2018, Vol.13, No.4

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 analyze the effects of carrying weight on the gait of elderly women using a walking-assistant vehicle (WAV) as the weight increased. METHODS: A total of 30 elderly women living in the local community were included as subjects and instructed to walk 50 m using a WAV loaded with sandbags corresponding to 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% of their mean weight. The subjects’ gait was analyzed using a gait analyzer to measure stride length, step length, step width, and gait time. RESULTS: Stride and step lengths were longest when carrying 5% of their weight and shortest when carrying 15% of their mean body weight. Step width and gait time were lowest when carrying weights corresponding to 5% and highest for 15% of their mean body weight. When observing gait with a WAV, the gait time was greatly affected by weights, with carrying weight equivalent to 5% of the body weight positively affected the gait with a WAV, whereas carrying weights of >15% resulted in slower gait speed. CONCLUSION: When walking with a WAV, an appropriate carrying weight of approximately 5% of the body weight stabilizes gait, while a weight of 15% leads decreased gait efficiency. Therefore, when using a WAV during outdoor activities, elderly women should add some weight to the WAV; however, the carrying weight should be <15% of the body weight.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the effects of the Graston-based massage method and microcurrent application on muscle fatigue after causing muscle fatigue of the quadriceps femoris by applying high- intensity exercise. METHODS: Study subjects (56 healthy subjects in their 20s) were randomized into a microcurrent group (MG), Graston group (GG), and control group (CG). To induce fatigue of the quadriceps femoris, the subjects performed squats 100 times without a break within about 5 minutes. Muscle fatigue was measured immediately after performing squats and 15 minutes after intervention. To measure muscle fatigue, surface electromyogram (EMG) was used to obtain and compare the median frequency. Microcurrent or Graston massage was applied to their quadriceps muscles 15 minutes after performing the squats. RESULTS: Muscle fatigue increased significantly in the vastus lateralis before and after intervention in the Graston group (p<.05), while no significant difference was observed in the rectus femoris and vastus medialis (p>.05). There were also no significant differences in the microcurrent group or the control group. CONCLUSION: Both the microcurrent group and Graston group showed a tendency for increasing median frequency values compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference except in the vastus lateralis treated with the Graston technique. Although there was no significant difference, the Graston technique could be utilized to reduce the occurrence of DOMS by preventing muscle fatigue in clinical practice or sports medicine.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between the activity of suprahyoid muscles, infrahyoid muscles and swallowing ability in stroke patients with dysphagia. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 120 patients who were diagnosed with CT or MRI stroke and had swallowing disorder at Daegu Metropolitan General Hospital from August 2014 to February 2017. The suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle activity was measured in patients with dysphagia and the new videofluoroscopy swallowing studies scale (new VFSS scale) was used for evaluation of swallowing function. Correlation analysis was conducted using the measured data. RESULTS: The activities of suprahyoid muscles were 325.8 (%RVC) on average, while the average infrahyoid muscle activity was 302.65 (%RVC) and the average value of the new VFSS scale was 31.52. The total for oral organs was 3.62 on average and that for pharynx organs was 28.30 on average. The activity of the suprahyoid muscles showed a significant positive correlation with the activity of the infrahyoid muscles, but a significant negative correlation with the total oral phase, total pharyngeal phase and total new VFSS scale (p<.01). The activity of the infrahyoid muscles showed a significant negative correlation with the total oral phase, total pharyngeal phase, and total new VFSS (p<.01). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it is necessary for researchers to consider the infrahyoid and suprahyoid muscles when conducting swallowing rehabilitation.