It has been reported that gastrocnemius tightness and posterior talar glide are crucial factors influencing ankle dorsiflexion. However, the relationship of ankle dorsiflexion and these factors is not identified in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion and gastrocnemius tightness and posterior talar glide. Twenty-five male subjects participated in this study. Bilateral weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion and amount posterior talar glide of participants were measured using an inclinometer. Change in myotendinous junction of medial gastrocnemius was measured using ultrasonography to identify gastrocnemius tightness. Pearson product moment correlations were performed to examine correlations between ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion and gastrocnemius tightness and posterior talar glide. Present findings revealed significant correlation between ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion and gastrocnemius tightness (p=0.017, r=0.336). Also, ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion was correlated with posterior talar glide (p=0.001, r=0.470). The present findings provide experimental evidence for factors influencing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion.
The original focus of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of lumbar rotational mobilization on the one-legged standing ability. Fifteen subjects (6 men and 9 women, mean age = 22.77 (SD = 1.21), mean height = 165.46cm (SD = 11.65), mean weight = 61.46kg (SD = 8.29) volunteers from healthy individuals were recruited and randomized to a lumbar rotational mobilization (LRM) group and a trunk rotational exercise (TRE) group. Mobilization (grade 3 or 4) was applied to the LRM group on the lumbar spine (L1 to L5) in a side-lying, and trunk twist exercise (left and right side) was applied the to the TRE group with lunge position. Center of pressure (COP) and the velocity of the center of pressure (VCOP) of each participant were measured as a balance ability through one leg standing position. Results are as follows. In within-group difference, the COP of the LRM group reduced during standing with the right foot, but the VCOP change of the LRM was not statistically significant. In between-groups difference, COP of TRE group was decreased compared with LRM group only during left leg standing in the eyes (p <.05). The results of this study suggest that LRM is more effective than TRE in improving balance ability.
This study aimed to analyze the six personality factors of rehabilitation therapists and to identify the effects of these factors on their job stress and turnover intention. This study involved physical therapists and occupational therapists as rehabilitation therapists. A structured questionnaire was distributed to rehabilitation therapists, and 186 answered copies were used for data analysis. The results of the survey were as follows: Among the six personality factors, the rehabilitation therapists showed the highest level of honesty–humility and the lowest level of openness to experience. In terms of job stress, the subjects experienced the highest level of stress from job autonomy and the lowest level of stress from relationship conflict. In terms of turnover intention and work motivation reduction, the subjects scored above the median points, showing their high levels of turnover intention. In addition, higher levels of extraversion and agreeableness in the rehabilitation therapists led to a statistically significant reduction in their turnover intention and a statistically significant decrease in most of their job stress factors. Based on these results, organizational management aimed at increasing the personality factors of extraversion and agreeableness is necessary as a measure to effectively manage rehabilitation therapists’ job stress and turnover intention.
The purpose of present study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on pulmonary function in stroke patients using manual wheelchairs. Twenty stroke patients were divided into a wood chair group (WCG, n=10), a wheelchairs group (WG, n=10), and a kinesio taping with wheelchairs group (KWG, n=10). Taping with wheelchairs group was applied kinesio taping on back muscles (vertical paraspinal strips and oblique strips). All three groups were trained in upright seated posture for 30 minutes. Pulmonary function tests were performed with forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity and peak expiratory flow as spirometer. There was a significant increase in forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity only in KWG. The results of this study demonstrate that kinesio taping has an immediate effect on the improvement of pulmonary function in stroke patients using manual wheelchairs.
This study aimed to identify the effects of kinesio taping (KT) applied in a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern on the pain, weight-bearing distribution (WBD), and walking ability of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. Thirty women with KOA were randomly allocated to a control group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps only, and a PNF pattern group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale during walking. In addition, WBD, and walking ability were measured before and 30 minutes after KT application. The VAS significantly reduced in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). WBD (p<.05, ES=.32) and walking ability (p<.05, ES=.38) showed a significant change in the PNF pattern group, and in the inter-group comparison, the PNF pattern group showed a significant difference compared to the control groups. These results demonstrate that KT application with PNF pattern effectively attenuate the pain and improves WBD and walking ability in KOA patients.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of manual therapy on lower extremity alignment in pelvic malalignment. The subjects were 20 adults with pelvic malalignment. They were divided into two groups: manual therapy group (n=10) and stretching exercise group (n=10). Each group performed the intervention two times per week for 4 weeks. The lower extremity alignment was measured by pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution, which were measured between pre- and post-test. In the result of pelvic deviation, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test of the manual therapy group and stretching exercise group. In the result of the functional leg length inequality, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post- test of the manual therapy group. In the result of plantar pressure distribution, there was a significant difference between the pre- and post- test of the manual therapy group. These findings suggest manual therapy improves the pelvic deviation, functional leg length inequality, and plantar pressure distribution in the pelvic malalignment.
This study examined the effects of group exercise program on health conditions and quality of life in cerebral palsy. Adults with cerebral palsy in their 20’s who participated in the evaluation of measurement tools prior to and following the experiment. The control group was engaged in manual exercise for the range of joint movement and extension exercise for arms, legs and trunk, and experimental group performed group exercise program including boccia exercise. The health condition and quality of life of the experimental group were significantly increased after intervention (.05<). There was a slight increase in the control group, however it was not statistically significant. As a result of comparing the health condition and quality of life of the two groups, the value of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The results of this study suggest that exercise programs for patients with cerebral palsy in the twenties are considered as beneficial interventions to improve health conditions and quality of life.
This study, based on physical therapy interventions for menstruation disorders, observed the effect of Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping on dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels. Female college students (n=37) who had >70 points on the mood disorder questionnaire (MDQ) and >4 points on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were divided into three different groups, the Pilates group (PG, n= 13), Pilates and Taping group (PTG, n=12), Taping group (TG, n=12). Pilates and taping were performed 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-menstruation difficulties were measured through the MDQ. Changes in blood prostaglandin F2α levels were also measured. Changes in pre- and post-menstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly reduced in the PG, PTG, and TG. Changes in pre- and postmenstrual pain and prostaglandin F2α levels resulted in significant differences in the PTG and TG. Dysmenorrhea and prostaglandin F2α levels were significantly decreased in the TG than in the PTG. These findings suggest that Pilates stabilization exercises and Kinesio taping are effective in decreasing menstrual difficulties and pain in female college students.
The International Headache Society (IHS) has validated cervicogenic headache (CGH) as a secondary headache type that is hypothesized to originate due to nociception in the cervical area. CGH is a common form of headache and accounts for 15% to 20% of all chronic and recurrent headaches. CGH is commonly treated with manual and exercise therapy. To date, no studies have isolated only one manual intervention in an attempt to determine its effectiveness. In this case study we present a 28-year-old patient with right upper cervical (UC) and occipital pain who responded well to a single manual intervention technique. This technique was applied in isolation for the first three visits and two therapeutic exercises prescribed on the fourth and fifth visit. In total, manual and exercise intervention occurred over 8 visits at which point in time the patient was discharged with no UC motion impairments, an NPRS rating of 0, a NDI and HDI demonstrating a 100% improvement and a 37% improvement in FOTO score. The traction based manual intervention and two therapeutic exercises prescribed for this patient were successful in relieving UC pain and CGH. At six months follow up, the patient was still symptom free.