Earticle

Remote physical therapy assessment is important, but it's difficult to evaluate items that require direct contact, such as muscle strength and muscle tone, remotely. This study was conducted to estimate the muscle strength used through the degree of stretching of an elastic band using recorded videos. and to verify the usefulness of using this data for remote muscle strength estimation. The subjects were 50 healthy adults. The degree of stretch of the elastic band was measured through video recording when the subjects maximally contracted the external rotators of the shoulder joint and performed external rotation. The degree of stretch of the elastic band was a major factor in estimating the tension (R2=.72, p<.05), and the inter-rater reliability was .84 (p<.05). Therefore, using elastic band for muscle strength estimation as part of a tele-physical ability assessment is considered to be clinically useful and reliable.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an oral health program based on structured dental hygiene education in reducing dental plaque and periodontal pathogens. Participants received a program consisting of standardized toothbrushing instruction, oral hygiene education, and clinical monitoring. Dental plaque was assessed using the O’Leary index, and major periodontal pathogens were analyzed. The program effectively reduced dental plaque and modified the levels of key periodontal pathogens. Despite the small sample size and single- site design, consistent improvements were observed. Systematic oral health programs may contribute to the prevention of periodontal diseases, and further large-scale studies are required to confirm these findings. The active role of dental hygienists in implementing such programs should be emphasized in both clinical and community settings.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of postural correction exercises on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction in a patient with hydrocephalus presenting with forward head posture (FHP). The participant was an 81-year-old male diagnosed with hydrocephalus. A single-case A-B-A design was employed for the study. The baseline phase consisted of 8 sessions, the intervention phase included 10 sessions, and the follow-up phase comprised 8 sessions, for a total of 26 sessions. During the intervention phase, the participant underwent a postural correction exercise program, which included chin-tuck exercises, suboccipital and masticatory muscle release, anterior chest stretching, and TMJ and neck mobility exercises. Outcome measures included craniovertebral angle, maximum mouth opening range, craniomandibular index, and mandibular functional impairment questionnaire. All variables showed significant improvements after the intervention, and the gains were maintained during the follow-up phase. These findings suggest that postural correction exercises may be effective in improving TMJ function in a patient with hydrocephalus presenting with FHP.

This study aimed to analyze intervention strategies for pain management in patients with arthritis and to provide implications for clinical practice. A systematic literature search was conducted from February 2015 to February 2025 using electronic databases, including DateBase Periodical Information Academic (DBpia), Korean studies information service (KISS), research information sharing service (RISS), Scholar, and PubMed, with the search terms “osteoarthritis (OA)” or “rheumatoid arthritis (RA)” and “pain” and “intervention”. After applying exclusion criteria, ten studies were selected for final analysis. The findings indicated that exercise-based interventions were the predominant strategies for arthritis pain management. These interventions were effective not only in relieving pain but also in improving physical function, psychological stability, and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to overall health promotion. The results of this review highlight the significance of exercise-centered interventions and may serve as foundational evidence for establishing effective strategies and therapeutic goals in arthritis pain management.

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT/mCIMT) and task-oriented training (TOT) represent prominent interventions for upper-limb rehabilitation following stroke; however, their relative efficacy and consistency across outcome measures remain subjects of ongoing debate. This study aimed to synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CIMT and TOT for upper-extremity recovery post-stroke and to quantify pooled effects on validated impairment and activity assessments. Fourteen peer-reviewed RCTs published between 1990 and 2025 (seven investigating CIMT/mCIMT and seven investigating TOT) involving adult stroke survivors and providing sufficient data for meta-analysis were included. Adhering to a pre-specified protocol consistent with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, two independent reviewers conducted study screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the RoB 2 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate pooled effect sizes; heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic, and funnel plots were examined when the number of studies per outcome permitted. Primary outcomes synthesized included the MAL–Quality of Movement (MAL-QOM; mean difference [MD]), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT; standardized mean difference [SMD], Hedges’ g, based on change scores), and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE; SMD, Hedges’ g). Across four studies, MAL-QOM scores favored experimental interventions, predominantly CIMT variants, with a pooled MD of 0.68 (95% CI, 0.39 to 0.97; I² = 71%), indicating moderate but variable improvements in perceived real-world arm use. For ARAT (k = 3), pooled effects favored experimental treatments with an SMD of 0.95 (95% CI, 0.58 to 1.31; I² = 0%), and for FMA-UE (k = 2), the pooled SMD was 1.47 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.97; I² = 0%), demonstrating robust enhancements in activity and impairment, respectively. The overall risk of bias was low to moderate, with masked outcome assessment commonly employed. Tests for publication bias were underpowered due to the limited number of studies (k < 10). These findings support the efficacy of intensive, task-specific upper-limb rehabilitation post-stroke. CIMT/mCIMT exhibited the most consistent benefits across impairment and activity outcomes, whereas TOT demonstrated advantages that appeared contingent upon intervention dose, fidelity of implementation, and task relevance. Clinically, rehabilitation programs that provide sufficient, progressive, and meaningful practice (utilizing CIMT when feasible and dose-matched TOT when restraint is impractical) are most likely to yield clinically significant improvements.

This study aimed to determine the effects of task-oriented obstacle walking training on dynamic balance, gait speed, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke. The study was a randomized controlled trial involving 24 patients with hemiplegia due to chronic stroke. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (n=12) performed task-oriented walking training at a comfortable speed for 15 minutes on a track with 3 cm and 10 cm high obstacles. The control group (n=12) walked at a comfortable speed for 15 minutes on a 60-meter track. Both the experimental and control groups carried out the intervention and the pre-intervention rehabilitation exercise program for 30 minutes per session, three times a week, for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. Both groups performed a 30-minute rehabilitation exercise program consisting of active/passive range of motion exercises, trunk and weight-shifting exercises, and walking exercises three times a week for six weeks before the intervention. The timed up and go (TUG), gait speed, and activities of daily living modified barthel index (MBI) were evaluated before and after the intervention for both groups. The results showed significant differences in dynamic balance, gait speed, and activities of daily living within the experimental group before and after the intervention (p<.05). In the control group, no significant differences were observed in any evaluations before and after the intervention (p>.05). Comparisons between the groups revealed statistically significant differences in all variables, favoring the experimental group over the control group (p<.05). These results suggest that task-oriented walking training with obstacles can be beneficial for improving dynamic balance, gait speed, and activities of daily living in patients with hemiplegia due to stroke.

This study investigated the effects of sensory stimulation applied to the plantar surface of the hallux on muscle activities and static balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Twenty-two participants—11 with chronic ankle instability and 11 healthy controls—performed single-leg stance tasks under two conditions: with and without the sensory stimulation. The insoles were equipped with a 0.8 mm protruding element positioned beneath the hallux to provide targeted mechanical stimulation to plantar cutaneous mechanoreceptors, thereby enhancing sensory input related to pressure and touch during weight-bearing tasks. Surface electromyography was used to measure the activity of the abductor hallucis, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscles, with all muscle activity normalized to the percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Static balance was assessed by measuring the duration of single-leg stance. In the chronic ankle instability group, wearing the insoles significantly increased abductor hallucis activity and improved static balance performance. In the healthy control group, static balance also improved significantly with insole use, although no changes were observed in muscle activation. Additionally, no significant differences were found between the two groups in muscle activation or static balance performance while wearing the insoles. These findings suggest that mechanical sensory stimulation applied to the hallux via thin insoles may enhance abductor hallucis activation and static balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Such insoles may serve as an effective supplementary intervention for promoting functional rehabilitation in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Spinal instability has been associated with impaired trunk control and altered gait stability, but little is known about how different bag-carrying methods influence gait characteristics in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of three different bag types on gait characteristics in adults with spinal instability. Thirty adults (16 men and 14 women; mean age, 22.3 ± 3.4 years) with spinal instability confirmed through spinal stability tests participated in this study. Gait variables—including velocity, cadence, stride length, double support time, base of support, swing phase symmetry index and stance phase symmetry index - were measured using the GAITRite system under three 7-kg bag conditions: backpack, shoulder bag, and handbag. Velocity and cadence were significantly higher when carrying the handbag (125.38 ± 11.30 cm/s and 119.41 ± 8.32 steps/min, respectively) compared with the shoulder bag (velocity: 121.96 ± 10.35 cm/s) and the backpack (velocity: 118.20 ± 10.88 cm/s; cadence: 114.40 ± 6.28 steps/min) (p<.001). Double support time was significantly lower with the handbag (0.24 ± 0.02 s) than with the shoulder bag (2.00 ± 2.10 s) and backpack (1.68 ± 1.37 s) (p<.001). The base of support was significantly wider when carrying the handbag (8.57 ± 6.92 cm) compared with the backpack (5.26 ± 5.04 cm) (p=.046). Additionally, both swing phase symmetry index (2.99 ± 2.34%) and stance phase symmetry index percentages (1.87 ± 1.48%) were significantly greater in the handbag condition than in the backpack condition (1.45 ± 1.43% and 0.89 ± 0.88%, respectively) (p=.003 and p=.002). These findings suggest that, in individuals with spinal instability, carrying a handbag increases velocity, cadence, base of support, and the proportion of the gait cycle spent in both the swing and stance phases, while reducing double support time.

This study investigated the immediate effects of a single session of hip-strengthening exercises on gluteus medius muscle thickness, dynamic balance, and knee pain in adults with nonspecific knee pain. Nonspecific knee pain, which lacks clear structural abnormalities, is often associated with hip muscle weakness and altered lower-extremity biomechanics. Forty-eight adult males with activity-related anterior knee pain were randomly assigned to either a side-bridge or a clamshell exercise group. Both interventions were performed once under supervision. Gluteus medius thickness was measured using ultrasound imaging, dynamic balance was assessed with the Y-Balance Test, and pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Within-group pre–post changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and between-group comparisons of change scores (Δ) were performed using independent t-tests. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine relationships among changes in muscle thickness, balance performance, and pain. Both groups showed significant improvements in muscle thickness, balance, and pain after exercise (p < .05), with the side-bridge group demonstrating significantly greater gains in gluteus medius thickness and Y-Balance Test scores compared with the clamshell group (p < .05). Although pain decreased in both groups, the intergroup difference was not significant. Increases in muscle thickness were positively correlated with balance improvement and negatively correlated with pain reduction. These findings suggest that even a single bout of side-bridge exercise can induce short-term neuromuscular and functional changes, and may support its use as an early intervention option for nonspecific knee pain.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of treadmill gait training with a pelvis-knee elastic band on anterior pelvic tilt angle and plantar contact area during standing posture in adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Ten adolescents with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy participated in a 4-week intervention, consisting of three 50-minute sessions per week (40 minutes of general exercise followed by 10 minutes of treadmill gait training with a pelvis-knee elastic band). Anterior pelvic tilt angle was measured using the Bubble Level and Clinometer application, and plantar contact area during standing was assessed using the FreeMed™ pressure platform. Post-intervention, the anterior pelvic tilt angle significantly decreased. The total contact area and rearfoot contact area of the dominant foot significantly increased, while in the non-dominant foot, the forefoot contact area significantly decreased, and the rearfoot contact area significantly increased. Treadmill gait training with a pelvis-knee elastic band reduced anterior pelvic tilt and redistributed plantar contact area, thereby improving postural stability. These findings provide foundational evidence for developing effective intervention strategies to enhance posture and gait in individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

This study aimed to examine the effects of treadmill walking training combined with action observation training and knowledge of performance on balance, walking, and activities of daily living in a single patient with chronic stroke. The intervention was conducted three times per week for four weeks, in which the participant watched action observation training for ten minutes, received knowledge of performance, and then performed treadmill walking training twice, resulting in a total of forty minutes of intervention per session. Quantitative walking ability was assessed using the ten-meter walking test and the six-minute walking test, qualitative walking ability was assessed using the Wisconsin gait scale, functional walking ability was assessed using the timed up and go test and the figure of eight walk test, balance ability was assessed using the berg balance scale and the four square step test, and activities of daily living were assessed using the modified barthel index before and after the intervention. The results showed improvements in walking speed and endurance in the ten-meter walking test and the six-minute walking test, enhanced functional mobility in the timed up and go test and the figure of eight walk test, and a slight improvement in balance ability in the berg balance scale, whereas the four square step test, the wisconsin gait scale, and the modified barthel index showed no significant changes. These findings indicate that treadmill walking training combined with action observation training and knowledge of performance has positive effects on walking speed, functional mobility, and balance in patients with chronic stroke, but has limited effects on activities of daily living and qualitative aspects of walking, suggesting its potential use as a rehabilitation strategy in clinical practice.

Wearable hip exoskeletons have been developed and applied to improve walking function in individuals with walking disabilities. For stroke patients, gait function ability is crucial for their quality of life. However, research on the effects of training with wearable hip exoskeletons in stroke patients is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of task-oriented training using wearable hip exoskeletons(Bot Fit, Samsung Electronics Co, Korea) on walking, balance ability, muscle thickness and strength in chronic stroke patients. The study employed a single-subject experimental research design (ABA'). Four chronic stroke patients participated, and the experimental process was divided into three phases: (1) baseline phase (8 sessions), (2) intervention phase (12 sessions), and (3) return-to-baseline phase (8 sessions). Outcome measures included the timed up and go, 10 meter walking test, and berg balance scale to assess functional performance. And muscle thickness was measured using sonography while strength was evaluated using a dynamometer. Each session involved 30 minutes of task-oriented training, with the wearable hip exoskeletons intervention applied during the intervention phase. The results showed significant improvements in timed up and go, 10 meter walking test, and berg balance scale scores during the intervention phase, and these gains were maintained in the return-to-baseline phase. Although no significant changes were observed in muscle strength and thickness, they were maintained without decline. The findings suggest that task-oriented training using a wearable hip exoskeletons may effectively improve balance and gait abilities while maintaining muscle strength and thickness in chronic stroke patients. Future studies should focus on further enhancing and sustaining these effects and exploring the long-term benefits and potential applications of wearable hip exoskeletons-assisted training in a larger population of chronic stroke patients.

This study analyzes the changes in the decayed teeth (DT) index and decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index among 12-year-old children. It also examines the association between the consumption of cariogenic snacks and beverages and the DMFT index. Data from the 5th (2012), 6th (2015), and 7th (2018) National Oral Health Surveys were used for this study. The final subjects were 12-year-old children who participated in both the oral examination and the survey. We conducted a complex sample logistic regression analysis, adjusted for relevant variables, to determine if the frequency of cariogenic snack and beverage consumption affected the DT and DMFT index. A higher frequency of consuming cariogenic snacks and beverages was associated with both the DT and DMFT index. Although the association between the frequency of cariogenic snack and beverage consumption and the DMFT index is trending downward, a new approach is needed to improve the oral health of children exposed to cariogenic snacks and beverages, as the link between their consumption and dental caries experience continues to change.

This study analyze the relationship between academic performance and satisfaction with clinical practice among physical therapy students. A total of 117 students who had completed clinical training, recruited from two three-year colleges and three four-year universities in the Honam region, participated in the study. Data were collected over a 30-day period from September 1 to September 30, 2023. For this study, a modified version of a questionnaire used in previous research was employed. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 32 items, including 4 items on general characteristics, 26 items related to five domains of clinical practice satisfaction, and 1 item on clinical practice institutions. All items were rated on a five-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction. The relationship between students' academic performance and their clinical practice satisfaction was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation analysis, with all statistical significance levels set at a = 0.05. The results showed that several satisfaction items were positively correlated with academic performance, including clinical practice guidance, number of students per site, post-clinical evaluation satisfaction, and perceived necessity of clinical practice. These findings are significant in providing foundational data to improve the quality of clinical practice education for physical therapy students. By analyzing the connection between academic performance and satisfaction, this study offers insights for developing differentiated clinical training strategies based on student achievement levels.

This literature review aimed to evaluate the effects of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) combined with virtual reality (VR) on balance and gait function in patients with stroke. A total of nine randomized controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 were identified through searches in PubMed, Cochrane Library, PEDro, and Google Scholar. Most studies reported improvements in balance and gait outcomes following the combined intervention. Balance was commonly assessed using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test, while gait was measured with the 10-Meter Walk Test and gait analysis systems. Interventions lasting more than four weeks and conducted at least three times per week showed more consistent positive results. Key components contributing to effectiveness included the use of immersive visual feedback and robotic systems that allowed individualized adjustment of walking speed and support. These elements promoted neuroplasticity and enhanced functional recovery. The findings suggest that RAGT combined with VR is an effective strategy to improve balance and gait in stroke rehabilitation. Intervention should be tailored to each patient’s clinical condition and rehabilitation goals for optimal outcomes.