• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.111-119
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• 2020

PURPOSE: In adults with hamstring tightness, stretching is considered a therapeutic exercise that improves flexibility. However, previous studies have reported efficacy of numerous methods, and are inconclusive in determining the most effective stretching techniques. This study aims to compare the outcomes of Evjenth-Hamberg stretching (E-HS), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching (PNFS), and static stretching (SS), on muscle tone and flexibility. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were assigned to each of the three stretching groups:; E-HS (n₁ = 10), PNFS (n₂ = 10), and SS (n₃ = 10). Muscle tone of the hamstring muscle, active knee extension (AKE), and passive knee extension (PKE) were assessed by range of motion. RESULTS: After the intervention, statistically significant differences were obtained between groups for muscle tone (p < .05). The post hoc test, showed statistically significant differences in muscle tone between the E-HS and PNFS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). Post hoc test after intervention, also revealed statistically significant differences in flexibility (p < .05) between the E-HS and PNFS groups (p < .05), E-HS and SS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). Moreover, a statistically significant difference was observed in PKE scores between the E-HS and SS groups (p < .05), and PNFS and SS groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that E-HS may be the most effective stretching technique for muscle tone and flexibility, in adults with hamstring tightness.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2020

Objective: The endurance and strength of deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles have a major role on the function and stability of the cervical spine. In recent years, there has been a lack of research that have investigated the muscle tone of the superficial neck muscles. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of between contraction ratio of the DNF and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles, DNF endurance, and muscle tension of the neck muscles. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-seven subjects (male=20, female=27) participated in this study. The muscle tone of the upper trapezius (UT), SCM, and suboccipital (SO) muscle was measured using a contact soft tissue tone-measuring instrument. For the contraction ratio of the SCM and longus colli muscle, the thickness of the relaxation and maximum contraction state of the SCM and longus colli muscles were assessed using a diagnostic ultrasound measuring instrument and a pressure biofeedback unit. The deep neck flexor endurance test (DNFET) was performed in a cranio-cervical flexion posture. The correlations between the measured variables were investigated. Results: The relationship between the DNFET and SO tone showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05). The relationship between the DNFET and contraction ratio showed a significant positive correlation (p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the DNFET and SCM and UT tone. Conclusions: This study confirmed that there is a relationship between DNF endurance, DNF activation, and SO tone. The information on the results of this study may be used as a reference that can be actively applied in the clinical environment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.43-47
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of physical therapy plus Kinesio taping (KT) on muscle tone and stiffness in patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: This study included 22 participants who were divided into the experimental group (n=11) who underwent a routine physical therapy with KT and the control group (n=11) who received the same physical therapy only. The physical therapy consisted of heat application and electrical stimulation. Heat was applied for 10 minutes and electrical stimulation was conducted for 20 minutes. Intervention was provided over a 1-week period, and frequency for muscle tone and stiffness was measured to determine changes in shoulder muscle status. The muscles were supraspinatus and deltoid. Measurements were taken before, after 1day, 3day and after 1 week to identify time-dependent effects of intervention. RESULTS: The effects of the intervention were significant in both groups, and effects were greater in the experimental group. Changes in muscle tone and stiffness were statistically significant in both groups and at varying time points (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the improved muscle performance found in this study, KT is considered an effective intervention strategy for patients with shoulder pain when it is combined with conventional physical therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.93-101
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• 2020

Purpose : Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is often accompanied by pain and limited range of motion of the jaw joint, which affect patients' quality of life and result in hypertrophy or hyperactivity of the muscles around the jaw joint. In this study, we compared the muscle thickness and tone of the masseter and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles and the jaw range of motion in individuals with and without TMJD. Correlation comparison was performed on the results of the TMJD group. Methods : This study included 40 patients; 20 patients were assigned to an experimental group (TMJD group) and 20 to a control group (non-TMJD group). Ultrasonography, myotonometry, and measurements performed with digital Vernier calipers were used to determine the changes in muscle thickness, muscle tone, and maximum jaw opening, respectively. The independent t-test was used for intergroup comparison of data, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to compare correlations in the TMJD group results. Results : We observed a significant intergroup difference in the masseter and SCM thickness during the relaxed and clenched phases (p<.05). A significant intergroup difference was also observed in maximum jaw opening (p<.05). With regard to muscle tone, we observed a significant intergroup difference in frequency (p=.011) and stiffness (p=.011) of the masseter, as well as in the frequency (p=.009) and stiffness (p=.026) of the SCM. We observed a moderate negative correlation (r=-.524) between maximum jaw opening and the frequency of the masseter. Additionally, we observed a moderately negative correlation between jaw opening and muscle stiffness (r=-.321). Conclusion : Planning exercise programs to treat patients with TMJD who present with pain should focus on efforts to reduce muscle thickness and achieve muscle relaxation (to reduce muscle tension) for improved jaw range of motion.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1486-1489
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the influence of walking on crural muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with bilateral pronated foot. This study consisted of 16 healthy male. Subjects were divided into a pronated foot group (n = 8) and a normal foot group (n = 8). The navicular drop test on both foot and muscle tone and stiffness in tibialis anterior muscle, medial gastrocnemius muscle, and peroneus longus muscle of both lower extremities were measured before and after 30 min of walking. In this study, the measured navicular drop test before walking was significantly different between pronated foot group and a normal group(p < .05). After 30 min of walking, significantly, increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness of the non-dominant leg was found in the pronated foot group (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness between the two groups (p > .05). Based on this study, pronated foot needs to be managed to prevent the abnormally increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.301-309
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to provide an effective method of exercise therapy for patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods : The subjects were divided into the following two groups according to the intervention received: cervical stretch exercise (n=15, control group) cervix-stabilizing exercise (n=15, experimental group) tone (Hz) and stiffness (N/m) of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles were measured. T1 slope angle and neck tilt angle were measured. After the exercise program intervention, a greater amount of change in muscle tone and stiffness of suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group. Greater amount of change in posture was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Results : After the exercise program intervention, a greater amount of change in muscle tone and stiffness of suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group. Greater amount of change in posture was found in the experimental group, as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : The neck-stabilizing exercise were shown to be effective in decreasing the tone of the cervical muscles by stabilizing the cervical bone and improving muscle activity, and in improving the posture by decreasing muscle tone and stiffness.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on skin temperature, pain, muscle tone, and ROM after applying the massage robot "PIRO-ZERO" to 6 men and 4 women in their 20s who complained of non-specific pain in the shoulder or back for more than 12 weeks. As a result of the study, there was a significant increase in skin temperature not only in the area where the massage was applied, but also on the opposite side and throughout the body due to increased blood flow. Pain in the upper trapezius, rhomboid, and erector spinae muscle was decreased, and muscle tone in the erector spinae muscles was significantly decreased. There was a significant increase in ROM of neck and trunk flexion, which is thought to be because the massage reduced muscle tone around the spine, increasing flexibility. In the future, as the safety and effectiveness of massage robots are further verified and the pressure, speed, and path become more diverse, satisfaction is expected to increase.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taping applied to the lower trapezius on the upper trapezius muscle tone, pain intensity, cervical rotation range of motion in chronic upper trapezius pain patients. Design: Case-control study. Methods: Twenty subjects with chronic upper trapezius pain were classified into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group applied lower trapezius facilitation taping and the control group applied sham taping. Taping Before and after the application of taping, muscle tone, pain intensity, and cervical rotation range of motion of the upper trapezius were measured. Results: In the experimental group, there were significant differences in the pressure pain threshold and muscle tone before and after taping. In the comparison between groups, there was a significant difference in muscle tone between the experimental group and the control group. Conclusion: The application of the lower trapezius facilitation taping was found to be effective in reducing the pressure threshold and muscle tone of the upper trapezius. Therefore, it is expected that more effective treatment can be provided by adding lower trapezius facilitation taping to the treatment protocol for patients with chronic shoulder pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The effectiveness of the stretching to increase the range of motion of the joint, reduce the risk of injury, enhance athletic performance or decrease post exercise muscle soreness. This study was to compare the effect of the stretching method applied on the shortened hamstring muscle for flexibility, strength, pressure pain threshold value and muscle tone. METHODS: This study is a two-group pretest- posttest design. Fifty-four healthy young adults were randomly assigned to a vibration-assisted stretching group (VASG, n=27) or a static stretching group (SSG, n=27). Participants performed each stretch in 4 sets of 30 seconds each. A 30-second break time was provided between the sets. The range of motion, strength, pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone of the hamstring muscle were measured to compare the effects of the stretching methods. RESULTS: Both the VASG and the SSG participants showed significant improvement in the range of motion and strength (p<.05); however, the increase in the VASG was significantly higher than that in the SSG (p<.05). The pressure pain threshold values and muscle tone were significantly decreased only in the VASG (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that vibration-supported stretching is an effective intervention for people with hamstring shortening, with high pain level and muscle tone decrease.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric training applied to the calf muscles on muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-two participants were divided into experimental (n=12; eccentric training) and control (n=10; static stretching and stretching board) groups. The participants completed 30-minute physical therapy sessions five times a week for three weeks. Calf muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables were measured using MyotonPRO, a hand-held dynamometer, and Optogait, respectively, before and after each intervention. Results: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant interaction effect between measurement points and groups in frequency, stiffness, and decrement of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05). Paired t-tests showed that the experimental group exhibited significantly decreased frequency and stiffness scores for the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05), as well as significantly increased decrement and muscle strength scores, gait speed, step length, and stride length (p<.05). Conclusion: The application of eccentric training to the calf effectively reduced muscle tone, increased muscle strength, and improved the gait speed, step length, and stride length of patients with chronic stroke.