Earticle

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of squat training on an unstable support surface with different knee flexion angles on the balance ability of normal adults balance ability. Methods: 41 university students in their 20s attending N University in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do were divided into a 45-degree knee-bending squat training group and a 90-degree knee- bending squat training group. The groups trained on an unstable support surface 20 minutes per day, 3 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Results: Changes in static balance ability were not significant within and between the groups for both the sway distance and sway area in the eyes open and eyes closed states (p<.05). The changes in dynamic balance ability were significant in the forward, leftward, and rightward angles in both groups at the limit of stability (p<.05), but not significant in the backward angle (p>.05), and the comparison between groups was not significant (p>.05). Conclusion: No significant difference between static balance-related variables within and between the groups was found. Significant changes in dynamic balance-related variables within the groups were found but not between the groups. Therefore, in future studies, it is considered necessary to study various ages and differentiated intervention periods, such as young adults and the population of elderly people, with sufficient intervention periods to affect balance ability.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional massage and stretching, applied to the elbow and shoulder joints, on pain, tenderness threshold, and grip strength. Methods: A total of 29 individuals were assigned to a single site (n=15) or multiple sites (n=14). Pain measured through the visual analogue scale (VAS), tenderness threshold (TTH), and grip strength (GI) were measured before and four weeks after the intervention. Results: After four weeks of treatment, visual analogue scale significantly decreased in both groups (p<.05), and the tenderness threshold and grip strength significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). There was also a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: The reduction of visual analogue scale and the increase in the tenderness threshold and grip strength were more significant in the multi-site treatment group than in the single-site treatment group.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization and muscle strengthening exercises on neck function, range of motion, and muscle tone in patients with forward head posture. Methods: A total 32 subjects were divided into muscle strengthening exercise (n=16) and joint mobilization (n=16) who met the diagnostic criteria for the forward head posture, and the study method used the neck disability index (NDI) and BPM Pro to compare the range of motion. Results: As a result of the study, there was no significant difference between each group, and when looking at the differences before and after each group, there was a significant difference in neck pain in both groups. There was a significant difference in muscle tension in the joint mobilization group, but there was no significant difference in the muscle strengthening exercise group. In the range of joint mobilization, there was a significant difference in the range of left joint mobilization of the joint mobilization group, there was no significant difference in the range of right joint mobilization, and there was no significant difference in the range of joint mobilization of the muscle strengthening exercise group. Conclusion: The above results revealed that joint mobilization and muscle strengthening exercises were effective on neck function, range of motion, and muscle tone in forward head posture patients.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining the lumbar stabilization exercise with the gluteal muscle strength exercise on pain, the dysfunction index, and postnatal depression in women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Methods: The study used a randomized design with two groups: one group (n=15) performed the lumbar stabilization exercise along with the gluteal muscle strength exercise, while the other group (n=15) only did the lumbar stabilization exercise. The intervention consisted of 30 minute exercise sessions, twice a week, for 6 weeks. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the dysfunction index with the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and postnatal depression using the edinburgh postnatal depression scale-Korean version (EPDS-K). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in their VAS, ODI, and EPDS-K scores within their respective groups (p<.05). Additionally, the between-group analysis revealed significant differences in post-test results (p<.05). Conclusion: The combination of the lumbar stabilization exercise and the gluteal muscle strength exercise proved to be more effective in reducing pain, improving the dysfunction index, and alleviating postnatal depression in women with chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Therefore, incorporating these exercises could be beneficial as an intervention program for women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section.

Background: Patients with neck pain develop instability due to muscle imbalance, decreased proprioception, and balance disorders. Studies have examined various exercise methods as treatment methods, but few studies have compared the effects of cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic balance exercise on pain, functional level, and psychosocial level in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain. Methods: Thirty-four non-specific chronic neck pain patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG, n=17) and control group (CG, n=17); the cervical stabilization exercise and dynamic balance exercise program were applied to the EG; and only the cervical stabilization exercise program was applied to the CG. The intervention was conducted twice a week, for six weeks. Assessment items evaluated pain, dysfunction (Korean version neck disability index), range of motion, craniocervical flexion test, cervical deep flexor endurance test, and psychosocial level. Data analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis as assigned. To analyze differences in the items assessed in the two groups, we used a repeated measures analysis of variance with an interaction between group (EG, CG) and time point (baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks). Results: The endurance of the cervical flexor muscles between the group and the measurement point after intervention (p<.05). Both groups showed significantly improved endurance between time points after the intervention (p<.05), with the EG showing a greater change than the CG. None of the other measurement items differed in the pattern of change between measurement points. Conclusion: In conclusion, the EG applying a cervical stabilization exercise and a dynamic balance exercise experienced a significant difference in muscle endurance improvement compared to the CG. We propose an exercise intervention program that includes stabilization exercises and dynamic balance exercises for patients with chronic cervical pain who lack muscle endurance.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether applying ultrasound after stretching the erector spinae muscle is an effective method for normal adults as a way to restore reduced back flexibility that causes back pain. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 healthy volunteers divided randomly into four groups (control group, stretching group, ultrasound group, ultrasound after stretching group). The flexibility-promoting effects were determined by assessing, each group, at the time of treatment, pre and post by modified fingertip to-floor (MFTF) and active straight leg raising (ASLR). The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA repeated measure with significant level α=.05. Results: Each group showed statistically significant changes in MFTF distance and ASLR degree. In the post-hoc test about this result, the length of MFTF and degree of ASLR in ultrasound after stretching group increased significantly compared to the others. Conclusion: The results suggest that using ultrasound after stretching is far more effective in increasing the flexibility of the erector spinae than using stretching or ultrasound intervention.

Background: This study investigated the effects of face-to-face and non-face-to-face McKenzie exercises and elastic band strengthening exercises on falls and fitness in older adults. Methods: A total of 44 subjects were divided into a face-to-face group (FG; n=22) and a non-face-to-face group (NFG; n=22) who met older adults. Both groups used McKenzie exercises and strength training with elastic bands The fall efficacy scale (K-FES) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) Pro were used to compare the senior fitness test (SFT). Results: No significant differences were detected between the two groups before the intervention; however, a significant difference was noted in the K-FES scores after the intervention. The change in HbA1c after the intervention was not statistically significant in the FG or the NFG, and no significant difference was detected between the two groups. The change in lower limb muscle strength in the elderly physical fitness test showed no significant difference between the two groups before or after the intervention. The change in upper limb flexibility after the intervention was not significantly different in the FG or NFG, indicating no significant difference between the two groups. The change in the 3-meter round-trip test after the intervention was significantly different in both the FG and NFG groups, but the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. The change in the grip strength test of the dominant hand showed no significant difference after the intervention in the FG or the NFG, and the difference between the FG and NFG groups was not statistically significant. The dominant foot external standing after the intervention was significantly improved in the FG, but no significant difference was detected in the NFG, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study findings revealed that FG and NFG McKenzie exercises and elastic band strengthen exercises were equally effective at preventing falls and improving fitness in older adults.

Background: This study aimed to compare pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the vertebral segments between patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) and healthy participants without back pain and to determine the correlation between vertebral bone-segment PPT and pain level, lower back pain dysfunction, and psychological status in patients with CLBP. Methods: The subjects of this study were 23 healthy adults and 23 adults with CLBP. PPT was measured in 23 spinal bone segments using a PPT device, and the CLBP group was subjected to a pain level test (NRS) and a psychological test using the Korean version of the pain catastrophizing scale (KPCS). The functional level was assessed using the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI). Results: PPTs of the spinal sclerotomes were significantly lower in patients with CLBP than in healthy participants. In the CLBP group, the composite score of lumbar PPTs showed a high correlation with the composite scores for all segments, but not with the pain level (NRS), KPCS score, and spinal sclerotome PPT. Moreover, PPT in the sacral sclerotomes showed a significant negative correlation coefficient with function, with a KODI score of -.462 (p<.01). Conclusion: In this study, PPTs in all spinal segments in patients with CLBP was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects. The PPTs of the lumbar region was significantly correlated with the PPTs of other spinal regions. Through this study, it was found that there were changes in PPTs in CLBP patients not only in the lumbar region but also in other spinal regions. This information should be considered during clinical treatment of patients with low back pain.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a complex manual therapy program on hip and knee pain occurring together with menstrual pain and iliotibial band tightness in a woman with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Methods: This study was carried out over a period of 3 months by dividing the treatment process into three sequential stages. Intensities of menstrual pain, hip pain, and knee pain, and hip range of motion (ROM) in the participant were assessed at baseline and at the end of each stage, and a modified intervention was applied according to results of assessments after each stage. Results: There was a decrease in the intensity of menstrual pain after the first and third stages of treatment, and there were reductions in the intensities of hip and knee pain after the third stage. Hip ROM was rather decreased after the second stage, but it was increased after the third stage. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that treatment of the instability and positional fault of sacroiliac joint can relieve hip and knee pain, improve hip ROM, and alleviate primary dysmenorrhea in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.