Earticle

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Inter-Professional Education (IPE) Program for the Public Healthcare College students who have studied 5 majors (Physical therapy, Clinical pathology, Radiology, Paramedic, Medical engineering). From March 8th to June 14th 2022, subjects completed a survey which is the modified version of Inter-Professional Attitudes Scale-Korea (IPAS-K) asking the level of 3 items (Patient-centeredness, Diversity and ethics, Teamwork roles and responsibilities). This study used one-group pretest-posttest design and the IPE program was implemented for 51 students of 5 majors. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences in all the three items between before and after implementing a IPE program (p<.05). Patient-centeredness and Teamwork roles and responsibilities, Patient-centeredness and Diversity and ethics which are sub-factors of IPAS-K showed significant correlation in post IPE. While the correlation between Diversity and ethics and Teamwork roles and responsibilities showed low correlation coefficient. This study might be useful for further studies that proves the necessity and importance of the IPE program since college courses for Public healthcare students.

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.

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.

Recently, as the number of industrial accidents related to the musculoskeletal system continues to increase, various efforts are being made to prevent workers musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of tailored exercise programs on pain, functional disability, quality of life, and depression in industrial settings. This study conducted a tailored exercise program for 30 minutes once a week for 8 weeks targeting 60 workers with musculoskeletal disorders. This exercise program was based on the principle of movement impairment syndrome and medical training treatment, and proceeded with movement correction, muscle stretching, muscle strengthening exercise, and posture correction exercise. The visual analogue scale was used to measure pain, and the neck disability index, Oswestry disability index, and quick-disability of the arm, shoulder and hand were used to evaluate functional disability, and the world Health organization quality of life scale-Korean version was used to evaluate quality of life. For depression evaluation, the beck depression inventory was used to evaluate before and after the start of the exercise program. After an 8-week tailored exercise program, the pain, quality of life, and depression levels of all workers were significantly improved. Workers complaining of neck pain improved pain and functional disability, workers complaining of upper extremity pain improved pain, functional disability, quality of life, and depression, and workers complaining of back pain improved pain, quality of life, and depression. These results have clinical significance in that tailored exercise program in industrial settings is effective in improving social and psychological aspects such as quality of life and depression as well as prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders of workers.