Sang-Hun Jang

Effects of physical exercise on the functional recovery of rat hindlimbs with impairments of the sciatic nerve as assessed by 2D video analysis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treadmill training on functional recovery by analyzing the ankle joint as well as the knee and hip joints with 2D video analysis during gait by rats with sciatic nerve injury. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The sham group (SG) received only a sham operation without any sciatic injury; the training group (TG) performed treadmill training for 4 weeks after sciatic injury; and the control group (CG) wasn’t provided with any therapeutic intervention after sciatic injury. [Results] The ankle, knee, and hip ROM of TG and CG during the initial, mid stance, and toe-off phases of gait at post-test were significantly different from SG. [Conclusion] Physical exercise, like treadmill training, is beneficial for the improvement of the ankle, knee and hip joints of rats with crushed sciatic nerve injury.

Nerve growth factor expression in stroke induced rats after shock wave

[Purpose] This study investigates effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on nerve growth factor expression in stroke in rats. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used and randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group, a control group. The experimental group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy after the stroke. The spinal cord encompassing the lumbar 4-lumbar 5 level was then removed for Western blot analysis. [Results] There was a significant difference in nerve growth factor expression between the groups after the impairment. [Conclusion] Application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy increased the expression of nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor postulated to promote nerve growth factor upregulation through formation of a microenvironment at the spinal cord level related to the injured area.

Effect of thoracic and cervical joint mobilization on pulmonary function in stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study aimed to conduct thoracic and cervical mobilization in stroke patients and determine its effects on respiratory function. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-one stroke patients were studied. Subjects were divided into a control group (control group, n=11) who did not undergo thoracic and cervical joint mobilization, and an experimental group (thoracic and cervical mobilization group, n=10) who underwent thoracic and cervical joint mobilization. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in the first second, well-known indicators of respiratory capabilities, were measured. Peak cough flow was measured as an indicator of cough capability. [Results] After the exercise, respiratory function in the thoracic and cervical mobilization group showed statistically significant improvements demonstrated by increases in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, and peak cough flow. [Conclusion] The findings indicate that thoracic and cervical mobilization can improve the thoracic movements of stroke patients resulting in improved pulmonary function.

The influence of an ankle foot orthosis on the percentage of weight loading during standing tasks in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an ankle foot orthosis on weight-bearing abilities of stroke patients by comparing weight loading during performance of tasks in various standing positions on the affected side. [Subjects and Methods] This study was performed with 16 stroke patients. To measure the weight loading value and percentage of weight loading in affected lower extremities, 5 standing tasks were performed with and without an ankle foot orthosis in random order. [Results] In the rising from a chair, maintaining a standing position, and forward weight shifting tasks, the affected lower extremities showed a significantly higher percentage of weight loading with an ankle foot orthosis. In the tasks requiring weight shifting to one leg, weight shifting to the lateral side showed the best weight-bearing ability with or without an ankle foot orthosis, followed by the forward and backward weight shifting, respectively. There were statistically significant correlations in all 5 tasks with or without an ankle foot orthosis. [Conclusion] An ankle foot orthosis improves the weight-bearing ability, especially when shifting weight forward, resulting in increased weight-bearing ability in activities of daily living tasks such as quiet standing and rising from a chair. The 5 tasks in this study would be a fine assessment tool under clinical conditions to investigate the postural stability of the affected side with or without application of an ankle foot orthosis.

The reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Japanese orthopaedic association back pain evaluation questionnaire

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) translated into Korean for use with patients’ low back pain. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-two subjects with low back pain, 28 men and 34 women, participated in the study. Reliability was determined by using the intra class correlation coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency. Validity was examined by correlating the JOABPEQ scores with the 36 item short form health survey (SF 36). [Results] Test-retest reliability was 0.75–0.83. The criterion-related validity was established by comparison with the Korean version of the SF 36. [Conclusion] The Korean version of the JOABPEQ was shown to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing low back pain.

The effects of stabilization exercise with an oral assistive device on pain and functionality of low back pain patients

[Purpose] This study examined low back pain patients’ decrease in pain and improvement in functionality after performance of a lumbar stabilization exercise using an oral assistive device, which can replace a lumbar assistive device. [Subjects and Methods] The experimental group (n=12) conducted a stabilization exercise using an oral assistive device after conventional physical therapy. The control group (n=12) received conventional physical therapy. In order to objectively measure pain in this study, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. In order to evaluate the subjects’ functional aspects while living with low back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used. [Results] There were statistically significant improvements in the comparison of the VAS and ODI of the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group’s VAS and ODI significantly improved after the intervention compared to the control group. [Conclusion] The stabilization exercise using the assistive device after conventional physical therapy in the rehabilitation of low back pain patients reduced subjects’ pain and increased their functional activities.

Efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation using cervical range of motion exercise in stroke patients with tracheostomy tubes

[Purpose] In this study, stroke patients who were intubated with tracheostomy tubes performed cervical range of motion exercises, and changes in their pulmonary and coughing functions were examined. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve stroke patients who were intubated with tracheostomy tubes participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=6), which did not perform cervical range of motion exercises, or the experimental group (n=6), which did perform exercises. [Results] With regards to forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, and peak cough flow rate before and after the exercises, the control group did not show any significant differences while the experimental group showed statistically significant increases in all three parameters. [Conclusion] The results indicate that cervical range of motion exercises can effectively improve the pulmonary function and coughing ability of stroke patients intubated with tracheostomy tubes, and that cervical range of motion exercises can help in the removal of tracheostomy tubes.

The Effects of Home Based Exercise Program on Balance Recovery in a Post-Stroke Population

본 연구는 가정운동프로그램이 뇌졸중 환자의 균형능력회복에 미치는 효과를 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 본 연구는 2013년 9월에서 2013년 12월까지 실시하였으며, 대상자는 총 20명으로 일반적인 통원 물리치료를 실시한 조군 10명, 일반적인 통원 물리치료를 실시하고 추가적으로 가정운동프로그램을 실시한 운동군 10명으로 나누어 배정하였다. 가정운동프로그램은 신경계 물리치료사가 대상자 집을 방문하여 8주동안 주 2회씩 매회 30분간 시행하였으며 체중이동훈련, 지구력훈련, 운동재훈련, 감각재훈련, 하지운동으로 구성되었다. 균형능력을 평가하기 위하여 Biorescu를 이용하여 족저압, 안정성한계, 동요속도를 측정하였고 임상적인 측정방법 중 하나인 기능적 팔뻗기 검사를 실시하였다. 연구결과 대조군과 운동군은 안정성한계, 동요속도, 기능적 팔뻗기 검사에서 유의한 차이가 나타났다. 본 연구는 가정운동프로그램이 뇌졸중 환자의 균형회복을 회복하는데 효과적인 치료전략 중 하나라는 것을 나타낸다. 【The present study was designed to investigate the effect of home based exercise program on balance recovery of stroke patients. In total, 20 participants were assigned to a control group(n=10) or exercise group(n=10) between September 2013 and December 2013. In addition to existing physiotherapy, the exercise group received home based exercise program consisting of weight transfer, training endurance, mobility, sensory retraining, lower limb exercise for 30 minutes, 2 times a week, for 8 weeks, every time for 30 minutes. Balance ability was assessed by measuring foot pressure(FP), limit of stability(LOS) and velocity sway(VS) by using Biorescue and by using the functional reaching test(FRT). To compare the improvement level of each groups balance ability, examination of independent sample T was done. Significant differences between control group and exercise group in LOS, VS of affect side and FRT were observed. This study showed that home based exercise program application was effective strategy on balance recovery in a post stroke population.】

Effects of treadmill speed on the knee angle and stance time of white rats with knee osteoarthritis according to the treadmill speed

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify whether walking on a treadmill at an adjusted speed is suitable for humans by examining the effects of exercise on the joint functions of white rats with induced knee osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 20 Sprague-Dawley white rats, aged eight weeks, weighing 250 to 300 g. The moderate-speed exercise group performed their exercise at a gradient of 0% and a speed of 15 m/min, and the high-speed exercise group performed their exercise at a gradient of 0% and a speed of 26 m/min. [Results] Statistically significant changes were elicited by the moderate-speed and high-speed exercises. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the results of the present study present the importance of walking exercise. In particular, they demonstrate that changes in knee ROM and stance time are elicited by changes in walking speed.

Effects of an upper-limb exercise program for improving muscular strength and range of movement on respiratory function of stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study aims to investigate the effects of upper-limb exercises on the respiratory functions of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] This study was performed with 25 stroke patients. The subjects were divided into the control group (n=12) which did not perform upper arm training and the experimental group (n=13) which conducted upper arm training. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in the first second, both of which are used in this study, are well-known indicators of respiratory capabilities. Peak cough flow is used to indicate cough capability. [Results] Concerning changes in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second and the peak cough flow of each group after the exercise, while the control group did not show significant differences, the experimental group showed statistically significant increases. [Conclusion] The results of the study indicate that exercise programs that increase the mobility of upper limbs and increase muscular strength have the effect of normalizing vertebral alignment for stroke patients, and thus can provide effective interventions for improving respiratory function.