Assessing the effects of sway-back posture on global and regional spinal sagittal angles using inertial measurement units.

Background: Sway-back posture in the sagittal profile is a commonly adopted poor standing posture. Although the terms, definitions, and adverse health problems of sway-back posture are widely used clinically, few studies have quantified sway-back posture.

Objective: To investigate spinal sagittal alignment in sway-back posture while standing based on global and regional angles using inertial measurement units (IMUs).

Effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on hamstring rotational activity and pelvic stability in females.

Background: The medial hamstring (MH) and lateral hamstring (LH) can be selectively trained through tibial internal and external rotation during prone knee flexion. However, no study has identified how a combined tibial rotation and lumbo-pelvic stability strategy influences MH and LH muscle activities.

Objective: To investigate the combined effects of tibial rotation and the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on MH and LH muscle activities as well as pelvic rotation during prone knee flexion.

Reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change of the star excursion balance test in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: The present study aimed to estimate the reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimum detectable change (MDC) of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Eight children with CP (five boys and three girls, sixteen legs) participated in this study. Each child carried out the SEBT and was assessed by two examiners.

Effects of resistive jaw opening exercise in stroke patients with dysphagia: A double- blind, randomized controlled study.

Background: The resistive jaw opening exercise (RJOE) was suggested as a potential remedial treatment for patients with dysphagia. However, clinical evidence is insufficient.

Objective: To investigate the effect of RJOE on hyoid bone movement, aspiration, and oral intake level in stroke patients with dysphagia.

Strategy on navigating obstacle in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: Relationship among trunk and pelvic movement, swing toe clearance, and muscle coordination of the stance limb.

Background And Objective: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common spinal disorder that causes patients to assume a forward-trunk posture. Spinal alignment affects gait, muscle activity, and trunk-pelvis-limb coordination because the lumbar spine and muscles interact to allow load transfer between the lower back and pelvis during sagittal trunk movement. Therefore, we investigated the relationships among trunk and pelvic movement, swing toe clearance, and muscle coordination (isolated contraction ratios) of the stance limb during obstacle-crossing by patients with LSS.

Changes in trunk sway and impairment during sitting and standing in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Poor postural control constitutes a major impairment in children with cerebral palsy (CP), compromising everyday activities such as sitting- and standing-position.

Purpose: In this study, we measured trunk sway during sitting- and standing-position. Additionally, we assessed trunk control ability using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), trunk control measurement scale (TCMS), and sitting assessment test for children with neuromotor dysfunction (SACND), in children with CP.

Effects of task velocity and center of mass acceleration during Y-Balance Test in elderly females with good and poor visual acuity.

[Purpose] To explore the effects of good binocular visual acuity (BVA) compared to poor BVA, reach distance, task velocity, and center of mass (COM) acceleration were evaluated in elderly females performing the Y-Balance Test (YBT) using a cross-sectional design. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 13 participants had BVA of ≥0.4 log of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (poor BVA group), and the other 13 had BVA of ≤0.

Effects of live and video form action observation training on upper limb function in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of live and video form action observation training (AOT) on upper limb (UL) movement acceleration and function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: In total, 12 children (7 boys, 5 girls) with CP participated in this study. The children were allocated randomly to live (experimental) and video (control) AOT groups.

Effect of chin tuck against resistance exercise on patients with dysphagia following stroke: A randomized pilot study.

Background: Recently, chin tuck against resistance exercise (CTAR) has been reported as a remedial treatment for pharyngeal dysphagia. However, the clinical evidence of the effect is still lacking.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of CTAR on the swallowing function in patients with dysphagia following subacute stroke.

Measurement of upper limb movement acceleration and functions in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to measure the peak acceleration of the upper limb (UL) during reaching, and to calculate correlations between peak acceleration data and functional test results in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: We recruited 15 children with CP (8 boys and 7 girls) and measured peak acceleration and function as revealed by the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHF), the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), the Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire. We calculated correlations between peak acceleration data and scores on the functional tests.

The relationship between trunk control and upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Trunk control ability greatly influences functional movement of the upper limbs.

Purpose: Our primary aims were to assess trunk control ability, sway, and upper limb functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to investigate the relationship between trunk control ability and upper limb function.

Methods: We included 15 children (8 boys and 7 girls) with CP.

Effects of 4 weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training on balance and gait performance in an adolescent with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study investigated the effects of 4 weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training on balance ability. [Subject and Methods] An adolescent with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy was recruited. The subject performed 4 weeks of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training.

Effects of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation for upper extremity function in stroke patients.

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of mental practice combined with electromyogram-triggered electrical stimulation (MP-EMG ES) on the upper extremity of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were randomly assigned to experimental group or control group. The experimental group received MP-EMG ES plus conventional rehabilitation therapy for 5 days per week for 4 weeks.

Validity and reliability of ankle dorsiflexion measures in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: We compared a goniometer method in a non-weight-bearing position with a tape measure method in a weight-bearing position to determine which was more reliable for assessing dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured using goniometer and tape measure methods in non-weight- and weight-bearing positions, respectively.

Results: In the test-retest reliability of ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a universal goniometer, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) varied from 0.

Difference in trunk stability during semicircular turns with and without a bag in elderly women.

Background: Direction changes while walking are more likely to cause a hip fracture than is falling while walking in a straight line. Trunk stability is an important contributor to safe and effective walking, and arm movements influence trunk movement while walking. However, the difference in the trunk stability during semicircular turns performed by elderly women with a light bag has not been examined.

The effect of isolating the paretic limb on weight-bearing distribution and EMG activity during squats in hemiplegic and healthy individuals.

Background: Neural reorganization for movement therapy after a stroke is thought to be an important mechanism that facilitates motor recovery. However, there is a lack of evidence for the effectiveness of exercise programs in improving the lower limbs.

Objective: We investigated the immediate effect of isolating the paretic limb using different foot positions ((i) foot parallel; both feet parallel, (ii) foot asymmetry; paretic foot backward by 10 cm, and (iii) foot lifting; nonparetic foot lifting by normalization to 25% of knee height) on weight-bearing distribution and electromyography (EMG) of the thigh muscle during squats.

Effects of Balance Control Through Trunk Movement During Square and Semicircular Turns on Gait Velocity, Center of Mass Acceleration, and Energy Expenditure in Older Adults.

Background: Turning during ambulation is a common movement in everyday life, but complex and challenging for older adults. Balance control through trunk movement provides a stable platform during walking, thus it is an essential component of safe and efficient turning during walking in elderly individuals.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of balance control during square turning (ST) and semicircular turning (SCT) on gait velocity, center of mass (COM) acceleration, and energy expenditure in elderly women.

The effects of mirror therapy with tasks on upper extremity function and self-care in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mirror therapy with tasks on upper extremity unction and self-care in stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). [Methods] Subjects in the experimental group received mirror therapy with tasks, and those in the control group received a sham therapy; both therapies were administered, five times per week for six weeks.

Differences in lumbar and pelvic angles and gluteal pressure in different sitting postures.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of erect sitting, slouched posture with cross-legged sitting, and erect posture with cross-legged sitting on the lumbar and pelvic angles, and gluteal pressure. [Subjects] For the experiments, 17 healthy women were recruited. [Methods] All subjects were asked to perform three sitting postures: erect sitting, slouched posture with cross-legged sitting, and erect posture with cross-legged sitting.

Effect of initial position on the muscle activity of the hip extensors and amount of pelvic tilt during prone hip extension.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to identify the effects of initial position of the hip joint with changes in the hip joint angle on the respective muscle activities of the bilateral erector spinae (ES), unilateral gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF) and the amount of pelvic anterior tilt during prone hip extension (PHE). [Subjects] Fifteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. [Methods] The subjects performed PHE in three positions: neutral, 20°, and 45° flexed hip joint.

Relationship Between the Kinematics of the Trunk and Lower Extremity and Performance on the Y-Balance Test.

Background: The lower quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) has been recommended as a measure of dynamic postural control in the clinical setting; however, information about the relationship between performance on the YBT-LQ and joint kinematics is limited. Thus, the kinematic predictors responsible for performance on the YBT-LQ need to be identified for accurate evaluation of dynamic postural control.

Objectives: To identify the kinematic predictors that best explain variance in performance on the YBT-LQ.

Comparison of energy expenditure during the Y-balance test in older adults with different visual acuities.

[Purpose] This study compared the energy expenditure during the Y-balance test (YBT) between elderly women with good binocular visual acuity (BVA) and those with poor BVA. [Subjects] Twenty-one elderly women who could walk independently were recruited from a community dwelling. Eleven participants had a BVA equal to or less than 0.

Immediate combined effect of gastrocnemius stretching and sustained talocrural joint mobilization in individuals with limited ankle dorsiflexion: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although gastrocnemius stretching and talocrural joint mobilization have been suggested as effective interventions to address limited ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM), the effects of a combination of the two interventions have not been identified.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of gastrocnemius stretching combined with joint mobilization and gastrocnemius stretching alone.

Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Selective recruitment of the thoracic erector spinae during prone trunk-extension exercise.

Objective: This study examined the effect of modified prone trunk-extension (PTE) exercises on selective activity of the thoracic erector spinae.

Methods: Thirty-nine healthy subjects performed four modified PTE exercises, involving location of the edge of the table (iliac crests [IC] vs. xiphoid process [XP]) and the degree of trunk extension (horizontal vs.

Comparison of gait velocity and center of mass during square and semicircular turning gaits between groups of elderly people with differing visual acuity.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate gait velocity and center of mass (COM) during square and semicircular turning gaits between two groups of elderly people with differing visual acuity. [Subjects] Twenty elderly Korean women who could walk independently and who lived in the community were recruited. [Methods] We measured gait velocity and COM using an accelerometer during two different turning gaits.