Earticle

Background: The aim of this study was to conduct an Otago exercise program with total knee replacement patient (TKR) in a clinical setting and ascertain its effects on balance, walking ability and falls efficacy. Methods: The participating subjects were 30 people who had been diagnosed with TKR. They were assigned to two groups (Exp; Otago exercise and general physical therapy, n=15; Con; balance exercise and general physical therapy, n=15), and the exercises were conducted for three sessions per week for four weeks. The main balance outcomes were evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUG), while walking ability was evaluated using the 10m walk test (10MWT), direction change ability was measured using the figure 8 of walk test (F8WT), and the decrease of fear was evaluated using the modified falls efficacy scale (MFES). Results: In the analysis results, the Exp group showed significant increases in TUG, 10MWT, and F8WT within the both groups. There were significant differences in all variables between the Exp group and the Con group at the post-intervention evaluation, but there was no significant difference between the groups with respect to the TUG. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that Otago exercise would be useful to improve balance and walking for TKR patients who want to improve their abilities and activities of daily living.

Background: The aim of this study is for the effects of upper trapezius (UT) inhibition on round shoulder posture (RSP) index, pectoralis minor index (PMI), UT activity and neck disability index (NDI) in adults with RSP. Methods: 30 male and female participants with RSP were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). the EG received UT inhibition 3 days a week for 5 weeks those in the CG did not receive UT inhibition. Results: RSP index, PMI, UT activity and NDI were measured again, There was a significant difference within the EG at pre- result and post-results. Conclusion: These results suggest that UT inhibition with an RSP program was effective in decreasing the RSP index, UT activity, and NDI in adults with RSP.

Background: The purpose of this study was compare and analyze the flexibility and dynamic balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and provide scientific basis for effectively treating idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 members of adolescences. To measure the flexibility of the spine, a left buckling instrument was used, and it was measured using a modified sit and reach test. They were randomly divided into core exercise with sling program group (n=10) and general exercise program group (n=10), each consisting 50 minutes each for 4 times per week for 8 weeks. Results: The results of the study are as follows. First, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in spinal flexibility but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Second, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in balance ability of dynamic foot pleasure ratio but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Conclusion: In summarizing the results of this study, sling exercise with core exercise was effective in the decrease of flexibility and stability than general scoliosis exercise in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. It is also believed to be applicable to spinal diseases caused by muscular weakness since it is effective in strengthening core muscle strength.

Background: Exercise in the quadruped position is performed to improve body and shoulder stability. This study examined the muscle activity of the trunk muscles according to the distance of the weight shift when lifting one leg in the quadruped position. Methods: Ten healthy 20 to 40 years old males were tested as subjects. All subjects moved their body weight to 0, 5, and 10㎝ on the opposite side of the leg lifter while maintaining the quadruped position. The surface electrodes recorded the electromyography data during the one leg lifting. Results: As the weight shift distance was increased, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of both serratus anterior, multifidus and internal oblique muscles (p<.05). Left and right serratus anterior and right internal oblique were most activated when weight shift distance was 0㎝ (p<.05). Conclusion: Shoulder and lumbar stabilization exercises should be applied in the absence of a weight shift distance during quadruped exercise.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) before Mobilization with Movement (MWM) on ankle ROM, pennation angle, balance in stroke patients. Methods: A total of 22 subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received intervention STM before MWM. STM was applied for one minute, MWM was applied one set of six times, in a total 3 sets. The passive ankle joint range of motion (ROM) was measured using a goniometer, the pennation angle was measured using RUSI, and the balance was measured using Timed Up & Go Test. Results: The ROM of the ankle dorsi-flexion, muscle tissue (pennation angle) and balance were significantly increased. Conclusion: In this study, it was confirmed that the ankle dorsi-flexion ROM, pennation angle of the medial gastrocnemius muscle, and balance were significantly improved in the group where STM was performed before the MWM intervention. Therefore, the physiotherapists should consider these results in their intervention. If MWM is applied to stroke patients, applying STM first is a better intervention.

Background: This study examined the changes in the leg muscle activities of 30 healthy subjects according to different pressures caused by isometric hip adduction during squat exercise. Methods: With their knee flexed at 60°, the subjects performed isometric hip adduction with a pressure of 0, 20, 40, and 60mmHg. Surface electromyography was used to measure their muscle activities. Changes in the activities of the muscles, such as the gluteus maximus (GMAX), Gluteus medius (GM), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), biceps femoris (BF), and Tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscles, were analyzed. Results: The activities of the VMO, VLO, GM, BF, and GMAX muscles were significantly different after exercise compared to that before exercise (p<.05). The activities of all the leg muscles measured were highest at a pressure of 60mmHg during isometric hip joint adduction. Conclusion: The pressure produced by isometric hip joint adduction during squat exercise increased the leg muscle activities of the subjects. These results will provide basic data on effective squat exercise to alleviate knee joint diseases.

Background: This study was conducted to compare the effects of an incline board, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, and joint mobilization on the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and muscle tone of the plantar flexor and ankle in stroke patients. Methods: Forty-five stroke subjects were randomly divided into three groups: each JMG (Joint Mobilization Group), IBG (Inclined Board Group) and PSG (PNF Stretching Group). The experiment was performed for eight weeks between August 1 and October 31, 2018. Results: The dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was significant between the groups and by period (p<.05). JMG had a significant change by period (p<.05). Differences between groups by period increased after 8 weeks in the PSG and the JMG (p>.05). The gastrocnemius lateral muscle tone was significant between the groups (p<.05), and medial muscle tone was interacted between groups and time (p<.05). Conclusion: An effective intervention method to increase the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and decrease the muscle tone when performing PNF stretching, and joint mobilization in stroke patients was confirmed. Future studies are recommended to variety research of PNF stretching and joint mobilization.

Background: The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of joint mobilization and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain threshold and hormonal changes in patients with chronic LBP. Methods: 14 patients with chronic LBP were divided into the experimental group and the control group with 7 patients each, and both groups of patients were evaluated on pain duration, blood tests, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) on their first visit. On their second visit, joint mobilization was applied to the experimental group for 10 min and TENS to the control group for 20 min. Results: Pain threshold and duration of analgesia increased from after treatment in the experimental group. Serotonin and Cortisol decreased after treatment in the experimental group. Conclusion: Joint mobilization in patients with chronic LBP caused an increase in pain duration and pain thresholds and a decrease in serotonin, whereas there was little difference in cortisol.

Background: The leg length discrepancy (LLD) have been implicated with degenerative diseases since the early 1970s, which also causes musculoskeletal asymmetry problems. The LLD appears due to factors such as balance ability, response time, and muscle strength between the shorter and longer leg. In this study, the effect of manual therapy to LLD has been studied. Methods: Manual therapy has been applied on shorter leg of 30 patients with LLD. The manual therapy was conducted for 2~3 minutes 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Results: The leg length of shorter leg were measured at initial baseline and after 4 weeks. the average leg length of shorter leg increased from 94.10 ㎝ to 94.33 ㎝. Conclusion: This paper reports that the manual therapy has positive effects on LLD. It was studied by conducting manual therapy on muscles and joints related to shorter leg. In the future, the muscles and joints of the longer leg should be considered and various age group should be studied to develop the understanding of the effect of manual therapy on LLD.