Earticle

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of foot angles on plantar pressure and the center of pressure (COP) trajectory length during level walking. Methods: The study subjects were 30 female university students without orthopedic diseases in the foot. The foot angle was divided into three forms (out-toeing, normal, in-toeing). The subjects practiced each type of gait, and then performed each of level walking, three times, and their averages were calculated. A plantar pressure measurement instrument was used, and the maximum force was obtained by dividing the foot into nine regions covering the anterior medial-lateral, middle medial-lateral, and posterior medial-lateral. The COP trajectory length was statistically processed by obtaining medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and entire travel distance. Results: During normal walking, the maximum force was significantly higher in the anterior lateral than in the other areas, and the COP trajectory length was significantly shorter in the front-back and entire travel distances (p<0.05). During stair climbing. Conclusion: Walking at abnormal foot angles does not cause appreciable problems in the short term as pressure is concentrated on a specific plantar part. However, it becomes the cause of deformed foot structures and can result in musculoskeletal disabilities in the long term. Therefore, a kinesiatrics-based intervention is required to maintain normal foot angles.

Purpose : To verify the interrater reliability of upper extremity function assessment among three tools(Wolf motor function test, Motor assessment scale, Fugl-meyer assessment scale). Methods : The subjects of this study 40 (20 was physical therapists and 20 was physical therapy students). For the test one patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke participated in the study. The Wolf Motor Function Test consists of 16 functional tasks. The motor assessment scale consists of 3 functional tasks. The fugl-meyer assessment scale consists of 8 functional tasks. All test sessions were videotaped and scored by 40 subjects. Analysis : The data was analysis by SPSS PC 14.0 with Cronbach alpha Coefficients, intraclass Correlation Coefficients Kendall tau-b value. Results : WMFT was highly scored in Cronbach`s value, Cronbach`s α=0.819 that means high interrater reliability among assessment. WMFT was highly scored all items in p-value except one item, that means high p-value between therapists and students. WMFT was highly scored in Intrarater correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.79, that means high interrater reliability of each examination item. WMFT was low index of coincidence from all items, MAS was low index of coincidence from a tim and FMA was low index of coincidence from 4 items. Conclusion : The interrater reliability of WMFT were compared with MAS, FMA and highly verified. WMFT can be more useful tool among upper extremity function assessment.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was compared for rounded scapular between strechting on pectoralis minoor and strengthening on scapular stabilizer muscles. Methods : The main laboratory had an experiment of the exercise for rounded shoulder posture with 30 patients on a pectoralis minor stretching and scapula to stabilize the elastic band to divide into two groups in this study which were conducted. Results : Acromial height measured from changes of the rounded shoulder posture changes before and after workouts; stretching before exercise in the exercise group is from 94.19±3.47 to after result of 94.84±3.19, and the after exercise of an elastic band pre-exercise in the exercise group is from 93.60±3.42 to 88.68±3.49, dividing into two groups, which increased significantly. Compared to an acromial height variation results before and after workouts; stretching exercise group made 3.07±1.43, 4.91±2.24 and elastic band exercise group, 4.91±2.24, which shows the difference between the two groups and was not statistically significant. Conclusion : Against a pectoralis minor that cause the findings of this study, RSP proximately shows serratus anterior and the strengthening of trapezius by exercises of the shoulder peaks which decrease in height arbitration scheme of a pectoralis minor stretching effect as shown. Therefore, it is expected RSP patients in clinical intervention methods combined with stretching exercises strengthens muscles against an elastic band exercise effective.

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: 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 : 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 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: 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 : 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.