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Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pain, static balance, and dynamic balance abilities of women with chronic low back pain by performing thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 adult women with low back pain who lived in C city for more than 12 weeks. The experimental group performed the thoracic and hip mobility exercises with lumbar stability exercises and the control group performed the lumbar stability exercise with general exercise program. Both groups participated in the exercise program three times a week for six weeks, from December 20, 2022 to March 7, 2023. The balance ability were measured using BT4, and pain was measured using visual analog scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired t-test using SPSS version 23.0 program. Results: After 6 weeks of intervention, there was a significant change in VAS between the experimental group and the control group, and there was no difference between the two groups (p>.05). In the case of balance ability, there was a no significant increase in the experimental group (p>.05). Conclusion: Thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises for adult female patients with chronic low back pain may be partially effective in static balance and dynamic balance.

Background: This study examined the relationship between the empowerment, and occupational professionalism of physical therapists, and the factors affecting their job satisfaction. Methods: The subjects of the study were 240 physical therapists who had worked at medical institutions for more than a year. Data were collected from April 1 to 30, 2022. Results: The mean scores for job satisfaction, empowerment, and occupational professionalism were 3.43±.52, 3.60±.60, and 3.74±.40 points, respectively. Empowerment was positively correlated with occupational professionalism (r=.75, p<.001) and job satisfaction (r=.59, p<.001). Also, occupational professionalism was positively correlated with job satisfaction (r=.68, p<.001). The factors influencing job satisfaction were empowerment (β=.17, p<.05) and occupational professionalism (β =.56, p<.001), showing an explanatory power of 48%. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the higher the empowerment and occupational professionalism, the higher the job satisfaction of physical therapists. To improve their job satisfaction, it is, therefore, necessary to develop and apply an effective program to improve their empowerment and occupational professionalism level. These research results can be useful as basic data for improving the job environment of these therapists and the policies relating to their work.

Background: There is still controversy as to whether hip external rotation and dorsiflexion selectively activate the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) during straight leg raise exercise. Due to the anatomical characteristics, hip adduction must be preceded to activate the VMO. In this study, the activities of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), VMO were measured by adding the hip adduction movement to the straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and dorsiflexion. Through this, we want to find out whether the VMO is selectively activated. Methods: Thirteen healthy participants performed straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and dorsiflexion, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction and dorsiflexion was randomly performed. Through this, EMG data of the RF, VL, VMO were collected. Results: During the straight leg raise exercise, hip adduction increased the activity of the VMO and VL, no significant difference was found(p>.05). However, in the VMO/VL ratio, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction and dorsiflexion activated the VMO and the VL at a ratio of about 1:1, It showed a significantly higher rate than straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation(p<.05). Conclusion: During the straight leg raise exercise, hip adduction is considered to be an important movement that can selectively induce the activity of the VMO. Therefore, follow-up studies on this should be conducted.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of taping techniques on menstrual pain, body temperature, and menstrual symptoms in women of reproductive age. Methods: This study targeted 40 female students enrolled at G university with menstrual pain rated above 5 on the visual analog scale (VAS). The participants were randomly assigned to four groups: the Kinesio taping, spiral taping, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and control groups. The intervention was applied one day after the onset of menstruation, and menstrual pain, menstrual symptoms, and body temperature were measured before the intervention and 24 hours after the intervention application. We measured menstrual pain using the VAS. Additionally, we evaluated menstrual symptoms using the menstruation symptom scale and measured body temperature of the abdomen and feet using digital infrared thermal imaging. Results: After the intervention, all three experimental groups showed significant improvement in menstrual pain and menstrual symptoms compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference among the three groups. After applying Kinesio taping, there was a slight decrease in the temperature difference between the abdomen and feet, but no statistically significant difference was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that kisesio and spiral taping have similar effects as with anti-inflammatory medication in relieving menstrual pain and menstrual symptoms. Taping can be considered as an effective method to replace medications in order to alleviate menstrual pain.

Background: The position of pitcher requires a lot of repetitive motion, and because of this, it is known that not only professional baseball players, but also middle and high school players are frequently exposed to injuries in baseball. The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in upper extremity muscle activity during repeated pitching and the activity of each muscle during repeated pitching by analyzing middle and high school pitchers, divided into groups by age. Methods: Twenty participants (10 middle school male students and 10 high school male students) were recruited for this research. The outcome measures included neuromuscular motor control, including the upper trapezius (UT), triceps brachii (TB), deltoid (DT), latissimus dorsi (LD), biceps brachii (BB), pectoralis major(PM), extensor carpi radialis(ER), and flexor carpi radialis (FR). Results: The two-way analysis of varaince (ANOVA) was used to compare the muscle activity variables between the middle school and high school students. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activity variables within time differences each groups. Conclusion: Our results provided promising clinical evidence that guide for upper extremity muscles to increase pitching efficiency in middle and high school base ball players.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of lower limb strengthening training combined with electro muscle stimulation on the quadriceps femoris muscle activity of soccer players. Methods: Thirty university soccer players were selected as study subjects and divided into a lower limb strengthening training group combined with EMS (GroupⅠ) and a general lower limb strengthening training group (GroupⅡ), and 15 subjects were randomly assigned. After receiving general soccer training, subjects in this study additionally mediated lower limb strengthening training combined with EMS and general lower limb strengthening training for 26 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Quadriceps femoris muscle activity was analyzed before mediation. Vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris were measured with maximum isometric contraction in the manual muscle test position in order to analyze leg muscle activity. The same items as above were re-measured and a between-group analysis was conducted after 8 weeks of mediation. Results: As a result of comparative analysis of lower extremity muscle activity between groups, the lower limb strengthening training group combined with EMS showed a statistically significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity compared to the general lower limb strengthening training group. Conclusion: As a result, it was found that lower limb strengthening training combined with EMS was more effective in improving quadriceps femoris muscle activity. Based on this study, we are going to provide basic data on the possibility of using EMS in the field of sports rehabilitation for soccer players.

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of shoulder and neck stabilization exercise using a gym ball for healthy women in their 20s with round shoulder and forward head posture, it is intended to try and find improvement for posture. Methods: The subjects of the study were 25 women who understood the purpose of the research and voluntarily agreed to participate in the experiment. They carried out the shoulder and neck stabilization exercise program using a gym ball, which was conducted for 35 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The position of the round shoulder and shoulder bones was measured using an tape measurement and were recorded in both at pre, 2 weeks, and post intervention. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and craniorotational angle (CRA) was measured using an image J. Results: The round shoulder posture left was statistically significantly different within group (p<.05); however, the round shoulder posture right wasn’t statistically significantly different (p>.05). As a result of this contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post. The scapular position on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). The CVA and CRA on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). Conclusion: The gym ball exercises improved the posture of women in their 20s. Therefore, gym ball exercises can help improve the quality of life of those with shoulder and neck pain.

Purpose: This study examined the distance between the coracoid process and the humeral head using an ultrasonography device when shoulder active contraction were applied according to the guided direction in the end range of shoulder mobilization. This study aims to provide essential data on treating shoulder disease patients. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 adults with healthy shoulder joints. ultrasonography (US) equipment was used to examine shoulder joint mobilization under two conditions: (1) anteroposterior (AP) joint mobilization and (2) superoinferior (SI) joint mobilization. Shoulder active contraction was assessed in the end range. The distance between the coracoid process and the humeral head was measured. A linear probe was used for US; the frequency was set to 7.5㎒, and the US image display method was set to B-mode. The US measurement values were measured in (1) the starting position, (2) the end range position, and (3) the end range position of the shoulder active contraction, and the moving distance was drawn in a straight line through the US image. The distance was determined as the measurement value, and the average values were compared. Reults: The results were as follows: (1) the measured AP Joint mobilization increased by an average of .52㎝ from the end range of the joint mobilization with shoulder active contraction; (2) the measured SI Joint mobilization increased by an average of .49㎝ from the end range of the joint. Conclusion: When shoulder mobilization is applied, the distance between the coracoid process and the humeral head increases when muscle contraction occurs through shoulder active contraction in the end range, according to the therapist's guidance. Therefore, shoulder mobilization combined with shoulder active contraction is an effective treatment method for patients with shoulder injuries.

Background: Congenital muscular torticollis results in reduced head mobility, such as cervical rotation, due to the abnormal size and contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Korea Pediatric integrative manual therapy and stretching are recommended to improve head rotation upper cervical spine mobility. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the new PIMT was investigated. Methods: The patient is a 3.5 month-old diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). Due to the limitation of head rotation and cervical spine rotation and flexion mobility, the child visited a rehabilitation center and after diagnosis, Pediatric integrative manual therapy (PIMT) treatment was performed five times a week for a total of 15 weeks. The child's head rotation and flexion limitation and plagiocephaly were evaluated. Results: In conclusion, this study shows that compared to other treatments, PIMT approach is a more effective treatment for improving head rotation and cervical limitation for range of motion in CMT infants. Conclusion: PIMT approach was effective in improving cervical rotation and Head lateral flexion mobility and plagiocephaly in CMT patients.