The aim of this study was to evaluate Kinesio Taping can improve muscle activity, joint angle, gait ability in patients with stroke suffering foot drop. Experimental group (n=13) participated in the Kinesio Taping on ankle joint with treadmill walking, while control group (n=12) wore AFO on ankle joint with treadmill walking for 4 weeks, 30 minutes per session, three times per week. In two groups, muscle activity was measured using the EMG, joint angle was measured using the Dartfish program, and after 4-week training. Experiment group showed a statistically significant improvement muscle activity, joint angle, gait ability compared to control group in 4 week. Application of Kinesio taping has a more positive effect on the muscle activity, joint angle, gait ability than AFO of the patients with stroke suffering foot drop.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the changes caused by lumbar stabilization exercises in chronic low back pain patients. [Subjects and Methods] Swiss ball exercise regimen group and sling exercise regimen group exercised for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 12 weeks. The control group was to continue performing their usual daily living activities. [Results] We obtained significant results in both the Swiss ball and sling exercise groups, but not in the control group. The best effect was obtained in the sling exercise group. [Conclusion] The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index and visual pain scale scores of the patients with low back pain decreased in both the Swiss ball exercise group and the sling exercise group, and these patients experienced an increase in waist isometric muscular strength after 12 weeks of exercise compared with those doing no exercise (the control group).
This study was to investigate the effects of cervical stabilizing exercise and breathing retraining exercise to improve the respiratory function in elderly stroke patients. Experimental 1group performed cervical stabilizing exercise and respiratory breathing retraining exercise for 30minutes in addition to the conventional exercise. Experimental 2group performed the respiratory breathing retraining exercise in addition to the conventional exercise and control group performed the self-respiration exercise for 30minutes after the instruction of physiotherapist. Forced Vital Capacity showed significant differences not only between experimental 1group and control group, but also between experimental 2group and control group. This result may represent the improvement of overall respiratory function and it is believed that cervical stabilizing exercise accompanied with respiratory breathing retraining is helpful to improve activities of daily living and motor function by increasing respiratory function in stroke patients.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of taping on the articular angle of the knee joint and on the functioning of patients with hemiplegia resulting from stroke. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 30 patients who were diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke. The subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental group which received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation combination patterns and kinesio taping were applied, or a control group which received neurodevelopmental treatment. [Methods] Joint angle was measured at the hip and the ankle for both the paretic and non-paretic sides using a goniometer. Dynamic balance ability was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. Gait velocity was measured as the 10-m walking time using a stopwatch. [Results] Comparative analysis of the experimental group's pre-test and post-test results showed statistically significant differences in the BBS and 10-m walking test. There were significant differences between the groups in ankle dorsiflexion, BBS, and 10-m walking times. [Conclusion] We judge the application of taping on the knee joint prior to rehabilitation treatment for patients in accordance with nervous system damage positively influences their functional improvement.
[Purpose] This study investigated the influence of exercise on balance ability and gait function in stroke patients after applying non-elastic tape, which can stabilize muscles and joints, to the lower extremities of the affected side. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with stroke. They were divided into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group performed mat and treadmill exercises three times a week for six weeks with non-elastic tape applied to the lower extremities of the affected side. The control group performed the same exercises but without taping. [Results] The intervention significantly improved Berg balance scale scores and timed up and go (TUG) test scores as well as reduced stance duration and stride duration in the experimental group. In the control group, statistically significant improvements were observed in TUG test scores. [Conclusion] Although some differences did not reach the level of statistical significance, the application of non-elastic tape stabilized the joints of the lower extremities, thereby increasing balance and reducing stance duration and one step duration, which resulted in a reduction of overall gait duration.
[Purpose] Most such studies have been limited to evaluating the muscle activity patterns of lower extremity muscles using surface electromyograms, but studies of muscle activity patterns according to chair types are lacking. [Subjects and Methods] In the present study, 52 university students in their 20s (26 males, 26 females) were selected in order to analyze the activity of five lower extremity muscles (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius). The selected subjects had sufficient muscle strength for the experiment and normal joint range of motion. [Results] To examine the sociodemographic variables of the study subjects, the frequencies and percentages of individual items were presented as follows Table 3. [Conclusion] Differences in lower extremity muscle activity levels during standing and sitting were identified, and differences between genders were also seen. There was no significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity levels between use of fixed and wheeled chairs.
[Purpose] To investigate whether pain, balance, and stabilization of the lumbar region can be improved through thoracic mobilization in addition to lumbar stabilizaing exercises. [Subjects and Methods] This study recruited 36 subjects with chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. The subjects recruited for this study participated voluntarily, and provided their signed consent to participation. [Results] Improvement in balance was largest in the lumbar stabilization exercise group, followed by the thoracic mobilization and exercise group, and the traditional physical therapy group, in decreasing order of effect. [Conclusion] In conclusion, lumbar stabilization exercises combined with thoracic mobilization had greater effects on stabilization of the lumbar region pain relief, and improvement of the function of the patients with chronic low back pain.
[Purpose] This study investigated the influence of exercise on an unstable surface on ROM of the knee, muscle strength and the physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, they were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). [Methods] The experimental group performed exercise using an aero step XL (TOGU, Germany) 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. A control group performed the same exercise on a stable surface and without aero step XL. [Results] After the intervention, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in active knee flexion, knee joint manual muscle test (MMT), knee joint MMT hamstring and WOMAC score. [Conclusion] Exercise on the unstable surface improved the symptoms of patient with osteoarthritis. Exercise on an unstable surface might be helpful for improving the muscle strength and alignment of lower extremities as well as improving physical function related to the knee joint.