Earticle

This study aimd to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) iliopsoas muscle stretching techniques on the pain and hip joint range of motion in patients with low back pain. In this study, PNF iliopsoas muscle stretching techniques was applied to three patients with low back pain. PNF iliopsoas muscle stretching techniques was performed 13 times during intervention phase. The subjects were measured 5 times in the baseline phase, 13 times in the intervention phase. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for the measurement of the level of pain. The FABER test (FABERT), modified Thomas test (MTT), and prone hip extension test (PHET) were used for the measurement of the hip joint range of motion. The pain was reduced compared in the patients to those of pre-tests, and the hip joint range of motion was improved compared to the range of pre-tests. The study results verified that PNF iliopsoas muscle stretching techniques are useful when applied to patients with low back pain.

This study aimed to identify the effects of sensory integration program on motor and sensory function in cerebral palsy. Two child with cerebral palsy presenting delayed sensory integrationvolunteered to participate in this study. Outcome measures included GMFM, Pediatic balance scale, Short Sensory Profile and Wee-FIM test. They experienced a sensory integration program with attempting to improve sensory-motor function. Measurement values were remarkably improved after the intervention, except for Wee-FIM score. These findings suggest that the sensory integration program might be helpful to enhance sensory- motor function of children with cerebral palsy. Further researches are necessary to find beneficial intervention in this field.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the bending degree of the trunk when using smartphones on the lung capacity. Thirty young people were recruited for this study, and they were randomly assigned to either Group A (a posture with the back straight), Group B (a posture with both arms on a desk and the trunk bending 70°), or Group C (a posture using a smartphone with the forearms on the thighs), each 10. Subjects of each group were maintained the postures for 30 minutes. Vital capacity was measured before and after the intervention. Subjects of all groups showed significant decreases in vital capacity (p<.05), and subjects of Group C revealed a more significant decrease in vital capacity compared to the other two groups (p<.05). These findings indicate that there was more significant reduction in the vital capacity in greater the bending degree of the trunk. The use of smartphone may be important factor to influence on vital capacity; therefore, it is necessary to maintain a good posture while using smartphones for a long time.

Motor imagery is the mental representation of movement without any body movement. It has been reported that showing positive results to improve balance and walking in neural rehabilitation. This study aimed to prove the effects of motor imagery with functional training on fall efficacy in elderly people as well as balance and gait, and to investigate whether motor imagery training can be used as a possible intervention for fall prevention. Three subjects who were over 65 years old participated for this study. Outcome measures were Berg Balance Scale (BBS) to evaluate the subjects’ balance ability, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) for dynamic balance ability, and Fall Efficacy(FES) to assess fear of falling in the elderly. Also GAITRite System was used to measure gait parameters. Motor imagery training was performed for 1 hour per day, three times per week for six weeks (a total of 18 sessions). The findings suggest that all variables improved after the intervention. Overall, a motor imagery training might be used to enhance balance and gait, fall efficacy in the elderly people.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of a group mirror therapy on upper limb and sensory functions in community-living individuals with chronic stroke. Seven patients with chronic stroke living in the community volunteered for this study, and they underwent a group mirror therapy. Measurements were made with Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and monofilament test, which were evaluated before and after the intervention, and 2-week follow-up. A group mirror therapy was performed for average 90 minutes daily, 5 times a week for 2 weeks (a total of 10 sessions), consisting of trainings for the upper extremity: Warm-up, main training (active range of motion exercise and functional task training), and cool-down. A Friedman test was used to compare the changes of measurement values. The results of the study showed that FMS scores were statistically significantly improved after intervention, and gain was maintained at the 2-week follow-up (p<.05). However, there was not significantly different for the monofilament test scores after the intervention and the follow-up, despite of positive change after the intervention (p>.05). These findings suggest that a group mirror therapy might be beneficially used to improve the upper limb function of patients with stroke. Further studies with robust design warrant study results.

This study aimed to identify the effect of ankle mobilization with movement taping (AMT) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, gait speed, cadence, and dynamic gait index in patients with chronic stroke with limited ankle dorsiflexion. The participants were randomized into the control (n=13) and AMT groups (n=13). AMT group applied non-elastic taping on the affected side ankle, and both groups performed to walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes. All participants have measured ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, gait speed, cadence, and dynamic gait index in before and after the intervention. After the interventions, AMT group showed greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, gait speed, cadence, and dynamic gait index than in the control group (p<.05). Furthermore, AMT group had significantly improvement in the all outcomes compared to the pre-test (p<.05).This study shows that AMT improved ankle dorsiflexion pas sive range of motion, gait speed, cadence, and dynamic gait index in the patients with chronic stroke. These findings suggest that the AMT has a potential for benefits on ankle range of motion and gait functions. Further studies with various study designs are required to strengthen the results of this study.

As neurological rehabilitation has been increasingly developed, there is a rapid close in gap between neuroscientific information and clinical application. Also, a variety of concepts have been established to apply therapeutic techniques in stroke rehabilitation, which are based on bottom-up and top-down approaches. Therefore, clinicians need to understand valuable knowledge with regard to the natures of these approaches, and know the current use of treatment techniques. Based on recent trend, advanced technology highlights to develop new neuromechanical tools and robot-assisted devices for improved rehabilitation effects and functional recovery. Despite inadequate evidences in clinical setting, these approaches are known to facilitate brain plasticity and functional recovery, thereby allowing developing specific devices and more efficient control system. Focusing on scientific interests to control the pathophysiology of neural plasticity after stroke and operate them in controlled environment, data on specific effects from treatment are promptly collected as treatment outcomes. This supports the great benefits of patient-therapist-specific approaches. Therefore, the understandings of bottom-up and top-down approaches are necessary to build the present and future concepts in treatment. This paper aims to provide valuable information about current trends in gait rehabilitation after stroke, including bottom-up and top-down approaches.

Vision is an essential element for maintaining the balance in the standing position or for walking. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dominant or non-dominant eye blocking on gait and balance. In 17 healthy individuals, static balance and gait function were measured when the dominant or non-dominant eye were blocked. Static balance was measured by the Wii balance board and the Balancia software program. We also measured gait function (spatio-temporal variables) and foot lateral deviations. In the present results, the path length, path velocity, and path area were significantly decreased during blocking dominant on static balance function (p<0.05). There were no significant differences on all gait parameters except velocity during blocking the non-dominant or dominant eye. We could confirm that the use of monocular with non-dominant eye can help improve static balance ability, but it is meaningless except for velocity during gait with monocular.

The purpose of this study is to find an optimal rehabilitation therapy intervention, especially in this study, by comparing the effects of applying both virtual reality (VR) programs and microwave diathermy (MWD) at the same time. The subjects of this study participated 19 college students in their 20s. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received MWD (male:2 female:8) and VR ankle training, while the second group (male:2 female:7) received only the VR training. The interventions were conducted three times a week for four weeks. Biodex Balance System® is a tool to measure balance degree in this study. The MWD (PM-800S, ITO, Japan) intervention was conducted by setting the frequency of 2450㎒ and the output of 100W before the implementation of the VR exercise program. The exercise in this study was conducted using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus program for VR exercise. Comparison of the results of the groups that implemented MWD and VR at the same time and those that implemented VR only are as follows. In the static balance, VR groups were significantly lower in all directions such as overall, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral (p<.05). There was no statistically significant difference in dynamic balance (p>.05). If the therapist does not properly perform the examination when applying MWD for FAI, the effect might not be significant. VR exercise programs can also be used to improve the balance of FAI, although it has limitations.