2016, Vol.11, No.2

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 0.45

pISSN : 1975-311X / eISSN : 2287-7215
https://journal.kci.go.kr/kspm

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to assess the effects of local vibration on ankle plantarflexion spasticity and clonus in patients with spinal cord injury. METHODS: The subjects were 14 inpatients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) whose scores were higher than 1 on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Spinal Cord Assessment Tool for Spastic Reflexes (SCATS) scale of paraplegia. A randomized single-blind cross-over design was used. Vibration treatment involved a single application of vibration for 10 min in the sitting position, and placebo treatment involved the patient remaining in the sitting position for 10 min. One day after treatment, vibration and placebo treatments were crossed over. Spasticity was measured by using the MAS, and resistance force, by using a hand-held dynamometer; clonus was gauged by using the SCATS scale and clonus burst duration. Additionally, the burst maximal frequency and voluntary ankle dorsiflexion angle of the triceps surae were measured. RESULTS: The application of vibration treatment in the sitting position significantly reduced the MAS scores and resistance force, but significantly increased the dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint (p<0.05). Furthermore, the vibration treatment diminished the clonus burst duration and SCATS score significantly (p<0.05). Although it reduced the burst maximal frequency of the lateral gastrocnemius and medial soleus, this was significant only for the lateral gastrocnemius. The placebo treatment did not significantly affect any of the test parameters. CONCLUSION: Vibration treatment in the sitting position was effective in cases of spasticity and clonus caused by SCI.

PURPOSE: The Fukuda test can be used at home and in school to diagnose scoliosis at an early stage and prevent serious curvature of the spine. This study aimed to use the Fukuda test to detect scoliosis. An additional aim was to invoke the national interest in imbalanced postures and habits, which result in scoliosis, by providing data obtained in periodic assessments. METHODS: The study consisted of 35 idiopathic scoliosis patients (22 in right lumbar spinal region and 13 in the left lumbar spinal region). The distance of displacement and angle of displacement were measured following the Fukuda test. A correlation analysis was then used to examine the distance of displacement and angles of displacement and rotation with regard to the direction of the curve in scoliosis. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation (p<0.00) between the direction of the curve in scoliosis and the angle of displacement, but there was no correlation between the cobb's angle and distance of displacement or between the cobb's angle and angle of rotation. CONCLUSION: The Fukuda test did not capture changes in spinal curvature such as the cobb's angle, or subsequent changes in the muscles. Thus, the Fukuda test is not suited to examining the direction or status of the thoracic curve in scoliosis patients. Simple methods to objectively measure scoliosis need to be developed.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of health-promoting behaviors on the subjective well-being of a physical therapist. METHODS: Survey data were collected from 247 physical therapists in Daejeon city. The baseline for healthpromoting behaviors was determined using Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), subjective well-being was determined using Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), quality of life was measured using the SF-36 (Short-Form 36), and pain level was determined using the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS). Healthpromoting behaviors and related factors were analyzed using an average comparative analysis (t-test), and the factors relevant to subjective well-being and health-promoting behaviors were evaluated using correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficient). Factors affecting health-promoting behaviors were evaluated using stepwise multiple regression analysis (stepwise multiple regression). RESULTS: The mean score for health-promoting behavior was 3.73, with emotional support having the highest score (3.90) and regular meals having the lowest score (3.16 points; p<0.01). Health-promoting behavior was significantly correlated with positive emotions and negative emotions are subjective well-being, negative emotions and pain were noted (p<0.01). Health-promoting behaviors showed a significant correlation with quality of life (r=0.04), positive emotions (r=0.21; p<0.01), negative emotions (r=0.16; p<0.05), and pain level (r=0.016). The results of this study showed that health-promoting behaviors are significant predictors of subjective well-being in physical therapists (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Physical therapists have to maintain their health by avoiding infections. Regular exercise is the most important factor among all health-promoting behaviors.