Influence of ocarina practices on lung function of healthy middle-aged females in Korea.

[Purpose] The objective of this study is to identify the influence of ocarina practices on the lung function of a group of healthy female ocarina players aged 40 and above in comparison to an age-matched group of females with no experience with ocarina playing. [Participants and Methods] Spirometry measurement has been conducted on both groups of 35 healthy females aged 40 and above, one with regular participation in ocarina practices (experimental group) and the other without (control group). [Results] FEV and FEV/FVC values of those in the experiment group who practiced ocarina on a regular basis turned out to be significantly higher than the control group, and there was no significant difference on FVC.

Comparison of lower limb muscle activation with ballet movements (releve and demi-plie) and general movements (heel rise and squat) in healthy adults.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to demonstrate therapeutic grounds for rehabilitation exercise approach by comparing and analyzing muscular activities of Ballet movements: the releve movement (RM) and the demi-plie movement (DM). [Methods] Four types of movements such as RM vs. heel rise (HM) and DM vs.

Comparative analysis of trunk muscle activities in climbing of during upright climbing at different inclination angles.

[Purpose] This study was performed to provide evidence for the therapeutic exercise approach through a compative analysis of muscle activities according to climbing wall inclination. [Subjects and Methods] Twentyfour healthy adult subjects without climbing experience performed static exercises at a therapeutic climbing at with various inclination angles (0°, 10°, 20°), and the activities of the trunk muscles (rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis, obliquus internus abdominis, erector spinae) were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) for 7 seconds. [Results] Significant differences were found between the inclination angles of 10° and 0°, as well as 20° in the rectus abdominis, obliquus internus abdominis, right obliquus externus abdominis, and right erector spinae.

Effects of trunk-hip strengthening on standing in children with spastic diplegia: a comparative pilot study.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the effects of trunk-hip strengthening exercise on trunk-hip activation and pelvic tilt motion during standing in children with spastic diplegia and compared the improvement of pelvic tilt between the modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise and conventional exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Ten ambulant children with spastic diplegia were randomized to the modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise (n = 5) or conventional exercise (n = 5) group. The intervention consisted of a 6-week modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise 3 times per week.

Influence of pelvic position and vibration frequency on muscle activation during whole body vibration in quiet standing.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation related to postural stability depending on the pelvic position and frequency of whole body vibration (WBV) during quiet standing, and to identify the most effective training conditions that elicit the highest neuromuscular responses. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this single-group, repeated-measures study in which surface electromyography (EMG) data for the upper trapezius, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and medial gastrocnemius were collected at three frequencies (0 Hz, 10 Hz, and 20 Hz) of WBV and three pelvic positions (neutral, anterior tilt, posterior tilt) for each subject during quiet standing. [Results] The EMG activities of all the recorded muscles showed significant differences between the three frequencies of WBV and three pelvic positions during quiet standing.

Effects of stabilization exercises with a Swiss ball on neck-shoulder pain and mobility of adults with prolonged exposure to VDTs.

[Purpose] This study compared the effects on neck-shoulder pain and mobility of strengthening exercises for the neck flexors and scapular retractors performed on a Swiss ball and a mat. [Subjects] Twenty student volunteers were the subjects. [Methods] The students were randomly assigned to two groups: Mat group (n=10), and Swiss ball group (n=10).

Curvature range measurements of the arcuate fasciculus using diffusion tensor tractography.

Because Broca's area and Wernicke's area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients with aphasia. We measured the horizontal and vertical curvature ranges of the arcuate fasciculus in both hemispheres in 12 healthy subjects using diffusion tensor tractography. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus horizontal part were 121.

Somatotopic location of corticospinal tracts in the internal capsule with MR tractography.

We demonstrated the exact location of the somatotopic area of the corticospinal tract in the internal capsule. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. We used the imaging technique that combines functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography.

Use of virtual reality to enhance balance and ambulation in chronic stroke: a double-blind, randomized controlled study.

Objective: To examine an additive effect of virtual reality on balance and gait function in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke.

Design: Twenty-four adults with hemiparetic stroke were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group. Both groups underwent conventional physical therapy, 40 mins a day, 4 days a week for 4 wks.

Corticospinal tract compression by hematoma in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage: a diffusion tensor tractography and functional MRI study.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate corticospinal tract compression that was due to a hematoma by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and functional MRI (fMRI) in a patient with an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A 23-year-old right-handed woman presented with severe paralysis of her right extremities at the onset of a spontaneous ICH. Over the first three days from onset, the motor function of the affected upper and lower extremities rapidly recovered to the extent that she was able to overcome applied resistance to the affected limbs, and her limbs regained normal function 3 weeks after onset.

Medial reorganization of motor function demonstrated by functional MRI and diffusion tensor tractography.

Purpose: Peri-lesional reorganization is a motor recovery mechanism after brain injury. The object of this study was to demonstrate the peri-lesional reorganization, using functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).

Methods: Six control subjects and a 53 year-old woman with left primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1) and underlying deep white matter injury were evaluated.

Virtual reality-induced cortical reorganization and associated locomotor recovery in chronic stroke: an experimenter-blind randomized study.

Background And Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) is a new promising computer-assisted technology to promote motor recovery in stroke patients. VR-induced neuroplasticity supporting locomotor recovery is not known. We investigated the effects of VR intervention on cortical reorganization and associated locomotor recovery in stroke patients.