Earticle

Background: This study investigated the effects of a single-leg hopping test and Q-angle when applying Mulligan taping, flossing bands, and a combination of Mulligan taping and flossing bands to chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients. Methods: The subjects of the study were 68 patients with chronic ankle instability, randomly divided into three groups receiving the following treatments: Mulligan taping (n=22), flossing bands (n=23), and a combination of Mulligan taping and flossing bands (n=23). The immediate effects of the treatments were evaluated using the single-leg hopping test and Q-angle measurement for functional movement before and after the intervention. Results: All three groups showed significant improvements in the single-leg hopping test after the intervention, and there was a significant difference between the performance of the simultaneous application group and the Mulligan taping group (p<.01). As a result of the post-hoc test, there was a significant difference in the simultaneous application group than in the mulligan taping group (p<.01). When measuring the Q-angle change during the activity of descending stairs, there was also a significant effect in all three groups, with no significant differences when comparing the changes between groups (p>.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, Mulligan taping and flossing bands were confirmed as effective interventions for the functional movement of the lower extremities in patients with CAI. This study can provide basic data on the effectiveness of interventions in patients with CAI.

Background: This study compared the effects of trunk stabilization exercise and hip joint exercises on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity, and severity of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled and divided into group 1 (n=10), group 2 (n=10), and group 3 (n=10) were performed by each group thrice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Group 1 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization exercise (25 min), finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 2 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), hip exercise (25 mins, finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 3 warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization and hip exercise (25 min), Finish-up exercise (15 min). Participants were assessed for the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity (visual analog scale score; VAS), and severity of disability (Oswestry disability index score; ODI) before and after the interventions. Results: All three groups showed a significant increase in the range of motion of the lumbar spine, but there was no significant difference among the groups. Moreover, the severity of pain and ODI were significantly decreased in all groups; however, the intergroup differences were non-significant. Conclusion: The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of trunk stabilization and hip joint exercise in improving the lumbar range of motion, pain severity, and chronic lower back pain in patients. Thus, trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises and hip joint exercise can be used as clinical practices to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

Background: This study examined the Immediate effects of IASTM using microcurrent and the flossing band on the lower extremity fascia thickness in subjects with Intrinsic patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: Sixty-six subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomized into three groups (22 each in the microcurrent IASTM (instrument assisted soft-tissue mobilization) group, and flossing band group, and combined microcurrent IASTM and flossing band group) to evaluate the immediate effects of the lower extremity fascia thickness before and after intervention. The thickness of the lower extremity fascia was measured using an ultrasound machine. Using SPSS Window. 22.0, a Shapiro Wilk was conducted to test the normality of all variables; within-group comparisons were made with a paired-samples t-test, and between-group interventions were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. Results: Changes in the thickness of the fascia in the thigh area were observed before and after intervention in all three groups. There was a significant decrease, and in the combined group, there was a significant decrease in fascia thickness compared to when the IASTM group and the flossing band group were applied separately (p<.05). Conclusion: Through this study, the effect on fascia thickness was confirmed when IASTM and flossing band intervention were combined, and it is believed that it can be used as basic clinical data for patients with knee-thigh pain syndrome.

Background: The aim of this study is for the effects of upper trapezius (UT) inhibition on round shoulder posture (RSP) index, pectoralis minor index (PMI), UT activity and neck disability index (NDI) in adults with RSP. Methods: 30 male and female participants with RSP were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). the EG received UT inhibition 3 days a week for 5 weeks those in the CG did not receive UT inhibition. Results: RSP index, PMI, UT activity and NDI were measured again, There was a significant difference within the EG at pre- result and post-results. Conclusion: These results suggest that UT inhibition with an RSP program was effective in decreasing the RSP index, UT activity, and NDI in adults with RSP.

Background: Bulgarian split squat (BSS) is beneficial to improve dynamic balance ability and muscle activity of lower extremities, however its effects have not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to compare changes in dynamic balance ability and muscle properties according to various modifications of BSS exercises. Methods: Thirty healthy male volunteers participated in this study, and they were randomly divided into three different groups. The subjects performed the BSS exercise either on a stable surface with the eyes opened (n=10) or eyes closed (n=10), and on an unstable support plane with eyes opened (n=10) conditions, respectively. Dynamic balance ability was measured via Biodex balance system under the eyes-opened and closed conditions. Additionally, muscle properties of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) were evaluated. Results: Dynamic balance ability did not show the significant differences among the groups that performed the BSS exercises. However, in the Unstable group, there were significant differences in the overall stability index and anterior posterior stability index under the eyes-closed condition between pre-exercise and post-exercise. In comparison of muscle properties according to the groups, RF muscle showed a significant difference in amount of change of elasticity (p=.038). Additionally, there were significant changes in post measurements of VM muscle tone (p=.016), stiffness (p=.012) and elasticity (p=.002). VL muscle, however had no significant differences in muscle properties. Conclusion: These results indicate that BSS exercises could induce the alteration of RF and VM muscle properties, in particular VM muscle which is susceptible to weakness. Thus, BSS could be applied in various ways as an effective rehabilitation exercise.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining the lumbar stabilization exercise with the gluteal muscle strength exercise on pain, the dysfunction index, and postnatal depression in women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Methods: The study used a randomized design with two groups: one group (n=15) performed the lumbar stabilization exercise along with the gluteal muscle strength exercise, while the other group (n=15) only did the lumbar stabilization exercise. The intervention consisted of 30 minute exercise sessions, twice a week, for 6 weeks. The pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the dysfunction index with the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and postnatal depression using the edinburgh postnatal depression scale-Korean version (EPDS-K). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in their VAS, ODI, and EPDS-K scores within their respective groups (p<.05). Additionally, the between-group analysis revealed significant differences in post-test results (p<.05). Conclusion: The combination of the lumbar stabilization exercise and the gluteal muscle strength exercise proved to be more effective in reducing pain, improving the dysfunction index, and alleviating postnatal depression in women with chronic low back pain after a cesarean section. Therefore, incorporating these exercises could be beneficial as an intervention program for women experiencing chronic low back pain after a cesarean section.

Background: In patients with forward head posture (FHP), the head is positioned forward, causing increased tension in the muscles and structures of the head, neck, and shoulders. This can result in joint dysfunction that may lead to abnormal afferent information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on foot pressure through the isometric hip abduction (IHA) bridge exercise using elastic bands in patients with FHP. Methods: Twenty patients with FHP were randomly assigned to a study group that applied joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, a deep neck flexor strengthening exercise, and the IHA bridge exercise using an elastic band. A control group was also constituted, and members were given joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization therapies, and the deep neck flexor strengthening exercise. Ten patients were assigned to each group. The static foot pressure and dynamic foot pressure of each patient were measured before and after the intervention, and the interventions for each group were applied twice a week for 4 weeks. Results: Both the study group and the control group showed significant differences in static and dynamic foot pressure before and after the interventions (p<.05). There were no significant differences in foot pressure between the study and control groups. Conclusion: : The results of this study revealed that there were no significant differences between the group doing the IHA bridge exercise using the elastic band and the control group. However, the intervention methods applied to both the groups were effective in improving the body center control of FHP patients.

Background: The study aimed to examine changes in muscle activity by measuring the Q-angle and lower extremity activity when going down the stairs, after the application of either Mulligan taping or flossing bands to patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: A total of 19 men with chronic ankle instability in their 20s and 30s participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the Mulligan taping group (n = 9) and the flossing band group (n=10). The Mulligan taping group had three sets of Mulligan joint operations repeated 10 times, after which the Mulligan tape was applied. The flossing band group either performed functional activities or exercised for 2 minutes after flossing band application. After the application of either Mulligan taping or flossing bands, changes in the Q-angle and lower limb muscular activity while going down the stairs were measured and compared. Results: In the Mulligan taping group, the Q-angle significantly decreased from 13.63° to 12.7° during the step down. Similarly, the Q-angle of the flossing band group significantly decreased from 15.95° to 15.48° (p<.05). There was no difference in lower limb muscle activity between the two groups when going down the stairs. The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior significantly increased from 34.12% to 40.2%, and the difference between the two groups were statistically significant (p<.05). Conclusions: The study found that the application of Mulligan taping and flossing bands to patients with chronic ankle instability decreased the Q-angle and lower limb muscle activity when going down the stairs.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Pilates stabilization exercise and breathing re-education training on pain, disability index, and psychological factors in patients with chronic lower back pain. The assessment was conducted based on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, the Korean Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) scores, and the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) scores. METHODS: In total, 36 patients with lower back pain were recruited and randomly divided into the experimental group (EG: n=18) and the control group (CG: n=18, participants in the EG received breathing re-education training and Pilates stabilization exercises). For 50-minute sessions of Pilates stabilization exercises three days a week for 4 weeks, while those in the CG only performed Pilates stabilization exercises. The VAS, KODI, and FABQ scores of the patients were measured before and after exercise. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of intervention, the VAS, KODI, and FABQ scores before and after the intervention differed significantly in both groups (p<.01). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in VAS and KODI scores between the EG and CG groups after the intervention (p<.05). There was no statistically significant difference in FABQ scores between the EG and CG groups after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the VAS, KODI, and FABQ scores improved in patients who underwent Pilates stabilization and breathing re-education training. Therefore, Pilates stabilization exercise combined with breathing re-education can be effectively utilized in clinical practice to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain. Therefore, Pilates stabilization exercise combined with breathing re-education can be effectively utilized in clinical practice to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

Background: This study examined the effects of nerve mobilization exercise and scapula postural correction exercise and scapula postural correction exercise after applying conservative physical therapy to frozen shoulder. Methods: Thirty-four outpatients were divided into a nerve mobilization exercise and scapula postural correction exercise group and scapula postural correction exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale. Range of motion was measured by the goniometer. The scapular position was measured by scapular index. Grasping power was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Measurements were made at baseline and six weeks after the intervention. Results: the visual analogue scale, range of motion (except lateral rotation), and grasping power for each group showed significant changes at baseline and six weeks after the intervention (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: Nerve mobilization exercise & scapula postural correction exercise is more effective than scapula postural correction exercise for reducing pain intensity and increasing grasping power, scapular index and range of motion (except lateral rotation) in frozen shoulder syndrome patients.