Earticle

Background: This study investigated the effects of Kinesio taping application on lower back pressure pain and balance ability among university students with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of thirty university students between 20 to 30 years of age with chronic lower back pain were divided randomly into two groups, the control and the experimental group. In the control group (n=15), placebo taping was applied to the lumbar region. In the experimental group (n=15), Kinesio taping was applied to the erector spine muscles of the lower back. The groups were assessed for lower back pressure pain and balance ability, before and after the taping application. Pain was measured by the pain pressure threshold (PPT), and balance was measured using the good balance system (GBS). Results: There were significant improvements in both the PPT and GBS of the Kinesio taping group compared to pre-treatment values (p<.05), while the placebo taping group showed no significant change (p>.05). In addition, the Kinesio taping group had a statistically significant difference in PPT and GBS compared to the placebo taping group (p<.05). Conclusion: The Kinesio taping application is more effective than the placebo taping application in the improvement of lower back pressure pain and balance ability among university students with chronic lower back pain.

Purposed: This study was conducted to find out by ultrasonic waves the thickness change of the deep abdominal muscles, such as transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique when performing general bridge exercise on the stable surface (GBE), single-legged bridge exercise on the stable surface (BES), bridge exercise with a sling (SBE) and single-legged bridge exercise with a sling (SBS). Methods: The subject, 33 healthy adults(18 men and 15 women) in their 20s of V university in J city were subjected to take four postures of GBE, BES, SBE, and SBS. When performing each posture, the thickness of transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique were measured by ultrasonic waves and analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA. This significance level was set to be p<.05. Results: Muscle thickness was increased in the order of BES, SBE, and GBE in the external oblique, resulting in statistically significant differences(p<.001). The internal oblique was significantly thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in GBE, and was thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in BES (p<.01). The thickness of the transverse abdominal was significantly increased in SBS than in GBE (p<.01). Conclusion: As the result, it may be more effective for the trunk stabilization exercises to activate the internal oblique and transverse abdominal by applying both-legged or single-legged bridge exercise in slings.

Background: This study investigated the perception of community care-based tele exercise rehabilitation according to demographic characteristics of physical therapists and presented basic data for the spread of tele exercise rehabilitation within community care. Methods: The study collected and analyzed data from 195 physical therapists. The analysis was performed using frequency analysis with 10 general characteristics, 13 tele exercise rehabilitation recognition questions, and a total of 23 questions. Analysis of general characteristics of study subjects and recognition of tele exercise rehabilitation were expressed in terms of frequency and percentage using frequency analysis. Chi-squared test was used to compare general characteristics and tele exercise rehabilitation recognition. Correlation analysis of major sociodemographic variables affecting the perception of remote exercise rehabilitation was conducted. Results: The awareness level of physical therapists for remote exercise rehabilitation was confirmed. The difference in the recognition of remote motor rehabilitation in the number of therapists, career, hospital form according to the sociodemographic characteristics showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: It is necessary to first raise awareness of therapists through the promotion of tele exercise rehabilitation, and furthermore, in the future, it will be necessary to find a policy direction and plan on how tele exercise rehabilitation can be applied to rehabilitation services in local communities care.

Background: Cervical headache (CGH) is a common condition that causes serious damage. Mulligan described a sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGs) as a manual therapy approach to treat this dysfunction. Although there have been several case studies to evaluate the effectiveness of SNAG, the efficacy of SNAG for cervical headaches is still controversial. Therefore, this study examined the effects of Mulligan’s SNAG technique on cervical headache and pain intensity to present basic clinical data. Methods: Thirty-two subjects participated in this study, 16 each in the experimental and control groups. The experimental group applied Mulligan’s SNAGs technique and the control group applied the placebo SNAGs technique. Results: Significant differences (p<.05) in the changes in pain, neck disability index (NDI) and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD) were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of Mulligan’s SNAG technique to patients with cervical headaches effectively reduced headache, depression, and neck dysfunction. Based on this study, Mulligan’s SNAGs technique can be used as an objective research method for additional studies targeting cervical headache patients in the future.

Background: This study aimed to compare the effects of the Mulligan mobilization with movement and McKenzie exercise after applying conservative physical therapy to patients with knee pain. Methods: Patients were randomly allocatied into two groups: the Mulligan mobilization with movement (10 subjects) and the McKenzie technique (10 subjects). Each group was givenr conservative physical therapy and manual therapy sessions, three times week, for four weeks. The pain intensity was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The cervical range of motion (ROM) was measured with a goniometer. Balance was measured using the modified Berg balance scale (BBS). Results: After four weeks of therapy, VAS (p<.05) decreased significantly, and ROM and balance increased siginficantly in both groups(p<.05). There was a significant improvement in knee extension (p<.05) in the McKenzie group compared to the Mulligan group. No intergroup differences were found with respect to the knee flex, VAS, and BBS (p>.05). Conclusion: The McKenzie exercises are more effective than Mulligan mobilization with movement for improving knee extension. Both interventions have the same effects on pain relief, in increasing knee flexion ROM and improving balance in patients with knee pain.

Background: This study compared the effects of trunk stabilization exercise and hip joint exercises on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity, and severity of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled and divided into group 1 (n=10), group 2 (n=10), and group 3 (n=10) were performed by each group thrice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Group 1 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization exercise (25 min), finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 2 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), hip exercise (25 mins, finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 3 warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization and hip exercise (25 min), Finish-up exercise (15 min). Participants were assessed for the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity (visual analog scale score; VAS), and severity of disability (Oswestry disability index score; ODI) before and after the interventions. Results: All three groups showed a significant increase in the range of motion of the lumbar spine, but there was no significant difference among the groups. Moreover, the severity of pain and ODI were significantly decreased in all groups; however, the intergroup differences were non-significant. Conclusion: The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of trunk stabilization and hip joint exercise in improving the lumbar range of motion, pain severity, and chronic lower back pain in patients. Thus, trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises and hip joint exercise can be used as clinical practices to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

Background: This study examined the effects of adding fibular repositioning taping (FRT) to ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on the ankle range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: The participants were randomized into the control (n=15) and AMT+FRT groups (n=15). The control groups applied only non-elastic taping on the affected ankle, and the AMT+FRT groups also applied non-elastic taping to the inferior tibiofibular joint. Both groups performed treadmill walking for 10 minutes. The ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference after the intervention in the dorsiflexion ROM (p<.01), balance (p<.01), and gait performance (p<.01). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion: AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion passive ROM, balance, gait velocity, and cadence in patients with chronic stroke, but there was no difference between the two groups. Therefore, the addition of FRT to AMT does not influence the ankle dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.

Background: Scapular winging is a rare disorder that is commonly caused by nerve damage of the dorsal scapular nerve, spinal accessory nerve, or the long thoracic nerve. This affects the scapulohumeral rhythm which may cause abnormal kinetic motion of the shoulder. The purpose of this case report is to describe a self-exercise oriented management incorporating shoulder strengthening to reduce symptoms in a shoulder pain patient with winging scapular. Methods: A 45 year old male patient complained of pain in his both shoulders without any trauma. Shoulders were treated with steroid injections for supraspinatus tendonitis, but although pain improved to some extent, pain and disability continued for 3 months. Both shoulders had pain, decreased active range of motions, muscles weakness, and scapular winging. The patient underwent 9 interventional sessions over 3 months and was managed mainly by self-exercise. The intervention method involved push up plus, sling, muscle strengthening, and stabilization exercises. Loads were increased as symptoms improved. Results: Clinical outcomes were measured at every session. Pain in both shoulders reduced to 0 on a numerical pain rate scale by the 4th session, and the active range of motion was fully recovered. During the 9th session, the strength of the serratus anterior had improved from grade P to G on the right side and grade G to N grade on the left. Conclusion: In this case study, the self-exercise program was effective in reducing pain, increasing active range of motion, and improving muscle strength in subjects with scapular winging.