Earticle

Purpose：The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods：Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results：The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion：The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prove the effects of coordinative locomotion training (CLT) on walking speed, walking endurance, and balance for incomplete spinal cord injury patients. Methods: Ten subjects were randomly assigned to the CLT group (n = 5) and the treadmill (TM) group (n = 5). The CLT group performed PNF pattern exercise using the motions of the sprinter and skater for 30 minutes, while the TM group performed using a treadmill for 30 minutes. Both groups performed these therapeutic interventions for five days per week, for a period of four weeks. A 10 meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and 6 meter walking test were used for the assessment of gait speed, balance, and gait endurance. The SPSS Ver. 18.0 statistical program was used for data processing. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the comparison of pre- and post-intervention performance and a Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison between the groups. The significance level for the statistical inspection was set at 0.05. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the 10 meter walking test, Berg Balance Scale, and 6 meter walking test (P < 0.05). Conclusion: CLT had an effect on the improvement of walking speed, walking endurance, and the balance of incomplete spinal cord injury patients. Thus, we suggest that CLT is a therapeutic intervention for incomplete spinal cord injury patients.

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at 90° in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at 90° in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

Purpose : The aim of study was to assess the effect of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training for patients with spinal cord injury. Methods : Forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second(FEV1), peak expiratory flow(PEF) and FEV1/FVC ratio(FER) were measured with a spirometer for on subject of T12 spinal cord injury. 10 meter walking test(10MWT), timed up & go test(TUG) and 6-Minute walking test(6MWT) were the measured. Intervention consisted of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training five times a week for 12 weeks. Results : The date of 10MWT, TUG, 6MWT were improved. Furthermore, the date of PEF, FEV1, FVC, FER showed a improvement. Conclusion : Backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training may be a better and more effective method for gait performance and respiratory on incomplete spinal cord injury.

Purpose : This study aims to analyze the effect of abdominal respiration on back pain of an Elementary Schoolchild. Methods : The data was collected from April 9 to April 27. We analyzed the descriptive statistics and paired t-test by SPSS 12.0 for windows. Results : The results of the study were as follow : The comparison of change in visual analogue scale showed effective differences before and after diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Conclusion : Thus, this study indicates that have a positive effect on Back Pain of an Elementary Schoolchild. Further trials, which give attention to these parts, are needed before any firm conclusions may be made.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of treadmill training and cognitive task with in the course of treadmill training at the same time with chronic stroke patients. Methods : Fourteen chronic stroke patients participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the control and experimental group(7 experimental, 7 control). All of participants were in-patients at local hospital and had been receiving a traditional rehabilitation program, five days a week. The both groups have undergone 4weeks. The experimental group trained in treadmill and cognitive task at the same time, but control group trained only treadmill. 10m walking test, Timed Up & Go (TUG) test and 6 Minutes walking(6M walking) test to measure the walking speed, dynamic balance and waling endurance ability were carried out before and after the training. Results : The result of the study were as follow:10m walking test were significantly increased both groups(p<.01), but not significant between groups(p>.05). TUG test were significantly increased both groups(p<.001) and between groups(p<.01). 6M walking test were significantly increased both groups(p<.001), but not significant between groups(p>.05). Conclusion : Ahead of return to the community to patients with stroke, cognitive task with in the course of treadmill training at the same time was effective in improving the dynamic balance ability.

Purpose : This study was to compare the difference Trunk Control Test(TCT), Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke(PASS-TC), and Trunk Impairment Scale(TIS) and its subscales in relation to the difference MBI(Modified Barthel Index), BBS(Berg Balance Scale), and to establish the association between MBI, BBS, Fugl Meyer-motor function(FM-M), and to predict MBI-subscales from the variables. Methods : 58 stroke patients, attending a rehabilitation programme, participated in the study. Trunk control was measured with the use of the TCT, PASS-TC, TIS, and the performance of Activities daily living was obtained by MBI, and dynamic balance ability(by BBS). Trunk control scores from the difference MBI, BBS were compared using the 1-way ANOVA(Mann Whitney U test) and the data were analyzed using Pearson product correlation. Multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for ADL subscale. Results : Trunk control scores showed significant differences between MBI(F=2.139~13.737, p<.05~.001), BBS(t=3.491~7.705, p<.01~.001). It was significantly related with value of the MBI(r=.25~.50), BBS(r=.38~.68), FMM(r=.31~.48). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed an additional, significant contribution of the TCT, in addition to the PASS-TC, dynamic sitting balance subscale of the TIS for measures of MBI subscales. Conclusion : Measures of trunk control were significantly related with values of MBI, BBS score, so the management of trunk rehabilitation after stroke should be emphasized. The use of both quantitative and qualitative scales was shown to be a good measuring instrument for the classification of the general performance of the stroke patients. Further study about trunk control is needed using a longitudinal study design.

Purpose：The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of closed-chain exercise on weight supporting rate change within hemiplegic side and static · dynamic balance ability in stroke patients. Methods：The subjects of the study were 13 hemiplegic patients who carried out closed- kinematic chain exercise program over 6 weeks. The exercises of the program are stand to sit with stall bar, stair-up & down by a hemiplegic leg and bridging exercise crossing the non-hemiplegic leg onto the hemiplegic leg. Each exercise was carried out over 3 sets of 10reps. Results：The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. After intervention, there was a statistically significant change in the weight supporting rate within hemiplegic and non-hemiplegic side(P<0.05). 2. After intervention, there was a statistically significant change in the static balance (FICSIT-4) ability(P<0.05). 3. After intervention, there was a statistically significant change in the dynamic balance (FSST, TUG, FRT) ability(P<0.05). Conclusion：The results of the study suggests that closed-chain exercise program in stroke patients improves their weight supporting rate and enhance the static · dynamic balance.

Purpose: This study was to identify the effects of the application of ankle pumping exercise versus elastic compression stockings for the women lower leg edema and pain due to continuous standing work. Methods: The participants were 20 women with leg edema and pain, divided into two group, 10 ankle exercise group and elastic compression stockings group. Low leg circumference were measured before and after work. Ankle pumping exercise group, elastic compression stockings were divided into groups, individual working one week during the arbitration to arbitration and work around the legs before and after retesting were compared before and after arbitration. Arbitration to stop and keep the information a week after the re-measurement of intervention before and after the arbitration and the degree of intervention were maintained. Statistical methods before and after working around the average value of each the legs was repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The participants had edema and leg problems because of their work. The ankle pumping exercise gorup and elastic compression stockings group showed statistically decrease in leg circumference value. there was no statistically value about the lasting effect of intervention after 1 week. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the application of elastic compression stockings and ankle pumping exercises during the hours of work is effective the relief of edema of lower extremity