Earticle

The purpose of this study was to investigate to effects of temporary visual feedback training using Fresnel prism glasses on balance in hemiplegic stroke patients without neglect. 19 hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=10) and the control group (n=9). Subjects of the control group performed balance and gait training, and subjects of the experimental group performed balance and gait training with a Fresnel prism glasses for 30 minutes each. All subjects performed motor-free visual perception test (MVPT) before intervention to measure visual perception. Functional reaching test (FRT) and gait parameters were performed before and after intervention. As a result, MVPT was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). FRT showed significant difference between the groups (p<0.05). In gait parameters, the swing time decreased and the single support time on the affected side increased. In summarizing the results of this study, the application of temporary Fresnel prism glasses had the effect to improve the balance ability in hemiplegic stroke patients without neglect. Therefore, Fresnel prism glasses could be favorably used as an intervention tool for improving balance in hemiplegic stroke patients without neglect.

The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a timing and coordination exercise using a sling to improve cognition and mobility in individuals with vascular dementia. Three patients with vascular dementia participated in this study, and a single-subject multiple baseline study design was used. The patients participated in an usual-care program in the baseline phase, and a timing and coordination exercise was performed averaging 50 minutes a day during the intervention phase. Subjects 1, 2, and 3 were measured 4, 7, and 9 sessions during the baseline phase, and 15, 12, and 10 sessions during the intervention phase, respectively. Our evaluation tools included the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE-K), grip strength (GS), timed up and go test (TUG), 10-m walk test (10MWT), and 6-min walk test (6MWT). During the intervention phase, the GS, TUG, and 10MWT values were maintained above data level of the baseline, and the MMSE-K and 6MWT also increased remarkably. The results of this study suggest that a timing and coordination exercise using a sling may be useful in improving cognition and mobility in patients with vascular dementia.

This study aimed to identify the effect of a strengthening exercise plus aerobic on the arm circumference, hand grip strength, pain, disability index and endurance in patients with breast cancer. Twelve subjects with mastectomy volunteered to participate in this study. All subjects underwent the strengthening exercise plus aerobic exercise for averaging 60 minutes daily for 6 weeks (total of 30 sessions). Assessment tools were made with arm circumference, hand grip strength, visual analogue scale (VAS), shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and 6 minutes walk test (6MWT) before and after the 6-week intervention period. All parameters showed significant improvement after the intervention (p<.05). This study demonstrates that a strengthening and aerobic exercises may be favorable for enhancing edema, hand grip strength, pain, disability index, and endurance of patients with mastectomy. This study provides valuable information for future studies in this field. Further studies with wider range of subjects and longer experiment span are required to support the results of this study.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder leads to pain and limited opening range. TMJ disorder are caused by occlusal problem, bad habit, and muscular overactivity. The TMJ works bilaterally to create jaw motion; however, it moves asymmetrically during a production exercise. And most people move mandible toward their preferred side during a production exercise. In general, Masseter, main muscle used for chewing exercise, frequently results in TMJ disorder when biomechanical and physiological imbalance occurs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of TMJ movement range and the effect of masseter asymmetry on the TMJ pain in patients with and without TMJ pain. 30 subjects was recruited for this study, with 15 subjects with TMJ pain as the experimental group and 15 subjects with no TMJ pain as the control groups. Using Image J program, ranges of maximal mouth opening and mouth opening taken under only mandibular rotation were measured, and the thickness of masseter in the TMJ in resting condition was measured with the ultrasonography. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference in the ratio of ranges of he maximum mouth opening and mouth opening taken under the mandibular rotation only(p<.05). However, no significant difference was found in the masseter’s thickness (p>.05). In this study, the results showed that the pain in the TMJ was not related to the asymmetry of the masseter’s thickness, and that the reduction of maximum opening and mandibular rotation were closely related to the pain. Therefore, training to use TMJ of both sides when chewing food may be helpful to prevent TMJ disorders. In addition, we recommend interventions to improve bad habits. Further studies qill bw continued in this field.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of Whole Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) exercise on muscle strengthening, pain, and range of motion (ROM) in subjects with lumbar instability. 30 subjects with lumbar back pain were recruited for this study. They were randomly divided into experimental group with WB-EMS and control group without WB-EMS, 15 in each. Both groups received a total of 30 minutes of intervention programs, respectively. Measurements were made before and after the intervention. Muscle strength was measured from the trunk flexor and extensor muscles using a handheld dynamometer. Perceived pain was measured by using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). The ROM was used by modified-modified Schober test (MMST)at the flexion and extension of trunk. The following statistical analysis was performed: an independent t-test for the general characteristics of the subjects, 2×2 analysis of variance with repeated measures for the strength, pain and ROM. There was significant group×time interaction effect in the flexor strength (F1,28=30.160, p=.000), extensor strength (F=6.147, p=.019), VAS (F1,28=10.270, p=.003), ODI(F=29.210, p=.000), MMST at flexion (F=7.337, p=.011), MMST at extension (F=5.332, p=.029). These findings suggest that WB-EMS may be helpful to improve strength, pain, and ROM in subjects with lumbar instability.

This study aimed to compare the effects of horizontal vibration exercise and core exercise on patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. This was an experimental single- blinded, randomized controlled trial. Thirty-nine older patients with non-specific chronic low back pain from the Rehabilitation Center in an University Hospital were randomly assigned to either a horizontal vibration group or a core exercise group. All patients underwent 30 min of each exercise three times a week for 12 weeks. Main outcome measures of perceived pain level, pain-related dysfunction, muscle strength and thickness, and postural stability were assessed at baseline, interim (6 weeks), soon after intervention (12 weeks), and post-intervention of 1 month (follow-up). Both groups showed improved perceived pain level, pain-related dysfunction, muscle strength of lumbar flexion and extension, and balance stability after the intervention(all p<.01). These effects maintained at follow-up of 1 month. There was no significant difference between two intervention groups for any outcome measure. Horizontal vibration and core exercises had the same effects on all outcome measures on patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Patients with severe back pain and limited active movements may benefit from horizontal vibration equally to core exercise.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the physical therapists’ employment quality is affecting job autonomy and job stress. Through this study, we hope to provide physical therapists with basic data for improving working conditions in the future. 355 physical therapists who are currently working in clinical setting completed the survey. The questionnaire used in this study consists of 60 questions in total, which include questions about the general characteristics of the study subjects, quality of work, job autonomy, and job stress. The collected data were analyzed using independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The mean score of quality of employment was 58.30 points. Job autonomy was 69.56 points, and job stress was 45.72 points. There was a positive correlation between the quality of employment and job autonomy, and a negative correlation between quality of employment and job stress. A negative correlation between job autonomy and job stress. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that higher the physical therapists’ quality of employment, more autonomy they have to work and less stress.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Wii fit static balance training, which focused on auditory feedback and neurodevelopmental therapy, on static balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. In this study, a total of 30 chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the auditory feedback balance training group, the visual feedback balance training group, or the control group. Berg balance scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) were used to evaluate the subjects' ability to maintain balance. In order to evaluate the subject’s walking ability, a walking analysis was conducted via the 10MWT, the TUG test, and the GAITRite system. The intervention was performed 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 30 minutes. Static balance training using the Wii Fit board was provided with the auditory feedback group, to which auditory feedback was provided after vision was blocked. The visual feedback balance training group underwent static balance training on the Wii Fit board with visual feedback. The control group underwent general neurodevelopmental treatment. The results of this study confirmed that auditory feedback training was effective in improving balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Therefore, auditory feedback training can be beneficially used as an therapeutic intervention to improve balance and gait of patients with chronic stroke.

This study aimed to report the walking tasks most frequently encountered in the daily life of community-dwelling patients with post-stroke hemiparesis and to compare them with those of normal adults from a previous study. A total of 97 community-dwelling ambulatory patients with chronic stroke completed a walking survey to document the frequency with which walking tasks were encountered during a full awaking, non-therapy day, which included five tasks (walking surfaces, opening/closing doors, skilled walking tasks, intersections, and steps). The results showed that the most frequently encountered task (≥10 times per day) was opening/closing doors, followed by walking on rough and smooth surfaces. Furthermore, subjects were more likely to less frequently participate in challenging tasks while walking. These findings suggest that it needs to involve walking tasks encountered by patients with chronic stroke while walking in the household and community. This study provides valuable information for future studies that try to develop a walking training protocol aiming to restore functional walking capacity for community reintegration after stroke.