• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.48-58
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy on motor function recovery following a stroke through a systemic review and meta-analysis. In total, nine of the 48 studies were identified from search engines between 1997 and 2011, as well as from a review of the reference lists of each identified study. The quality of each study was assessed using Jadad scale, and the effect size was calculated as a Cohen's effect size using MetaAnalyst (Beta 3.13). The overall effect size of the mirror therapy was 2.005 (95% confidence interval=1.041~2.970) in a random-effects model. This finding suggests that mirror therapy is beneficial for improving motor function following a stroke. The results from the subgroup analysis according to categorical variables were as follows: First, the effect size was larger for an onset time of less than 1 year (1.166) than for a duration of 1 year or more (.668). Second, the effect size of unpublished dissertations (1.610) was larger than published articles (1.221). Third, motor recovery of upper extremities (1.609) had a greater effect than motor recovery of lower extremities (.903). The major limitation of this study is the relatively small study population. Therefore, further individual studies of mirror therapy should be conducted in order to generalize the effects. In addition, mirror therapy supervised by a physical therapist should be recognized as a potential approach to manage motor function following a stroke and recommended to patients to improve their motor function.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2017

Objective: Elderly people with dementia experience not only cognitive dysfunction but also motor function deficits, such as balance and gait impairments. Recently, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used to reduce pain as well as to control muscle spasm, spasticity and motor performance in various types of subjects. The purpose of this study determined the effect of a single trial TENS on balance and gait function in elderly people with dementia. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-two subjects with dementia were assigned to the TENS group (n=12) and ten subjects were assigned to the control group (n=10) randomly. Subjects were classified into two groups: the TENS group (n=12) and the placebo-TENS group (n=10). The TENS group had electrical stimulation applied on the calf muscle for 15 minutes, while the placebo-TENS group had not received real electrical stimulation. The timed up and go test (TUG) and functional reach test (FRT) were used to measure the balance function, and the 10 meters walk test (MWT) and 6MWT were used to assess gait ability. All tests were performed before and after intervention under a single-blinded condition. Results: After intervention, there were significant improvements in TUG, FRT, 10MWT, and 6MWT results in the TENS group (p<0.05), while the placebo-TENS group did not show significant changes in all outcome measurements. There were also differences in all tests between the two groups at post-measurements (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a single trial TENS application on the calf may be used to improve balance and gait function in elderly people with dementia.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2020

Objective: The shoulders are a particularly an important body part for elite boxers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the upper trapezius (UT), infraspinatus (IS) muscle tone, pain, and isokinetic muscle function of shoulder movements such as external rotation, internal rotation, protraction, and retraction according to the scapular position of elite boxers of the Korean national team. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Using the double square method, the scapular position was measured and divided into the forward scapular position group (n=8) with a measurement distance of 135 mm or more, and the normal scapular position group (n=10) with a measurement distance of less than 135 mm. Through the numeric rating scale of the subject, the pain value displayed during movement was measured. The muscle tone of the subjects' UT and IS were measured. The isokinetic muscle function of ER, IR, protraction, and retraction were measured using isokinetic exercise equipment. Results: The results of this study showed statistically significant differences when comparing muscle tone of the UT and IS, shoulder pain, isokinetic function of ER and IR, protraction, and retraction according to scapular position (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study were that shoulder muscle tone, pain, and isokinetic muscle function were affected according to the scapular position of elite boxers. In the future, this information may be a useful indicator when studying the effects of medium and long-term intervention in elite boxers who possess these characteristics.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of a cognitive rehabilitation program consisting of physical exercises and mental activities for patients with chronic stroke with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aimed to investigate how this cognitive rehabilitation program affects patients' cognitive ability, depression, and sleep quality. Design: One group pretest-posttest design Methods: The study was conductedon 12 patients who participated in thecognitive rehabilitation complex exercise program for 16 weeks. The Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (K-HDRS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to evaluate the measured variables before and after study participation. The cognitive rehabilitation complex exercise program included 30 minutes of cognitive exercise and 30 minutes of Brill Exercise. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the variables before and after program participation. Cronbach's ɑ was used to assess the reliability of the test variables. Results: The post-program assessment showed a statistically significant increase in the MoCA-K score, which measures cognitive function (Z=-2.628, P=0.009). For depression ratings, there was a statistically significant decrease in the K-HDRS score (Z=-2.041, P=0.041). For sleep quality, although there was a numerical increase in the PSQI score, the difference was not statistically significant (Z=-0.702, P=0.483). The reliability test confirmed that all the individual test variables exhibited high reliability (cognitive function, 0.859; depression, 0.872; sleep, 0.822). Conclusions: We found that cognitive rehabilitation program used in this study had a positive effect on the cognitive function and depression in patients with chronic stroke with MCI.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2024

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between isokinetic strength training and the enhancement of physical function in older adults. It also evaluates the effectiveness of isokinetic strength training equipment. Method: This study randomly divided twenty healthy adults into two groups.The experimental group engaged in isokinetic strength training for 30 minutes, three times a week, over a four-week period. In contrast, the control group did not participate in any exercise regimen. We assessed several outcome measures including physical functions (sit-to-stand test, flexibility, Timed Up and Go test), grip strength, balance, thigh circumference, the Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Additionally, the experimental group's self-perceived improvement in lower limb condition was evaluated using the Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in various aspects: reduced sit-to-stand test duration (7.00±2.05 seconds), increased flexibility (4.69±3.90 cm), improved grip strength (1.54±1.74 kg), increased thigh circumference (left: 1.29±1.19 cm, right: 1.19±1.27 cm), enhanced Timed Up and Go test performance (-1.47±0.86 seconds), better balance (eyes open stance: -8.08±4.03 cm, eyes closed stance: -0.27±0.13 cm/s), and a decrease in depression severity (-0.15±1.51 points). Furthermore, significant increases were observed in the experimental group's maximal isokinetic strength at 90°/s for both flexion (19.62±7.03 Nm) and extension (19.60±14.65 Nm) over the study period. Conclusion: The findings suggest that isokinetic strength training equipment can significantly enhance physical functions in seniors when incorporated into an exercise regimen.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based core stabilization exercise on upper extremity function, postural control, and depression among persons with stroke with hemiplegia. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was conducted with the inclusion of 24 participants and were randomly assigned to either the VR-based trunk stability exercise group (n=12) or control group (n=12). The VR-based trunk stability exercise group performed core stabilization exercises in a VR environment for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the control group conducted general core stabilization exercises for 30 minutes. The participants trained 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The manual functional test (MFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used to assess all participants before and after the intervention. Results: The VR-based core stabilization exercise group had a significant improvement in upper extremity function (MFT, BBT) and postural control (BBS) compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VR-based core stabilization exercise showed a significant difference after intervention in the TIS and GDS scores (p<0.05), but they did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: The result showed that VR-based core stabilization exercise can be effective in improving upper extremity function and postural control among patients with stroke more than the sole application of general physical therapy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2019

Objective: Degenerative knee arthritis is the most common disease that occurs in older people. Constriction-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been reported to be as an effective treatment for the impairments, such as asymmetric weight-bearing and reduced balance that occurs after receiving a total knee replacement (TKR). Game-based rehabilitation training for persons with TKR is interesting and provides a variety of feedback. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-six subjects with TKR were randomly assigned to either the CIMT game training (n=12), general game training (n=12), or the control (n=12) group. Each group underwent twelve sessions (30 min/d, 3 d/wk for 4 weeks). In the CIMT game training group, the application of CIMT adjusted the weight of the pressure delivered from the two boards used in Wii games. In the general game training group, the game was played without adjusting the weight of pressure. The game training used the Wii Fit's Ski Slalom application. Subjects were assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. Results: All three groups showed significant improvements in pain, stiffness and physical function, total WOMAC scores, and ABC scores after the intervention (p<0.05). Significant differences were observed in physical function, total WOMAC scores, and ABC scores of the CIMT game training group compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The CIMT game training and general game training exhibited improvements on stiffness, but the CIMT game training exhibited a larger effect on lower extremity function and balance confidence levels.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.141-146
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different frequency on muscle function of the thigh in patients with degenerative knee arthritis during the functional electrical stimulation (FES). Method: For this study, 16 male participants over 65 who patients with degenerative knee arthritis were recruited as research participants. In this research, isokinetic muscular function, EMG, and joint position sensation were performed after FES treatment was applied for three conditions (FES 20, FES 50, and Without FES). For each dependent variable, one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was to determine whether there were significant differences among three different conditions (p<.05). When a significant difference was found, post hoc analyses were performed by using the contrast procedure. Results: When compared to FES 50 and without FES, FES 20 causes significant increase in isometric knee extension strength. No significant differences were found in EMG values across different EMS conditions. Conclusion: The present study examined isokinetic muscular function, EMG, and joint position sensation in order to investigate the effects of different frequency muscle function of knee extensors during the functional electrical stimulation. The results of this study showed that FES with 20 Hz frequency had positive effect on knee extensor. Based on the findings of the present study, FES with lower frequency may help the performer to focus on developing strength in knee extensor muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The objective of this study is to effect of an aquatic rotation control and obstacle avoidance when conducted underwater on hemiplegia patient's balance ability and vestibular function. Methods : Twelve hemiplegia patients participated and were randomly assigned to a control group(I) with standard physical therapy and an aquatic group(II) with an aquatic rotation control, obstacle avoidance and standard physical therapy as well. The aquatic group trained using a Halliwick rotation control and obstacle avoidance through 3 times per week over 6 weeks. For all subjects, vestibular function, their balance, the change of electrooculogram (EOG), the change of accelerometer axis and torsiometer according to visual sense, vestibular sense with galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) or not during leg close stance were measured. Results : The EOG in the vertical and horizontal (p<0.05) were both significantly lowered. The change was significantly lower in the trajectory range of motion of trunk and spine with torsiometer when leg close stand (p<0.01) and leg close stand with GVS (p<0.01). The centre of gravity accelerated, there were reduced significantly difference X and Y axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg without vision (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg with GVS (p<0.05). There were reduced significantly difference X and Z axis of accelerometer during the closing of the leg and close eyes with GVS (p<0.05). Conclusion : The balance ability, vestibular system and postural control is improved.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.421-429
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of personalized complex aerobic training programs using wearable device on cardiovascular and respiratory functions in community based female elderly. Design: One group pre-post intervention study. Methods: Twenty-one older female participants lived in 'D' city were included. The personalized complex aerobic training program using wearable devices was applied to all participants for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, 30 minutes for per session. The participants' blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiration rate, submaximal exercise stress test, pulmonary function test and respiratory muscle strength test were evaluated before and after the complex training program. Results: After intervention, resting diastolic blood pressure, resting systolic blood pressure and the systolic blood pressure after submaximal exercise stress test were significantly decreased over time (p<0.05), and the submaximal exercise stress test duration were significantly increased over time (p<0.05). The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was significantly increased compare to before the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that personalized complex training program using wearable device can provide personalized exercise intensity according to cardiopulmonary function that give feedback, and these interventions have a significant effect on improving the cardiovascular and respiratory system functions of the female elderly in the community dwelling.