Earticle

Purpose: The purpose of this study was functional leg length inequality effect on COP(Center Of Pressure) and LOS(limits Of Stability) and EMG activation. Methods: The participants were consisted of fourteen. Subjects were distributed 2 groups; control group, leg length inequality ≤3mm, n=8), experimental group(leg length inequality≥10mm, n=8). The participants were measured leg length wearing comfortable clothes through tape measure method(TMM). All subjects was measured COP(Center Of Pressure), LOS(limits of stability) using by Balance Trainer BT4(HUR, Finland). Results: The results COP was not exist statistical significant differences(p>0.05). LOS was not exist statistical significant difference(p>0.05). Conclusion: The results was not statistical significant differences COP and LOS depending on Leg Length Inequality. But between experimental group and comparison group was exist mean differences on COP, LOS(COP:Ex. ＞Com, LOS:Ex. <Com/excepted some data). Somewhat COP and LOS was affected on by Leg Length Inequality. Balance is affected on Leg Length Inequality partly.

Purpose: This study aims to understand the effect of balance training on ankle muscle activity and static balance in stroke patients. Methods: The subjects were composed of 12 patients who were admitted with chronic stroke in H, K, and R hospitals located in Gangwon-do from August to October 2014. This study conducted balance training on the subjects for 20 min a session, twice a day, five times a week for six weeks. This study measured the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the paretic side’s tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius for muscle activity. Static balance was measured as a TETRAX stability index. The measurements were conducted before the experiment and six weeks after. The result was statistically analyzed using paired t-test at the significance level of 0.05. Result: Muscle activity of the paretic side’s tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius did not show a significant difference in the comparison between pre- and post-balancing training. However, the stability index showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between standing with eyes open (NO) and standing on a sponge with eyes open (PO). Conclusion: Although balance training did not affect the muscle activity of chronic stroke patients, it had an effective influence on the stability index. That is, balance training was effective at the functional level, but it did not change the structure level in terms of the ICF evaluation standard. Balance training becomes more effective when it is applied in relation to task.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the hand functions of elderly persons according to their cognitive status and age. Methods: A total of 65 persons voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were divided into three groups: impairment cognitive group, normal cognitive group, adult group (persons in their twenties). Assessment of cognitive status was performed using a mini-mental state examination for Koreans (MMSE-K). Hand function was assessed using the Purdue pegboard test. The collected data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and Pearsonn Acorrelation. Results: There were significant differences in hand functions in the three groups. Post-hoc test results showed significant differences between each group. There were statistically significant differences in the correlation among hand functions, cognitive status, and age. The findings of this study suggest that hand functions have a positive correlation with cognitive status. However, a negative correlation was found between hand function and age. Conclusion: According to the study’s results, hand functions are correlated with age and cognitive functions in elderly persons. This study suggests that hand rehabilitation with cognitive intervention increases hand functions in elderly persons.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the lower extremity function of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants consist of 26 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) and engaged in exercise three times per week for eight weeks. The experimental group engaged in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises and the control group engaged in general mat exercises. To measure lower extremity strength, the sit to stand test and the static balance test (standing on one leg) were used. To measure the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI), a Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) was used in addition to a static balance test (standing on one leg). Results: : Lower extremity strength and static balance showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<.05). The SI and WDI were significantly improved in the experimental group (p<.05) for tests of standing with their eyes open, standing with their eyes closed, and standing on a sponge with their eyes open. Conclusion: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises have confirmed that lower extremity function improves after exercise interventions in chronic stroke patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of exercising on a stable and unstable surface for a period of six weeks on the arms of female university students in their twenties. Methods: The subjects consisted of 20 female university students. The experimental group consisted of ten individuals who exercised on an unstable surface, and the control group consisted of ten individuals who exercised on a stable surface. The exercise program was composed of aerobic exercises (i.e. Back and forth movements for clapping and raising cross with both arms) and muscle-strengthening exercises (i.e. Push-ups and raising arms). We measured the subjects before the experiment and after the exercise program using the following measurements tool: a ruler and T-scan plus. The same person measured changes in arm size with a ruler three times and calculated the average to minimize any errors in measurement. We controlled the subjects to measure the amount of arm muscle with a T-scan plus. Twelve hours before the measurements were taken subjects were not permitted to exercise, and four hours before the measurements were taken subjects were not permitted to eat anything. Results: The two groups had no significant difference, but each group felt the effect of the exercise program. Conclusion: There was no difference between the experimental group and the control group. However, it was determined that the exercise had a greater effect on an unstable surface than a stable surface.

Purpose: The transverse abdominis and themultifidus muscle are located in the core. They surround one’s trunk and help in body stabilization. Specifically, they control spine articulation to maintain posture and balance. Therefore, weakened deep muscle in the trunk may cause spinal malalignment. This study aims to compare the correlation between the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle and the spine alignment among college students in their 20s. Methods: This study measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle of 42 healthy college students in their 20s using ultrasonic waves. The thickness of the muscle was measured for the length of the cross-section except for fascia. The thickness of the left and right muscles was measured, and the mean value was calculated. As the thickness of the transverse abdominis can increase because of pressure during exhalation, it was measured at the last moment of exhalation. Spinal alignment was measured by the kyphosis angle, lordosis angle, pelvic tilt, trunk inclination, lateral deviation, trunk imbalance, and surface rotation using Formetric III, which is a three-dimensional imaging equipment. They were measured for three times, and the mean values were calculated. The general characteristics of the subjects were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between each factor were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The transverse abdominis showed asignificant correlation with trunk inclination (p<.05). The multifidus muscle showed a significant positive correlation with pelvic tilt and a negative correlation with surface rotation (p<.05). Conclusion: The thickness of transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle appears to influence spinal alignment. Specifically, the multifidus muscle, which plays an important role on the sagittal plane, influences surface rotation, thus making it an important muscle for scoliosis patients. Therefore, a strengthening training program for the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle is necessary according to specific purposes among adults with spinal malalignment.

Purpose: This study examines deficits in upper-extremity function and trunk control ability on the osmotic demyelination syndrome of a patient with Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia. Using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation program, this case report aims to describe the effects of trunk stability exercises on trunk control ability, hand function, and daily living activities as well as its effects on the osmotic demyelination syndrome of a patient with Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia. Methods: The patient is a 47-year-old woman with osmotic demyelination syndrome as well as trunk and upper extremity impairment. She participated in this training intervention for four weeks. Results: The patient demonstrated improvements in trunk control ability, hand function, and performance of ADL. The following outcomes were measured before and after the training program: trunk impairment scale, hand power, Jebsen-Taylor hand function test, the Chedoke arm and hand inventory, and the modified Barthel index. Conclusion: The results suggest that trunk stability exercises in the form of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation program in Hyponatremia and Hypokalemia patients may increase trunk control ability, increase hand function, and improve ADL.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and genu recurvatum episodes in stroke patients. Methods: The patient is a 58-year-old woman with left hemiplegia who presented with genu recurvatum while walking. Each week the patient received two sessions of PNF that each lasted 45 minutes. During a six-week interval the patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy five times a week between the two PNF treatments. During each treatment a preand post-test (a 4 m walk test) was conducted, the patient described their fear of falling down (10-point visual analogue scale), and the number of genu recurvatum episodes was recorded. Results: After the first PNF treatment, the fear of falling down was decreased from 8 points to 7 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 11 to 6. After the second PNF treatment, the fear of falling down decreased from 6 points to 5 points, and the number of genu recurvatum episodes decreased from 5 to 1. The 4 m walking test time also decreased from 30 seconds to 24 seconds. Conclusion: The PNF treatment is beneficial for reducing the fear of falling down, reducing the number of genu recurvatum episodes, and improving the gait speed of stroke patients.