The effects of maitland orthopedic manual therapy on improving constipation.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of interventions on constipation and to provide basic data for physical therapy in internal medicine. [Subjects and Methods] The colon transit times of 30 subjects were measured and after the interventions. Fifteen subjects were assigned to a Maitland orthopedic manual therapy group, and 15 subjects were assigned to a dietary fiber group.

The effects of taping, stretching, and joint exercise on hip joint flexibility and range of motion.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of joint exercise, taping, and stretching on hip joint flexion, flexibility, and range of motion. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-five college students in their 20s were randomly assigned and equally divided into three groups, as follows: a stretching group, a taping and exercise group, and an exercise group. Changes in trunk range of motion and hip joint flexibility of the three groups were measured before and after the intervention.

Two-point discrimination of the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's.

[Purpose] The present study attempted to measure two-point discrimination in the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's. [Subjects and Methods] Using a three-point esthesiometer, we conducted an experiment with a group of 256 college students (128 male and 128 female), attending N University in Chonan, Republic of Korea. [Results] Females showed two-point discrimination at a shorter distance than males at the following points: (i) 5 cm above the elbow joint, the middle part, and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the anterior upper arm; (ii) 5 cm above the elbow joint and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the posterior upper arm; (iii) 5 cm above the front of the wrist joint of the forearm; 5 cm below the elbow joint, the palmar part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the thumb, the dorsal part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle and little fingers.