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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical ac-tivity and nutrition education programs on mild dementia patients with changes in exercise function and eating habits. We examined the ef-fects of pre and post program on 23 old patients with dementia who were diagnosed with menarche or mild dementia with the permission of the dementia center in Incheon city and visited from April to July 2017. The Mini-Mental State Examination score of the subjects in this study was 19.68±3.25, consisting of mild dementia patients. After per-forming the program for 16 weeks, the senior fitness test showed a sig-nificant change in the arm curl test, chair sit-and-reach test, and 2-min step test, and a total score of mini nutrition assessment increased from 19.16 to 21.0. In particular, in a level 2 evaluation, which contains more details such as the condition of taking drugs, number of daily meals, protein food intake condition, intake of vegetables, fruit, and water, whether one can eat alone, and evaluation of nutritive condition, a sig-nificant increase from 9.78 to 11.28 was verified. There is a significant increase in nutrition condition recovery as a result of nutrition educa-tion. In comparing pre and post program, a significant result was con-firmed, and there was significance to provide the basic empirical data for the exercise and dietary life nutritional education of mild dementia patients.

Objective To determine the effects of the Paraplegia Fitness Integrated Training (PARAFiT) program, which is an integrated graded physical exercise and health education program for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods This nonrandomized single-blind study included 44 participants, who were assigned to either an intervention (PARAFiT) group or an active control (conventional physiotherapy) group. The intervention group underwent the PARAFiT program (8 weeks), which consisted of circuit-based interval training, progressive upper limb resistance training, and health education sessions. During the unsupervised period, the intervention group continuously underwent health education program once a month for 2 months (8 weeks). Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for the analysis.Results The intervention group presented with a higher level of physical activity than did the control group; however, the difference was not significant (p=0.36). Additionally, the intervention group presented with better exercise self-efficacy and cardiorespiratory fitness and stronger bilateral shoulder muscle and handgrip than did the control group (all p<0.05). Exercise adherence was higher in the intervention group than in the control group during both the supervised (80% vs. 75%) and unsupervised (40% vs. 20%) periods.Conclusion The PARAFiT program enhanced the level of physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, physical fitness, and exercise adherence among the patients with SCI. Future studies should incorporate guidelines for home-based exercises and regular monitoring to promote long-term adherence to exercise and physical activity among individuals with SCI.

Objective To confirm the improvement in arterial endothelial function by aerobic exercise training, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was tested by ultrasonography.Methods Patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention due to acute coronary syndrome were included. The patients who participated in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program were categorized as the CR group, and others who did not participate as the control. Both groups underwent initial graded exercise test (GXT) and FMD testing. Subsequently, the CR group performed aerobic exercise training sessions. Patients in control only received advice regarding the exercise methods. After six weeks, both groups received follow-up GXT and FMD testing.Results There were 16 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in the general characteristics between the groups. The VO2peak was 28.6±4.7 mL/kg/min in the CR group and 31.5±7.4 mL/kg/min in the control at first GXT, and was 31.1±5.1 ml/kg/min in the CR group and 31.4±6.0 ml/kg/min in the control at the follow-up GXT in six weeks. There was a statistically significant improvement in VO2peak only for CR group patients. FMD value was 7.59%±1.26% in the CR group, 7.36%±1.48% in the control at first and 9.46%±1.82% in the CR group, and 8.31%±2.04% in the control after six weeks. There was a statistically significant improvement in FMD value in the CR group.Conclusion According to the results of GXT and FMD testing, six-week exercise-based CR program improved VO2peak and endothelial functions significantly. Thus, exercise-based CR program is necessary in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: Although the effects of head lift exercise (HLE) in the reclining position have been reported, there is insufficient clinical evidence of the effects. This study compared the effects of HLE in the 0° supine position and 45° reclining position on the swallowing function and the compliance of patients with dysphagia after stroke after both exercises. Methods: This was a randomized, assessor-blinded clinical trial. Thirty-five patients with stroke and dysphagia were assigned randomly to HLE in the 0° supine group (n=18) or HLE in the 45° reclining group (n=17). Patients in both groups performed HLE five days a week for four weeks and received the same conventional dysphagia therapy. The videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) was used to evaluate the swallowing function. The dropout rate and subjective feedback related to compliance with the two exercises were monitored. Results: No significant differences in the baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. Patients in both groups showed significant improvement in the oral and pharyngeal phases of VDS (P＜0.05). After the intervention, no significant differences were observed between the groups (P＞0.05). Dropout rates of 22% and 6% owing to neck discomfort or fatigue were observed in the HLE in 0° supine group and the HLE in 45° reclining group, respectively. Conclusion: HLE in the 45° reclining position has a similar effect on the swallowing function in patients with dysphagia after stroke to that of HLE in the 0° supine position and is associated with better exercise compliance.

Objective To observe the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise in ischemic cardiomyopathy and to compare the results between patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced LVEF. Methods Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with LVEF <50% were included as subjects. The patients were classified into the preserved LVEF (pLVEF; LVEF 41%?49%) group and the reduced LVEF (rLVEF; LVEF ≤40%) group. Patients underwent hourly aerobic exercise training sessions with an intensity of 60%?85% of heart rate reserve, three times a week for 6 weeks. Graded exercise test and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed in all study patients before and after completion of the CR exercise program. Results After completion of the CR exercise program, both groups (pLVEF, n=30; rLVEF, n=18) showed significant increases in LVEF and VO2max. In the pLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 45.1%±4.8% to 52.5%±9.6% (p<0.001) and from 24.1±6.3 to 28.1±8.8 mL/kg/min (p=0.002), respectively. In the rLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 29.7%±7.7% to 37.6%±10.3% (p<0.001) and from 17.6±4.7 to 21.2±5.1 mL/kg/min (p<0.001), respectively. Both groups completed their exercise program safely. Conclusion In both groups, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who completed a 6-week supervised CR exercise program demonstrated remarkable improvements in cardiopulmonary function. This result implies that neither of the two groups showed higher efficacy in comparison to each other, but we can conclude that CR exercise in the rLVEF group was as effective and safe as that in the pLVEF group.

Objective To investigate the eff ect of combined therapy of exercise and nootropic agent on cognitive function in a focal cerebral infarction rat model. Method Forty 10-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to photothrombotic cerebral infarction of the left parietal lobe. All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A was photothrombotic cerebral infarction rats without any treatment (n=10); group B was photothrombotic cerebral infarction rats with swimming exercise (n=10); group C was photothrombotic cerebral infarction rats with oral administration of acetyl-L-carnitine (n=10);group D was photothrombotic cerebral infarction rats with swimming exercise and oral administration of acetyl-L-carnitine (n=10). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Morris water maze test on the 1st day, and the 1st,2nd, and 4th week after the induction of cerebral infarction. Th e activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hippocampus were measured. The neuronal cells of the hippocampus were histopathologically evaluated. Results Th e escape latency was shorter in groups B, C, and D than in group A. However, the diff erences were not statistically signifi cant at the 1st, 2nd and 4th week. Th e activity of SOD was the highest in group D. Th e level of MDA was the lowest in group D. We observed more normal neuronal cells in groups B, C, and D. Conclusion Th e combined therapy of exercise and nootropic agent was helpful in ameliorating oxidative stress in the focal cerebral infarction rat model. However, the effect did not translate into improvement of cognitive function.

Background: Thoracic kyphosis leads to the narrowing of the rib cage, compression of the lungs, and reduced mobility, resulting in decreased expansion of the lungs. Purpose: This study investigates the effects of the muscle energy technique and the self-stretching exercise of the pectoralis minor muscle on the pulmonary function of young subjects with kyphosis. Study design: Design Pre-test post-test control group design. Methods: Thoracic kyphosis was determined by adding the angle of the seventh cervical vertebra and the first thoracic vertebra and the angle of the twelfth thoracic vertebra and the first lumbar vertebra. Excessive kyphosis was defined as a curvature measuring more than 40°. For the respiratory function, forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate were measured using a Pony FX. Then, six sets of the muscle energy technique and the self-stretching exercise were performed, with three sets each for the left and right sides of the body. Each set consisted of 10 repetitions of a 10 s exercise, and 30 s breaks were given between sets. Results: Results showed that the self-stretching exercise reduced the thoracic kyphosis and significantly increased the FVC and FEV1. The muscle energy technique reduced the kyphosis and significantly increased the FVC. Conclusions: The two intervention methods, the muscle energy technique and the self-stretching exercise, can be applied as effective treatment programs to improve the pulmonary function of subjects with thoracic kyphosis.

본 연구는 발목강화운동과 무지테이핑 걷기훈련 운동을 통하여 얻어지는 효과를 알아보기 위하여 4주간 발목강화운 동과 무지테이핑 걷기운동이 하체기초체력과 보행에 미치는 영향을 검증하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 A대학에 재학중인 20대 여성 30명을 무선 선정하여 발목강화운동군, 무지테이핑 걷기운동군, 통제군 각 10명으로 선정하였다. 본 실험으로는 주 3회 60분간 4주간 수건 및 마사지볼, CRT를 이용한 마사지와 발목강화운동을 실시하였으며, 또한, 화이트 테이프 처치 후 20분 간 걷기 및 키네지오 테이프를 이용한 무지외반 테이핑을 실시하였다. 위의 내용을 종합해본다면 4주간의 발목강화운동과 무 지테이핑 걷기운동은 20대 여성의 하체기초체력(근력, 순발력, 평형성)과 보행(활보장, 족저압, COP)에는 통계적으로 일부 유의미한 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서, 본 연구에서 실시한 발목강화운동과 무지테이핑 걷기운동이 하체 운동기능에 대한 효 과를 확인하였으며, 후속연구에서는 통증위치별, 정형외과적 소견별로 나누어 보다 다양한 효과를 알아보는 연구가 필요할 것이라고 사료된다.

This study aimed to verify the effects of a 4-week program of ankle-strengthening exercise and toe-taping walk exercise on the basic lower body strength and walking to examine the benefits of the two exercises. The subjects involved 30 women in their 20s enrolled in university A. The subjects were equally divided into three groups – ankle-strengthening exercise group, toe-taping walk exercise group, and control group. The subjects were instructed to massage and do ankle-strengthening exercises using a towel, massage ball, and CRT, for 60 minutes, 3 times a week. They also taped their hallux valgus using a kinesiology tape and walked for 20 minutes with white tape applied. To sum up, the 4-week ankle-strengthening exercise and toe-taping walk exercise were identified to have a partial statistical significance on the basic lower body strength (muscular strength, power, and balance) and walking (length of gait line, plantar pressure, and COP) of women in their 20s. Therefore, the study confirmed the effects of ankle-strengthening exercises and toe-taping walk exercise on the lower body exercise function, and it is considered that further studies should be conducted on more various effects of the exercises by subdividing them into different pain locations and orthomechanic findings.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of taping-assisted rhythmic stabilization exercises on shoulder muscle activity and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: Twenty patients diagnosed with shoulder impingement syndrome were randomly assigned to experimental (n=10) or control (n=10) groups. The experimental group underwent rhythmic stabilization exercises combined with taping, while the control group underwent general physical therapy for 30 min per session, three times a week, for six weeks. Muscle activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) were measured using surface electromyography, and shoulder function was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) before and after the intervention. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in SA muscle activity and shoulder function compared with the control group (p<.05). Within-group analysis revealed significant improvements in SA activity and OSS only in the experimental group (p<.01), whereas no significant changes were observed in UT or LT muscle activity in either group. Conclusion: Taping-assisted rhythmic stabilization exercise was found to be an effective intervention for enhancing selective muscle activation and shoulder function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. This combined approach may serve as a valuable clinical rehabilitation strategy to improve shoulder stability and functional recovery.

A novel intranasal thermal steam spray (ITSS) device is known to alleviate nasal stuffiness and partially improve sleep disorders. However, its effects on sleep quality, brain function, and exercise capacity, have not been investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of a 4-week ITSS intervention on revariables in adults with irregular sleep patterns. A total of 20 participants aged 20-26 years had average ages, heights, weights, nasal congestion duration, and irregular sleep duration of 21.75 ± 1.74 years, 167.25 ± 8.68 cm, 70.21 ± 14.11 kg, 3.19 ± 0.71 years, and 3.16 ± 0.99 years, respectively. The participants were students residing in two different dormitories within the same university, with one dormitory designated for the control (CON) group and the other for the ITSS treatment group, randomly assigned. The CON group consisted of 10 participants (male: 5, female: 5), while the ITSS group also included 10 participants (male: 6, female: 4). ITSS utilizes Jet Stream technology to facilitate breathing by delivering 43°C thermal steam to the nasal cavity through an internal heating mechanism. The ITSS group used the device for 15 min, 3 times per week, 30 min before bedtime for 4 weeks. Following the intervention, sleep issues remained unchanged in the CON group but improved in the ITSS group, leading to a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.01). The sum scores of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index increased by 6.1% in the CON group, whereas it decreased by 37.3% in the ITSS group, with this difference being significant (p < 0.001). Sleep disturbances assessed via the VAS increased in the CON group but declined in the ITSS group, yielding statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). In the EEG analysis, Delta, α, and γ wave activity declined in the CON group but increased in the ITSS group, with these differences being significant (p < 0.05). Conversely, β wave activity increased by 35.7% in the CON group but decreased by 26.0% in the ITSS group, yielding a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.01). In terms of sensorimotor rhythm, the CON group exhibited a 21.6% increase, whereas the ITSS group experienced a 15.8% decrease, with the difference reaching statistical significance (p < 0.05). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) and maximal heart rate (HRmax) derived from cardiopulmonary exercise tests before and after the 4-week experiment decreased in the CON group, but increased in the ITSS group, showing a significant difference between the groups (p < 0.01). Conversely, maximal breathing reserve and the oxygen pulse (VO₂/HRmax) increased in the CON group but decreased in the ITSS group, with these differences being significant (p < 0.05), suggesting improved cardiovascular efficiency. Ultimately, ITSS not only induces a sensation of nasal expansion but also enhances perceived sleep quality by facilitating favorable neurocardiopulmonary adaptations.

Brain inflammation is involved in many brain disorders, such as brain ischemic injury, Alzheimer diseases, and Parkinson disease. Physical exercise has been recommended for the prevention and treatment of many brain inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the effects of exercise on motor function in relation with apoptotic neuronal cell death following neuroinflammation were investigated. Moreover, we compared the effect of forced exercise with voluntary exercise on neu-roinflammation-induced motor malfunction. For this study, rota-rod test, vertical pole test, foot fault test, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, immunohistochemis-try for caspase-3, and western blot for Bcl-2 and Bax were performed. Lipopolysaccharide was intraventricular infused for induction of brain inflammation. Treadmill exercise and wheel exercise were conducted during 6 weeks. In the present results, Treadmill exercise and wheel ex-ercise alleviated brain inflammation-induced motor impairments by suppressing apoptotic neuronal cell death in the motor cortex. These effects of treadmill exercise and wheel exercise were similarly ap-peared.

Dysphagia is associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia which often results in death in stroke patients. Therefore, effective and efficient management is important. Behavioral therapy for swallowing rehabilitation based on the principles of neuroplasticity such as oropha-ryngeal strengthening and range of motion exercises are the alternative ones that often be used. This study aimed to assess the changes in swal-lowing function in ischemic stroke patients with neurogenic dysphagia after pharyngeal strengthening exercise, hyolaryngeal complex range of motion exercise and swallowing practice. Swallowing function was assessed using Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) based on Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow-ing before and after interventions. The interventions were given every day with a duration of 30–45 minutes for 4 weeks. There were six sub-jects who completed the study. The PAS before the interventions were 6.00±1.79 and after the interventions was 1.67±0.82 (P=0.003). Mean-while, the FOIS score before the interventions was 3 (1–5) and after the interventions were 5.00±2.10 (P=0.041). There was an improvement of PAS and FOIS after the interventions. Therefore, the interventions can be suggested to be used as one of the treatments to improve swallow-ing function in ischemic stroke patients with neurogenic dysphagia.

Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent seizures and loss of neurons with abnormal rhythmic firing in the brains. In the present study, we investi-gated the effect of treadmill exercise on memory function in relation with cell proliferation and apoptosis in the hippocampus using pilocar-pine-induced seizure rats. Epilepsy was initiated by intraperitoneal in-jection of pilocarpine hydrochloride. The rats in the exercise group were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 30 min once a day for 2 weeks. In the present results, treadmill exercise alleviated short-term and spatial learning memory impairments in the epileptic rats. Treadmill exercise suppressed neuronal degeneration and enhanced neuronal maturation in the epileptic rats. Treadmill exercise suppressed cell pro-liferation and apoptosis in the epileptic rats. Treadmill exercise alleviat-ed pilocarpine-induced memory impairments and suppressed neuronal loss in the hippocampus through down-regulation of apoptosis. These findings offer a possibility that treadmill exercise may provide a preven-tive or therapeutic value to the epilepsy-induced learning and memory impairments.

We wanted to find the intensity of exercise that could increase brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and improve spatial learning and memory without dietary control. C57BL/6 mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce obesity. Obesity-induced mice were exercised on a treadmill for 8 weeks at various exercise intensities: HFD-control (n= 7), HFD-low-intensity exercise (HFD-LIE, n= 7, 12 m/min for 75 min), HFD-middle intensity exercise (HFD-MIE, n= 7, 15 m/min for 60 min) and HFD-high-intensity exercise (HFD-HIE, n= 7, 18 m/min for 50 min). One week before sacrificing mice, the Morris water maze test was performed, and the hippocampus was immediately removed after sacrifice. The expression levels of BDNF (encoded by the gene Bdnf) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampus were analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and western blot. In the last probe test of the Morris water maze test, occupancy in the target quadrant was significantly higher in the HFD-HIE group (P< 0.05) than in the other groups. In addition, mRNA expression from the Bdnf promoter region was found to be significantly higher in the HFD-HIE group than in the other groups (P< 0.001). Although there were some differences in the levels of significance, the expression levels of both BDNF and TrkB were significantly higher in the HFD-HIE group than in the other groups. Therefore, relatively high-intensity aerobic exercise can resist the adverse effects of a high-fat diet on the brain without dietary control.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with the impairment of sexual function including desire and orgasmic dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in the diabetes mellitus is due to a selective defect of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) within paraventricular nucleus (PVN). c-Fos is an immediate ear-ly gene and c-Fos expression represents neuronal activity in response to various stimuli. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on sexual behaviors and the expressions of NOS and c-Fos in the PVN were evaluated using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. The rats in the treadmill exercise groups were made to run on a treadmill for 30 min once a day during 4 weeks. Male sexual behaviors were evaluated by recording the number of mounting, intromission, and ejaculation frequency. The present results revealed that treadmill exer-cise ameliorated sexual dysfunction in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Treadmill exercise restored the contents of NOS and c-Fos in the PVN. The improving effect of treadmill exercise on sexual function can be considered as the neuronal activating effect of exercise through in-creasing expressions of NO and c-Fos.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts both axonal pathways and segmental spinal cord circuity, resulting in permanent neurological deficits. Physi-cal exercise is known to increase the expression of neurotrophins for improving the injured spinal cord. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on locomotor function in relation with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression after SCI. The rats were divided into five groups: control group, sham operation group, sham operation and exercise group, SCI group, and SCI and exercise group. The laminectomy was performed at the T9–T10 level. The ex-posed dorsal surface of the spinal cord received contusion injury (10 g × 25 mm) using the impactor. Treadmill exercise was performed 6 days per a week for 6 weeks. In order to evaluate the locomotor function of animals, Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scale was con-ducted once a week for 6 weeks. We examined BDNF expression and axonal sprouting in the injury site of the spinal cord using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. SCI induced loss of loco-motor function with decreased BDNF expression in the injury site. Treadmill exercise increased the score of BBB locomotor scale and re-duced cavity formation in the injury site. BDNF expression and axonal sprouting within the trabecula were further facilitated by treadmill exer-cise in SCI-exposed rats. The present study provides the evidence that treadmill exercise may facilitate recovery of locomotor function through axonal regeneration via BDNF expression following SCI.

Physical exercise is one of the most effective methods for managing obesity, and exercise exerts positive effects on various brain functions. Excessive weight gain is known to be related to the impairment of cog-nitive function. High-fat diet-induced obesity impairs hippocampal neu-roplasticity, which impedes cognitive function, such as learning ability and memory function. In this study, we investigated the effect of tread-mill exercise on impairment of cognitive function in relation with hippo-campal neuroplasticity using high-fat diet-induced obese mice. After obesity was induced by a 20-week high-fat (60%) diet, treadmill exer-cise was performed for 12 weeks. In the present results, cognitive func-tion was impaired in the high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Brain-de-rived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosin kinase B (TrkB) expression and cell proliferation were decreased in the high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Treadmill exercise improved cognitive function through enhanc-ing neuroplasticity, including increased expression of BDNF and TrkB and enhanced cell proliferation. The present results suggest that tread-mill exercise enhances hippocampal neuroplasticity, and then potential-ly plays a protective role against obesity-induced cognitive impairment.