Effect of chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching on respiratory function and gait endurance in patients with stroke.

Background: Limited chest expansion and asymmetry in the respiratory muscles after a stroke lead to poor ventilation and reduced physical performance.

Objectives: To determine the effect of chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching on respiratory function and gait endurance in patients with stroke.

Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to a chest expansion resistance group (CERG), a respiratory muscle stretching group (RMSG), and a control group (CG).

Permeability monitoring of underground concrete structures using elastic wave characteristics with modified Biot's model.

This study aims to develop a theoretical model for predicting the permeability of concrete in underground structures using compressive elastic waves. This research is motivated by the necessity of monitoring the permeability of concrete used in critical underground infrastructure, such as tunnels and radioactive waste disposal sites, to ensure their long-term safety. Increased permeability owing to crack generation can lead to groundwater inflow, undermining the structural integrity of these facilities.

Feasibility of big data analytics in disaster psychiatry: Impact of Seoul Itaewon tragedy on sentiment distribution on Twitter.

Numerous studies have highlighted the significant impact of disasters on mental health, often leading to psychiatric disorders among affected individuals. Timely identification of disaster-related mental health problems is crucial to prevent long-term negative consequences and improve individual and community resilience. To address the limitations of prior research that has focused solely on isolated incidents, we analyzed the impact of a recurring Halloween event in Itaewon, South Korea, which culminated tragically in a crowd crush incident in 2022.

Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Home-Based Breathing Exercises on Respiratory Function and Fatigue in COVID-19-Cured Young Patients.

This study investigates the effects of home-based Kakao Healthcare breathing exercises and stretching on respiratory function and fatigue in COVID-19-cured patients. A total of 35 participants performed four movements of home-based breathing exercises and five respiratory muscle stretching exercises four times a week for four weeks. Respiratory function was measured using forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow(PEF).

Comparing the Impact of Upper Body Control and Core Muscle Stabilization Training on Landing Biomechanics in Individuals with Functional Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Functional ankle instability (FAI), which is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and perceived joint instability, arises from various factors contributing to compromised biomechanical control during activities, particularly those involving landing tasks. While current research predominantly addresses lower-extremity and core stabilization interventions for FAI, the contribution of upper body control to landing biomechanics in this population remains insufficiently explored. In this study, 42 participants (19 males, 23 females) with FAI were randomly assigned to either the upper-body control training group (UBCTG) or the core muscle stabilization training group (CMSTG).

A leaky integrate-and-fire computational model based on the connectome of the entire adult brain reveals insights into sensorimotor processing.

The forthcoming assembly of the adult central brain connectome, containing over 125,000 neurons and 50 million synaptic connections, provides a template for examining sensory processing throughout the brain. Here, we create a leaky integrate-and-fire computational model of the entire brain, based on neural connectivity and neurotransmitter identity, to study circuit properties of feeding and grooming behaviors. We show that activation of sugar-sensing or water-sensing gustatory neurons in the computational model accurately predicts neurons that respond to tastes and are required for feeding initiation.

Connectomes of both Sexes as Image Classifiers.

Connectome, the complete wiring diagram of the nervous system of an organism, is the biological substrate of the mind. While biological neural networks are crucial to the understanding of neural computation mechanisms, recent artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been developed independently from the study of real neural networks. Computational scientists are searching for various ANN architectures to improve machine learning since the architectures are associated with the accuracy of ANNs.

Influence of the Hawthorne effect on spatiotemporal parameters, kinematics, ground reaction force, and the symmetry of the dominant and nondominant lower limbs during gait.

The Hawthorne effect is a change in behavior resulting from awareness of being observed or evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether awareness of being evaluated or presence of an observer influence gait. Twenty-one young women were asked to walk in three conditions.

Effects of Augmented Reality-Based Dual-Task Program on Physical Ability by Cognitive Stage with Developmental Disabilities.

People diagnosed with developmental disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activities even if they are provided opportunities. This study aimed to examine the effects of dual-task exercise-based augmented reality (AR) on muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility among people with developmental disabilities. Twenty-seven patients with developmental disabilities were included in the study.

Effects of Augmented Reality Game-Based Cognitive-Motor Training on Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Executive Function in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and executive dysfunction are widely acknowledged as core features and hallmarks in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) using motivational games with cognitive-motor exercises on RRBs, executive function (EF), attention, and reaction time in patients with ASD. Twenty-four patients (range from 6 to 18 years) diagnosed with ASD were recruited from local social welfare centers and randomly allocated to the AR game-based cognitive-motor training group (study group) or the conventional cognitive training group (control group).

The Effect of Augmented Reality-Based Proprioceptive Training Program on Balance, Positioning Sensation and Flexibility in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study investigates whether Augmented Reality (AR)-based interventions can be as effective as physical therapists (PT) regarding balance, positioning sensation, and flexibility. A sample of 39 regular people who voluntarily participated in this study were randomly distributed into two groups. Then AR was applied in the experimental group and PT was applied in the control group.

Comparison of screw-home movement between patients with knee osteoarthritis and normal adults.

Background: Tibial rotation accompanying sagittal movement contains the phenomenon of screw-home movement (SHM) of the knee, which plays an important role in knee stability during extension.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the change of SHM in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Thirty-one sex-matched patients with knee OA and 31 normal subjects were recruited.

Effects of Caffeine Intake on Cardiopulmonary Variables and QT Interval after a Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Caffeine is considered a widely consumed natural and legal psychoactive stimulant with several effects on the body. The present study attempted to investigate the effects of caffeine consumed before and after a physical exercise on cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory functions in healthy adults. 36 healthy adult males were recruited and randomly allocated to one of the three (3) groups: group I (exercise without caffeine consumption), group II (caffeine beverage intake before exercise), and group III (caffeine beverage intake immediately after exercise).

Correlation of eccentric strength of the knee extensors and knee proprioception with dynamic postural control.

Background: It is important for clinicians and researchers to perform dynamic postural control evaluation for predicting musculoskeletal conditions, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship (1) between the eccentric strength of the knee extensors and star excursion balance test (SEBT), and (2) between the knee proprioception and SEBT.

Methods: Forty healthy young adults participated in this study.

Effect of trunk stabilization exercise on abdominal muscle thickness, balance and gait abilities of patients with hemiplegic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Trunk stability has been identified as an important prerequisite of functional movement.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of core muscle contraction training on abdominal muscle thickness, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients.

Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group.

Use of real-time visual feedback during overground walking training on gait symmetry and velocity in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis: randomized controlled, single-blind study.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of using real-time visual feedback during overground walking training to improve walking function in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. Twenty-four patients with post-stroke hemiparesis who were able to walk independently under less impact of synergy pattern on the affected lower limbs (Brunnstrom stage IV or V) were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. All subjects performed overground walking for 30 min, three times a week for 6 weeks, with real-time visual feedback (weight load to the affected lower limb) provided during training for subjects in the experimental group.

Effects of visibility and types of the ground surface on the muscle activities of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of visibility and types of ground surface (stable and unstable) during the performance of squats on the muscle activities of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL). [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 25 healthy adults in their 20s. They performed squats under four conditions: stable ground surface (SGS) with vision-allowed; unstable ground surface (UGS) with vision-allowed; SGS with vision-blocked; and UGS with vision-blocked.