• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular cocontraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Purpose: This systematic review aims to describe the motor dysfunction and balance impairments in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: We searched the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Wiley, and EBSCO databases for observational studies evaluating the motor abilities and balance performance in individuals with Down syndrome. The review was registered on PROSPERO. Results: A total of 1,096 articles were retrieved; after careful screening and scrutinizing against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review. Overall, the children and adolescents with Down syndrome showed delays and dysfunction in performing various activities such as sitting, pulling to stand, standing, and walking. They also presented with compensatory mechanisms to maintain their equilibrium in static and dynamic activities. Conclusion: The motor development of children with Down syndrome is significantly delayed due to structural differences in the brain. These individuals have inefficient compensatory strategies like increasing step width, increasing frequency of mediolateral center of pressure displacement, decreasing anteroposterior displacement, increasing trunk stiffness, and increasing posterior trunk displacement to maintain equilibrium. Down syndrome presents with interindividual variations; therefore, a thorough evaluation is required before a structured intervention is developed to improve motor and balance dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 2015

Input signals originating from baroreceptors and vestibular receptors are integrated in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) to maintain blood pressure during postural movement. The contribution of baroreceptors and vestibular receptors in the maintenance of blood pressure following hypotension were quantitatively analyzed by measuring phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase (pERK) expression and glutamate release in the RVLM. The expression of pERK and glutamate release in the RVLM were measured in conscious rats that had undergone bilateral labyrinthectomy (BL) and/or sinoaortic denervation (SAD) following hypotension induced by a sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusion. The expression of pERK was significantly increased in the RVLM in the control group following SNP infusion, and expression peaked 10 min after SNP infusion. The number of pERK positive neurons increased following SNP infusion in BL, SAD, and BL+SAD groups, although the increase was smaller than seen in the control group. The SAD group showed a relatively higher reduction in pERK expression when compared with the BL group. The level of glutamate release was significantly increased in the RVLM in control, BL, SAD groups following SNP infusion, and this peaked 10 min after SNP infusion. The SAD group showed a relatively higher reduction in glutamate release when compared with the BL group. These results suggest that the baroreceptors are more powerful in pERK expression and glutamate release in the RVLM following hypotension than the vestibular receptors, but the vestibular receptors still have an important role in the RVLM.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2017

Purpose : Forward head posture is typical neck disorders occur in all people. And this attitude causes a shortening and weakening of the muscles in the body. It also causes excessive extension acts as a reward. This attitude has to change if the pain occurs around the neck and shoulders, and are subjected to unusual stress. Patients with chronic neck pain associated with forward head posture was found to be the more severe the fall of the respiratory, forward head posture poor quality of much breath. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in forward head posture and neutral head posture on respiratory. Method : Forty volunteers were participated in study and divided into two groups [forward head posture group (n=20) and neutral head posture group (n=20)]. We measured cervical alignment with global postural system to find out a forward head posture. Respiratory function was measured with a SPIROVIT SP-1 equipment and we found out a forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC. A pared t-test was used to determine a statistical significance for the pulmonary function variation and a independent t-test was used to determine a statistical significance in the two groups. Results : In the experimental group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the artificial neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. In the control group, FVC and FEV1 were significantly higher in the neutral head posture than in the forward head posture. FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/ FVC were significantly higher in the neutral head posture of control group than the artificial neutral head posture of experimental group and higher in the artificial forward head posture of control group than the forward head posture of experimental group. Conclusion : In conclusion, neutral head posture is considered to be an important factor in correct posture and improvement of lung function and continuous study of posture correction program for posture imbalance will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.47-52
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of the study was to examine if a respiratory muscle strengthening training in patients with stroke can improve their pulmonary function. Methods : Volunteers were included for the study if a patient diagnosed stroke more than 6 months and had 24 points or higher in MMSE-K scores. Twenty-eight subjects participated in this study and were randomly divided into two groups; a breathing exercise group(n=14) and a control group(n=14). The intervention for all subjects was conducted for 20minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. Subjects for the breathing exercise group had the respiratory muscle strengthening training using spiro-tigers, where-as subjects in the control group got their usual treatment ie a postural training. The six-minute walking test(6MWT) and the pulmonary function tests(FVC, $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC, VC, Vt, IRV and ERV) were employed to assess treatment effects at baseline and after their intervention. Results : Twenty-four subjects finished their 4-week treatment programs. The general characteristics between groups were found to be similar (p>0.05). The pulmonary function between groups were also observed no difference across groups at the baseline measurement (p>0.05). In the post treatment group comparison, subjects in the breathing exercise group showed an increase in lung function with VC ($2.73{\pm}0.80{\ell}$) and Vt ($0.87{\pm}0.38{\ell}$) than those in the control group ($1.91{\pm}0.80{\ell}$ and $0.48{\pm}0.22{\ell}$ respectively) (p<0.05). However, there was no difference found in 6MWT, FVC, $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC, IRV, and ERV across groups (p>0.05). Conclusion : A significant increase in VC and Vt was found in subjects with stroke, who had four-week training on respiratory muscle strengthening. However, respiratory muscle strengthening showed no effect on walking speed and FVC, $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC, IRV, and ERV in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.498-507
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.66-71
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• 1989

It has been standard practice in many institutions to use a combination of a light general anesthesia and an epidural block for lower abdominal and pelvic surgery. This combination of a balanced anesthesia can provide various benefits to the patient such as less bleeding in the surgical field, the use of a lower concentration of general anesthetics, less muscle relaxant, and post operative pain management. However, there are several problems associated with hemodynamics such as bradycardia and hypotension etc. In order to block the pain of the high surgical area with a lumbar epidural puncture postoperatively, a large volume of local anesthetic is required and consequently an extensive blockade of sympathetic, sensory and motor functions can occur causing motor weakness, numbness and postural hypotension. Therefore, the patient is unable to have early ambulation postoperatively. In this study, thoracic epidural catheterization was undertaken to locate the tip of the catheter exactly at the surgical level for upper abdominal surgery, and was followed by general anesthesia. Twenty-one patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery were selected. Fifteen of them had hepatobiliary operations and the remaining 6 had gastrectomies. Thoracic epidural punctures were performed mostly at T9-T10 (57.1%) and T8-T9. Neuromuscular blocking agents were not used in half of the cases and the, mean doses of relaxant were $3.5{\pm}1.0mg$ in gastrectomies, and $2.7{\pm}0.9mg$ in cases of hepatobiliary operation. Epidural morphine was injected 1 hour before the end of the operation for postoperative pain control. Eight patients did not require additional analgesics and the mean dose of epidural morphine was $2.2{\pm}0.9mg$, and 13 cases were given 0.125% epidural bupivacaine when patients complained of pain. Their initial doses of epidural morphine were $1.9{\pm}0.4mg$ and the mean duration of bupivacaine was 6 hours 20 minutes${\pm}40$ minutes. In conclusion. thoracic epidural analgesia is valuable to reduce postoperative pain in patients with upper abdominal surgery, However, it is not easy to maintain this balanced anesthesia with high epidural analgesia-and light general anesthesia for upper abdominal surgery because of marked hemodynamic changes. Therefore, further practice will be required.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

In this paper, We investigated the characteristic analysis of flexibility and muscle strength for exercise to verify capacity in rehabilitation exercise of lumbar using lumbar strengthen exercise instrument. We have experiment in 20th years man and woman who are 20 subject with no medical history, we divided subjects into control group with no exercise and training group with lumbar strengthen exercise. We used Hi-Spine(Medicalscience.korea) also, provided exercise 40 minute a day, three days a week and progressed total four weeks. Moreover in our experiment, subjects exercised four postural position as lay down, sit, stand and stretch each ten minute. We measured trunk extension backward, trunk flexion forward, evaluation of based physical fitness and lumbar joint torque. The reults have shown that there more improved all for flexibility, based physical fitness and lumbar joint torque in training group than control group. We indicated that by rotating 3-D axis movement flatform of exercise instrument, muscle spindle in subject have been stimulated and these rotation direction and angle caused muscle tonus and contraction that makes muscle, flexibility and based physical fitness improve more. Our study can be used rehabilitation exercise program to aged people and patient with lumbar injury.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-52
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• 2021

Introduction : Oral motor function is basic function of sensory exploration, feeding, and communication, that develops from the fetal stage to childhood. Problems with oral motor function result in difficulty within handling food in the oral cavity, decreased swallowing and feeding skills, difficulty with communication, and problems with oral hygiene. To treat these symptoms, oral motor therapy is provided for normalizing sensory adaptation in the oral cavity, and increasing postural control, oral movement and oral motor function. Discussion : The oral motor facilitation technique (OMFT) was developed for increasing general and integrated oral motor function based on the following: 1) understanding orofacial muscular physiology; 2) a comprehensive approach to sensory·adaptation·behavior·cognition; 3) sensorimotor stimulation by a manual approach; 4) motor control and motor learning theory. The OMFT is a new evidence-based treatment protocol, for children and adults with neuromuscular and oral motor problems. Conclusion : The goal of this article is to provide a theoretical background for OMFT development and the basic concept for the clinical application of OMFT. We hope that this article will help oral motor therapy experts to provide effective therapy in a more professional way.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Pressure ulcers are serious complications of tissue damage that can develop in patients with diminished pain sensation and diminished mobility. Pressure ulcers can result in irreversible tissue damage caused by ischemia resulting from external loading. There are many intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to the problem, including interface tissue pressure, shear, temperature, moisture, hygiene, nutrition, tissue tolerance, sensory and motor dysfunction, disease and infection, posture, and body support systems. The purposes of this study were to investigate the relationship between buttock interface pressure and seating position, wheelchair propulsion speed. Seated-interface pressure was measured using the Force Sensing Array pressure mapping system. Twenty subjects propelled wheelchair handrim on a motor-driven treadmill at different velocities (40, 60, 80 m/min) and seating position used recline ($100^{\circ}$, $110^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$) with a wheelchair simulator. Interface pressure consists of average (mean of the pressure sensor values) and maximum pressure (highest individual sensor value). The results of this study were as follows; No significant correlation in maximum/average pressure was found between a static position and a 40 m/min wheelchair propulsion (p>.05). However, a significant increase in maximum/average pressure were identified between conditions of a static position and 60 m/min, and 80 m/min wheelchair propulsion (p<.05). No significant correlation in maximum pressure were found between a $90^{\circ}$ recline (neutral position) and a $100^{\circ}$, $110^{\circ}$, or $120^{\circ}$ recline of the wheelchair back (p>.05). No significant difference in average pressure was found between conditions of a $90^{\circ}$ recline and both a $100^{\circ}$ and $110^{\circ}$ recline of wheelchair back. However, a significant reduction in average pressure was identified between conditions of a $90^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}$ recline of wheelchair back (p<.05). This study has shown some interesting results that reclining the seat by $120^{\circ}$ reduced average interface pressure, including the reduction or prevention in edema. And interface pressure was greater during dynamic wheelchair propulsion compared with static seating. Therefore, the optimal seating position and seating system ought to provide postural control and pressure relief. We need an education on optimal seating position and a suitable propulsion speeds for wheelchair users.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2012

This study used an unstable platform to change the support surface type and position of both lower limbs in order to determine changes in weight distribution and muscle including the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, lateral hamstring, and lateral gastrocnemius of both lower limbs were evaluated during knee joint flexing and extending in a semi-squat movement in 32 hemiplegic patients. The support surface conditions applied to the lower limbs were divided into four categories: condition 1 had a stable platform for both lower limbs; condition 2 had an unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side; condition 3 had a stable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and an unstable platform for the hemiplegic side; and condition 4 had an unstable platform for both sides. The normalized EMG activity levels of muscles and weight bearing ratio of both sides in the four surface conditions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. A significant increase was found in the weight support distribution for the hemiplegic side in flexing and extending sessions in condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A statistically significant decrease in significant decrease in asymmetrical weight bearing in flexing and extending sessions was observed for condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A similar significant decrease was found in differences in muscular activity for both lower limbs in condition 2 (p<.05). The muscular activity of the hemiplegic side, based on the support surface for each muscle showed a significantly greater increase in condition 2 (p<.05). An unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side therefore increased symmetry in terms of the weight support distribution rate and muscle activity of lower limbs in hemiplegic patients. The problem of postural control due to asymmetry in hemiplegic patients should be further studied with the aim of developing continuous effects of functional training based on the type and position of the support surfaces and functional improvement.