Earticle

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the balance training on the stable and unstable supporting surfaces for the subjects with functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-nine subjects with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to the stable group (n=14) and the unstable group (n=15). Balance training was conducted twenty minutes a day on the stable surface for the stable group and on the airostep for the unstable group three times a week for four weeks. Balance training program was consisted of ten steps by eye opened or closed and two or one leg standing. X-speed for transverse balance and Y-speed for longitudinal balance were measured with eye opened and closed in affected leg standing position. Results: There were significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01) in stable group. Unstable group also showed significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01). There were no statistical differences in the magnitude of improvement between the groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Based on such results, it can be said that balance training on the stable surface is effective as much as training on the unstable surface for the subjects with functional ankle instability.

Background: This study aims to examine correlations between quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy. Methods: This study selected 96 healthy women university students as the subjects of research. Quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy were measured. The statistical analysis of the data SPSS/window (version 12.0) were analyzed using the pearson correlation analysis. Results: There were negative correlations between the muscle strength of the right hamstring muscles and the right quadriceps angle in supine and standing positions. Functional leg length discrepancy of left and right quadriceps angle in supine and standing position showed positive correlations. Conclusions: The quadriceps angle affect the knee. An abnormal angle caused weakening of balance. Muscle strength, leg length discrepancy, and affected lower extremity alignment and knee function. These conclusions may prevent exercise limitation or disorders in the subjects and treating the patients with knee injury or patellofemoral pain syndrome with basic therapy intervention.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on the cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle among adolescents in the forward head posture. Methods: The subjects include 22 adolescents that recorded a mild level or higher on the posture evaluation index by New York State. They were randomly divided to the hand exercise group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). The former group participated in the sling exercise program three times a week over four weeks in total with each session lasting 60 minutes, whereas the latter group was not included in the program. The cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The study compared the cervical lordotic angle between the two groups before and after sling exercise and found that the sling exercise group made an increase of 7.36° from 21.91° to 29.27° after the intervention(p<.05). As for the comparison results of the craniovertebral angle, the sling exercise group made an increase of 5.64° from 48.91° to 54.55° after the intervention (p<.05). As for the comparison results of the cranial-rotation angle, the sling exercise group made an decrease of -7.73° from 148.82° to 141.09° after the intervention (p<.05). The control group showed no differences before and after the intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: Those findings indicate that the application of sling exercise in the forward head posture can be a good program to maintain the right posture and improve or prevent an abnormal posture and raise a need for more clinical applications and ongoing researches.

Background: In the present study, we examined gender roles, job satisfaction, and the relationship between the two among orthopedic manual physical therapists (OMT). Methods: The subject of this study was 208 physical therapists working in the general hospital and rehabilitation in Daejeon. In order to examine the nature of the subject, we calculated the ratio of second finger length for fourth finger of predominant hand and completed the questionnaire to determine the general characteristics and job satisfaction. Results: The OMT and NOMT (non OMT) digit ratio results were not significantly different (p>.05). Digit ratio based on gender was also not significantly different between groups (p>.05). Among the job satisfaction survey items, OMT was significantly higher than NOMT in terms of Pride, Reflection of opinions, aptitude match, and field satisfaction (p<.05); however, there were no significant differences between groups for the remaining items. Digit ratio was not significantly related to any of the job satisfaction items (p>.05). Conclusions: We determined that gender roles had a limited influence on selecting and continuing with orthopedic physical therapy.

Background: This study examined the effects of cervical traction group and cervical traction & nerve mobilization exercise group after applying conservative physical therapy to Computer Workers with Cervical Radiculopathy. Methods: They were randomly divided into two groups: 18 subjects were cervical traction group, 22 subjects were cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 4 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Cervical extensor muscles strength (CEMS) was measured by the Pressure biofeedback unit. Grasping power (GP) was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Results: After 4 weeks therapy, VAS and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.05) and CEMS and GP were significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: cervical traction and nerve mobilization exercise group is more effective than cervical traction group for reducing VAS and NDI and increasing GP in computer workers with cervical radiculopathy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to effect of the manual therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercise interventions in patient with acute lumbar sprain. Based on this, proceed to present an effective physical treatments. Methods: Subject was 55 year old female patient with acute lumbar sprain. Subject was damaged, wash in the morning. Subject was hoping to return to work and Activity daily living (ADL) without pain. I proceed in order screening, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment planning and intervention, re-screening. To solving problem, was conducted in parallel to a manual therapy and therapeutic exercise. Results: To investigate changes in body functions and activities was measured, Visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), changes in posture, maintain in posture, 10m walk test. The improved results were compared before and three weeks after mediation interventions. Conclusions: Frequency manual therapy and pelvic floor muscle exercise is thought to be an efficient way of patients with acute lumbar sprain.