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Purpose: This study aimed to review articles related to PNF and easily provide information to readers who have difficulty reading papers or using PNF in clinics without a background in statistical knowledge. Methods: We used PubMed to collect papers on international studies and we conducted a search on April 28, 2014. Keywords used for the PubMed search were “PNF” and “Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation”. The search results identified 765 papers that had been published since 1954. To target the papers for review, we selected 66 papers, excluding papers that were not published in online journals and papers that were written in a second language. Results: The reviewed papers consisted of studies that addressed basic principles and procedures, combined with other interventions, including PNF stretching concepts, and other diseases with PNF concepts. The articles related to basic procedures and principles reported on optimal contraction intensity, patterns, and irradiation. The articles related to stretching and strengthening reported on stretching the hamstring muscles in healthy subjects, in combination with other interventions such as neuromobilization, clinical massage, kinesio taping, and water immersion. The articles related to specific diseases reported on stroke, low back pain, athletic injury, total knee replacement, etc. Conclusion: In the 66 articles reviewed for this study, there was little evidence that PNF has therapeutic value. However, in future research on the application of PNF, investigators could conduct a more in-depth analysis of this topic and present more objective and useful information on the therapeutic benefits of PNF.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF have on trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 20 stroke patients who performed trunk stability exercises combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF. The exercise program consisted of 30-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Trunk strength (BTE, Primus RS) and balance ability (Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Significant differences were observed the both groups for truck strength and balance ability. The results of the study were as follows: trunk strength was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after the intervention (p<.05). Balance ability was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF are effective for improving trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. For stroke patients, trunk stability exercises with PNF are very useful and effective and they areeffectiveinclinicalpractice.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to establish effective clinical training programs by identifying various factors that influence the satisfaction of physical therapy students with those programs. Methods: The study subjects were 205 students from six colleges (two 4-year and four 3-year colleges) who participated in clinical training programs. The colleges have physical therapy departments and are located in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeognam. A survey consisting of 75 questions was conducted between March and December, 2003. Survey responses were analyzed through a frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and the multiple responses approach, and correlations among the questions were analyzed using a chi-square test. Results: The level of satisfaction with clinical training programs did not differ according to the school system or the size of the clinical training institution. However, several factors led to a higher level of satisfaction, including more active participation of students in the clinical training, more intensive instruction from school professors, a larger number of subjects to complete before the clinical training, and a higher level of student perception that their institution’s clinical training program was systematic Conclusion: This study surveyed physical therapy students located in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam who attended selected schools and training institutions that have their own individual characteristics; therefore, this study may have limitations for comparative analysis. However, if more extensive studies are per formed regionally in the future using the approach taken here, clinical training programs could be developed that can satisfy both schools and the industry.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the needs of prior field learning and the academic achievement of field experience learning in a college. Methods: This study was performed from May 1 to October 30, and students were given questionnaire. The research questionnaire as follows: (1) to investigate the academic achievement after field experience learning, (2) to verify the needs of field experience learning. A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 for window version. Results: The results was as follows : First, satisfaction of field learning had scored good(47.2%) in lesson goal, good(51.8%) in acquisition of knowledge and techniques, good(51.0%) in preparation of study and good(45.9%) in association. Second, curriculum of field learning had scored normal(35.5%) in prior education, good(47.4%) in composition, good(50.8%) in guidance and good(47.2%) in contents. Third, curriculum of field learning had scored good(44.6%) in duration, good(46.1%) in numbers, good(51.3%) in convenience and normal(38.1%) in means of transportation. Forth, needs of field learning had scored good(46.6%) in field learning of practicum, good(48.2%) in field learning of theory subject, 3-4 times(42.0%) in frequency of field learning and 2hours(57.3%) in a field learning hour. Conclusion: These findings suggest that college student’s thinking of field experience learning is positive. Field experience learning provided that college students have directly an opportunity of gaining valuable experience to feel the field.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of foot angles on plantar pressure and the center of pressure (COP) trajectory length during level walking. Methods: The study subjects were 30 female university students without orthopedic diseases in the foot. The foot angle was divided into three forms (out-toeing, normal, in-toeing). The subjects practiced each type of gait, and then performed each of level walking, three times, and their averages were calculated. A plantar pressure measurement instrument was used, and the maximum force was obtained by dividing the foot into nine regions covering the anterior medial-lateral, middle medial-lateral, and posterior medial-lateral. The COP trajectory length was statistically processed by obtaining medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and entire travel distance. Results: During normal walking, the maximum force was significantly higher in the anterior lateral than in the other areas, and the COP trajectory length was significantly shorter in the front-back and entire travel distances (p<0.05). During stair climbing. Conclusion: Walking at abnormal foot angles does not cause appreciable problems in the short term as pressure is concentrated on a specific plantar part. However, it becomes the cause of deformed foot structures and can result in musculoskeletal disabilities in the long term. Therefore, a kinesiatrics-based intervention is required to maintain normal foot angles.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in EEG through attention. Concentration training and performing tasks are important factors in the improvement of motor learning ability. Methods: In the experiment, 22 healthy people were divided into two groups: the trail making test (TMT) group and the computerized neurocognitive function test (CNT) group. A one-way Neuro Harmony M test to see whether there was a significant difference among the groups. Results: The TMT group showed a significant increase in  wave,  wave sequence, and  wave sequence; however, there were no significant differences in SMR wave, SMR wave sequence, and  wave. The CNT group showed increases in  wave,  wave sequence, SMR wave, SMR wave sequence, and  wave sequence; however, there was no significant difference in  wave. In EEGs before and after two performance tasks were changed, there were significant differences in  wave, SMR wave, SMR wave sequence; however, there were no significant differences in  wave sequence,  wave, and  wave sequence. Conclusion: Attention training and concentration training offer feedback and repetition for constant stimulus and response. Moreover, attention training and concentration training can contribute to new studies and motivation by developing fast sensory and motor skills through acceptable visual and auditory stimulation.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify functional problems, including walking ability, of patients with strokes using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) and to present a method that could solve functional problems, thereby determining the applicability of the ICF to increase the quality of evaluation and intervention in clinical fields in the future. Methods: Information on stroke patients who were admitted and treated in a hospital was collected. The authors conducted evaluations, interventions, and measurements of the results of the ICF tool in order to improve gait abilities of patients. The subjects were trained using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) one hour a day and five times a week for four weeks. The result measurement variables were a six-minute gait test, 10 m velocity test, gait instability test, and measurements using the ICF sheet. Results: In the six-minute gait test, gait distance increased by 48 m, from 102 m to 150 m. The gait velocity test result showed an improvement from 0.36m/s to 0.44m/s. The subjects performed a gait instabilitytestwithacupfilledwith50mmwater. In the gait instability test, the amount of water was 38 mm before the intervention; however, it was 50 mm after the intervention. The gait velocity with a cup filled with water improved from 0.25m/s to 0.31m/s. Conclusion: An evaluation and intervention were designed with the ICF tool for stroke patients. Gait abilities improved when the PNF technique was used. The IFC method can be used for evaluation and intervention, and it could help improve gait abilities of stroke patients.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the influence of PNF direct and indirect breathing treatments for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems. Methods: For each cervical spinal cord patient, force vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow, maximum phonation time (MPT), rib cage width, and VAS were measured pre-intervention and four weeks after post-intervention. The indirect method and the direct method were used for interventions. We treated patients with the indirect method using scapular anterior depression pattern, bilateral extensor pattern with rhythmic initiation, and a combination of isotonic. We treated patients with the direct method, applying pressure on the sternum and using rhythmic initiation (hold relax and stretch reflex) for the rib cage. Training occurred for 50 minutes a day and three days per week for four weeks. Results: FVC, MPT, peak expiratory flow, and rib cage width were increased and decreased at the VAS point for rolling after treatment. Conclusion: Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems felt uncomfortable when they had conversations on a couch. We found that PNF direct and indirect treatments improved rib cage width and breathing functions of patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Purpose: The discovery of mirror neuron system may positively affect functional recovery; therefore, rehabilitation is needed that is practical for use in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of action observation training on upper motor function in people who had suffered strokes. Methods: Three elderly patients with stroke, aged to years, were recruited from a stroke rehabilitation center. A nonconcurrent, multiple baseline subject approach was taken, with an A-B-A treatment single-subject experimental design, and the experiment was conducted for 3 weeks. The action observation training was repeated 5 times in 5 days during the intervention period. The arm function, including WMFT, BBT, and grip and pinch strength, was evaluated in each subject 5 times during the baseline period, the intervention period, and the baseline regression period. Results: The results of the evaluation for each subject were presented as mean values and video graphs. The WMFT scores of 2 subjects were improved during the intervention period in comparison with the baseline period, and this improvement was maintained even during the regression baseline period. The BBT and the grip and pinch strength were not improved. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest that the action observation training for 5 sessions was effective in improving upper limb function of stroke patients but was not effective in improving hand dexterity or grip and pinch strength.