Effects of cranio-cervical flexion with transcranial direct current stimulation on muscle activity and neck functions in patients with cervicogenic headache.

[Purpose] To present an efficient treatment regimen for patients with cervicogenic headache by comparatively analyzing the neck disability index (NDI) and cervical muscle activity after an exercise intervention. [Participants and Methods] Thirty patients with cervicogenic headache were assigned to the cranio-cervical flexion group (n=15) and cranio-cervical flexion plus transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) group (n=15). Intervention was administered for four weeks, after which the participants' NDI and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity were measured.

The effect of disability awareness educational program of university students in the department of physical therapy on reducing prejudices against people with disabilities and increasing positive attitudes toward people with disabilities.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of disability awareness educational program of university students in the department of physical therapy on reducing prejudice against people with disabilities and increasing positive attitudes toward people with disabilities. [Participants and Methods] Students who participated in the disability awareness educational program were selected as experiment group and 15 students who did not take program were selected as control group. [Results] First, in the comparisons between the control and experimental group, there was no difference in the overall prejudice on people with disabilities and positive attitudes toward people with disabilities before the disability awareness educational program.

Analysis of prejudices and attitudes of students in the department of physical therapy against people with disabilities.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine prejudices and attitudes of students in the department of physical therapy, in order to suggest basic data for constructing an effective program to develop a positive attitude toward people with disabilities and lower social distance from them. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, students in the department of physical therapy participate in the survey examining prejudices and attitude towards people with disabilities. [Results] First, there were statistically significant differences in the prejudice against people with disabilities among student groups divided by whether they had contact on a frequent basis currently with those who have disabilities.

Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on upper extremity muscle tone in chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on upper extremity muscle tone in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, 30 stroke patients participated in this study and they were divided into ESWT group and sham-ESWT group, each group consisted of 15 patients. ESWT and sham-ESWT was performed by the patients for two times a week, for eight weeks.

Effects of cervical stretching and cranio-cervical flexion exercises on cervical muscle characteristics and posture of patients with cervicogenic headache.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of changes in mechanical characteristics of cervical muscles and cervical posture in patients with cervicogenic headache following exercise program intervention in order to present effective treatment methods for such patients. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 30 patients with cervicogenic headache were recruited and 15 patients were allocated to cervical stretching exercise group and 15 to cervical stretching exercise and cranio-cervical flexion exercise group. After 3 weeks of exercise intervention, craniovertebral angle and tone (Hz) and stiffness (N/m) of the suboccipital and upper trapezius muscles were measured.

Effects of kinetic chain exercise using EMG-biofeedback on balance and lower extremity muscle activation in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of kinetic chain exercise using EMG-biofeedback on balance and lower extremity muscle activation. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, 30 stroke patients participated in this study and they were divided into closed kinetic chain exercise using EMG-biofeedback group (CKCE+EB) and open kinetic chain exercise using EMG-biofeedback group (OKCE+EB), each group consisting of 15 patients. The kinetic chain exercise using EMG-biofeedback was performed by the patients for 20 minutes once a day, 5 days a week, for 6 weeks using an Myo-Ex.

Analysis of mechanical properties of cervical muscles in patients with cervicogenic headache.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare and analyze the mechanical properties of the upper cervical muscles in patients with cervicogenic headache to identify efficient methods of treatment and diagnosis. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 40 subjects including 20 healthy individuals and 20 patients with cervicogenic headache were selected. A MyotonPRO device was used to measure the tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (log decrement) of the suboccipital muscles and upper trapezius of the subjects.

Study on the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects were 138 children, aged 7-12, who suffer from cerebral palsy. Factors affecting subjects' quality of life were evaluated using the ICF-CY; quality of life was evaluated using the KIDSCREEN 52 - Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire.

The correlation between muscle activity of the quadriceps and balance and gait in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between quadriceps muscle activity and balance and gait in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-five stroke patients (30 males 25 females; mean age 58.7 years; stroke duration 4.

The effect of virtual reality-based eccentric training on lower extremity muscle activation and balance in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of virtual reality-based eccentric training on lower extremity muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients participated, with 15 patients allotted to each of two eccentric training groups: one using a slow velocity (group I) and one using a fast velocity (group II). The virtual reality-based eccentric training was performed by the patients for 30 minutes once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks using an Eccentron system.

Effect of changes in postural alignment on foot pressure and walking ability of stroke patients.

[Purpose] The aims of this study were to determine (1) the significance of walking and foot pressure in stroke patients, and (2) the association between changes in postural alignment of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Foot pressure and walking ability based on postural alignment were measured in 50 stroke patients. Trunk imbalance, trunk rotation, pelvic tilt, kyphosis, lordosis were measured using DIERS formetric4D (DIERS International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany), which anlalyzes 3-dimensional spinal structure in order to measure postural alignment.

Effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 30 young adult males, who were divided into a Nordic walking group of 15 subjects and a walking group of 15 subjects. [Methods] To analyze the spatiotemporal parameters and ground reaction force during walking in the two groups, the six-camera Vicon MX motion analysis system was used.

A case report of spinal cord injury patient from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine.

We report on operational and rehabilitation management, as well as the outcome, of a patient who with sustained spinal cord injury from a high velocity gunshot wound to the lumbar spine. More specifically, a patient with a gunshot wound to the spine is more likely to sustain a complete injury and have a poor prognosis. As such, there should be concerns regarding associated and extended injuries related to bullet fragmentation as well as the possibility of long-term sequelae.

The correlation analysis of functional factors and age with duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Objective: To correlate existing evaluation tools with clinical information on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients following age and to investigate genetic mutation and its relationship with clinical function.

Method: The medical records of 121 children with DMD who had visited the pediatric rehabilitation clinic from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed. The mean patient age was 9.

Tai Chi Qigong for the quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a pilot, randomized, waiting list controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Tai Chi Qigong training on the quality of life and physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Design: A preliminary, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: General community, performed at Hwaseong City Health Center.