Earticle

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bobath treatment on the balance and gait in adult hemiplegia. Methods : The study was performed with patients of hemiparesis caused by cerebral stroke. The participants were based on random sampling method. The hemiplegia patient received Bobath therapy. Each rehabilitation program lasted 40 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Pertinent indicators? Berg's balance scale (BBS), gait velocity, and static balance analysis?were recorded before and after the programs, as well as every 2 weeks during the rehabilitation programs. Results : There was showed a significantly increase of BBS score. Static open and close showed statistically significant in interaction by time and groups. There was significant difference of gait velocity. Conclusion : These findings in this study that the Bobath therapy was effective therapy in improving dynamic balance and gait velocity.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify effects of virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly either to VR+CKC exercise group (n=15) or the CKC exercise group (n=15). When the study began, both groups received conventional physical therapy five times per week. The VR+CKC exercise group received virtual reality programs and the CKC exercise group received close kinetic chain exercises. Each exercise program was performed for six weeks (5 times per weeks; 20 minutes per time). Participants were measured on lower extremity muscle activity using EMG. Results : There was a significant increase of muscle activity (%RVC) in vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Conclusion : In this study, the virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain exercise program was an effective exercise for improving lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients

Purpose : The purpose of this research was to develop a proposal by investigating the work habits associated with exercise programs for the prevention of chronic back pain. Methods : The symptoms, areas and causes of musculoskeletal patients were analyzed during a three-month period in order to develop and apply prevention programs that stimulate lumbar deep layer muscle movement. Results : The results of this study show that the lumbar and shoulders are primary areas of pain. According to the literature, lumbar and shoulder pain is caused due to long periods in the standing position and unhealthy posture during work. A preliminary program was conducted for one month to study lower back pain prevention. Preliminary results of the program showed a lumbar stabilizing effect caused by the strengthening of abdominal muscles. In addition, the alignment of the spine often leads to effective action. Therefore, action-oriented programs should be implemented in order to induce contractions of the transverseabdominis muscle. Conclusion : The completed program should consider habit and practices of workers within their working environment. The promotion of health through exercise for both employers and workers is expected to bring physical and psychological benefits that will positively affect economic results.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in ultrasound imaging of the lower limbs in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis who received a total knee replacement (TKR). Methods : The participants for the study were ten patients who were to receive a total knee replacement. Measurements were taken a total of three times: before receiving a total knee replacement, and one week and two weeks after receiving a total knee replacement. The vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle were measured using ultrasound imaging. Results : Muscle thickness of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. White area index (WAI) and density of vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. Conclusion : In conclusion, lower quality muscles were due to a decrease in muscle fiber and an increase in fat fiber. Therefore, initial physical therapy after total knee replacement should consider this point and be designed appropriately as a therapeutic approach for total knee replacement patients.

Purpose : This study was to identify the effect of cognitive reaction following inactive electrode placement when applying anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex. Methods : For this study a total of 28 stroke patients participated. Before applying transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive reaction was measured (P300 of event related potential, cognitive reaction time), and subjects were randomly assigned to two group. Transcranial direct current stimulation was applied to the scalp with an intensity of 0.04㎃/㎠ for 15 minutes. All subjects were given an anode transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor area and inactive electrodes over the deltoid muscle (groupⅠ) and supra-orbital area (groupⅡ). Cognitive reactions were measured after applying transcranial direct current stimulation. Results : For this study a total of 28 stroke patients participated. Before applying transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive reaction was measured (P300 of event related potential, cognitive reaction time), and subjects were randomly assigned to two group. Transcranial direct current stimulation was applied to the scalp with an intensity of 0.04㎃/㎠ for 15 minutes. All subjects were given an anode transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor area and inactive electrodes over the deltoid muscle (groupⅠ) and supra-orbital area (groupⅡ). Cognitive reactions were measured after applying transcranial direct current stimulation. Conclusion : Thus transcranial direct current stimulation on the primary motor area may help cognitive reaction regardless of inactive electrode placement.

Purpose : The purpose of present study is to evaluate the joint angles of legs in the standing posture for six patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods : The participants underwent unilateral total knee replacement. A motion analysis was used to measure the joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle. The measurements were taken before the surgery, one week and two weeks after the surgery. Both sides of the legs were evaluated. Results : This result showed that after a certain healing period, both hip joint angles showed a significant difference while there was no significant difference in the knee and ankle joint angles. After surgery, the angle of ankle dorsiflexion was smaller on the operated side than the opposite side compared to the pre-surgery measurements. Conclusion : After surgery, the asymmetry in a standing position left unchanged due to contracture of the knee joint and tightness in the hamstring muscle. Therefore, when physiotherapists plan an initial exercise programs for TKR patients, it is essential to apply adequate exercises which consider the contracture of the leg joints.

Purpose : The goal of this study is to estimate the effect of SSP electrical stimulation applied to acupoints as conducted in oriental medicine on the swallowing function of patients with swallowing difficulties caused by stroke. Methods : Twenty-two hemiplegic stroke patients with swallowing difficulties were divided into an intervention-only group (Group Ⅰ; n=11) and an intervention-SSP electrical stimulation group (Group Ⅱ; n=11). Therapeutic intervention was performed on participants in the intervention-only group and the intervention-SSP electrical stimulation group, for 20 minutes per session, three times per week, for four weeks. In this study, SSP electrical stimulation to the acupoints（Cheondol, Yomch`on, Budol, Pungji, and Sanyinjian）of stroke patients with swallowing difficulties was applied, and to investigate the effects of SSP electrical stimulation, Clinical dysphagia scale (CDS) and ultrasonography assessment was used to measure pre and post-intervention scores. Results : In the clinical dysphagia scale assessment, the post- intervention score for group Ⅱ had significant enhancement unlike group Ⅰ. In the ultrasonography assessment, the hyolaryngeal movement in group Ⅱ showed significant increase in the swallowing function unlike group Ⅰ. Conclusion : From the above results, significant effects came from SSP electrical stimulation of 3㎐, biphasic wave, continuous current when applied to the acupoints as conducted in oriental medicine to improve the swallowing function of stroke patients.