• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the contraction ratios of the abdominal muscles and the preferential activation ratios of the transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in the hook-lying, sitting, and standing positions. Methods: This study included 30 healthy participants. The thicknesses of the TrA, internal oblique muscle (IO), and external oblique muscle (EO) were measured at rest and during the ADIM in the hook-lying, sitting, and standing positions using B-mode ultrasound imaging. The contraction ratios of these muscles and the preferential activation ratios of the TrA were calculated for each position. Results: The contraction ratio of the TrA and preferential activation ratio of the TrA during the ADIM in the hook-lying position were significantly higher than those in the sitting and standing positions (p < 0.05). The contraction ratio of the TrA during the ADIM in the sitting position was significantly higher than that in the standing position (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The hook-lying position tended to facilitate TrA activity better than the sitting position. Furthermore, the sitting position tended to facilitate TrA activity better than the standing position. These findings suggest that the ADIM in the hook-lying position should be implemented before that in the sitting position and that the ADIM in the sitting position should be implemented before that in the standing position.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to compare changes in abdominal muscle thickness in different standing postures with a handheld load between subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Twenty subjects with CLBP and 20 controls participated in this study. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles. Muscle thickness in three different standing postures (standing at rest, standing with loads, standing with lifting loads) was compared with the muscle thickness at rest in the supine position and was expressed as a percentage of change in the thickness of the muscle. Results: While standing with loads, the change in IO muscle thickness in the CLBP patients increased more significantly than in the pain-free controls (p < 0.05). The standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant increase in the change in thickness of the TrA compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). In addition, the standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant decrease in the change in the thickness of the EO when compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The automatic activity of the IO muscle in subjects with CLBP increased more than that of the pain-free controls in the standing with loads posture. These findings suggest that IO muscle function may be altered in those with CLBP while standing with loads. Additionally, TrA the activation level was found to be associated with increased postural demand caused by an elevated center of mass.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.161-169
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Fractional microneedle radiofrequency systems are popular options to increase elasticity in aging skin. Laser-assisted drug delivery is a promising method for the epidermal injection of topically applied drugs and cosmetic ingredients. This study assesses the safety and efficacy of topical delivery of L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid after fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment for reducing photodamage. Materials and Methods In this prospective, single-center, split-face, controlled pilot study, six women (mean age, 48.0 years; range, 35-57 years; Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV) exhibiting mild to moderate photodamage, underwent a single session of fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment. The patients were instructed to apply the antioxidant formulation to only one side of the face. Patients were evaluated 3 days, 7 days, and 4 weeks thereafter, using three-dimensional imaging and ultrasound. Ex vivo, the full-thickness human skin was used for molecular and histological evaluation. Statistical analysis was achieved by applying t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and one-way analyses of variance. Results Compared to the untreated side, the antioxidant-treated side exhibited a significant increase in dermal thickness (10.32% vs. 17.54%, p < 0.05), but not in skin elasticity (4.76% vs. 4.69%, p > 0.05). The difference in erythema between the sides was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). In the ex vivo model, expression of FGF2 in the skin was significantly increased after application of the antioxidant formulation, as compared to results obtained subsequent to fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment only (p < 0.01). Conclusion This study demonstrates that for the treatment of photodamaged skin, laser-assisted delivery of the antioxidant formulation is a safe and effective adjuvant modality following fractional microneedle radiofrequency.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.29-32
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• 2022

Lipoma is one of the most common benign soft tissue tumors. However, giant lipomas compressing and deforming the neurovascular structure rarely occur in the lateral neck. A 70-year-old man visited our outpatient clinic for treatment of a visible painless neck mass that had been identified 2 years prior. Neck magnetic resonance imaging revealed that a 10 × 9 × 4 cm fatty mass located between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles invaded the carotid sheath. Under general anesthesia, the mass was excised without damage to the adjacent neurovascular structures. Upon histopathological examination, the mass was identified as a lipoma. During the surgery, enlargement of the internal jugular vein was observed under the resected mass. However, on ultrasound examination, the function of the internal jugular vein was evaluated as good. No recurrence or neurological and vascular complications were reported during a 6-month follow-up after the surgery. As a giant lipoma located in the deep layer of the lateral neck can deform important cervical structures, its impact on the surrounding structures should be carefully assessed preoperatively to minimize the rate of possible complications.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Korean medical device industry has laid the foundation for full-fledged growth and development with the G7 medical engineering technology development project that started in 1995, and the medical device production in 2020 increased by 8.52 times and the export by 13.94 times, compared to those in 2001. In early years, electronic medical devices such as ultrasound imaging device contributed greatly to Korean medical industry, but top ranks in medical device production and export in Korea has shifted recently to in vitro diagnostic medical devices and dental implants. However, the share of imported medical devices in the Korean medical device market have not changed much; it still ranges in 60 to 70%, as the Korean medical device industry produces and exports mid- to low-priced medical devices, and technology-intensive and capital-intensive high-priced medical devices are mainly imported. In this paper, we compare the leading medical devices produced by major Korean companies and those by global top medical device companies to suggest strategies for the Korean medical device companies to enter the global market.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.94-105
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated public opinion on the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. Methods: A questionnaire looking into perceptions on the use of modern medical devices was developed. It was distributed by a third party and data was collected. Results were analyzed through frequency analysis, chi-square analysis (χ²-test), frequency and cross analysis using R program. The measurement variable in the study was the respondent's perspectives and expectations on the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: There were a total of 3,000 responses and 80.8% of the respondents replied that there is a need for government-level discussion on endowing rights to Korean Medicine doctors as supervisors for safety management of radiation generating devices. Also, 83.3% of the respondents agreed the use of ultrasound imaging equipment in Korean Medicine clinics should be legalized. Conclusions: According to this study, respondents strongly support the use of modern diagnostic medical devices by Korean Medicine doctors. This is the first study to investigate public opinion in this area and it provides a significant insight into the public needs and desires for a wider scope of practice for Korean Medicine in the healthcare system.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome, a major cause of shoulder pain, involves weakness of the scapular retractor muscles. The major scapular retractor muscles are the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles; however, the latter is excluded in most studies. Objects: We aimed to measure the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles using an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system while performing four different shoulder retraction exercises and comparing the thicknesses and ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Methods: The thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles was measured in 24 healthy adults using ultrasound. Muscle thickness was measured three times in the Reference posture and four times while performing four different exercises that involved scapular retraction. The averages and standard deviations of the measured muscle thicknesses were obtained and compared. The ratio of muscle thickness and rate of changes in muscle thickness between the reference posture and the four exercises were compared. Results: For both, male (n = 10) and female (n = 14), there was a significant difference in the thickness of the middle trapezius muscle between the reference posture and the four exercises (p < 0.05) and in the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles between male and female (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Although a significant difference in the rate of change in muscle thickness during the four exercises was noted, there was no significant difference in the ratio of change in muscle thickness. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ratio of the thicknesses of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles and the rate of change in their thickness during exercises involving scapular retraction in healthy people in their 20s-30s.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.64-73
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• 2019

Background and Objectives The effectiveness of many physiotherapy modalities in reducing subcutaneous fat has been investigated in numerous previous studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no attempts to determine the effectiveness of physiotherapy modalities in body contouring. The present report determined the effect of 448-kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) in a porcine model. Materials and Methods This study investigated the effect of selective destruction of the subcutaneous fat layer in abdominal fat tissue using CRMRF. The effects of two types of CRMRF (capacitive electric transfer (CET) and resistive electric transfer (RET)) treatment were evaluated using regular digital photography in addition to thermal imaging evaluation, ultrasound measurement, hematological evaluation, and histologic analyses (H&E (hematoxylin and eosin), Oil red O, and immunohistochemistry staining). Results Preclinical evaluation was performed to obtain the data for comparison of the safety and efficacy of the subcutaneous fat reduction after applying CRMRF using CET and RET. After treatment, the thermal transmission was effective, and a 42-47℃ temperature change was observed in the fat layer while an approximately temperature of 42℃ was confirmed on the skin surface. Moreover, after the application of both types of CRMRF treatment, fibrotic septa were observed in the adipose tissue induced by heat at the treatment sites. TUNEL staining was also performed to confirm the process of apoptosis in the adipocytes. Conclusion These results suggest that both CET and RET for CRMRF treatment are safe and effective for subcutaneous fat reduction in a porcine model.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Normal-weight obese women have a normal weight with relatively low muscle mass resulting from high body fat. We aimed to investigate the effects of core exercise on body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk muscular endurance, and psychological factors in normal-weight obese women. Design: One group pre-, mid-, and post-test design. Methods: A total of 20 normal-weight obese women were recruited voluntarily. Core exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. InBody measurements, ultrasound imaging, and clinical tests were used to assess body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk and core muscular endurance, and psychological condition(satisfaction with appearance and self-esteem). The dependent variables were measured three times: before the intervention (pre-test), 2 weeks after the intervention (mid-test), and 4 weeks after intervention (post-test). One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Although there was no change in the body composition (p>0.05), thickness of the transversus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, endurance of the trunk flexors and extensors and core muscles, and psychological condition showed significant differences after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings will help develop exercise programs for normal-weight obese individuals that utilize the beneficial effect of core exercises.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.309-317
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• 2023

Purpose: This study set out to investigate the effects of prone hip extension with knee flexion (PHEKF) exercises according to external load on the thickness of the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and biceps femoris (BF). Methods: Twenty-three healthy men participated in this study. All subjects randomly practiced PHEKF under the burden of external loads created by sandbags (0 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg). Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) was used to measure the thickness of the Gmax and BF during the PHEKF with different external loads. Results: The thickness of the Gmax was highest during the 2 kg resistance exercise and lowest at 0 kg. The thickness of the Gmax was significantly increased at 1 kg and 2 kg compared to 0 kg and significantly increased at from 1 kg to 2 kg (p < 0.05). The thickness of the biceps femoris was highest at 0 kg and lowest at 2 kg. The thickness of the biceps femoris muscle was significantly reduced at 1 kg and 2 kg compared to 0 kg (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between 1 kg and 2 kg (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The thickness of the Gmax was increased by applying PHEKF with a higher external load, whereas the muscle thickness of the biceps femoris decreased. These results suggest that the application of external loads during PHEKF exercises may be an effective method for selective strengthening of the Gmax.