isotonic extension to the spine are appropriate.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.9-16
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on static and dynamic balance performance with unstable supporting surface and an even surface. Methods : The subjects of this experimental study were 30 patients among hospitalized stroke patients. They were randomly divided into two groups: unstable supporting surface group(USS; n=15) and an even surface group(ES; n=15). The lumbar stabilization exercise program for patients in two groups went through 40 minute exercise sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. To analyze the effects of a variety of supporting surface, Functional reaching test(FRT), Berg's balance scale(BBS), and Overall stability index(static balance) were measured before and after the exercise. The paired t-test was used to compare mean differences between before and after exercis and the independent t-test was used to compare mean differences between groups. Results : After 8 weeks exercise program, there were significant differences between before and after exercise in FRT, BBS, and static balance. But there were not significant differences in balance between two groups. Conclusion : This study suggest that lumbar stabilization exercise on unstable supporting surface and an even surface can improve FRT, BBS, and a static balance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2005

Objects: This study is designed to analysis improvement and maintaince of trunk stability targeting patients who need post operative rehabilitation exercise after undergoing opened microscopic laser discectomy(OMLD) due to HNP. Method: Between March 2004 and February 2005 a total sixty patients who underwent OMLD due to $L_4/L_5$, $L_5/S_1$ HNP and who agreed to the experiment were subject for this study. Experimental group consisted of 18 subjects, and they underwent 45 minutes dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise And control group consisted of 18 subjects who conducted conservative physical therapy based on the use of physical modality for 45 minutes except to exercise. Results: Experimental group that was lumbar extensor's isometric peak torque, weight distribution of both leg, trunk muscle balance and Oswestry LBP disability index increased during 12 weeks in a statistically significant manner compared to before exercise (p<.05). When re-test was tried, isometric peak torque (p>.05) and Oswestry LBP disability index(p<.05) maintained 12th week level or improved. Weight distribution rate of both leg and trunk muscle balance maintained the level of 8th week of exercise execution(p<.05). Control group that was lumbar extensor's isometric peak torque, weight distribution rate of both leg and trunk muscle balance aggravated during 12 weeks compared to pre-test(p>.05) But, Oswestry LBP disability index increased in a statistically significant level compared to pre-test(p<.05). When re-test was tried, isometric peak torque increased slightly compared to pre-test, but decreased when at least $60^{\circ}$ flexion angle(p>.05). Weight distribution rate of both leg and trunk muscle balance also aggravated compared to pre-test(p>.05), and Oswestry LBP disability index was similar to the 4th week of physical therapy execution(p>.05). Conclusion: Successive postoperative Especially, Application of dynamic lumbar stabilization exercise program is important than traditional lumbar strengthening exercise program in the maintaince of spinal stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.20-28
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• 2012

The lumbar multifidus muscle, which can be separated into deep fascicles (DM) and superficial fascicles (SM), is important for lumbar segmental stability. However, no previous studies have investigated the effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on the thickness of DM and SM. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess DM thickness after three different lumbar segmental stabilization exercises. In total, 30 healthy male participants were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three exercise groups: hollowing in the quadruped position (H-Quad), contralateral arm and leg lift (CALL), and bilateral arm and leg lift (BALL). Each lumbar segmental stabilization exercise was conducted over 4 weeks. Ultrasonography was used to compare the DM and SM thickness before and after the 4 weeks of exercise. A mixed-model analysis of variance using Scheffe's post-hoc test was used for statistical analysis. The results showed a significant effect for the measurement time (before vs. after 4 weeks of exercise) in the DM (F=31.26, p<.05) and SM (F=4.56, p<.05). At the end of the 4 weeks, the DM thickness had increased significantly in the H-Quad exercise group, and the SM thickness had increased significantly in the CALL and BALL exercise groups. Also in the BALL exercise group, the SM thickness was greater compared with that in the H-Quad exercise group. These findings suggest that the thickness of the DM and SM were increased by different types of lumbar segmental stability exercise after 4 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.369-376
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to assess dynamic stability toward pelvis-spine column distortion during running and to compare the typical three-dimensional angular kinematics of the trunk motion; cervical, thoracic, lumbar segment spine and the pelvis from the multi-segmental spine model between exercise group and non-exercise group. Subjects were recruited as exercise healthy women on regular basis (group A, n=10) and non-exercise idiopathic scoliosis women (group B, n=10). Data was collected by using a vicon motion capture system (MX-T40, UK). The pelvis, spine segments column and lower limbs analysiaed through the 3D kinematic angular ROM pattern. There were significant differences in the time-space variables, the rotation motion of knee joint in lower limbs and the pelvis variables; obliquity in side bending, inter/outer rotation in twisting during running leg movement. There were significant differences in the spinal column that is lower-lumbar, upper-lumbar, upper-thoracic, mid-upper thoracic, mid-lower thoracic, lower thoracic and cervical spine at inclination, lateral bending and twist rotation between group A and group B (<.05, <.01 and <.001). As a results, group B had more restrictive motion than group A in the spinal column and leg movement behaved like a 'shock absorber". And the number of asymmetry index (AI) showed that group B was much lager unbalance than group A. In conclusion, non-exercise group was known to much more influence the dynamic stability of equilibrium for bilateral balance. These finding suggested that dynamic stability aimed at increasing balance of the trunk ROM must involve methods and strategies intended to reduce left/right asymmetry and the exercise injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.235-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and assess the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the balance ability of young college studets with low back pain after having performed spinal stabilization exercise by using 3-dimensional air-balance system and gym ball. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 low back patients in their early twenties. They were divided into two groups: 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17) and gym ball lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17). The period of the intervention was for five weeks. VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) for pain test, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index) for ADL limitation test, Tetrax system for static balance test, and Air-balance system 3D for dynamic balance test were used as evaluation tools for this study. Results: Pain showed significant decrease in both groups after having performed the experiment, but ADL limitation of the groups did not show any remarkable difference between before and after the experiment. Dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional angle comparison test significantly increased in all directions except for the backward, left-backward, and right-backward directions. As for dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional postural test, 3D exercise group showed statistically significant reduction in every direction while gym ball exercise group did not(p<.05). However, when it comes to static balance ability in the weight distribution and stability test, there was not significantly change between pre and post test in both groups. Conclusion: This study shows 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise is more effective in the lumbar stabilization of coordinated movement than gym ball exercise, which may imply that 3D air-balance system can be used for the therapeutic treatment of body imbalance for patients with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.414-418
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• 2012

Purpose: Muscle fatigue affects proprioception, and it causes problems in spinal stability. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on the accuracy of reproducing the lumbar angles before lumbar exercise and after fatiguing isokinetic lumbar exercise. Methods: Thirty healthy adults participated in this study. Before induction of fatigue by exercise, the proprioception was measured by Biodex. Lumbar positions were passively maintained on stimulation position ($25^{\circ}$ flexion and $25^{\circ}$ extension), and back to the starting position. Subjects actively repositioned the remembered stimulation position, and error degrees between the stimulation position and reposition were measured. Using an isokinetic device at $120^{\circ}$/sec of velocity of angle lumbar flexion/extension exercise resulted in muscle fatigue. The post-fatigue proprioceptive position sense was used in the same way as in pre-fatigue measurement. Results: Means of position sense of pre-fatigue were $2.19{\pm}1.97$ on flexion angle, and $5.04{\pm}2.84$ on extension angle. After exercise induced fatigue, means of position sense were $2.37{\pm}1.83$ on flexion angle, and $4.93{\pm}2.57$ on extension angle. Results of this study showed significant differences of lumbar proprioceptive position sense between pre- and post-fatigue. Conclusion: Lumbar proprioception sense in active repositioning in flexion and extension was affected in the presence of muscle fatigue. Therefore, it should be noted that therapeutic exercise for patients with abnormal proprioceptive sense or elderly people must be performed with care because muscle fatigue can cause secondary damage.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.102-110
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• 2006

To improve trunk stability, various exercise protocols were introduced into the clinical field. Trunk and lumbar stability exercises on unstable surfaces are especially recommended to improve lumbar stability. The purpose of this study was to compare abdominal oblique muscle activity during leg raising in hook-lying position among 3 different type of surface conditions (on floor (F), vestibular board (VB), and foam roll (FR)). Sixteen able-bodied volunteers, who had no medical history of lower extremity or lumbar spine disease, were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the internal and external oblique muscles of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a one-way repeated ANOVA. The results showed that the EMG activities of the internal oblique and external oblique of the lifted leg side during straight leg raising significantly increased under the FR condition when compared to the F condition. There was no significant difference of the EMG activity in abdominal oblique muscles between the VB and the FR conditions. The EMG activity of the internal oblique of supported leg side during the straight leg raising was significantly greater under the FR condition than the VB and F conditions (p<.05). The composition ratio of EMG activity of internal oblique muscles during straight leg raising was significantly increased under the FR condition. Therefore, straight leg raising exercise on foam roll in hook lying position could be beneficial to improve trunk and lumbar stability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.17-23
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects, in elderly women, of (a) physical therapy with (b) individual and group lumbar muscle exercise Methods: Forty-two elderly women took part in this study. Their average age was 52.59 years. All subjects participated in the study for 8 weeks, doing exercises 3 days per week. All participants were assessed on the Oswestry disability index (ODI), Gaitview. The data were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: Foot pressure and ODI scores showed statistically significant pre- to post-exercise differences for both groups. We also found significant differences between group therapy and individual therapy. There were changes in mean ODI scores, but these were not significant. Conclusion: Eight weeks participation in an was found to be effective in improving the health of older women. Individual therapy with a physical therapist is more effective than group therapy in creating harmonious movement of the lower extremity and lumbar stability. The results of our study suggests the benefit of an exercise program with a physical therapist.