KJCKorea
Journal Central

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of stand-up training with paretic upper limb support on the balance and gait abilities of stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 20 participants with hemiplegic stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental group (stand-up training with paretic arm support, n = 10) or a control group (stand-up training without paretic arm support, n = 10). All participants underwent 60 min of comprehensive therapy (5 times a week for 4 weeks). In addition, all patients performed stand-up training (5 training sets/session, 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks) with or without paretic arm support. RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in paretic side weight distribution, TUG (timed up and go) test times, gait symmetry, and stance time in the experimental group (p < .05). Furthermore, the experimental group also showed larger increases or decreases in the variables than the control group (weight distribution on the paretic side, 1.42% vs. .52%; TUG test time, -1.16 sec vs. -.55 sec; gait symmetry, -.56 score vs. -.24 score; stance time on the paretic side,. 35 sec vs. .16 sec, respectively) (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Stand-up training with paretic arm support might improve balance ability and gait function more effectively than stand-up training without paretic arm support in stroke patients.

Ankle plantar flexion, Bilateral squat, HigPURPOSE: The alignment of one joint in the lower limb can affect the kinematic changes in other joints. This study examined the biomechanics of the lower extremities when bilateral squats were performed under three conditions of the ankle joint in groups with normal and high quadriceps angles (Q-angles). METHODS: Thirty subjects were categorized into two groups: those with a mean Q-angle of ≤20° and > 20° were assigned to the normal Q-angle group (N = 20) and high Q-angle group (HQ = 10), respectively. The participants performed a bilateral squat on a bare floor (B), tilt table for dorsiflexion fixation (D), and tilt table for plantar flexion fixation (P) to examine the three-dimensional motion analysis of the lower extremity during the squat under the three ankle joint conditions. RESULTS: A significant between-group variation was found in the frontal plane movement of the knee joint during the plantar flexion squat and in the transverse plane movement of the hip joint during the plantar flexion squat (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Individuals with a high Q-angle showed compensatory movements in the hip and knee joints during the plantar flexion squat movement.h Q-angle

PURPOSE: Many studies have reported the effects of various exercises on upper crossed syndrome (UCS), but no study has reported the effects of exercise according to the breathing method. This study examined the most effective breathing methods (abdominal, thoracoabdominal, and thoracic breathing) when applied to exercise in UCS. METHODS: Forty-two adults with UCS were divided randomly into three breathing groups: 1) abdominal, 2) thoracoabdominal, and 3) thoracic. Each group was trained in their respective breathing methods and underwent interventions, including deep cervical flexor strengthening, minor pectoral stretching, modified prone cobra, and wall slide exercises. The exercise sessions were conducted twice a week for four weeks, each lasting 15–20 minutes. The neck disability index, visual analog scale, distance from the ground to the acromion, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and muscle elasticity were measured. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the CVA and CRA between the abdominal and thoracic breathing groups. The abdominal breathing group showed significant improvements in tension and stiffness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Overall, the abdominal, thoracoabdominal, and thoracic breathing groups showed improvements in their forward head posture in that order of effectiveness. CONCLUSION: All groups showed significant improvements in UCS. These findings suggest that exercises incorporating abdominal breathing are particularly effective and can be recommended for patients with UCS.