2017, Vol.12, 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: The purpose of this study was investigate the changes of gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle activity by applying different hot and cold therapeutic modalities. METHODS: A total of 20 healthy subjects were enrolled into the study. We selected transfer modalities that are frequently used in clinical settings: conduction, radiation, and convection. We performed hot pack, ice pack, and infrared therapy for 10, 20, and 30 minutes. After each application, a break was taken between each day. In addition, we performed cryotherapy for 3 min (airflow rate = -6～-20℃). We measured muscle activity changes in the GCM muscle. RESULTS: For the conduction method, muscle activity significantly increased after ice pack therapy for 10 min and 20 min but decreased after hot pack therapy for 10 min and 20 min. For the radiation method, muscle activity significantly decreased after infrared therapy for 10 min and 20 min. For the convection method, muscle activity significantly increased after cryotherapy for 3 min and 10 min. There were no differences in the change of muscle activity in the conduction and radiation transfer method using heat. However, there were differences in the change of muscle activity in the conduction and convection transfer method with cold application. CONCLUSION: For a reduction in muscle activity, regardless of the transfer type, thermal application for 20 min would be effective. For an increase in muscle activity, cold pack application or cryotherapy for 20 min would be effective. This study could contribute toward therapeutic modality application in changing muscle activity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to understand the difference in the risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD) between Korean and American CAD patients to determine the discriminant factor for each group, as well as to provide useful information to be reflected in the national concern of health. METHODS: Data were collected from 248 Korean and 107 American CAD patients who underwent either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. By using t-test and X²-test, risk factors were compared between the Koreans and Americans. To elucidate which risk factor was the most discriminant for each group, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: All risk factors, except diastolic blood pressure, showed a significant difference between the two groups. X²-test showed statistical significance with respect to the smoking rate between the female groups. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding blood total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride, and between the male groups, here was a statistically significant difference with respect to blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the most discriminant factor for Korean patients while TC/HDL is the most discriminant for the Americans. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of CAD risk factors were determined to be different between Koreans and Americans in this study. TC/HDL was a discriminant factor for Americans while DM was a discriminant factor for Koreans. This result implies that DM should primarily be given attention to prevent CAD in Korean adults.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify whether backward walking exercise was more effective than conventional physical therapy for balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=9) or control (n=9) group. The experimental and control group performed backward walking exercise and conventional physical therapy, respectively, for 8 weeks. Stability Index (SI) and Weight Distribution Index (WDI) during standing were assessed using the Tetrax Balance System. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Korean version of the Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS) were used to evaluate balance and fall risk. Walking speed, stride length, and step length on the affected side were measured using the 10-Meter Walk and ink foot printing tests. Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for within- and between- group comparisons, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly higher changes in SI (p<.01), WDI (p<.01), TUG (p<.001), and BBS score (p<.001) following intervention compared with the control group. The experimental group also showed significantly greater improvements in walking speed (p<.01), stride length (p<.001), and step length on the affected side (p<.001) after intervention compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Backward walking exercise is an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in hemiplegic stroke patients.