Earticle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a functional massage on hamstrings of paretic side on the flexibility and foot pressure balance in stroke patients. Twenty chronic stroke patients were enrolled in the study. The subjects received a hamstrings functional massage for 15 minutes. The hamstring flexibility was measured by performing a passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test. The foot pressure balance was measured the weight distribution ratio on the paretic and non-paretic sides, and front and rear sides using BioRescue. All measurements were performed before and immediately after the functional massage. Changes before and after intervention were analyzed with a paired t-test. And Pearson correlation coefficient was performed to analyze the correlation between hamstring flexibility and foot pressure. As a result, PSLR test significantly increased after the intervention (58.87° to 61.77°, p=.001), and foot pressure balance of paretic and non-paretic sides significantly improved after the intervention (paretic side: 41.07% to 44.66% and non-paretic side: 58.94% to 55.34%, p=.002). In the correlation analysis, there was a moderate correlation between PSLR test and foot pressure balance. These results indicate that a hamstring functional massage on paretic side increases flexibility, which has a positive effect on balance ability in stroke patients.

Purpose: Flexibility has been considered one of the most important goals in rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with the static stretching technique on the flexibility of hamstrings. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (15 men, 9 women) with limited hamstrings flexibility received three different intervention sessions in random order. The treatment sessions included static stretching (SS), static stretching with motor-level TENS (SS with motor TENS) and sensory-level TENS (SS with sensory TENS). All sessions of SS were performed in the straight-leg raise position for 30 seconds followed by rest for 15 seconds, in repetitions for 10 minutes using a belt. The TENS groups underwent TENS stimulation ($40{\mu}s$, 100 Hz) during the stretching for 10 minutes. Outcome measures were evaluated according to active knee extension (AKE) and recorded before the session and at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 15 minutes after the session. Results: There was significant improvement in hamstrings flexibility within all groups (p<0.05). SS with TENS (both sensory and motor) maintained significant increases in knee extension range of motion until 15 minutes post-treatment. In contrast, the SS-only group maintained significantly increased hamstrings flexibility only until 6 minutes post-treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Improvement in hamstrings flexibility with SS with TENS was maintained longer than with SS-only intervention. Electrical stimulation with stretching may be more effective than SS alone for increased duration of maintained hamstrings flexibility.

Background: To improve muscle flexibility, static stretch is the most common type and is considered safe and effective for improving overall flexibility of muscles. During the stretch, the intensity is more likely to be determined by the degree of an athlete's pain and practitioner's skills rather than quantitative measures of stretch. It is necessary to determine the optimal intensity for the stretch. Objects: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between hand held dynamometer (HHD) and verbal rating scale (VRS) in comparison of the effects of continuance time on active (walking) and inactive (sitting) movement after static stretch. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample (n=62) recruited from a university. Participants were randomly assigned to 2 different groups (n=31 for each group) based on participants' positions either remaining in sitting or freely walking around for a series of re-assessments. Data was collected at pre-warm up, pre-stretch, post-stretch, and additional assessments at the time of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20 and 30 minutes after the stretch. Results: Relationship between VRS and HHD scores represents very weak correlation (Spearman's p=-.16, p>.05). Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted following the logarithmic transformation of the two scores. Pearson's correlation after the transformation still showed a very low relationship and a poor linear relationship between the two scores (Pearson's r=-.18, p>.05). Conclusion: The optimal intensity for stretch cannot be solely determined by the subjective pain perception. The objective measurement such as HHD could be used in conjunction with the pain perception.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of the hold-relax and foam roller techniques on the range of motion, flexibility, and tone of shortened hamstring muscles. Method: The study included 24 participants who were randomly categorized into hold-relax and foam roller groups. Both groups performed the assigned task thrice a week for a total of 5 sets of 15 s each on the hamstring muscles for 6 weeks. Range of motion was evaluated using a goniometer, flexibility was evaluated using the sit and reach test, and muscle tone was measured using a myotone. We evaluated joint range of motion, flexibility, and muscle tone pre- and 6 weeks post intervention in both groups. Results: We observed a significant intergroup difference in range of motion and flexibility after 6-week training. Conclusion: The hold-relax technique was more effective than the foam roller technique for stretching exercise to improve range of motion and flexibility of shortened hamstring muscles.

Background: Many trials have been conducted the methods and types of intervention of form rollers, but no research has been done yet that mixes the methods and types of intervention. Objectives: To analyze the effects of myofascial release on the improvement of range of motion (ROM), flexibility, pain pressure threshold, and balance. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects measured ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance by pre-test. After pre-test, subjects were randomized that static-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), dynamic-vibration foam rolling group (n=12), general foam rolling group (n=12). For the intervention, 3 sets of 90 seconds were applied to each group, and rest time was set to 60 seconds between sets. In the post-test and follow-up test after 10 minutes, all three groups were measured the ROM, flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and dynamic balance. Results: The results of comparing ROM, flexibility, pressure pain thresholds, dynamic balance ability appeared higher significant difference in the pre-post-10 minutes follow up test in comparison between time in the intragroup (P<.001). As a result of comparing the change of pre-post-10 minutes follow up, static vibration foam rolling showed higher significant difference compared to control groups (P<.001). Conclusion: Through this study, when foam rolling is applied within the same intervention time, static foam rolling can be expected to have a better effect than the existing dynamic foam rolling as well as vibration foam roller can expect better effect than general foam rolling.