• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.527-534
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• 2010

Purpose : The application of tape to modulation of pain and muscular excitability has become common clinical practice among musculoskeletal physical therapy. However, the techniques of the tape application has been relied on empirical evidence in preference to the neurophysiological evidence. Thus, the mechanism of taping has to be elucidated further. The aim of this study was to determine whether elastic and non-elastic taping across a muscle does indeed change ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability. Methods : The study was performed on 10 neurologically healthy adults. Two different types of tape were applied to skin overlying gastrocnemius. The elastic tape stretched up to 120% of its original length but non-elastic tape didn't stretched up of its original length. The tape applied across the direction on thickest part of the gastrocnemius. The ${\alpha}$-motor neuron excitability of the gastrocnemius was assessed using the gastrocnemius H-reflex. The amplitude of the M-wave and H-reflex were measured across three conditions: before tape application, with tape and with the tape removed. Results : No significant changes of the excitability of the ${\alpha}$-motor neuron were obtained across three condition, either in the elastic and non-elastic tape. Conclusion : From the results, I could come to the conclusion that further clinical work will be required.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2096-2101
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• 2020

Background: The effect of mobilization on lumbar back pain has been fully described in several clinical aspects, but evidence for muscle strength would be still less clear. Objective: To assess the effect of lumbar mobilization on lower limb strength in healthy individuals. Methods and Analysis: Healthy people aged 18-65 will be included regardless of race or sex. Original peer-reviewed primary reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be included. Electronic databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Pedro, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched from inception until July 30. Only studies published in English will be included in this review. Two reviewers will complete the screening for eligibility independently, and the other two reviewers will also complete the risks of data extraction and bias assessment independently. Lower Limb strength will be assessed as primary outcome, and particular intervention or participant characteristics will be assessed as the secondary outcomes. Meta-analysis will be conducted using Review Manager 5.3.3, and evidence level will be assessed using the method for Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Outcomes will be presented as the weighted mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% CI. If I² ≤ 50%, P>.1, the fixed effect model will be used, otherwise, random-effects model will be used. Ethics and dissemination: This review might not be necessary ethical approval because it does not require individual patient's data; these findings will be published in conference presentations or peer-reviewed journal articles. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020150144.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 2022

Background: The application of Kinesio tape (KT) has become an alternative treatment for the reduction of edema owing to its distinct characteristics that mimic skin behavior. Although many studies have found that KT application has a positive effect on edema related to breast cancer and rehabilitation following mandibular third molar surgery, there is little evidence to support the use of KT for musculoskeletal injuries. Objects: The purpose of this study was to review the literature related to KT application for reducing edema caused by musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: A literature search (July 2022) was performed on PubMed for articles published between January 2012 and June 2022. The following keywords were used: "Kinesio taping," "Kinesio tape," "swelling," and "edema," with different combinations and derivations. Only articles available in English were included in this study. Results: Among 68 identified studies, seven met our search strategy and criteria and were included in the literature review. Five of these studies investigated musculoskeletal disorders of the knee joint; two of them reported that KT application had a positive effect on edema measured using perimetry following total knee replacement and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, the KT application did not improve swelling in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains. Pediatric patients with acute proximal phalangeal joint sprain experienced a more significant improvement in the reduction of swelling than the group using a splint. Conclusion: This literature review found discrepant evidence to support using KT for edema control in musculoskeletal disorders. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of KT for controlling edema following musculoskeletal injuries.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.297-303
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• 2021

Purpose: The mass of facial muscles can be increased through exercise, as is also the case for muscles in the extremities. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of facial exercises on facial muscle strengthening and facial rejuvenation, focusing on recent studies. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. The quality of the trials was evaluated according to the PEDro scale. In total, 11 studies were included in this review: four studies on facial exercise for facial rejuvenation and seven studies on strengthening the muscles of the face. Results: Facial exercises for facial rejuvenation increased the mechanical properties and elasticity of the skin of the face and neck, the thickness and cross-sectional area of the facial muscles, and the fullness of the upper and lower cheeks. Conclusion: A study aimed at strengthening facial muscles showed improvements in labial closure strength and tongue elevation strength. Despite the positive results for facial rejuvenation and muscle strengthening, the level of evidence was low. Therefore, in future research, it will be necessary to investigate the effects of facial exercise in a thoroughly controlled experiment with a sufficient sample size to increase the level of evidence.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.70-76
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• 2019

Background: An excessive pronated foot is defined as a flattening or complete loss of the medial longitudinal arch. Excessive foot pronation is considered to have high risk factors of overuse injuries in the lower limb. Various treatments have been investigated in attempts to control excessive pronation. Objects: This meta-analysis identifies the effects of an anti-pronation taping technique using different materials. Methods: The electronic databases used include MEDLINE, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Science Direct, the Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), the Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), the Korea National Library, and the Korean Medical Database (studies published up to July 31, 2019). The database search used the following keywords: "foot drop" OR "foot arch" OR "foot pronation" OR "flat foot (pes planus)" AND "taping" OR "support." Eight eligible studies were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of anti-pronation taping in study and control groups. Results: The overall random effect size (Hedges'g) of the anti-pronation taping technique was 0.147 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -.214 to .509). When the effect (Hedges' g) was compared by the type of tape material, rigid tape (RT; Lowdye taping) was .213 (95% CI: -.278 to .704) and kinesiotape (KT; arch support taping) was -.014 (95% CI: -.270 to .242). Based on this meta-analysis, it was not possible to identify the extent to which anti-pronation taping was effective in preventing navicular drop, improving balance, or changing foot pressure. Only three of the eight eligible studies applied KT on excessive pronated feet, and the outcome measure areas were different to those of the RT studies. The KT studies used EMG data, overall foot posture index (FPI) scores, and rear foot FPI scores. In contrast, the RT studies measured navicular heights, various foot angles, and foot pressure. Conclusion: This review could not find any conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of any taping method for patients with pronated feet. Future studies are needed to develop the anti-pronation taping technique based on the clinical scientific evidence.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.431-432
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been going on for nearly a year. As of December 1, 2020, more than 60 million confirmed cases and 1.4 million deaths have occurred in 220 countries and territories. There is no effective treatment for COVID-19 so far, and vaccines are being developed. However, the vaccine of COVID-19 can be freed from COVID-19 only if there are positive answers to some questions: "Aren't there any major side effects from the vaccine?"; "Is the vaccine effective for enough time?"; "Does the vaccine sufficiently reduce the mortality rate?"; and "Does the vaccine sufficiently reduce the reproduction number?" The fight against COVID-19 will continue for a long time. Therefore, we need to respond by developing the evidence for control of COVID-19, the emerging infectious disease. Extensive quarantine measures in the early stages of COVID-19 need to be elaborated through developing the evidence. Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency should establish a database for evidence developing COVID-19 control. In this database, based on more than 3 million tested individuals, epidemiological investigation results, health insurance claims data, and government data such as the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, etc. should be linked. It is necessary to disclose this database to academia, etc. to create the evidences of COVID-19 and manage COVID-19 through these. And through the developed evidences, guidelines for physical health and mental health in the era of Corona 19 should be developed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.92-110
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• 2023

Background: Digital therapeutics are software medical devices that provide evidence-based treatments to prevent, manage, and treat disease. Digital therapies have recently been shown to be effective in motivating children with cerebral palsy as a tool in neuropsychological therapy. Digital therapies improve postural control, balance and gait in children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of digital therapies on balance and gait in children with cerebral palsy and to provide guidelines for prescribing digital therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Design: A Systematic Review Methods: This study searched for English-language articles published in medical journals from January 2000 to July 2023 using PubMed and MEDLINE based on the year of initiation of the digital therapy. The search terms used in the study were 'digital technology' OR 'digital therapeutic' OR 'mobile application' OR 'mobile health' OR 'virtual reality' OR 'game' AND 'cerebral palsy', 'balance' 'gait' as the main keywords. The final article was assigned an evidence level and a Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) score to assess the quality of clinical trials studies. Results: The digital therapies applied to improve balance and gait in children with cerebral palsy are game-based virtual reality training and the Nintendo Wii Fit program. Both digital therapy interventions had a significant effect on improving balance in children with cerebral palsy, and virtual reality training significantly improved balance and gait. However, there were no significant improvements in balance and gait within two weeks of treatment, regardless of the type of digital intervention. Conclusion: The study suggests that this data will be important in building the evidence base for the effectiveness of digital therapies on balance and gait in children with cerebral palsy and in advancing clinical protocols.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-67
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• 2006

Musculoskeletal neck dysfunction syndromes are common in outpatient musculoskeletal pain practice. The underlying musculoskeletal and neurologic causes of pain are variable. In the management of these patients, it is important to accurately identify and treat these pain generators to optimize patient outcome. It is the purpose of this review to discuss three main categories of functional anatomy, the role of superficial/deep muscular system and the scientific evidence for optimal physical therapy intervention for cervical dysfunction. Specifically there is evidence of lowered microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle, morphological signs of disturbed mitochondrial function which appears to be limited to type I fibers and an increased cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers despite a lower capillary to fiber area ratio. In acute neck pain syndrome, changes in muscle activity of painful muscles may result from segmental and supraspinal inhibitory effects. Muscle activation is closely related to the control of joint movements and postures and it is difficult to separate the influence of the two components. Both the altered muscle recruitment patterns and altered kinematics appear to be a poor adaptation for pain of the head - neck region, as they are likely to result in increased compressive loading in the cervical spine, affecting muscles, articular structures such as zygapophyseal joints, connective tissues and neural tissues which are all peripheral generators of referred pain. The rectus capitus posterior minor muscle shows that it is one of the most important muscles of the suboccipital region. In this article, i reviewed the anatomy, neurophysiology, function and dysfunction as well as the treatment of cervical dysfunction.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.35-44
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• 2011

The aim of this study is to review the literature addressed the methodology to measure and evaluate the health outcomes as evidences for health benefits through the study on the healing environment, garden, therapeutic garden and viewing landscape and so forth. The research methods and measures used to assess health effects in the reviewed studies have applied in a different way ranged from quantitative methods (physical measures or quantitative observations) to qualitative methods (qualitative observations and surveys). In a literature review of research articles on the health outcomes have been found various research methods and measures used to assess health effects. This study will be concentrated mainly on methodological considerations in order to find the significant evidences related to evidence-based design (EBD). Future research should build the body of methodological knowledge to find more empirical evidences as sound scientific data and to improve the effectiveness of design interventions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.189-198
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• 2002

Objective : To research the trend of the study related to rheumatoid arthritis(RA) and to establish the hereafter direction of the study on RA. Methods : We have selected 12 medical report about RA in Arthritis & Rheumatism and Journal of Rheumatology recently, reviewed them, and investigated their methods. Results & Conclusions : The pattern of study was as follows: physical & serologic research in 2 articles, immunologic research in 7 articles, and genetic research in 3 articles. There is now evidence of the benefit of treatment early in the disease course and evidence of the impact of treatment on outcomes. New classes of therapeutic agents have also been introduced. Wherever possible, these revised guidelines are evidence-based. By the above results, it would be needed further research on RA mechanism related immunologic and genetic process.