Earticle

Background: Manual traction with a belt is a physiotherapy treatment method that reduces disk pressure and widens the disk space. In clinical settings, it is applied to numerous patients with herniated intervertebral disk (HIVD). This study aimed to identify the effects of manual traction with a belt on the intervertebral space in patients with lumbar HIVDs. Methods: The intervention was performed on 17 patients with lumbar HIVDs who were divided into two groups: one with eight patients having HIVD at L4~L5 and another group with nine patients having HIVD at L5~S1. The participants received manual traction with a belt twice a week for 12 weeks, and radiographic imaging was used to visualize the intervertebral space and compare it before and after treatment. Results: Manual traction with a belt increased the lumbar intervertebral space at L4~L5 and L5~S1 in patients with L4~L5 HIVD. A significant difference was observed in the L4–L5 distance (p<.01); however, no significant difference was observed in the L5~S1 distance (p>.05). The intervertebral space significantly increased at both L4~L5 and L5~S1 in patients with L5~S1 HIVD (p<.05). Conclusion: Thus, manual traction with a belt increased the intervertebral space in patients with L4~L5 and L5~S1 HIVDs. These results are expected to guide studies on manual traction with belts in clinical settings in the future. Further studies using the present research as an objective study method are anticipated.

Background: The study objectives were to investigate the effect of Kinesio taping, Mulligan taping on push-off-test and maximum grip strength in elite men’s artistic gymnast with wrist impingement syndromes. Methods: The subjects of this study were 18 wrist impingement syndromes men’s artistic gymnast and randomly assigned to a Kinesio taping group, Mulligan taping group. Weight-bearing wrist pain and Muscle strength were assessed with push-off-test (POT) and the maximum grip strength (MGS). Results: As a result of the research, there were no significant difference in POT in pre and post group in the Kinesio taping (p>.05). But Mulligan taping group were significant difference in POT (p<.05). In comparison after intervention between each other groups, there was a no significant difference on (p<.05), but no significant difference on post (p>.05). there were significant difference in MGS in both pre and post group in the Kinesio taping and Maximum Grip Strength (p<.05). In comparison after intervention between each other groups, there was a no significant difference on pre (p<.05), but no significant difference on post (p>.05). Conclusion: This results suggests that Mulligan taping are encouraged due to effects on pain, Muscle strength increase in elite men’s artistic gymnast with wrist impingement syndromes.

Background: Instrument players are exposed to occupational musculoskeletal symptoms due to constant movement and strain to meet the needs of their audience. This can cause dissonance between the player and the instrument and can cause medical problems in the musculoskeletal system such as pain, tendinitis, muscle spasms, and joint hyperextension from overuse of body parts. Objective: The purpose of this study is to comparatively analyze the characteristics and occurrence of musculoskeletal symptoms in professional and student players, and to find out the awareness of the need for health care professionals and special exercise programs for orchestra players. Methods: The subjects were professional orchestral musicians 191 from the three symphony orchestras and music students 209 from the four universities volunteered to participate in this study; 393 subjects (98.25%) completed the questionnaire. symptom prevalence and related factors of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was complemented by adding a visual-among scale and used to diagnose PRMD. Results: High prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in both professional musicians (85.30%) and student musicians (82.30%). Professional musicians and student musicians also suffered the highest problem in shoulder and neck complaints. Significant differences were found between groups that recognized of necessity for specialized health professionals, professional organizations, and special programs for musicians. Conclusions: Professional musicians and student musicians, like orchestra players, are already exposed to overuse syndrome. However, student musicians lack awareness of the risk of injury compared to orchestra players. We suggest that an appropriate treatment management program for the prevention and early treatment of musculoskeletal system damage should be provided to performers at an early stage.

Background: The cross-body and the sleeper stretches have been used to improve posterior shoulder tightness (PST). However, such stretching techniques may not always help achieve scapular stability and may even aggravate patient’s symptoms. Therefore, a new stretching technique (passive glenohumeral internal rotation with bridging) was developed as a more effective method that may allow for greater scapular stability without aggravating the symptoms. Thus, this study aimed to examine and compare this novel stretching technique to determine its effect on the range of motion (ROM) and acromio-humeral distance (AHD) in patients with glenohumeral internal rotation deficits (GIRD) with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: A total of 30 symptomatic patients with asymmetrical GIRD were randomly assigned to two groups: the novel stretching group (n=15) and the joint mobilization group (n=15). The intervention was conducted twice a week for a total of four weeks. The ROM of shoulder internal rotation was measured by a goniometer and the AHD was evaluated by an X-ray before and after the intervention. Results: Both the treatments improved ROM and AHD in patients with GIRD (p<.05). However, the improvements in internal rotation ROM and AHD in the novel stretching group were significantly greater than that of the subjects in the mobilization group. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results show that both novel stretching and joint mobilization improved ROM and AHD in patients with GIRD with PST. However, novel stretching was more effective than joint mobilization.

Background: In patients with forward head posture (FHP), the head is positioned forward, causing increased tension in the muscles and structures of the head, neck, and shoulders. This can result in joint dysfunction that may lead to abnormal afferent information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on foot pressure through the isometric hip abduction (IHA) bridge exercise using elastic bands in patients with FHP. Methods: Twenty patients with FHP were randomly assigned to a study group that applied joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, a deep neck flexor strengthening exercise, and the IHA bridge exercise using an elastic band. A control group was also constituted, and members were given joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization therapies, and the deep neck flexor strengthening exercise. Ten patients were assigned to each group. The static foot pressure and dynamic foot pressure of each patient were measured before and after the intervention, and the interventions for each group were applied twice a week for 4 weeks. Results: Both the study group and the control group showed significant differences in static and dynamic foot pressure before and after the interventions (p<.05). There were no significant differences in foot pressure between the study and control groups. Conclusion: : The results of this study revealed that there were no significant differences between the group doing the IHA bridge exercise using the elastic band and the control group. However, the intervention methods applied to both the groups were effective in improving the body center control of FHP patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mobilization with movement (MWM) applied to the ankle joint, on the craniovertebral angle (CVA), pressure pain threshold, and neck disability index (NDI) in asymptomatic adults with a forward head posture (FHP). Methods: A total of 32 subjects with FHP were assigned to either the MWM group (N=16) or the cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) group (n=16). The CVA, pressure pain threshold and NDI were measured before and 4 weeks after the intervention. Results: A significant improvement in the CVA was observed in the MWM group (p<.05), whereas no significant changes (p>.05) were observed in the CCFE group. Both groups showed significant differences in the pressure pain threshold and NDI before and after the intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that MWM applied to the ankle joint can effectively improve the CVA, pressure pain threshold, and NDI of adults with a forward head posture. Based on this study, the ankle MWM technique for dorsiflexion can be used as an objective research method for additional studies targeting FHP patients in the future.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of noninvasive electrical stimulation combined with trunk stabilization exercise on balance and fall risk in patients with stroke. Methods: Twenty-two patients with stroke were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into experimental and control groups, each with 11 patients. noninvasive electrical stimulation combined with trunk stabilization training was applied to the experimental group, and sham noninvasive electrical stimulation combined with trunk stabilization training, to the control group. Both groups were treated for 6 weeks, five times a week for 30 min each time; the balance and fall risk of patients with stroke were measured before and after treatment, and the changes in the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: The experimental group's left and right weight-bearing indices (affect and non-affect sides) and the front and rear weight-bearing indices, were significantly improved (p<.05, p<.001). when the changes in balance ability between groups were compared before and after treatment. The total fall efficacy score in the experimental group was substantially lower than that in the control group when the changes in fall efficacy score were compared between groups following treatment (p<.001). Conclusion: The improvement in balance and fall risk in patients with stroke can be attributed to using noninvasive electrical stimulation in combination with trunk stabilization training. This clinically helpful treatment method for patients with stroke warrants further promotion and implementation in the clinic.

Background: Ankle sprains, and the resulting ankle instability worsen to chronic due to recurrent ankle injuries or sprains, 78% of which are accompanied by posture instability and damage due to changes in the position of the talus of the ankle. The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effect of applying MWM taping on the patient's muscle strength and balance ability in patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: 15 people with MWM taping and 15 people with Kinesio taping were applied, and after applying the taping of the ankle, 10 minutes of walking treadmill and 10 times of forward lunge operation, the change in ankle muscle strength and balance ability was confirmed. The strength test of the ankle was performed using a test device called Biodex system 4 (USA) for the movement of the dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion of the foot, and the balance of the two groups was measured using Biodex balance system (USA) to test balance ability. Results: The comparison of muscle strength changes in the ankle does not show a significant increase in the group applying MWM compared to the group applying kinesio taping (p<.05). In the comparison of equilibrium capabilities, the MWM taping group also showed a significant increase in the MWM taping group compared to the kinesio taping group (p<.05). Conclusion: When applying MWM taping and kinesio taping to patients with chronic ankle instability, there was no significant difference in comparison of muscle strength changes, but there was a significant difference in comparison of balance ability.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the pain and balance of patients who receive total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: This study subjects were 24 patients in Hospital T, located in Daegu, South Korea who received TKA after being diagnosed with degenerative arthritis. The subjects were randomly divided into and experimental group and a control group, with each group including 12 patients. Both group received superfical thermal therapy, interferential current therapy (ICT), and continue passive motion (CPM), which are conventional knee therapy on the knee joint. The experimental group received the tDCS treatment three times a week for three weeks, from October 1st to October 20th. The visual analogue scale and Wii Balance Board system were used to measure the pain and balancing ability, respectively, of both groups. In the statistical result analysis, to compare about pre and post test difference in each groups was accomplished. Statistical analysis of independent t-test and paired t-test were conducted using SPSS version 23.0. Results: After three weeks of intervation, there were significantly difference in balance ability in pre and post test in the tDCS group. VAS decreased significantly in both groups(p<.05), There was a significantly difference in pain, balance ability in the tDCS group compared to the sham group. Conclusion: These results indicate that applying tDCS together with conventional knee joint therapy for TKA patients is effective in promoting the patients’ recovery.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical therapy intervention with local vibration on the physical function of patients with traumatic patella fractures. Methods: This study recruited 6 subjects who had suffered traumatic patella fractures. The study was conducted for an average of 12.8 weeks. Before the treatment (2 weeks post-surgery), they were evaluated using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), the Korean-version of the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R-K), pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint, and the Korean knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (K-KOOS) and were reevaluated after 7 and 12 weeks, post-surgery. This study was conducted according to ORIF Patella Fracture Post-Operative Rehabilitation Protocol after applying local vibration. The protocol consists of Phases 1~5 and this study has been applied from phase 2. Results: A comparison of the performance of the participants before and after the intervention showed a decrease in NPRS (9.83±.41→4.83±.98), IES-R-K (68.67±2.73→23.83±2.40), and K-KOOS (Function, Daily living: 70.5±5.96→34.0±3.35, Function, Sports and Recreational activities: 22.83±2.32→10.77±1.37, Quality of Life: 19.33±7.33→7.33±.52) scores. And the ROM (Knee flexion: 30.0±4.47°→128.73±3.6°, Knee extension: -6.83±2.48°→–1.33±1.03°) and PPT (9.67±.52㎏/㎠→ 22.44±2.33㎏/㎠) scores increased. Conclusion: These results show that physical intervention with local vibration using a Blackroll® booster and head can help to improve pain, physical function, and psychological status. Also, it was possible to select interventions depending on the patient’s condition and the desired goal, using physical intervention with the Blackroll® booster technique.