• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.458-465
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the interaction between neck and/or wrist pain and hand grip strength (HGS) and to investigate factors (age, sex, neck disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome) influencing the HGS of industrial quality proofing workers (N = 145). Methods: Standardized questionnaires [Neck Disability Index (NDI), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire] were used to evaluate existing neck and/or wrist pain. HGS measurements were performed in different wrist positions. Results: Significant differences between participants with and without neck pain were found in different wrist positions, in neutral wrist position right [without neck pain (n = 48) 46.34 (43.39 - 49.30); with neck pain (n = 97) 38.46 (36.20 - 40.72), F_(1,144) = 16.82, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.11] and left [without neck pain 44.06 (41.19 - 46.94); with neck pain 37.36 (35.13 - 39.58), F_(1,144) = 12.70, p < 0.001, ŋ_p² = 0.08]. A significant difference between participants with and without wrist pain was found for neutral wrist position right [without wrist pain (n = 105) 42.53 (40.37 - 44.70); with wrist pain (n = 40) 37.24 (33.56 - 40.91), F_(1,144) = 6.41, p = 0.01, ŋ_p² = 0.04]. Regression analysis showed significant results especially for steps two (age and weight, NDI) and three (age and weight, NDI, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) for neutral position right (R² = 0.355, R² = 0.357, respectively). Conclusion: Neck pain has an impact on HGS but should be evaluated in consideration of age and sex.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.9-21
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an eight weeks twenty meters walk on the cardiorespiratory fitness and strength of the shoulder extensor, hip extensor, and dorsiflexor of stroke survivor outpatients in two tertiary hospitals in Osogbo, Nigeria. METHODS: A purposive sampling technique was used to select 21 registered right or left outpatient hemiplegic stroke survivors in a pre- and post-test experimental research design. The research questions were presented using the descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The differences between the mean of the cardio-respiratory indices and the muscle strength were tested by repeated measures analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: No significant differences in heart rate were observed at week 0 compared to week 4. A significant decrease was recorded in the parameter at week 8, compared to week 4. Moreover, there were significant decreases in blood pressure and respiratory rate in week 0, compared to week 4, and in the respiratory rate, compared to week 8. In contrast, significant elevations in VO2 max were observed in week 0, compared to week 4, and in the week 4, compared to week 8. Furthermore, significant elevations in muscular strength were documented when comparisons were made at weeks 0, 4, and 8. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of twenty meters walk aerobic exercise improve the cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular strength of stroke survivor outpatients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Background: Manual traction with a belt is a physiotherapy treatment method that reduces disk pressure and widens the disk space. In clinical settings, it is applied to numerous patients with herniated intervertebral disk (HIVD). This study aimed to identify the effects of manual traction with a belt on the intervertebral space in patients with lumbar HIVDs. Methods: The intervention was performed on 17 patients with lumbar HIVDs who were divided into two groups: one with eight patients having HIVD at L4~L5 and another group with nine patients having HIVD at L5~S1. The participants received manual traction with a belt twice a week for 12 weeks, and radiographic imaging was used to visualize the intervertebral space and compare it before and after treatment. Results: Manual traction with a belt increased the lumbar intervertebral space at L4~L5 and L5~S1 in patients with L4~L5 HIVD. A significant difference was observed in the L4-L5 distance (p<.01); however, no significant difference was observed in the L5~S1 distance (p>.05). The intervertebral space significantly increased at both L4~L5 and L5~S1 in patients with L5~S1 HIVD (p<.05). Conclusion: Thus, manual traction with a belt increased the intervertebral space in patients with L4~L5 and L5~S1 HIVDs. These results are expected to guide studies on manual traction with belts in clinical settings in the future. Further studies using the present research as an objective study method are anticipated.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2022

Changes in symptoms and dysfunction related to meniscus tears following the use of Korean medicine for ≥ 4 days were studied. The medical charts of 53 cases of diagnosed meniscus tears (magnetic resonance imaging) with an admission Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 4, between 2017 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatments included acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal treatment, Chuna therapy, and physiotherapy. The NRS, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions were performed at admission and discharge. There were 42 females and 11 males in this study. Patients were more likely to be in their 60s (38.18%), have an unknown etiology (81.13%), and have complex tears (50.94%). After receiving a combination of alternative Korean medicine during hospitalization, the mean NRS score improved from 6.82 ± 1.19 to 3.66 ± 1.83 (p < 0.001), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score improved from 46.47 ± 20.99 to 37.98 ± 19.23 (p < 0.001), and the mean European Quality of Life Five Dimensions score improved from 0.61 ± 0.18 to 0.68 ± 0.14 (p < 0.001) after treatment. These results suggest that Korean medicine treatment of meniscus tears alleviated pain and improved physical function.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2022

Purpose : This study was to verify the effect of eccentric training and suggest a specific application method by comparing the effects of acromohumeral distance (AHD), supraspinatus tendon thicknees (STT), pain intensity and functional performance after MWM and eccentric training (MWM-ET) or general exercise (MWM-GE) in chronic subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) patients. Methods : A total of 55 participants were randomly assigned to each group, and according to the intervention method, "MWM-ET group (n=28)" vs. "MWM-GE group (n=27)" was divided into two groups. AHD, STT, pain intensity, and functional performance were measured before intervention, and both groups were re-measured 3 times a week after 6 weeks of intervention in the same way. Results : The AHD was significantly increased in MWM-ET group compared to MWM-GE group. No significant difference was observed between the groups in the STT, but Pain intensity was significantly lower in MWM-ET group than in MWM-GE group, and functional performance was significantly increased in MWM-ET group compared to MWM-GE group. Conclusion : As a result of MWM-ET intervention that further increases AHD compared to MGE, it can be clinically presented as a more effective intervention method for faster recovery from injury due to pain reduction and smooth return to daily life due to improved functional performance.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2022

Distal femur osteotomy (DFO) is a controlled surgical break of the femur performed to allow realignment of the limb. Redistribution of the load aims to correct the abnormal mechanical weight-bearing axes in patients with abnormal alignment of the lower extremities, and degenerative changes in the knee joint. This report describes a complex Korean medicine treatment for a patient complaining of knee pain and stiffness following a DFO. Post-operative care for the patient lasted 78 days with treatment including pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping therapy, and physiotherapy. The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated using the numerical rating scale, range of motion of the knee, and by physical examination. After treatment, these evaluation indicators improved, suggesting that the complex Korean medicine treatment received by the patient was an appropriate treatment for knee pain and stiffness following a DFO.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.169-180
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• 2022

Tomato has a limited shelf life and is highly perishable due to its high moisture content. As fruit leather, is a traditional food of Nepal, it can be beneficial to move towards value addition and diversification of the traditional product. The main aim was to analyze the nutritional values and phytochemicals of the tomato pulp and prepared leather, and sensory evaluation of prepared tomato leather. Five samples A, B, C, D and E were prepared with 80:20, 72.5:27.5, 95:5, 87.5:12.5 and 65:35 fruit pulp: sugar ratio respectively. Analysis of raw tomato pulp and all the five samples was performed. Sensory quality of the product sample A was found superior to that of other samples but chemical and phytochemical properties of product sample C was found superior than that of other prepared samples. Therefore, we had two best products, in terms of sensory properties and in terms of nutritional properties. The best product on the basis of nutrients (sample C) had acidity (%), TSS (°Bx), pH, total ash content (%), crude protein (%), crude fat (%), crude fiber (%), carbohydrate (%), vitamin C (mg/100 g), total energy (Kcal/100 g), TPC (mg GAE/g of dry extract), TFC (mg QE/g of dry extract), DPPH scavenging activity (% of inhibition) and lycopene content (mg/100 g) was found to be 3.70.1, 20 ± 0.02, 3 ± 0.1, 2.30 ± 0.05, 2.69 ± 0.04, 0.87 ± 0.02, 5.46 ± 0.01, 69.68 ± 0.02, 25.17 ± 1.25, 297.31 ± 0.01, 85.35 ± 0.02, 65.39 ± 0.02, 59.23 ± 0.03 and 98.57 ± 0.02 respectively. A tasty and nutritious product of tomato, leather can be prepared which can be more appealing to the consumer.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.27-42
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• 2022

Background: Although children with cerebral palsy (CP) are able to walk independently, gait imbalance occurs due to abnormal muscle tone, musculoskeletal deformity, loss of balance, and selective motor control impairment. Gait restriction in the community and school is a major problem of rehabilitation in CP. Home-based therapy (HBT) provides a variety of interventions in which the therapist and the parent work together to resolve the activities and problems caused by the child's body structure. Therefore, we investigate the effectiveness of home-centered therapy on gross motor function in CP and try to present the possibility of clinical application. Design: A Systematic Review Methods: Research papers were published from Jan, 2012 to Jan, 2022 and were searched using Medline and PubMed. The search terms are 'family-centered' OR 'home-based' AND 'cerebral palsy'. A total of nine papers were analyzed in this study. The paper presented the quality level based on Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scores to assess the quality of randomized clinical trials studies. Results: The results showed that HBT for strengthening exercise in lower extremity has a positive effect on the isokinetic torque and gross motor function. home-based treadmill therapy in CP is effective to perform at least 12 sessions of treadmill HBP in which the therapist determines the treadmill speed every week and the child's own gait pattern is modified. Conclusion: These results suggest that it will be important data for founding evidence on the effectiveness of home-centered therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy to advance clinical protocols.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2023

Background: Understanding the stability of quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) over time is important to aid clinicians in selecting a battery of tests for assessing and monitoring patients. This study evaluated the short- and long-term reliability of selected QSTs. Methods: Twenty healthy women participated in three experimental sessions: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Measurements included pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the neck, upper back, and leg; Pressure-cuff pain tolerance around the upper-arm; conditioned pain modulation during a pressure-cuff stimulus; and referred pain following a suprathreshold pressure stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Results: Reliability for PPT was excellent for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.96-0.99; MDC, 22-55 kPa) and from good to excellent at 6 months (ICC, 0.88-0.95; MDC, 47-91 kPa). ICC for pressure-cuff pain tolerance indicated excellent reliability at both times (0.91-0.97). For conditioned pain modulation, reliability was moderate for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.57-0.74; MDC, 24%-35%), while it was moderate at the neck (ICC, 0.54; MDC, 27%) and poor at the upper back and leg at 6 months. ICC for referred pain areas was excellent at 2 weeks (0.90) and good at 6 months (0.86). Conclusions: PPT, pressure pain tolerance, and pressure-induced referred pain should be considered reliable procedures to assess the pain-sensory profile over time. In contrast, conditioned pain modulation was shown to be unstable. Future studies prospectively analyzing the pain-sensory profile will be able to better calculate appropriate sample sizes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2023

Most advanced countries that are members of the World Physiotherapy have established a 4-year education system or specialized graduate school system for physical therapists based on national standards. They have also expanded their laws and systems to provide physical therapists with the autonomy and independence to offer services in their clinics. However, compared with developed countries in North America and Europe, there are issues with the autonomy and independence of physical therapists in Korea related to national regulations. Social status and recognition of the profession are also lagging. Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025. To reduce the financial burden of healthcare and welfare on the government, it is necessary to extend the time spent by older adults on independent activities and minimize their time spent using medical services. To achieve this goal and maximize the active life of older adults, a plan to efficiently use licensed physical therapists in the country should be prepared. Korea should increase the license utilization rate of physical therapists to reduce waste at the national level and increase the professional hope of the younger generations of physical therapists. To create a healthcare policy focusing on the use of physical therapy personnel, similar to that in advanced countries, it is necessary to unify educational systems and produce excellent physical therapists. Providing professional autonomy can help physical therapists develop a sense of job satisfaction. Outstanding talent will choose physical therapy as a profession if they can see hope for their future careers, and if physical therapy services in Korea are similar to those delivered in advanced countries, physical therapy in Korea can develop into a healthcare service that people desire.