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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to propose a new therapy algorithm that combines motor imagery and physiotherapy as a physiotherapeutic clinical intervention technique that can stimulate the recovery of damaged physical function for patients with stroke. Methods: A variety of scientific research results related to motor imagery were reviewed and analyzed to investigate their applicability to physiotherapy in clinics. Results: As a new therapy algorithm for the therapeutic approach of motor imagery in stroke rehabilitation, a therapy algorithm that combines motor imagery with physiotherapy is proposed, which consists of three stages or steps: STEP 1 motor imagery familiarization, STEP 2 explicit learning stage, and STEP 3 implicit learning. Conclusion: The new therapy algorithm proposed in this study is expected to be a very useful clinical therapeutic approach for stimulating the recovery of damaged physical function in patients with stroke. It is believed that it will be necessary to confirm and standardize the effects of the therapeutic algorithm proposed in this study in the future by conducting diverse clinical studies.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Among the adult patients with hemiplegia that were hospitalized at Michuhol Rehabilitation Center after being diagnosed with stroke, 10 that were capable of independent walking for more than five minutes and that understood and cooperated with the therapy and test methods of this research, were selected as subjects. The therapy was implemented based on the concept of PNF, and it was performed on a low mat and a height-adjustable mat, as proscribed by the fundamental procedure for PNF. Symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied to the patients in the decubitus position. The therapy scheme included stabilizing reversals, rhythmic stabilization, and a combination of isotonics, rhythmic initiation, and dynamic reversals. To investigate gait speed and body trunk mobility before and after the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied, walking speed for a distance of 10 m was measured and balance was tested based on the Berg-Balance scale test table. The Berg-Balance scale test was performed by one therapist to minimize any error that could occur from the subjective evaluation method used by therapists. Results: Gait speed increased by 8.97 seconds after applying the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using the concept of PNF, showing a significant difference (p<0.01). However, balance showed no significant difference after the therapy (p>0.14). Conclusion: Exercise therapy that uses the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis with the concept of PNF can be said to be a useful therapeutic technique that can enhance the walking speed of patients with hemiplegia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of normal timing according to angular motion in PNF patterns on electromyography (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal muscle, external oblique abdominal muscle, and erector spinae. Methods: Ten healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were required to complete following two PNF extremity patterns; upper extremity extension- adduction-internal rotation pattern with 180°, 90°, 30°and lower extremity flexion- adduction-external rotation pattern with 0°, 60°, 90°. A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the two PNF patterns on muscle activity in each muscle. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the ratio of local muscle activity to global muscle activity. Results: In terms of their effect on applied normal timing, the upper and lower extremity pattern significantly affected the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae (p < .05). The upper extremity pattern (at an extension angle of 30°) and the lower extremity pattern ((at a flexion angle of 90°) influenced the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae (p < .05). Conclusion: The effect of the upper and lower extremity patterns on applied normal timing was significant in that these patterns increased trunk muscle activation. The upper extremity pattern (at an extension angle of 30°) and the lower extremity pattern (at a flexion angle of 90°) increased trunk muscle activation. Normal timing is required to increase trunk muscle strength and extremity movement.

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effect of integrated patterns (IPs) of PNF on individuals with malalignment using upper extremity and lower extremity patterns simultaneously. This information was then compared to the effect of bowling exercises on malalignment. The study population included individuals in their twenties with malalignment in their posture. Methods: Individuals with malalignment (40 participants in total) were divided into 2 groups based on trunk inclination and side deviation. In one group, IPs of PNF were used as interventions, while the other group used bowling exercises. This process was completed over the course of four weeks. The IP group used two patterns simultaneously: flexion-adduction-external rotation and extension-abduction-internal rotation. These patterns were used in the upper and lower extremities and were crossed diagonally. Results: The trunk inclination decreased in the IP and the bowling group. In the IP group, the degree of inclination decreased from 0.94 to 0.33. The side deviation also decreased to 1.53 (p < 0.05). In the bowling group, the two measured values decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Compared to the bowling exercises used in the bowling group, the results of this study indicate that the use of IPs had a significant effect on trunk inclination and side deviation for malalignment posture patients. Individuals can easily improve malalignment using IPs of PNF (for example, at home or at their office), which suggests that they are not required to seek assistance from a fitness or bowling center, which may save them time.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of arm flexion patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on muscle activation in the contralateral lower extremity. Open kinematic chain and closed kinematic chain positions were used. Methods: This study used an electromyogram (MP150, Biopac Systems, USA) to measure muscle activation in 20 healthy male students. Comparative analysis was completed on muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius of the contralateral lower extremity. Open kinematic chain and closed kinematic chain positions were used with a unilateral arm flexion-abduction-external rotation pattern. Paired t-tests using the SPSS 12.0 for Windows analyzed the data produced by the electromyogram. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in muscle activation in the biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior when the open kinematic chain and closed kinematic chain positions were compared (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles showed greater muscle activation in the closed kinematic chain position when compared to the open kinematic chain position.

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at 90° in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at 90° in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on episodes of foot drop and the ability to cross obstacles in stoke patients. Methods: The patient was a 57-year-old man with left hemiplegia. This patient displayed episodes of foot drop while walking and issues with crossing obstacles. The patient underwent therapeutic exercises and occupational therapy twice daily at a hospital five times a week. The patient was treated with PNF outside of these therapeutic sessions. Each session, which was 60 minutes in length, was conducted 3 times a week over 8 weeks. Over the course of treatment, a pre-test and post-test were completed. The patient walked for a test time of 6M. During the testing process, the patient crossed obstacles. In addition, the number of foot drop episodes was recorded. Each test was measured three times to determine the mean value. Results: After the PNF treatments, the number of foot drop episodes decreased from five to one. The 6M walking test time during which the patient crossed obstacles also decreased from 18 seconds to 10 seconds. Conclusion: The use of PNF treatments is beneficial to reduce the number of foot drop episodes while walking and to improve the ability to cross obstacles in stroke patients.