Earticle

The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the effect of motor training on pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We searched and analyzed eight related studies published from January 1996 to December 2022 on domestic academic search sites. The result showed that exercise including balance training had a beneficial effect on pulmonary function, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with COPD. In addition, certain exercises such as home-based rehabilitation programs and unicycle riding have been found to be effective in improving cardiopulmonary function. Our study also highlights that the need for further study on the long-term effects of state-of-the-art exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation programs on the cost and effectiveness. In conclusion, exercise plays an important role in improving pulmonary function in patients with COPD, and continuos research should focus on optimizing exercise and conducting qualitative studies to better understand personal experiences of patients.

This study aimed to identify the effects of sensory integration program on motor and sensory function in cerebral palsy. Two child with cerebral palsy presenting delayed sensory integrationvolunteered to participate in this study. Outcome measures included GMFM, Pediatic balance scale, Short Sensory Profile and Wee-FIM test. They experienced a sensory integration program with attempting to improve sensory-motor function. Measurement values were remarkably improved after the intervention, except for Wee-FIM score. These findings suggest that the sensory integration program might be helpful to enhance sensory- motor function of children with cerebral palsy. Further researches are necessary to find beneficial intervention in this field.

Smartphone dependence has increasingly become an important research topic due to its impact on academic achievement, school life satisfaction, and health among university students. This study aimed to analyze the effects of smartphone usage and dependence on academic achievement, school life satisfaction, musculoskeletal health, and overall health status among physical therapy students. A total of 189 questionnaires were distributed, and 151 were collected (response rate: 79.9%). Data were analyzed to assess average smartphone usage time, academic achievement, school life satisfaction, musculoskeletal symptoms, and overall health status using correlation analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A strong positive correlation was found between smartphone dependence and musculoskeletal symptoms (r=.81, p=.000). Although no significant differences in academic achievement were observed among smartphone dependence groups (F=2.235, p=.111), school life satisfaction showed significant differences (F=4.734, p=.010), with high-risk users reporting significantly lower satisfaction (p=.010, p=.048). Furthermore, musculoskeletal symptom scores and overall health status also significantly differed among dependence groups (F=26.150, p=.000; F=5.034, p=.000). High-risk users exhibited significantly more severe musculoskeletal symptoms (p=.000, p=.000) and poorer overall health status compared to general users (p=.017). This study confirmed that smartphone dependence is closely related to academic achievement, school life satisfaction, musculoskeletal health, and overall health status. In particular, high-risk users showed lower school life satisfaction and poorer health conditions. This study provides foundational data for developing intervention strategies to promote health and manage smartphone dependence among university students.

Robot assisted gait-training (RAGT) has been shown to improve the postural balance and gait function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of squat and wearable robot Angel-legs assisted gait training on the balance and gait in the boy with spastic diplegic CP and provide evidence for the clinical application of training using wearable rehabilitation robots. The conventional physical therapy is performed for 30 minutes per session, twice a day for 3 weeks. Squat and gait training with wearable robot was conducted for 30 minutes per session, once a day for 3 weeks (a total of 15 sessions). Outcome measures were evaluated before and after the intervention. Trunk control measurement scales and pediatric balance scale were used to measure balance, gross motor function measure was used to evaluate gross motor function, 10m walking test was used to evaluate walking ability, and electromyography (EMG) was used as a tool to measure muscle activity. Improvements in all of the measurements have been reported after intervention, induced squat & gait training using wearable robot. In particular, maximum of the difference of the same muscle group(quadriceps and hamstring) activity was decreased in EMG measurements. It is associated with using both side muscle equally, then subject improved walking efficiency. In conclusion, these findings suggest that RAGT including squat training may be meaningful for improving of balance ability and gait performance especially walking speed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lee Silverman Voice Treatment Big (LSVT-BIG) exercise on balance, gait, and depression in patients with Parkinson's disease. Twenty individuals with Parkinson's disease were recruited, and divided into either the experimental group (EG) of control group (CG), 10 each. LSVT BIG exercise group (EG) and general exercise (CG) were applied 4 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks, respectively. To measure balance function, the Burg balance scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) were performed, and the timed up and go test (TUG), 10 meter walk test (10MWT) were performed to measure gait function. In addition, the state-anxiety test (status test: STAI-S, anxiety test: STAI-T) and Beck depression inventory (BDI) were used to evaluate depression. All tests were measured before and after the intervention. Within-group comparison in the EG showed significant improvement in all variables (p<.05). In the CG, BBS, FRT, TUG, and STAI-T tests were not significantly improved (p>0.05) and 10MWT, STAI-S, and BDI were significantly improved (p<.05). In the between- group comparison, the EG showed significantly greater improvement than the CG in all variables (p<.05). The LSVT BIG exercise may be more beneficial than general exercise to improve balance, gait, and depression in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Post-intensive care syndrome refers to impairment of the physical, cognitive, and mental health of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). This condition can negatively affect patients’ quality of life; therefore, early rehabilitation is important to manage these complications, and improved functional ability, muscle strength, and quality of life are benefits of prompt intervention in patients admitted to an ICU. In this literature review, we investigated the effectiveness of early rehabilitation introduced for patients in the ICU. We searched the PubMed database between 2018 and 2022 using the following search terms: “ICU rehabilitation” and “early mobilization ICU.” We retrieved 75 articles; 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. The effects of early rehabilitation for critically ill patients were classified into functional mobility, strength, quality of life, and others. We observed significant and non-significant differences between the aforementioned studies. Despite the conflicting results observed across the aforementioned studies, we recommend introduction of early- stage systematic and structured rehabilitation for critically ill patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise on pain, strength, range of motion (ROM) and stability in patient with rotator cuff tear. The study included a patient with rotator cuff tear who volunteered to participate. The patient received PNF during 3 week at the 6 time per a week, each 30 minutes. The PNF exercise was performed based on the FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type) principle. The degree of pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), strength was measured using the manual muscle test, range of motion was measured using the goniometer and stability was measured using the lateral scapular slide test. After the intervention, the VAS decreased, strength, ROM and stability improved. PNF exercise may be effective in relieving pain, improving strength, ROM and stability in patient with rotator cuff tear.

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia for the disease in the Korean older adults, and to provide basic data for preventing the occurrence of sarcopenia through its management. Based on the data from 2008-2011 of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey, 3,485 subjects aged 65 or older who participated in tests for the diagnosis of sarcopenia and health surveys were selected as subjects. Risk factors for the occurrence of sarcopenia were analyzed using complex sample multi-logistic regression analysis. As a results, the incidence of sarcopenia in Korea was 39.3%, and 41.4% for men and 37.8% for women. The higher the age, the higher the blood glucose level, the higher the risk of developing sarcopenia in the case of underweight based on waist circumference and body mass index. Therefore, in order to reduce the incidence of sarcopenia, interventions and lifestyle improvements are required for subjects with these risk factors to prevent the onset of the disease.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of plantar fascia dynamic stretching on static and dynamic balance, and gait ability. Thirty chronic stroke patients (n=30) were selected and interventions were 3 rounds of plantar fascia dynamic stretching per day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks. Each set comprised 10 repetitions. Open and closed eyes static balance ability, functional reach test (FRT), and 10 meter walking test (10WMT) were measured after 6 weeks of training. After 6 weeks of training, the plantar fascia stretching group showed significant improvements in all outcome measures compared with baseline (p<.05). Furthermore, closed eyes static balance ability, and dynamic balance ability, and gait ability showed greater improvement in the plantar fascia stretching group compared to the calf stretching group (p<.05). These results suggest that plantar fascia dynamic stretching reduces and improves static and dynamic balance, and gait disorders in patients with chronic stroke.

Scoliosis is a pathology in which three-dimensional spinal deformation occurs, and patients with scoliosis exhibit a reduced ability to balance. Therapeutic exercise is consistently used to improve these balance problems in patients with scoliosis. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the effects of therapeutic exercise on balance parameteres in patients with scoliosis. SCHOLAR, KOREASCHOLAR, RISS, KISS, KCI, DPpia, and eArticle were searched using the terms scoliosis, exercise, and balance. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest that there were still controversial results about the effects of several exercises. Nevertheless, it will be effective to apply therapeutic exercises according to the purpose required for patients’ characteristics in applying the results of the current study. Further studies are needed to provide stronger evidence.