Earticle

The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific literature describing the effects of water-based exercise on pain and physical function in older, community-dwelling women with osteoarthritis in South Korea. Older people often experience osteoarthritis, which is characterized by reduced muscle and bone density; water-based exercise has been used to reduce pain and improve physical function in these individuals. Despite evidence from many countries supporting the benefits of water- based exercise for alleviating osteoarthritis, there is no collated information on this topic in South Koreans or on medical insurance coverage for water-based exercise programs in South Korea. The PubMed, SCOPUS, Korea Science Korean Studies Service System, National Assembly Library of Korea, and Research Information Sharing Service databases and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were systematically searched for relevant studies published between January1995 and December 2016. The following search terms were used: ‘water exercise’, ‘older’, ‘osteoarthritis’, ‘ pain’, ‘physical function’, and ‘South Korea’. Study quality was determined by using the PEDro scale. Seven of the 256 retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the results of the selected studies indicated that water-based exercise reduced pain and improved physical function in older, community-dwelling women with osteoarthritis in South Korea. This review documents the positive effects of water-based exercise on osteoarthritis-related pain and physical function in older women in South Korea. The findings presented indicate that water-based exercise could be helpful for older women with osteoarthritis and should be considered as a means of reducing pain and increasing physical function in standard clinical research programs.

This study analyzed the effects of smoking on expiratory muscle thickness and pulmonary function in 34 (17 smokers, 17 nonsmokers) healthy female volunteers. The thickness of the internal oblique and transverse abdominal muscles was measured at rest and with forced expiration, using a 7.5-MHz linear ultrasonic imaging probe. The measured thickness was converted into the percentage of change in muscle thickness. All subjects performed maximum expiratory flow maneuvers using a spirometer to determine the forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s as a percentage of forced vital capacity. There were significant differences in pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s as a percentage of forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow) between the smokers and nonsmokers,as well as significant differences in expiratory muscle thickness (transverse abdominal). This study showed that female smokers have impaired pulmonary function and expiratory muscle contraction.

This study evaluated the effects of repeated, self-administered hamstring muscle stretching on activation of the erector spinae muscles in chronic low back pain patients. The study was performed on 24 patients with no other diagnosis or history of surgical treatment. Volunteers with right-sided back pain were recruited. All subjects performed 3 sets of self-administered hamstring muscle stretching exercises 10 times daily, in each of 3 directions. After the intervention, static and dynamic muscle activity of the erector spinae muscles was measured with the MyoVision 3G Wirefree system. Static muscle activation significantly changed after intervention at C7, T3, and T1 on the right side and at C4, T3, T6, T9, and T10on the left side. In addition, dynamic muscle activation for right side flexion-peak and flexionminchanged significantly after intervention. We conclude that self-administered hamstring stretching can indirectly reduce erector spinae muscle activation.

This study examined differences in the time to onset of neck and shoulder muscle activation during arm elevation in older and younger adults. Eleven older and 10 younger adults were recruited. Data from neck and shoulder muscles were recorded as a subject elevated one arm. The mean time to onset of muscle activation was compared using an independent t-test. Older adults demonstrated significantly later onset of contraction of the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid during shoulder flexion (p = 0.046), as well as significantly later contraction of the middle deltoid (p = 0.005), posterior deltoid (p = 0.027), contralateral splenius capitis (p = 0.008), upper trapezius (p = 0.020), middle trapezius (p = 0.012), lower trapezius (p = 0.012), and infraspinatus (p = 0.001) during shoulder abduction. These findings indicate that older adults use different neuromuscular strategies than younger adults during arm elevation. These changes could result from age-related decline in the neuromuscular system. The findings could be used to identify contributors to neck and shoulder discomfort or dysfunctionin older adults.

The purpose of this meta-analysis study was to investigate the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on low back pain by analyzing Korean studies. Studies for the analysis were searched in electronic bibliographic databases by using the keywords ‘lumbar stabilization exercise’ and ‘low back pain’. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials (CCTs) were included. Of the 36 studies identified in the search, 11 studies met the study criteria and were thus included in the meta-analysis. As a result, lumbar stabilization exercise showed a large effect size(ES) on back pain(ES, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.55–1.22, p=0.025). In the analysis of the subcategorical variables, the RCTs showed larger ES(0.921) than the CCTs(0.693) and static+dynamic exercise showed larger ES than static exercise (0.675). In the analysis of the subcontinuous variables, as the exercise duration (weeks) and number of exercise per week increased, pain decreased(p<0.05). Our results indicated that lumbar stabilization exercise had a beneficial effect on low back pain. In the future, accumulation of more research studies about lumbar stabilization in Korea will lead to more systematic and comprehensive analyses.

After surgery for a cruciate ligament injury, most patients hope to resume sports and leisure activities. This study investigated the effect of muscle training on maximum quadriceps muscle strength and balance after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The subjects of this study were 18 patients in the K hospital who were diagnosed with an isolated posterior cruciate ligament injury without anterior cruciate, medial or lateral collateral ligament, or meniscus injury. Both study and control groups performed the same squat exercises for 6 weeks. During the squat exercise intervention, the experimental group also applied taping techniques. Maximum isometric strength was assessed using a knee-ankle strength analyzer. Balance ability was assessed using a dynamic measuring instrument. Quadriceps muscle strength and balance scores were significantly better in the taping group than in the non-taping group. The results of this study confirm that taping can be used to help improve athletic performance following posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

This study investigated the effects of micro-current stimulation therapy on gastrocnemius function. Twelve subjects participated in the study (average age: 28.58±3.37 years). Gastrocnemius function was measured pre- and post-intervention using a Myoton device. Muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity of the gastrocnemius muscles were measured. The dominant leg gastrocnemius tone and dynamic stiffness showed significant improvement after microcurrent stimulation therapy, but elasticity showed no significant change. There was also no significant difference between dominant and nondominant gastrocnemius function. We concluded that microcurrent stimulation therapy improved gastrocnemius function.

Prolonged sitting is a high-risk factor for chronic neck pain. McKenzie exercises are commonly used in clinics. Mobile app-based care is increasingly popular, and providesaccess to health information. This study examined the effect of mobile app-based McKenzie exercise on pain intensity, functional disability, exercise adherence, fear avoidance, and quality of life. Twenty graduate students participated in the study to completion. Neck exercise was performed as directed by the mobile app in the workplace environment for at least 10 min/day, 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pain intensity, the Neck Disability Index (NDI) for functional disability, the level of exercise adherence, the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) for the quality of life were used to evaluate outcomes. After an 8-week intervention, the VAS (p < .001) and NDI(p < .001) scores were significantly improved with app-based neck exercise. The work-related subscale (p = 0.023) in the FABQ and physical component summary (p < .001) of the SF-36 showed significant improvement in psychological and physical health. The exercise adherence rate was 87.5 %. In conclusion, this study showed that app-based neck exercise can reduce pain intensity and functional disability.