KJC Korea
Journal Central

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the low dye taping technique on the static and dynamic balancing ability and navicular bone drop when the low dye taping technique was divided into elastic and non-elastic taping. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 31 volunteers without musculoskeletal disorders. The length (L) and anterior (A), posteromedial, and posterolateral values of the arch in the NO (normal eyes open), NC (normal eyes closed), PO (pillow with eyes open), and PC (pillow with close eyes closed) states were evaluated when barefoot and when Kinesio tape and non-elastic tape were applied. The measurements were analyzed using repeated ANOVA and an independent t-test. Post hoc tests were performed using a Fisher’s LSD. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the arch L and A values using a foot scanner(p < .05). In addition, there was a significant difference in dynamic balance in the three directions (p < .05), and no difference was found in the case of static balance. As a result, non-elastic tape application helps improve the dynamic balance ability and arch of the foot. CONCLUSION: The non-elastic tape technique is helpful for the foot arch function, and there is no difference in the static balance ability between Kinesio tape and non-elastic tape. Nevertheless, non-elastic tape is more helpful for the dynamic balance ability than Kinesio taping.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the immediate effects of gluteus medius strengthening training and relaxation therapy on the static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception. METHODS: In this research, 38 healthy adults were assigned randomly to strengthening groups (SG) and relaxation groups (RG). The static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception were measured as a pre-measurement. The same measurements were performed after the intervention and follow-up. An independent sample t-test was used to compare each group, and one-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare the changes within the group. RESULTS: In the static balance, the comparison between groups SG was more significant than RG, and only SG showed significant differences in the intra-group comparisons. There was no significant difference in muscle strength asymmetry between SG and RG. On the other hand, the comparison within the group revealed only SG to be significant. In proprioception, SG produced more significant results than RG, and only SG had significant values in the within-group comparison. CONCLUSION: Strengthening training affects the changes in static balance, muscle strength asymmetry, and proprioception.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of changes in the knee angle and weight shifting of the sole on the activity of the lower extremity muscles during bridge exercise. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 20 healthy adult women (mean age 29.8 ± 4.32). The subjects performed the bridge exercise under three weight-shifting conditions general bridge (GB), hindfoot press bridge (HPB), and fore-foot bridge (FPB) and at two knee angles (90° and 60°). During the bridge exercise, the activity of the quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, and vastus lateralis) and biceps femoris muscles were measured using an electromyography sensor. RESULTS: In the quadriceps femoris, the muscle activity of HPB and FPB was significantly higher than that of the GB at knee angles of 90° and 60° (p < .05). In the biceps femoris, the muscle activity increased significantly in the order of GB< HPB < FPB, and the knee angle increased significantly at 60° rather than at 90° (p < .05). There was no significant difference according to the knee angle in all muscles except for the biceps femoris. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the weightshifting bridge of sole bridge exercise was more effective in increasing the activation of the lower extremity muscles than the GB.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an exercise program for the thoracic spine and scapula rather than the neck, which is the primary site of pain. METHODS: Thirty-two elementary school teachers with a forward head posture (FHP) were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 16). The experimental group performed scapular stabilization exercise (SSE) and thoracic extension exercise (TEE), and the control group performed cervical self-myofascial release exercise and stretching exercise. The pulmonary functions, pain, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and cervical range of motion (CROM) were measured before the intervention and six weeks after. RESULTS: The within-group comparisons showed that the VAS and CROM (except for extension) in both groups were significantly different before and after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), and CVA were significant only in the experimental group (p < .05). The between-group comparisons showed a significant difference in the FVC, FEV1, VAS, CVA, and left lateral flexion (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of SSE and TEE in the experimental group was more effective in improving the FHP and breathing ability. Moreover, the experimental group and control combination appeared to be effective in reducing pain and improving the CROM. The combination of SSE and TEE, which are exercises that do not target the cervical spine directly, was effective in improving the posture, respiration, neck pain, and CROM in elementary school teachers with FHP.

PURPOSE: The functional limitations in stroke survivors promote sedentary lifestyles and quality of life inadequacies, but there is increasing evidence that this could be minimized by physical exercise. Therefore, this study examined the effects of physical exercise on the quality of life (QoL) and functional capacity (ability to stand up from a sitting position) among stroke survivors drafted from 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 descriptive statistics of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, while an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test the study hypothesis at the .05 alpha level for significance. RESULTS: Compared to the baseline (week 0), there were significant increases in the general quality of life, healthy well-being, physical exercise, pain perception, and environmental domains of QOL among the survivors in week four. Moreover, a significant increase was observed in these indices in week eight, compared to week four, except for the pain perception domain. Compared to the baseline, there was a significant decrease in the time it took the stroke survivors to stand up from a sitting position in week four. A significant decrease was observed in this index in week eight compared to week four. CONCLUSION: Marked corridor 20 meters brief walking exercise for eight weeks significantly improved the quality of life and ability to stand up from a sitting position in stroke survivors in Osogbo, Nigeria.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a real-time pressure feedback provided during gait training on the weight weight distribution of the inner part of mid-foot in paralyzed side and gait function in stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with hemiplegic stroke in a rehabilitation hospital were randomly assigned to the experimental and control group. All participants (n = 24) performed 15 min of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy 5 times a week for a period of 4 weeks. Additionally, the experimental group and control group underwent gait training with a real time feedback and general gait training, respectively, for 15 min five times a week for 4 weeks. Weight distribution and gait function were measured before and after the 4-week training. RESULTS: Significant increases in the weight distribution (WD), stance time (ST) and step length (SL) of the paralyzed side, and a significant decrease in the 10 m walking test (10 MWT) observed after training in the two groups (p < .05). The experimental group showed larger changes in the all variables than the control group (WD, +10.5 kg vs. +8.8 kg, p < .05; ST, 12.8 s vs. 4.9 s, p < .05; SL, 4.9 cm vs. 1.7 cm, p < .05; 10 MWT, -3.5 s vs. -1.0 s, p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Gait training with a real-time feedback might be effective in improving the normalization of weight bearing of the paralyzed lower extremity and gait function of stroke patients, and be considered to be a more effective gait training for improving the abilities than the general gait training.

PURPOSE: This study examined the actual condition of physical therapy in residential facilities for the disabled and determined the degree of job satisfaction of physical therapists. METHODS: In this study, data were collected using a structured questionnaire targeting 117 physical therapists (male: 49, female: 68) working in residential facilities for the disabled. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items, including six general characteristics, one job satisfaction, and 14 actual situation-related items. RESULTS: The job satisfaction of the physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled was 3.81 ± .83, which was between ‘normal’ and ‘satisfactory’. One physical therapist worked in 91.5% of places. The physical therapy room was used only by the physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech therapist, and a nurse and other departments in 65.8%, 9.4%, and 23.1% of cases. On average, six to 10 patients per day were treated the most with 45.3%, followed by physical therapy alone at 19.7%, and work related to medical rehabilitation and other departments at 72.7%. A higher number of overtime hours and nurses resulted in lower job satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The job satisfaction of physical therapists working in residential facilities for the disabled was similar to those of physical therapists working in medical institutions, but the factors affecting the job satisfaction were different. Professionalism in physical therapy was not secured, and the relationships with colleagues were an important factor in increasing job satisfaction.

PURPOSE: This study examined the correlation between the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strengthening training on an unstable support surface and a stable support surface in stroke patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 22 stroke patients undergoing central nervous system developmental rehabilitation treatment. After excluding six dropouts, eight people in the experimental group and eight people in the control groups were classified by random sampling. Both groups performed central nervous system developmental rehabilitation therapy and were provided a 10-minute break. The experimental group was provided with an unstable support surface using Togu, and the control group was trained to strengthen the respiratory muscle in a stable support surface. Respiratory muscle strengthening training was conducted three times per week for 20 minutes. Before and after each group of experiments, a nonparametric test Wilcoxon signed rank test, and a Mann Whitney U-test analysis were used to analyze the variations between the two groups. All statistical significance levels (α) were set at 0.05. RESULTS: Both groups showed increases in the pulmonary function but showed significant differences only in the experimental group. There was a significant difference in the peak expiratory flow between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Central nervous system development rehabilitation treatment for patients with an impaired nervous system and respiratory muscle strengthening training on unstable support surfaces are effective in improving the pulmonary function of stroke patients. Therefore, they are expected to be applied to physical therapy programs to help various functional activities.

PURPOSE: This study examined the comparative effects of an ankle sensorimotor training program combined with hip strengthening exercise (ASTPCHSE) and ankle sensorimotor training program (ASTP) alone on muscle strength, static balance, and dynamic balance in individuals with functional ankle instability. METHODS: Sixteen research participants with functional ankle instability were enrolled in this study. The participants were divided randomly into the ankle sensory motor training program group and the ankle sensory motor training program combined with the hip strengthening exercise group. Each group performed a series of exercise programs two times per week for four weeks. The Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) was used to measure the participants’ functional ankle instability. A Balance trainer 4 was applied to assess the static and dynamic balance, and a Primus RS multimodal dynamometer was used to evaluate the muscle strength. RESULTS: No significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance, and muscle strength were found between the ASTP and ASTPCHSE groups (p > .05). On the other hand, the dynamic balance and muscle strength improved in the ASTP and ASTPCHSE groups after the intervention (p < .05). The static balance was not enhanced in both groups after the intervention (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Ankle exercise and an ankle sensorimotor training program combined with hip strengthening exercise are effective in improving muscle strength and dynamic balance in individuals with ankle instability. On the other hand, there are no meaningful differences between ankle exercise and ankle and hip combined exercise.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of depending on the location of applying chest expansion resistance exercise on the respiratory muscle strength stroke patients, and to suggest more effective interventions to improve respiratory function in stroke patients in clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were selected and divided into two groups, and chest cage extension resistance exercise was applied to the sternum and rib cage, respectively, and performed for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, for 20 minutes. In order to compare the general characteristics of the study subjects and the homogeneity of the group, the pre-experimental values were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used for pre-post value comparison of maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure in each group. Statistical significance was set to .05. RESULTS: Both the sternum application group and the rib cage application group showed a significant difference in the maximum inspiratory pressure according to the intervention. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the maximum expiratory pressure in the sternum application group. CONCLUSION: As breathing exercise is important for stroke patients, based on the results of this study, if therapists perform sternal extension resistance exercise or rib extension resistance exercise according to the patient's condition and environment, it can help the breathing function of stroke patients.