Earticle

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in joint position sense (JPS), force sense (FS), and performance level of the upper extremities according to the injury and pain experiences of Korean elite archers. Methods: A total of 15 subjects were briefed about the purpose of this study and agreed to participate voluntarily. JPS was evaluated using the laser-point attached to the wrist while aiming at the target. The difference when relocating while aiming was used as JPS factor. FS was evaluated using load cell through reproduces same muscle strength. Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) was used to evaluate psychosocial factors, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic overhead athlete scores (KJOC) and numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to evaluate pain. and performance was evaluated by tournament match score. Results: There is a strong correlation between the current pain and KJOC. Moreover, moderate correlation between KJOC and FABQ also current pain and both upper trapezius and lower trapezius in elite archers. The mean (SD) between groups based on current pain display relatively large margin in force sense than without pain group. The result presents that there is a significant difference in performance and pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper and lower trapezius and pain. Conclusions: Result present there is a significant difference in functional level in the average comparison between groups according to the presence of absence of current pain. There is a significant difference in the force sense of the upper trapezius as well as lower trapezius and without pain group present a relatively low joint position sense error compared to the groups.

Background: The study aimed to examine changes in muscle activity by measuring the Q-angle and lower extremity activity when going down the stairs, after the application of either Mulligan taping or flossing bands to patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: A total of 19 men with chronic ankle instability in their 20s and 30s participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the Mulligan taping group (n = 9) and the flossing band group (n=10). The Mulligan taping group had three sets of Mulligan joint operations repeated 10 times, after which the Mulligan tape was applied. The flossing band group either performed functional activities or exercised for 2 minutes after flossing band application. After the application of either Mulligan taping or flossing bands, changes in the Q-angle and lower limb muscular activity while going down the stairs were measured and compared. Results: In the Mulligan taping group, the Q-angle significantly decreased from 13.63° to 12.7° during the step down. Similarly, the Q-angle of the flossing band group significantly decreased from 15.95° to 15.48° (p<.05). There was no difference in lower limb muscle activity between the two groups when going down the stairs. The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior significantly increased from 34.12% to 40.2%, and the difference between the two groups were statistically significant (p<.05). Conclusions: The study found that the application of Mulligan taping and flossing bands to patients with chronic ankle instability decreased the Q-angle and lower limb muscle activity when going down the stairs.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) and resistive exercise using elastic band with pressure belt on improving upper extremity function in stroke patients. Methods: Sixteen patients with stroke were randomly assigned to a control group that received mCIMT and resistive exercise using elastic band (n=8) and an experimental group that received mCIMT and resistive exercise using elastic band with pressure belt (n=8). Over the course of four weeks, mCIMT were conducted 60 minute three times per week and resistive exercise using elastic band (with pressure belt) were conducted twice daily, three times per week. The function of the upper extremities were evaluated before, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks using the grip strength test (GST), the box and block test (BBT), and motor activity log (MAL). Results: The values for the GST, the BBT, and MAL increased in both groups as the treatment period progressed. The values for the GST (p<.01), the BBT (p<.001), and MAL (p<.001) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group at 4 weeks after initiating the treatment. Conclusion: We found that mCIMT and wearing a pressure belt during resistive exercise was very useful in improving the function of the upper extremities in patients with stroke.

Background: The increase in the activity of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle and decrease in the activity of the serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) muscle produce an abnormal scapulohumeral rhythem. Therefore, the SA is the focus of therapeutic exercise protocols for the rehabilitation. This study aimed to compare the activity of the muscles according to resistance levels during protraction exercise. Methods: Thirteen healthy 20 to 30 years old male and female subjected participated in the study. All subjects performed the scapular protraction exercise with the weights of 0, 5, and 10㎏, combined with horizontal shoulder abduction and adduction. The electromyography data of the SA, UT, and pectoralis major (PM) during the exercise were recorded using surface electrodes. The ratios of PM/SA and UT/SA were calculated. Repeated one-way ANOVA was used to determine the statistical significance. Results: There was a significant difference in the muscle activity of the SA and PM (p<.05). Specifically, SA had the highest activity and PM had the lowest activity at an abduction resistance 10㎏ (p<.01). There was a significant difference in the ratios of UT/SA and PM/SA (p<.05). The ratio of PM/SA was the lowest at the abduction resistance of 10㎏ (p<.01). Conclusion: According to this study, for the selective activation of the serratus anterior, protraction exercises should be applied as a method of adding resistance to protraction and horizontal abduction.

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions of the lower limbs. The present study aimed to compare the effect of hip muscle strengthening exercise and stretching of lower extremity in plantar fasciitis, with regard to pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability. Methods: A total of 42 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=21) that applied the hip muscle strengthening exercise and the control group(n=21) that applied the general lower limb stretching. The intervention period was 6 weeks. Results: The results of the experiment showed that the exercises for strengthening the hip muscle had significant effects on pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability In addition, lower extremity stretching showed improvement effects in pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability, however, the difference between the groups except navicular drop did not reach statistical significance Conclusion: Both interventions tested in this study were confirmed to be effective treatment options for patients with plantar fasciitis.

Background: This study examined the effects of the muscle energy technique and cervical traction after applying conservative physical therapy in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups muscle energy technique (8 subjects) and cervical traction (8 subjects). Each group performed their exercise 70 minutes per day, three times week for four weeks. Pain intensity was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Function was measured with the neck disability index (NDI). Cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured with a cervical range of motion (CROM) goniometer. Results: After four weeks of therapy, VAS (p<.05) and NDI (p<.05) significantly decreased, and ROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). There were also significant differences between the two groups for these three measures (p<.05). Conclusion: The muscle energy technique and cervical traction are more effective than cervical traction alone in reducing VAS and NDI and increasing ROM in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Background: Approximately 30% of people suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain. Chronic neck and shoulder pain arise due to the exposure to continuous low loading and monotonous work. This is a common musculoskeletal disorder in a society. As physical therapists, we should give appropriate treatment to these people. Methods: A total of 26 patients with chronic neck and shoulder myalgia were randomly allocated into two experimental groups. First, 13 patients received shoulder strength training, while the other 13 patients received cervical mobilization. Outcome measures included bilateral pressure pain threshold by using an algometer at upper trapezius, visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their pain scale, and muscle tension by using myoton pro device pre-intervention and after the final treatment. Results: The VAS and muscle tension in upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<.05) in both groups; however, no differences between two groups were observed (p>.05). The pressure pain threshold in upper trapezius significantly increased (p<.05) in both groups; yet, again, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance (p>.05). Conclusion: As methods of treatment, shoulder-specific strength training and cervical mobilization can be appropriate approaches to the treatment of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorder.

Objective: To compare the effects of lumbar dysfunction and balance when office workers with chronic back pain performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver. Methods: A total of 16 office workers with chronic low back pain were included in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the general and abdominal drawing-in maneuver groups. The intervention was applied for 6 weeks, 3 times a week, 70 min per day. Participants in the general exercise group(n=8) performed the general physical therapy and lumbar flexibility exercise, whereas those in the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group(n=8) performed the general physical therapy and lumbar stabilization exercise using abdominal drawing-in maneuver(3 times/week for 6 weeks). All tests, were the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) and balance ability, were completed pre and post-intervention. Results: Significant improvements in the KODI and balance ability test were observed in the abdominal drawing-in exercise group (p<.05), whereas no significant changes (p>.05) were observed in the general exercise group. Conclusion: This study revealed that abdominal drawing-in maneuver can effectively improve the lumbar dysfunction and balance ability of office workers with chronic back pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of electromyography (EMG)-biofeedback based closed kinetic chain exercise (CKCE) on quadriceps muscle activity and dynamic balance ability in patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: Thirty subjects with PFPS were included and they were divided into EMG-biofeedback using CKCE (Group Ⅰ) and squat exercise using CKCE (Group Ⅱ), each group consisted of 15 patients. Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ was performed by the patients for three times a week, for six weeks. sEMG was used to measure quadriceps muscle activity and star excursion balance test (SEBT) was used to measure dynamic balance ability. Results: According to the results of the comparisons between the groups, after intervention, quadriceps muscle activity and dynamic balance ability were significantly higher in Group Ⅰ than in the Group Ⅱ. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that EMG-biofeedback using CKCE that provides real-time biofeedback information on muscle contraction may have a beneficial effect on selective muscle strength of vastus medialis oblique muscle and dynamic balance ability in PFPS.

Purpose: This study aims to report on the effect of providing customized visiting exercise, a musculoskeletal intervention method, to the elderly in the community. Methods: In this study, subjective pain was measured to evaluate pain and physical ability of the elderly, and timed up & go (TUG) test and psychological level test were performed for myofascial pain perception symptoms and gait function. Measurements were performed twice before and 4 weeks after treatment. Participants in the exercise group (n=108) performed the spine exercise, whereas those in the spine exercise group (n=108) performed the spine exercise using complex exercise program (3 times/week for 4 weeks). Results: The significant test of visual analogu scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold (PPT), TUG, psychosocial factor according to applying the exercise within groups used T-test. In the result following analysis, there was significance on VAS (p=.000), PPT (p=.000), TUG (p=.000), Psychosocial factor (Depresion; p=.000, Anxiety; p=.000) within group. Conclusion: Then, exercise has benefit on the VAS, PPT, TUG, psychosocial factor in patients with myofacial pain syndrome. So, it may suggest that exercise will be helpful of the pain, gait and psychosocial factor improvement the patients with spine pain.