Earticle

Background: This study was conducted in order to see if muscle strength is different according to fall experience in female elders by comparing their muscle strength of waist and knee, which is one of factors inducing fall. Method: For this study, 22 female elders aged over 65 sampled from senior centers in D City were surveyed on their fall experiences using a questionnaire asking clinical history. Then, 8 elders with fall experience (FE) and another 8 without (NFE) were selected and participated in the research. Isokinetic muscle strength was measured with isokinetic equipment BIODEX SYSTEM 3 PRO, and the peak torque was obtained from the highest of 9 measurements at angular velocity 60°/sec according to the method recommended in the manual. Measured items were waist flexion and extension, and knee flexion and extension. Results: The FE group showed higher extensor and flexor muscle strength of the waist, but the difference was not significant (p<.05). In addition, no difference was observed in extensor muscle strength of the knee (p<.05). In flexor muscle strength, however, the FE group was significantly higher than the NFE group (p<.05). Conclusion: The application of regular exercise programs for improving muscle strength, endurance, etc. to those with fall experience will be effective in preventing falls among them.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Mulligan’s straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique on flexibility of hamstring in people with shortened hamstring. Methods: Thirty two subjects participated in this study. The subjects were assigned to either the Mulligan’s straight leg raise with traction technique group (n=16) or the hold-relax technique group (n=16). 90-90 straight leg raise test was performed for evaluation of hamstring shortening at initial time of study. After intervention, immediate effect (immediately after intervention) and lasted effect (60 min after intervention) were assessed. Results: In the both Mulligan’s straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique groups, significant improvements on flexibility of hamstring was observed in immediately and 60 minute after intervention (p<.05). However, there are no significant difference was observed between groups (p>.05). Conclusion: In the results of this study, both Mulligan’s straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique show immediately and 60 minute after evaluation effectiveness in flexibility of hamstring of people with shortened hamstring. In addition, although the difference is not statistically significant, Mulligan’s straight leg raise with traction technique was more increased average extension angle of knee joint at 90-90 straight leg raise test than the hold-relax technique.

Background: To evaluate the effect of thoracic mobility exercise and deep breathing exercise applied to stroke patients on pulmonary function. Methods: The subjects were divided into two group. Twenty-five patients with stroke were randomly assigned to DB (deep breathing exercise) group (n=13) and TM (combination of deep breathing exercise and thoracic mobility exercise) group (n=12). During four weeks, DB group were carried out deep breathing exercises for 5∽10 minutes twice a day and TM Group were carried out deep breathing exercises for 5∽10 minutes and thoracic mobility exercise for 20∽30 minutes twice a day. All tests were completed before and after experiment. The pulmonary functions were measured by PowerBreathe K5 (Hab International Ltd, England) and tape measure respectively. For each case, the experimental data were obtained in 4 items; average of inspiratory load, inspiratory flow speed, inspiratory flow volume and chest expansion. Results: The results of this study were as follows: 1. In DB group, the statistically significants were shown on average of inspiratory flow speed, inspiratory flow volume and chest expansion (p<.05). 2. In TM group, the statistically significants were shown on all items (p<.05). 3. There was a statistically significant difference on all items between DB group and TM group (p<.05). Conclusions: The above results revealed that DB and TM group can be used to improve pulmonary function in stroke patients. In comparison of DB and TM group, TM group was more improved. In conclude, thoracic mobility exercise helped improving function of vital capacity and chest expansion in stroke patients.

Background: The purpose is to investigate the immediate effects of kinesio taping on quadriceps induced fatigue by short-term squat. Methods: This research is cross-over designed study and conducted as a single-blind. Eleven students (Age: 18.91±0.49yrs, height: 167.09±8.46㎝, 62.55±11.32kg) were participated in this study. All the participants were applied short-term squat for inducing fatigue, and then intervented all three conditions (kinesio taping applied condition, placebo taping applied condition, non-taping applied condition). The interval of each intervention was at least a seven days to prevent carry-over effects. The participants were tested peak torque (isometric contracture) and active joint position sense (active JPS) pre-post intervention. A paired t-test was used to find the significance of pre-post intervention results and one-way ANOVA was used to find the significance between interventions with significant level as .05. Results: Peak torque was significantly increased on KT condition (p<.05). But there were no significant effects on active JPS. Because kinesio taping facilitates Ia afferent by tactile stimulation with stretched skin, reduced muscle power by short term squat which induce muscle fatigue was increased. But kinesio taping does not affect mechanoreceptor in muscles, induced active JPS by short-term squat had no changes.

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effect of incidence of ankle sprains on both leg length inequalities and range of motion of ankle joint in 20's female university students. Methods: 20's female university students were targeting 32 people attending K university in Gwangju. Both leg length inequality was measured using a tape measure, ranges of motion of ankles was measured using a goniometer. Results: The ankle sprain incidence was quite high, with 56.25% (n=18) for the right ankle, 34.38% (n=11) for the left ankle, and 9.38% (n=3) for both. As for the difference between the ankle sprain incidence and both leg length, the average value of the right leg was 83.08±3.69, the average value of the left leg was 84.28±3.27, making the right leg shorter than the left by 1.2㎝ with a higher incidence and showing a positive statistical correlation between the two (p<.05). Also showed that there was a negative statistical correlation between ankle sprain incidences and the inversion range of motion spread of the right ankle (p<.05). Conclusion: The incidence of ankle sprains was higher for the larger the difference between both leg length inequality. In addition, the smaller the inversion range of motion spread of the right ankle, the higher the incidence of ankle sprains. Therefore, The evidence suggests that the incidence of ankle sprains can be reduced by recommending stability and efficient exercises that take into consideration the both leg length as well as the ranges of motion of ankle joints.

Background: This study investigates the impact of the cervical musculoskeletal intervention on post-traumatic stress disorder patient’s cervical pain levels and depression factor. Methods: Thrty neck pain patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder were enrolled. Neck exercise training using a sling system was applied to the experimental group and self-neck movement exercise, modification of the McKenzie exercise, was applied to the control group. Both groups were checked every week whether they performed or not. Both groups performed their exercise for 35 minutes for a time and 3 times per week. Total period of the intervention was 6 weeks. To compare the effects of interventions, threshold of cervical tenderness and depression level were measured before and after the each intervention and also measured at follow-up. Results: Painthreshold of left trapezius showed a significant difference between two groups at three points. It increased 19.71% in the experimental group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. At follow-up it also increased 20.06% in the experimental group. Pain threshold of right trapezius showed a significant difference at three points. It increased 18.35% in the experimental group after the intervention compared to before the intervention. At follow-up it also increased 15.93% in the experimental group. According to the result interaction between groups and measurement time in both side of trapezius was valid. Depression level showed significant difference in the experimental group between three points. It decreased 18.07% after the intervention compared to before the intervention and decreased 15.21% at follow-up. According to the result interaction between groups and measurement time in depression level was valid. Conclusions: This study has important implications as the therapeutic strategy, high potent of improving symptoms, shows effect to a subject who has psychological problem such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery during the forward shift on head. Methods: A 20-year female healthy subject participated in this study. This study was set up the forward shift on head at the 3㎝ and 6㎝ in a shoulder midline (acromion). Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for the blood flow on carotid and vertebral artery. Results: Carotid artery was increased the blood flow and vertebral artery was decreased the blood flow during forward shift on head. Conclusions: These findings suggest that carotid and vertebral artery changes to the blood flow during forward shift on head. Therefore, we should be consider that hemodynamic factor when apply to the therapeutic exercise for patients of forward head posture.

Background: Although many of those who drive for a living are exposed to repetitive and awkward posture and whole body vibration which cause them cumulative trauma disorder, therapeutic studies related to the problems from the transport unit are still somewhat inadequate. The purpose of this case report is to identify the effect of combined exercise program on patients suffering chronic neck pain caused by long hour of intra-city bus driving. Method: A total of 4 subjects are selected as patients, all of whom have more than 10 years of experience in intra-city bus transportation services. These people have suffered from neck pain for years. We ran the combined exercise program 3 times a week for 4 weeks and respectively evaluated the results after the 2nd and 4th week. We implemented conventional physiotherapy for 40 minutes, another 40 minutes of combined exercise program, and then educated the patients to enable themselves to do active stretching program as a home program. The combined exercise program contained 3 different stages. 1st stage: active stretching program, 2nd stage combined stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise, 3rd stage: proprioceptive exercise Result: After 4 weeks of intervention, there was enhance in the range of motion. 12° increase in flexion, 10° in extension, 6° in lateral flexion respectively, and 10° in rotation on average. VAS(visual analgue scale) decreased by 33% on average, NDI(neck diability index) by 28% and fatigability by 23%. Conclusion: There were improved results in the range of motion, NDI, VAS, and in fatigability after applying combined exercise program to intra-city bus drivers exposed to whole body vibration and cumulative trauma disorder.