Background: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) has been proven effective in a myriad of clinical fields as a treatment to restore function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, damage to the central nervous system, or sports injuries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 2-week PNF exercise intervention on the degree of calcification, pain perception, and shoulder joint function in persons with calcific tendinitis (CT) of the supraspinatus. Design: Matched pairs design. Methods: This study was classified into a PNF group (n=8) and a control group (n=7) through a matched pairs design. Filmed x-rays, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and Constant-Murley Scale (CMS) were used to assess the long and short axis of calcified deposits, self-awareness of pain, and shoulder joint function of the subjects. 8 participants in the PNF group received a scapular and upper extremity PNF exercise intervention for 30 minutes per session, 10 times/week for 2 weeks while no intervention in the control group. Results: Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant improvement after the 2-week PNF exercise intervention on calcified deposits, pain, and shoulder joint function (P<.05), whereas no changes in the control. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the intensive 2-week PNF exercise may maximize intervention effects to reduce calcified deposits and pain in a relatively short period time and is effective for restoring shoulder function without combining other treatments or exercises in patients with supraspinatus CT.

목적 : 본 연구는 구강운동촉진기술(Oral Motor Facilitation Technique; OMFT)이 뇌성마비의 섭식기능 증진에 미치는 효과를 확인하기 위한 목적으로 시행되었다. 연구방법 : 평균 연령 5.88 ± 1.98세(범위 3~10세) 연하장애를 동반한 21명의 뇌성마비를 대상으로 하 였다. 주 1회, 30분, 16주(16회) OMFT를 제공하였다. OMFT가 섭식기능에 미치는 효과 확인을 위해 먹기와 마시기 기능 분류 체계(Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System; EDACS)로 측정 하였다. OMFT를 개발한 연구자 1인이 평가를 포함한 전체 과정을 진행하였으며 아동의 섭식기능에 따 라 개별적인 접근이 적용되었다. OMFT 치료 전, 8주, 16주 총 3회 EDACS 평가를 통해 치료 기간별 치료 효과 차이를 프리드만 검정과 윌콕슨 부호 검정을 통해 검정 및 사후 검정을 진행하였다. 결과 : 16주의 OMFT 중재 후 뇌성마비 아동의 섭식기능(EDACS 단계)은 유의미하게 향상되었다. 16주 의 치료 기간이 8주에 비하여 섭식기능 향상에 효과적이었다. 반면 독립적인 먹기(EDACS 도움 단계) 는 변화가 없었다. 연령, Gross Motor Function Classification System(GMFCS) 단계, 뇌성마비 분류 등 요인별 사후검정 결과 EDACS 단계에서는 7~8세, GMFCS Ⅲ단계, 무정위형을 제외한 모든 변인에 서 치료 기간에 따라 유의미한 차이를 보였다. 그러나 EDACS 도움 단계에서의 유의미한 차이는 없었 다. 결론 : OMFT는 뇌성마비의 섭식기능 향상에 효과적인 구강운동치료법으로 확인되었다. 적정 기간의 OMFT 적용을 통해 임상에서 다양한 연령, 운동기능 상태, 병변 부위의 뇌성마비 아동의 섭식기능 향상 을 위한 종합적인 구강운동치료 활용하는데 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

In worldwide, tens of thousands of units of particle accelerators have been used and more than 97% of those accelerators are used for dedicated medical of commercial applications. Radionuclide production cyclotron produce several positron-emitting radionuclides such as 18F by 18O(p,n)18F reaction which generates secondary neutrons. It is of note that these neutrons cause neutron activation in structures and components of cyclotron facilities. Therefore, International Atomic Energy Agency had addressed that a well-developed estimate of the neutron activation induced radioactive inventory of accelerator facilities is needed for the proper planning and safe implementation of decommissioning using proven methods or codes that can be used to perform activation calculations. Moreover, IAEA suggested that during the operation of cyclotrons, concrete walls become radioactive over time and this radioactivity needs to be fully characterized as part of early decommissioning planning. In this study, Neutron activation in the medical cyclotron facilities was evaluated with the MCNP and FISPACT-II code to analyze the generation of decommissioning radioactive wastes during facilities dismantling. For the reference case, residual radioactivity concentration of each activation product (e.g. 60Co, 152Eu, etc.) was calculated and the sum of fractions of the activity concentration of each radionuclide divided by its clearance level was exceeded 1.0 at each calculation point which means radioactive waste generations during decommissioning of the facility. Several points show the calculated sum of fractions (SoF) at inside wall were bigger than the surface wall. The reason of these phenomena is that the slowdown of the incident neutron energy at the inside wall due to neutron attenuation and larger thermal neutron flux than surface wall. It is of note that each activation reaction cross-section was dominant at thermal neutron energy band. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to analyze the effects of design characteristics (e.g. beam energy and current, operation period, and workload). The SoF was exceeded 1.0 at the least activation condition (i.e. 9 MeV, 10 μA) if the operation period was 10 years. For the realistic condition such as 13 MeV, only 10 μA of beam current case shows the SoF was under union. On the other hand, 19 MeV, 60 μA, and 10 years operation case shows the SoF as 20.4 which means the clearance rule can be applied only after 21 years of decay-in-storage. The result of this study can be used for proper planning of decommissioning and/or new installation of cyclotron facilities include considerations of radioactive waste management.

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

Background: To prevent or reduce the risk of strain injury, various approaches, including stretching techniques are currently being used. The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on flexibility has been demonstrated; however, it is not clear which one is superior. Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the effects of PNF and static stretching performed at various intensities on muscle flexibility. Methods: The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the hamstrings using the PNF stretching technique was performed in the P100 group, while 70% of the MVIC was performed in the P70 group. The MVIC value obtained during the PNF stretching in both groups was used as a reference for setting the intensity of static stretching. Static stretching was performed at 130% (S130), 100% (S100), and 70% of the MVIC (S70). The active knee extension (AKE) values, defined as the knee flexion angle were measured before stretching (baseline), immediately after stretching (post), and at 3 minutes, 6 minutes, and 15 minutes. Results: PNF stretching produce a greater improvement in flexibility compared with static stretching. Specifically, the ΔAKE was significantly higher in the S100 and S70 groups than in the P100 group at Post. In the comparison of ΔAKE over time in each group, the ΔAKE at Post showed a significant decrease compared to the value at Baseline in the S130 group; however, no significant difference was observed at 6 minutes while a significant increase was noted at 15 minutes. Conclusion: This study found that PNF stretching is more effective than static stretching with respect to increasing and maintaining the flexibility of muscles. In addition, the increase in flexibility at maximal intensity was similar to that observed at submaximal intensity during both PNF and static stretching.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical alignment, pain, and physique to apply proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation( PNF) techniques in patients with forward head posture (FHP). The subjects of this study were 24 patients diagnosed with FHP. They were randomly divided into two groups: a PNF group(n=12) and a control group(n=12). The intervention was performed a total of 24 times, 30 min a day, six times a week for four weeks. Data on cervical alignment(forward head displacement, FHD), pain(visual analog scale, VAS), and physique(height, weight, and body mass index) were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the groups and time. For FHD, the VAS, and physique(height and BMI), there was an interaction effect for the groups and time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05) and main effects for time(p<.001, BMI: p<.05). For weight, there were main effects of time(p<.01). For FHD(p<.01) and the VAS(p<.05), there were main effects for the groups. In the PNF group, there were significant improvements in FHD, VAS, and physique. In the control group, there was a significant increase in FHD. The results of this study indicated that PNF intervention using scapular and upper extremity patterns effective in FHP positively. The use of a therapeutic intervention on physique changes may also be effective in improving poor posture and help to better patients’ quality of life.

The effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and elastic band exercise on the physical functions and blood lipids of obese elderly women were investigated. The experimental group (n1=16) patients underwent PNF for 12 weeks, and the control group (n2=15) patients performed elastic band exercises. SPSS 21.0 was used to compute the means and standard deviations. After the 12-week PNF, both the experimental and control groups showed statistically significant differences in the physical functions (cardiovascular endurance, strength of the lower extremity, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, and agility) (p<.05), but the difference in the experimental group was more significant than that in the control group (p<.05). In terms of the changes in the blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein), the experimental group showed significant changes (p<.05). In conclusion, PNF was confirmed as more effective than elastic band exercise in improving the physical functions and blood lipid levels of obese elderly women.

This study evaluated and compared the effectiveness on upper motor extremity function between proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation which has been frequently used in clinical practice, and action observation training in terms of improving upper motor extremity function. A study with a single-subject design (A-B-C-A') was conducted with a patient who was diagnosed with left hemiplegia. A repeated-measure analysis was conducted to assess results of the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), and grip and pinch strength test performed daily in the study for 4 weeks. The results of the analysis indicated that the WMFT score, BBT score, grip strength, and pinch strength were improved from 29.60 to 39 (24.10%), from 1.67 to 4.93 each (EA) (66.22%), from 2.06 to 2.66 libras (lbs) (22.61%), and from 1.57 to 1.93 lbs (18.94%), respectively, from the baseline period to treatment period B. The values were improved from 29.60 to 42.20 (29.86%), from 1.67 to 7 EA (76.21%), from 2.06 to 3.47 lbs (40.57%), and from 1.57 to 1.67 lbs (6.12%), respectively, from the baseline period to treatment period C. From treatment period B to treatment period C, the WMFT score, BBT score, and grip strength were improved from 39 to 42.20 (7.58%), from 4.93 to 7 EA (29.56%), and from 2.66 to 3.47 lbs (23.20%), respectively, but pinch strength was decreased from 1.93 to 1.67 lbs (15.83%). In conclusion, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and action observation training both have positive effects on upper extremity motor function. However, we suggest that the posttreatment effect of action observation training was better than that of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on the swallowing function of stroke patients. Twelve-week PNF (facial, tongue, and breathing exercise) was applied in the experimental group consisting of 12 subjects, and a general swallowing exercise program was applied to the control group consisting of 12 subjects. In addition, the signs of improvement in the stroke patients (N=24) swallowing function were examined by conducting a video fluoroscopic swallowing study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program, which was also utilized to gain statistical information (percentage, mean, and standard deviation), and paired t-test was conducted. As a result of the analyses, the following conclusions were arrived at. The 12-week PNF significantly improved the functional dysphagia scale, penetration-aspiration scale, pharyngeal transit time, swallowing response time, residue in valleculae, and residue in pyriform sinuses enhanced swallowing functions of the stroke patients (p<.05). In conclusion, the PNF intervention in the swallowing function of the stroke patients was found to be an effective exercise program.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of manual facilitation and a stick on lumbar and hip joint flexion angles in subject with lumbar flexion syndrome during forward bending from a sitting position. Fifteen subjects with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited for this study. As a pretest, all subjects performed three repetitions of bending the trunk forward until the tips of their fingers touched the target bar. After this pretest, the subjects practiced the forward bending of the trunk 10 times, using either manual facilitation or a stick. Then, as a posttest, all subjects repeated the pretest procedure. The flexion angles of lumbar spine and hip joint during forward bending in a sitting position were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical differences between pre-test and post-test flexion angles and pre- and post-test flexion angle differences between forward bending with manual facilitation and forward bending with a stick. The level of statistical significance was set at p=.05. The results of the study showed that the angle of the lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the bilateral hip flexion angle increased significantly when performing forward bending with stick and manual facilitation. Furthermore, the angle of lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the angle of bilateral hip flexion increased significantly in forward bending with a stick compared to forward bending with manual facilitation. The findings of this study indicate that both forward bending with manual facilitation and sticks could be used to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and increase hip flexion, and that forward bending with a stick is more effective than forward bending with manual facilitation for inducing lumbar spine and hip joint angle changes.

The present study examined the effects of functional electrical stimulus( group 1), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(group 2) and combined training of functional electrical stimulus and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(group 3) with scapula adductor muscles on scapula movement, upper limb function and gait in fifteen subjects stroke patients. The training was thirty minutes a day, five times a week for six weeks, obtained result as follow, upper limb function was significant difference in the group 2(p<.05) but no significant difference in other groups. The change of weight bearing were significant difference in all the groups(p<.05), and increase of gait velocity were significant difference in all the group(p<.05). In conclusion, when applied with functional electrical stimulus, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and combined training to the scapular adductor muscles, it was oberved in the course of the experiment that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was the most effective treatment among the three methods applied to the scapula adductors.

This study investigated the irradiation pattern of muscles on the affected side in stroke patients after application of diagonal 2 extension (D2 ex) proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in the unaffected upper extremity. Seven stroke patients participated. Electromyographic activities were recorded in the iliopsoas, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii were recorded by surface electrodes at rest, D2 ex with knee extension, and D2 ex with knee 90 flexion, normalized by maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values. The medial frequencies of biceps brachii in both sides were also measured to compare muscle type recruited. %MVIC of biceps brachii and triceps brachii were significantly higher in D2 ex than at rest (p<.05). There was no difference in median frequency of biceps brachii between the affected and unaffected side (p>.05). This suggests that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation using D2 ex may improve muscle activities of the paretic side and that the irritation pattern of the affected side may respond to maintain body equilibrium according to movement of the sound side.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg patterns on the muscle activation of neck flexors. Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject performed bilateral asymmetrical PNF leg patterns against manual resistance under four conditions: through the full range of motion toward the right side, left side, and the end range in the right side, left side. Electromyographic (EMG) data was collected from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles as neck flexors. The root mean square (RMS) value of the SCM was measured and normalized from maximal EMG activity of the SCM. The data were analyzed using the paired t-test and repeated analysis of variance (ANOV A) was used to compare the statistical significance. The results of this study are summarized as follows: Firstly, the RMS values of SCM were significantly higher in all four PNF leg patterns than in the resting condition (p<.05). Secondly, there was no significant difference in muscle activation according to the direction of PNF leg patterns (p>.05). Thirdly, there was no significant difference in muscle activation according to the point of range of the motion of leg patterns (p>.05). It is suggested that PNF bilateral asymmetrical leg patterns have a considerable effect on muscle activation of the SCM, regardless of the range of motion and direction of PNF bilateral asymmetrical leg patterns.

본 연구는 슬관전 신전 직전에 수행된 선행 슬관절 굴곡이 슬관절 신전근의 최대 근력발생 및 근육 활성도(activation)에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 실시되었다. 16명의 정상인이 Cybex II 등속운동기구에서 3가지 다른 운동 속도(, , )와 2가지 다른 근육 활성 조건(선행부하가 없는 조건과 선행부하 조건)에서 슬관절의 최대 신전을 수행하였다. 연구대상자들에게 선행부하 없는 조건에서는 슬관절 굴곡 상태에서 까지 최대 신전을 수행하도록 하였

Nowadays Korean society including colleges and universities is paying great attention to teaching such practical subjects as English and Computer under the banner of internalization or globalization. In this stream of the modern age Chinese (literacy) programs are losing their ground day after day. Hence the author diagnosed the present status and problems of Chinese education executed in two colleges to locate the correct place of college Chinese education and to come up with the outline of the lessons that the students really want to take. A survey showed that 90 percent of the students agreed to the necessity of Chinese education, that their own knowledge of Chinese were limited, and that they were making efforts to improve their proficiency through individual study and by attending the classes offered. However, their basic interest in and knowledge of Chinese didn`t go beyond knowing the names of the works that were printed in the highschool textbooks, and they showed much interest in currently used characters or the old phraseology rather than the sentences. Some question items of the survey revealed that the students wanted to learn as much Chinese as they could read the newspapers. They simply want to learn words of Chinese characters, not the sentences from which we can discover the ideal or the view of value of our ancestors. This means that the present curriculum of Chinese education which focuses on sentence reading doesn`t meet the students` needs. In this respect, the author has thought about the lessons or materials that will fit into the stream of the age and meet the challenges. First of all we offer a curriculum with special focus on idiomatic Chinese and lead the students in the classroom to work on currently used Chinese words, not the sentences from the past literature. Second, we utilize the format of a special lecture series such as English TOEFL instead of offering a regular course. Third, we let the students have a broad choice toward Chinese literacy by offering subdivided courses like Chinese Novel, Chinese Poetry, Old Phraseology, Confucian Bible, and so on. We teachers should never forget that the fast-changing society and the new generation of students require us to adapt our Chinese education in colleges to the new stream and to the new tastes.

Thirty normal adults were tested to measure the electrical activity of the anterior (AD), middle (MD), and posterior portion (PD) of the deltoid muscle and sternal portion of the pectoralis major muscle (PM) during the performance of four upper extremity PNF diagonal patterns with elbow flexion angle in , , and . The PNF patterns in which these muscles function optimally have been theoretically advanced by Kabat and further described by Knott and Voss. They theorize that the MD should be most active with shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation (D2F); the PD with shoulder extension, abduction, and internal rotation (D1E); the AD with shoulder flexion, adduction, and external rotation (D1F); and the PM with shoulder extension, adduction and internal rotation (D2E). The patterns were performed through range of motion, with an isometric contraction performed in the shortened range. When the EMG activity of AD, MD, PD and PM in its optimal patterns was measured, it does not have significant difference among fixed elbow flexion angle , , and (p>.05). In addition, suggestions were made for study of patients who exhibit imbalance of muscle strength and have muscle weakness.

The purpose of this study was to compare the integrated electromyographic activity ratios of vastus lateralis(VL); rectus femoris lateral portion (RFL); rectus femoris medial portion(RFM); and vastus medialis(VM) muscles of 30 healthy subjects under three proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques. Each subject was randomly assigned to one of 3 PNF techniques groups : slow reversal(SR), slow reversal hold(SRH) and rhythmic stabilization (RS). Each person was positioned in supine with the right hip flexed to and the knee fully extended and received a total of 6 sessions. Each technique was applied to the right lower extremity in two diagonal patterns while electrical activity was monitored from the ipsilateral muscles VL, RFL, RFM, and VM, respectively. Comparison of normalized mean EMG magnitudes from VL, VM showed that RS demonstrated significantly greater activity than that of SR or SRH and that RFL and RFM did not demonstrate any greater relative EMG activity with the three PNF techniques than did VL or VM.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of one proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique and static stretching on calf muscle tightness. The subjects consist of 9 hemiplegics, and 9 quadriplegics. The eighteen subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups: prorioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(6 persons), static stretching(6 persons) and control(6 persons). Contract relax antagonist contract and static stretching techniques were applied continuously for twenty minutes each. Of the many proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques, only the contract relax antagonist contract technique was applied. The static stretching technique was applied with the subject placed in standing on a seventy degree inclined tilt table for twenty minutes. A wedge was placed under the feet to obtain maximum dorsiflexion. Wedge thickness varied with each subject. Results revealed: (1) a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups(p<0.05). (2) a significant difference between contract relax antagonist contract and static stretching groups(p<0.05). (3) At day five, the final increments were: contract relax antagonist contract , static stretching (meanstandard deviation).

Purpose: Many studies show that promoting the development of trade facilitation has a positive role in stimulating the country's foreign trade. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the development level of trade facilitation for China's export trade. Research design, data and methodology:This study analyzes the growth trend of China's export trade volume in 2009-2019, the characteristics of China's export trade market according to the top 18 major exporting countries in 2017-2018, the structure of export commodities to understand China's economic development level, and compares the total amount of trade exported to all uses this to measure the level of trade development. On this basis, this paper selects the 2011-2018 Trade Facilitation Index and C continents to study the development trend. Based on the theory of trade facilitation, this paper constructs the Trade Facilitation Index, and hina's export trade volume for empirical research. Results: The results show that trade facilitation has a positive and significant impact on the development of China's export trade. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of the actual situations and empirical results, this paper puts forward some suggestions to promote the level of trade facilitation in order to promote the development of import and export trade.