Sung-Hyoun Cho

The effect of non-elastic taping on balance and gait function in patients with stroke.

[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.

Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on hormone levels in elderly persons.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of riding exercise on hormone levels in normal elderly people who were taught horseback riding for 8 weeks. [Subjects] Subjects were classified into an exercise group (n=10) and control group (n=10). [Methods] The two groups, horseback riding exercise group of 10 and control group of 10, were each tested for 15 minutes, 3 times, over 8 weeks. Post-exercise tests were implemented in both groups in the same way as pre-study tests. [Results] The horseback riding group showed a significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise serotonin and cortisol levels. Additionally, serotonin and cortisol levels showed significant differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] Serotonin and cortisol levels significantly increased in the experimental group, suggesting that horseback riding exercise is effective for improving the levels of these hormones.

Effects of horseback riding exercise on the relative alpha power spectrum in the elderly

The present study aimed to identify the effects of horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercise on the relative α-power spectrum in the elderly. A total of 31 healthy elderly were randomly divided into horseback riding (n=15) and mechanical horseback riding exercise groups (n=16). The horseback riding exercise program was conducted for 25min twice a week for 12 weeks. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was used to identify the changes in measured variables before the exercise program, and after 6 and 12 weeks of the program. The horseback riding exercise group showed an increase in relative fast alpha power in the background electroencephalogram, and the mechanical horseback riding exercise group showed an increase in relative slow alpha power. Both horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercises activated the EEG in all domains, thus increasing concentration and restfulness. The results suggested that horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercise may have a positive effect on psychological stability in the elderly.

Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on background electroencephalograms of elderly people.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of horseback riding exercise on the background electroencephalograms of elderly people who performed horseback riding for 8 weeks. [Subjects] Twenty elderly people were divided into the horseback riding exercise and control group (n = 10 each). [Methods] The exercise was performed for 15 minutes, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. Electroencephalograms were analyzed. Post-exercise evaluation was performed after 8 weeks. [Results] After the horseback riding exercise, the relative slower alpha power index was active in the T3 and P4 domains but suppressed in the Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, T4, and P3 domains. Moreover, the relative faster alpha power index was active in all domains of the horseback riding exercise group but was suppressed in all domains of the control group. There was a significant difference between groups in the F3 domain. [Conclusion] The alpha power index increased significantly after horseback riding exercise, suggesting the exercise improved background electroencephalogram.

The effects of standing balance in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions on knee strengthening in post-total knee replacement

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the association between muscle-strengthening exercises applied to the knee extensor muscles and the maintenance of standing balance in both, the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions in patients who had undergone total knee replacement. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty patients who underwent total knee replacement with bilateral artificial joints participated in this study. During the eight-week study period, the load on the knee extensors was gradually increased, and the standing balance ability was measured by differentiating the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions both, before and after the experimental period. [Results] In both, the anteroposterior and the mediolateral directions, there were statistically significant increases after the eight-week experiment, with a 29% increase in standing balance maintenance in the anteroposterior direction and a 22% increase in the mediolateral direction. [Conclusion] In patients who underwent bilateral total knee replacement, strengthening exercises applied to the knee extensor muscles with gradually increasing load positively affected standing balance in both anteroposterior and mediolateral directions.

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.

Multicenter survey analysis of satisfaction according to actual utilization of rehabilitation services.

[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.

Comparison of Relative ñ-Power Spectral Electroencephalogram Activity Analysis According to Electrical Stimulation Levels in Normal Adults

Objective: To investigate the effect of interferential current (IFC) stimulation level on electroencephalogram (EEG) activation. nMethod: An adhesive 2-pole electrode pad was placed at the T1~T4 spinal cord segment level and electrical stimulation was applied for 20 minutes to 45 healthy male and female adults recruited from N University located in Gwangju Metropolitan City. Changes in EEG activation were analyzed before stimulation, immediately after stimulation and at 30 minutes after stimulation. This study was performed in three groups: sensory level stimulus group (100 bps, 10~12 mA), exercise level stimulus group (5 bps, 45~50 mA), and noxious level stimulus group (100 bps, 80~90 mA). nResults: After IFC stimulation, subjects in each group showed significant differences in terms of the retention time of relative alpha power from each brain region and between-group interaction effects. Changes in EEG activation were different depending on the type of IFC stimulation (p<0.05). nConclusion: Electrical stimulation parameters in clinical practice should be selectively applied based on diverse changes and conditions.

Study on Satisfaction according Actuality of Utilization of the Multicenter Rehabilitation Service

This study was conducted to investigate the satisfaction level on the environment and attitude according to the actuality of utilization of physical therapy. The research subject was randomly selected receiving physical therapy and conducted questionnaire for 3 weeks from July 2 to July 19, 2014. Total 892 questionnaires were collected. For data analysis method, the statistics processing was conducted with student t-test, One-way ANOVA and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Factors that made influence on satisfaction level of physical therapy were ‘Do you think you need to received physical therapy’ and ‘Which factor makes greatest impact on creating image on your physical therapist’. Systematic improvement is considered necessary for limitations that this study had through follow-up studies based on the preliminary data on satisfaction level of patients who received physical therapy.