이 글은 통일 이후 북한지역의 고용정책을 수립함에 있어 근로권과 재 산권의 규범원리가 어떠한 방식으로 작동해야 하는지를 남북한 법제도 비교를 통해 고찰하였다. 북한은 노동을 국가의 의무로 규정하고, 직업의 배치와 관리를 국가가 독점하는 통제 중심의 체제를 유지하고 있는 반면, 남한은 직업 선택의 자유와 노동시장의 자율성을 전제로 고용제도를 운 영하고 있다. 이러한 체제 간 근본적인 차이를 충분히 고려하지 않은 채, 남한의 보 편적 노동관련 법제를 일방적으로 북한지역에 적용할 경우, 북한 주민의 실업문제를 구조적으로 심화시키고, 사회경제적 혼란을 초래할 가능성이 있다. 이에 본 연구는 근로권과 재산권을 상호 분리된 개별권리가 아니라, ‘일할기회’와 ‘생계기반’을 포괄하는 통합적 권리로 접근할 필요성을 제기 한다. 고용을 자산형성과 연계하는 제도적 방향은, 북한 주민의 자립 영 향을 강화하고 안정적인 노동시장 질서를 기초를 수립하는 데 기초가 되 기 때문이다. 이러한 통합적 접근은 단기적 실업해소에 그치는 것이 아니 라, 통합과정에서의 지속가능한 사회통합에 기여할 수 있을 것이다.

이 글은 반폐쇄해인 태국만에서 한 세기 이상 지속되어 온 태국-캄보디 아 간 해양 분쟁의 복잡한 연원과 해양경계 협상을 살펴보고, 대륙붕 공동 개발 등 양국 간 해양 분쟁 관리의 핵심적 틀로 여겨지는 2001년 ‘해양경계획정 및 공동개발체제 수립에 관한 양해각서(MoU44)’의 쟁점 과 법적 성질을 규명하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 양국 간 국경분쟁은 1907년 프랑스-샴 조약과 부속 지도에 대한 해석에 서 비롯되었다. 1907년 부속 지도는 양국 간 합의로 프랑스 지도회사가 제 작한 것으로, 육상 경계는 자연 분수령을 따르기로 하였다. 프레아 비헤아 르 사원이 캄보디아 영토로 표기되었다는 점에 대해 태국이 이의를 제기하 면서, 양국 모두 영유권을 주장하는 지역이 생겨났다. 1962년 국제사법재 판소는 이 사원이 캄보디아에 속한다고 판정하였고, 2013년 사원 주변 지 역에 대해서 1962년 결정을 재확인하였다. 그러나 양국 간 육상 영토 분쟁 은 현재에도 이어지고 있다. 양국 간 해상 분쟁은 1907년 부속 지도상 꼬꿋섬(Koh Kut)과 연결된 선에 대한 상반된 해석에서 비롯되었다. 캄보디아는 이 선을 해양 경계선으 로 보면서 꼬꿋섬에 대한 영유권을 주장하였다. 태국은 이를 육상 국경 설 정을 위한 시야선으로 보았고, 실효적 지배를 근거로 영유권을 주장하였다. 1972년 캄보디아가 과도한 직선기선을 선포하여 주장중첩수역(OCA)을 형 성하면서 분쟁은 격화되었다. 태국만 내 약 26,000㎢에 달하는 OCA는 막 대한 양의 탄화수소 자원이 매장되어 있을 것으로 추정되어서 양국 간 첨 예한 대립의 원인이 되었다. 양국의 타협 없는 주장으로 인해 해양경계획정 협상은 결국 교착 상태에 빠지게 되었다. 이러한 교착 상태를 타개하기 위해 2001년 체결된 MoU44는 이원적 접 근법(Dual Track Approach)을 채택하였다. 이는 OCA 북부 지역의 경계 획정과 자원이 풍부한 남부 지역의 공동 개발을 동시에 추진하는 것을 핵 심으로 한다. 그러나 MoU44의 가장 큰 실패 요인이자 근원적 한계는 불 가분 패키지(Indivisible Package) 조항이라고 할 수 있다. 이 조항은 두 트랙의 합의가 연계되어서, 어느 한쪽의 합의 없이는 다른 쪽 합의도 효력을 발휘될 수 없도록 규정하였다. 결국 양국 간 현실적으로 해결이 어려운 꼬꿋섬 영유권 및 해양경계획정 문제로 인하여 실용적 협력이 가능한 공동 개발 논의가 발목 잡히면서, 불가분 패키지는 MoU44 체제 전체를 마비시 키는 구조적 요인으로 작용하였다. MoU44는 최종적 권리·의무를 확정하는 실체적 조약이 아니라, 합의 도출을 목표로 하는 ‘향후 합의를 위한 의사표시’(agreement to agree) 로서의 법적 성질이 강하다. 한편으로 MoU44는 양국에 UNCLOS 제74 조 및 제83조에 규정된 ‘잠정조치 의무’를 구체화하는 법적 의미를 지 닌다. 즉, MoU44는 양국에 실질적인 잠정 약정(공동 개발 등) 체결을 위해 ‘신의성실하게 교섭할 절차적 의무’를 부과하고, 최종 합의를 위태 롭게 하는 일방적 행위(자원 탐사 및 개발 등)를 삼가야 할 ‘자제 의 무’를 강화하는 역할을 한다. 결론적으로 MoU44는 분쟁의 근본 원인을 해결하지 못한 채 오히려 불 가분 패키지라는 조항으로 인해 UNCLOS상의 잠정조치 의무 이행마저 형 해화시키는 결과를 초래한 것으로 평가할 수 있다. 따라서 향후 분쟁 해결 을 위해서 양국은 경직된 일괄 타결 조항에서 벗어나, 태국-말레이시아 공 동 개발 사례처럼 경계획정 문제를 잠정적으로 유보하고 공동 개발을 우선 추진하는 유연한 접근법을 모색하거나, 동티모르-호주 사례처럼 제3자 개 입을 통한 해결 방안을 적극적으로 고려해 볼 필요가 있다. 아울러 이 사례 는 한·일 대륙붕 공동개발협정의 미래에도 중요한 시사점을 제공할 수 있으 며, 한·일 해양경계협정에 대비한 철저한 준비의 필요성을 역설해 주고 있 다.

본 연구는 디지털 전환과 팬데믹 이후의 의료환경 변화 속에서 온라인 약 국 제도의 도입 가능성과 입법적 과제를 법학적 관점에서 분석한 것이다. 현 행 「약사법」은 의약품의 대면 판매를 원칙으로 하여 온라인 유통을 원천적으 로 제한하고 있으나, 소비자 수요와 디지털 헬스케어 환경의 확대는 제도 정 비의 필요성을 제기하고 있다. 이에 본 논문은 온라인 약국의 개념과 운영 주 체를 유형화하고, 미국, 일본, 유럽연합의 입법례를 비교 분석하였다. 또한 온 라인 약국 도입에 따라 발생하는 건강권과 공공보건의 조화, 약사 직역 보호 와 복약지도 재구성, 소비자 보호와 정보 비대칭 해소, 플랫폼 책임법제 등의 주요 법적 쟁점을 검토하였다. 이러한 분석을 바탕으로, 약사법, 전자상거래 법, 개인정보 보호법 등의 정합적 개정을 통한 법체계 정비와 더불어, 실질적 법적 책임 구조 설계, 인증제도 도입, 기술 기반 인프라 구축을 포함한 입법 적 과제를 제시한다. 본 연구는 온라인 약국 제도가 단순한 유통방식의 변화 가 아니라 보건의료체계 전반의 구조적 전환임을 전제로, 공공성과 안전성을 균형 있게 고려한 실천적 입법 대안을 도출하고자 한다.

Background: During daily activities, stability is maintained to enhance the function of muscles surrounding the lumbopelvic and hip structures. The core muscles such as the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) responsible for this stability. One effective static exercise for strengthening these muscles is the plank. Objects: This study aimed to compare abdominal electromyographic activation when an unstable support surface was applied to the upper and lower extremities during a standard and a knee plank. Methods: A total of 30 adults (15 males and 15 females) participated in this study. Surface electromyography electrodes were placed on the RA, EO, and IO muscles. Data were collected under six conditions for males, including two plank postures (standard and knee planks) and three unstable surface conditions (a dynamic balance cushion applied to the upper extremities, lower extremities, or no cushion). Female participants performed only the knee plank. A mixed-effects model with a random intercept was used to analyze muscle activation across plank posture and surface position, with statistical significance set at α = 0.05. Results: In males, the standard plank elicited greater muscle activation than the knee plank across all muscles (p < 0.0001). Additionally, applying an unstable support surface to the upper extremities significantly increased muscle activation in both plank postures in EO and IO (p < 0.001). Other muscle, RA, was only affected by the unstable support surface in the standard plank position only. In females, the knee plank with upper limb instability resulted in the highest muscle activation for all muscles. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of surface instability in core muscle engagement. However, future studies should further investigate abdominal muscle activation with a more detailed analysis and the inclusion of a control group to enhance comparative validity.

Background: With the increase of seated work, interest in forward head posture (FHP) has grown. Prolonged computer tasks with FHP have been considered a factor that increases the stiffness and tone of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle. Traditionally, many studies have measured the craniovertebral angle (CVA) in standing positions to assess FHP, making it difficult to determine whether the CVA measured in a habitual working posture correlates with the stiffness and tone of the UT muscle in office workers. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the relationship among CVA, UT muscle stiffness, and tone in both habitual working and standing postures among asymptomatic office workers. Methods: Forty asymptomatic office workers participated in the study. CVA was measured in both habitual working and standing postures. Stiffness and tone of the UT muscle were assessed after a 10-minute computer task. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between CVA and stiffness and tone of the UT muscle. Results: No significant correlations were found between CVA in standing posture and the stiffness and tone of the UT muscle. However, moderate negative correlations were observed between CVA measured in the habitual working posture and both the stiffness (dominant: r = –0.490, non-dominant r = –0.465) and tone (dominant: r = –0.501, non-dominant r = –0.446) of the UT muscle. Conclusion: This study highlights that decreased CVA in habitual working posture is associated with increased stiffness and tone of the UT muscle in asymptomatic office workers. Therefore, measuring CVA in the habitual working posture should be considered when evaluating stiffness and tone of the UT muscle.

Background: Balance disorder is a prevalent clinical manifestation following stroke, often causing considerable discomfort and gait disability. Various water-based therapeutic approaches have been developed to address balance and gait disorder. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of water-based gait training using auditory stimulation on balance and gait abilities in stroke patients. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups: water-based gait training using auditory stimulation group (WAG) (n = 24), water-based gait training group (WG) (n = 24), and control group (n = 22). Subjects in WAG and WG underwent water-based gait training for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. All Subjects were assessed for muscle strength, balance, gait, motor function, and activity of daily living pre- and post-intervention. Results: Results showed that all outcome measures significantly improved post-intervention (p < 0.05). Additionally, WAG was found to significantly improve in Medical Research Council (MRC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test compared to WG, and WG showed significant differences compared to the control group in MRC and Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) (p < 0.05). WAG exhibited significant differences in all areas except Modified Bathel Index (MBI) in the between-group comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that water-based gait training using auditory stimulation may be effective strategy to improve muscle strength, balance and gait ability for with stroke.

Background: Ankle flexibility is important for maintaining proper biomechanical function. Static stretching is used to improve flexibility with minimal risk; however, its effects are often temporary. Transfer of energy capacitive and resistive (TECAR) therapy has the potential to enhance muscle flexibility and circulation through deep heat applications. However, comparative studies evaluating the effectiveness of TECAR therapy and static stretching are lacking. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of static stretching therapy (ST) and combined TECAR and static stretching therapy (T-ST) in subjects with gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) tightness. Methods: Twenty-seven participants with bilateral GCM tightness were enrolled. To administer the ST and T-ST, which were each applied to both legs, the participants stood for 15 minutes on a wedge with a 0°–15° incline, with both feet on the wedge during ST and with TECAR therapy in resistive energy transfer mode applied to only one side of the GCM during T-ST. Muscle stiffness (MyotonPRO), dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM), peak torque, and pennation angle (PA) of the GCM were measured before and after the intervention. Normality was confirmed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Differences between the ST and T-ST leg conditions and between pre- and post-intervention changes in the legs were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: There were no significant differences in any of the measured variables between the legs before the intervention. ST and T-ST legs showed significant improvements in all measured variables after the intervention (p < 0.05). T-ST legs demonstrated a significantly greater increase in DF and a greater decrease in PA than ST legs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: T-ST outperformed ST in reducing PA and increasing DF-ROM by promoting deep tissue relaxation and stimulating metabolic activity. This may lead to reduced pain and greater flexibility compared to ST. Maintaining an optimal PA ensures efficient force transmission during exercise, as evidenced by the observed increase in peak torque.

Background: Portable, small computers and smartphones are now considered essential tools in modern society and smartphone ownership and usage rates are rising every year. However, excessive smartphone use can have musculoskeletal and postural implications, leading to “smartphone addiction” and related dysfunctions. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on scapular position and muscle activity during shoulder abduction in asymptomatic individuals. Methods: A total of 45 participants were classified into high-risk, middle-risk, and low-risk groups based on their smartphone addiction levels. Scapular position was measured using the scapular index, round shoulder posture (RSP), lateral scapular slide test, and scapulohumeral rhythm spine angle. Muscle activity was assessed using electromyography of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and anterior deltoid (AD) muscles during shoulder abduction. Results: Smartphone addiction was significantly associated with altered scapular position and muscle activity. The high-risk group exhibited greater forward head posture and more pronounced RSP. Additionally, the high-risk group had lower SA activation and higher UT, LT, and AD muscle activity, indicating compensatory mechanisms due to altered scapular positioning. Conclusion: These findings suggest that excessive smartphone use contributes to postural deviations and altered muscle activation patterns, which may lead to musculoskeletal dysfunction over time. Clinicians should consider smartphone use when assessing patients with scapular dysfunction, and future studies should explore interventions to mitigate these effects.

Background: Logistics service workers (LSWs) face significant occupational challenges, with ankle sprains being the second most prevalent work-related musculoskeletal disorder. Foot posture, assessed through the navicular drop test, can significantly influence dynamic balance performance, which is crucial for injury prevention in physically demanding occupational settings. Objects: This study aimed to investigate differences in dynamic balance performance among LSWs with pronated, supinated, and normal foot types using the Y-Balance test (YBT), comparing reach distances across anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Methods: A total of 205 LSWs were classified into three groups based on navicular drop measurements: supinated (n = 44), normal (n = 94), and pronated (n = 67) foot types. The YBT was performed on the dominant leg, measuring reach distances in three directions. Participants’ demographic characteristics were recorded, and statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction. Results: Significant differences in YBT performance were observed across all three directions (anterior: p = 0.009, posterolateral: p = 0.015, posteromedial: p = 0.014). The supinated and normal foot groups showed significantly greater reach distances compared to the pronated group (p < 0.026 for anterior direction). In the posterolateral direction, the supinated group demonstrated significantly better performance compared to the pronated group (p = 0.014). Similarly, the posteromedial direction revealed significantly higher reach distances for the supinated group compared to the pronated group (p = 0.012). Conclusion: The study reveals that foot type significantly impacts dynamic balance performance among LSWs. Workers with pronated feet demonstrate reduced balance capabilities, while those with supinated feet show the most superior dynamic balance performance.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is associated with trunk and lower extremity muscle weakness. Kneeling squat (KS) is a hip-focused exercise commonly used in the activities of daily living. However, research on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity across movement phases (ascending, holding, and descending) during KS remains limited and warrants further investigation. Objects: To determine the muscle activity of transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), erector spinae, gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), rectus femoris (RF) in the contraction phases of KS in individuals with CLBP. Methods: Surface electromyography data were recorded during KS across the ascending, holding, and descending phases on the side with CLBP. A 60-bit metronome was used to control the exercise speed. Results: The muscle activity of the TrA/IO was significantly higher during the holding phase than during the ascending and descending phases. The Gmax and Gmed were significantly higher during the holding phase than during the descending phase, whereas, RF was significantly higher during the ascending phase than during the holding and descending phases. Conclusion: The holding phase of KS may be recommended as a trunk and lower extremity exercise to increase in TrA/IO, Gmax, and Gmed muscle activity. Additionally, the ascending phase activates RF muscle in individuals with CLBP.

Background: Hamstring shortness (HS) contributes to the limit of hip and knee range of motion and can limit the execution of multi-segmental movement exercises such as squatting, thereby altering the muscle activation. The double leg squat (DS) is fundamental exercise for knee injury rehabilitation programs. However, it may aggravate knee joint injury and cause low back pain. The Bulgarian split squat (BSS) is a one-leg squat exercise with greater knee joint stability than DS. Measuring muscle activation during the squat will provide insight into the contribution of hamstring activation and quadriceps and hamstring (Q:H) ratio to the knee in participants with HS. Objects: This study compares hamstring activation and Q:H ratios during squat exercises in individuals with and without HS. Methods: This study classified 30 healthy participants, based on active knee extension, into two groups: with HS and without HS. Surface electromyography was performed to determine muscle activation of the medial hamstring (MH) and biceps femoris of the hamstrings and coactivation of the Q:H. All participants performed DS and BSS. Results: MH activity was significantly higher in the with HS group than in the without HS group during all exercises, and the Q:H ratio was significantly closer to 1.0 during BBS compared to DS. Additionally, the with HS group had a significantly lower Q:H ratio than without HS group. Conclusion: In comparison between exercises, BBS can bring the Q:H ratio closer to 1.0 compared to DS, which may enhance knee stability. However, in between-group comparisons, the increased tension due to the shortening of the hamstrings leads to heightened hamstring activation, resulting in a Q:H ratio that is closer to 1.0 compared to the without HS group. Therefore, relying solely on the Q:H ratio to assess knee stability may be risky.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common health problem among female caregivers. In Korea, 70.4% of caregivers experience LBP after caregiving. The prevalence of LBP was higher in female caregivers of patients who required physical assistance with transfer than in those caring for patients who did not require physical assistance. Lifting movements, such as patient transfer and positioning, are associated with lumbopelvic stability (LPS) and knee muscle strength. However, no studies have investigated the differences in LPS and knee muscle strength between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Objects: This study was conducted to investigate the differences of the LPS, knee extension strength (KES) and knee flexion strength (KFS) between female caregivers with and without CLBP. Methods: Thirty-one female caregivers participated in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: (1) caregivers without CLBP (n = 13) and (2) caregivers with CLBP (n = 18). LPS, KES, and KFS levels were measured. An independent t-test was used to compare the LPS, KES, and KFS between caregivers with and without CLBP. The statistical significance was set at α of 0.05. Results: The LPS and KES scores were significantly lower in caregivers with CLBP than those without. In contrast, the KFS did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: This study observed associations of both LPS and KES with CLBP among female caregivers.

Background: Aquatic exercise utilizing hot springs helps individuals with nonspecific knee pain by reducing joint stress and providing a safe environment for movement. It can improve muscle strength and balance, enhancing overall functional mobility. Objects: This study aims to examine the muscle strength of knee flexion, knee extension, dorsiflexion, and plantar flexion, as well as to investigate static and dynamic balance in middleaged females after performing hot spring aquatic exercise for 4 weeks. Methods: Twenty-two middle-aged females participated in the study. The participants performed hot spring aquatic exercise for 4 weeks. The hot spring aquatic exercise consisted of aquatic walking, aquatic stretching, aquatic side step, aquatic forward reach, aquatic squat, leg lift, and aquatic arm and leg rotation. Muscle strength was measured using microFET2, while static balance was assessed through the one-leg stance test, and dynamic balance was evaluated using the Y-balance test. This study utilized the paired t-test for statistical analysis, with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: The muscle strength of bilateral knee flexion showed a significant increase in the pre- and post-comparison (p < 0.05), and the muscle strength of bilateral knee extension also improved significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant increase was observed in the muscle strength of bilateral dorsiflexion (p < 0.05). The one-leg stance test performed while supporting on the right leg showed a significant increase in the pre- and post-comparison (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the dynamic balance measurements performed while supporting on both the right and left legs demonstrated significant improvements in both legs when compared before and after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In individuals with nonspecific knee pain, a 4-week hot spring aquatic exercise program can contribute to the improvement of lower extremity strength, as well as static and dynamic balance ability.

Background: Stroke often results in impaired postural control and asymmetric weight distribution, which negatively affect balance and functional mobility. Previous research has demonstrated that balance training interventions incorporating proprioceptive stimulation and visual feedback can enhance postural stability in stroke survivors. However, there remains debate regarding the relative effectiveness of these two approaches. While proprioception-based training emphasizes sensory input from mechanoreceptors to improve postural control, visual feedback-based training leverages external cues to facilitate balance adjustments. Objectives: To investigation the effects of proprioception-based trunk exercise and visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise on sitting balance in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 participants diagnosed with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the proprioception-based trunk exercise group (PTG, n=10) and the visual-auditory feedback-based trunk exercise group (VTG, n=11). Both groups participated in a 6-week intervention program, five sessions per week, lasting 25 minutes per session. Outcome measures included the Limitation of Stability (LOS), the Korean version of the Trunk Impairment Scale (K-TIS), and the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were analyzed using paired t-tests and independent t-tests to evaluate within-group and between-group differences. Results: Both PTG and VTG groups demonstrated significant improvements in LOS, K-TIS, and PASS scores following the intervention (P<.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the amount of change observed. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both proprioception-based and visualauditory feedback-based trunk exercises are effective in improving sitting balance in chronic stroke patients. The lack of a significant difference between the groups indicates that both approaches provide comparable benefits. Future research should explore long-term effects and investigate potential differences in various functional domains beyond sitting balance.

Background: Neck discomfort and movement limitations are common musculoskeletal problems among modern people. While cervical and thoracic joint mobilization are widely used interventions for cervical dysfunction, research comparing their immediate effectiveness in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation is limited. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects of cervical versus thoracic joint mobilization in adults with adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation and discomfort. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with left-right differences in cervical rotation of more than 5 degrees were randomly assigned to a cervical mobilization group (CMG, n=15) or thoracic mobilization group (TMG, n=15). Both groups received Grade III mobilization for 15 minutes. Range of motion (ROM), pain (VAS), and neck disability index (NDI) were measured before and after intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant increases in ROM after intervention (P<.001). Within-group analysis revealed that the TMG showed significant pain reduction (P<.01) and significant reduction in left-right rotation asymmetry (P<.001), while the CMG showed improvement in ROM but no significant changes in asymmetry or pain (P>.05). Neither group showed significant changes in NDI. Between-group comparisons showed no significant differences in any outcome measures. Conclusion: Both cervical and thoracic joint mobilization increased cervical range of motion in adults with asymmetrical cervical rotation discomfort. The TMG demonstrated significant within-group improvements in left-right rotation asymmetry and pain reduction, suggesting potential clinical benefits of thoracic mobilization for certain aspects of cervical dysfunction.

Background: Functional sarcopenia, a subcategory of sarcopenia, has recently been introduced. It is defined by muscle weakness and reduced physical performance, regardless of muscle mass reduction, and may potentially affect overall rehabilitation outcomes in patients. Objectives: This study aimed to classify stroke patients into two groups based on the presence or absence of functional sarcopenia and to compare changes in balance and gait ability after receiving the same rehabilitation intervention. Design: A quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 44 stroke patients participated in this study and were classified into functional sarcopenia (n=22) and non-functional sarcopenia groups. Physical function tests were used to assess balance (Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale) and gait (10-Meter Walk Test, Functional Ambulation Category). All participants underwent a four-week convalescent rehabilitation program, receiving five sessions per week, with each session lasting four hours per day. Results: After four weeks of convalescent rehabilitation, both groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (P<.05). However, when comparing the pre-post changes, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the changes of balance and gait outcomes (P>.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that stroke patients with functional sarcopenia can achieve a similar level of functional recovery as those without functional sarcopenia when provided with appropriate rehabilitation interventions.

Background: Recent research suggests that the most effective and proactive method for correcting excessive pronation, which contributes to the lowering of the medial longitudinal arch, is to enhance both intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles simultaneously. Objectives: This study aims to compare the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle exercises on medial longitudinal arch height, plantar pressure distribution, and lactate levels in university students with flexible flatfoot. Design: Randomized controlled trial study. Methods: Twenty-two students with flexible flat foot participated in this study and were recruited by N University in Korea. The subjects were randomly divided into Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening group (IFG; n=11) that went through Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercise, Extrinsic foot muscle strengthening group (EFG; n=11) that went through extrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercise. SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups showed significant increases in medial arch height and first metatarsal bone pressure, while EFG also had increased pressure at the second to fourth metatarsal bones. No significant differences were found in lactate levels. Conclusion: Both intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle strengthening exercises can be suggested as effective interventions for improving medial longitudinal arch height and plantar pressure.

Background: Prolonged use of computers and mobile devices has contributed to postural abnormalities such as Rounded Shoulder Posture (RSP), which is characterized by muscle imbalances that can lead to pain and functional limitations. Correcting these imbalances through targeted stretching and strengthening exercises was expected to help improve postural alignment and muscle function. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a six-week integrated exercise program targeting the pectoralis minor (PM), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) on postural alignment and muscle activation in female adults with RSP. Design: Single-group pre-post test study. Methods: Eighteen female university students (aged 20–22 years) with RSP participated in a six-week intervention consisting of PM stretching, UT stretching, and LT strengthening exercises. RSP severity was assessed using acromion-to-ground distance, PM length was measured with a caliper, and surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to evaluate UT and LT muscle activity. Normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and paired t-tests were conducted for statistical analysis (α=0.05). Results: After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in all measured variables. Acromion-to-ground distance decreased (P<0.001), PM length increased (P<0.001), UT activation decreased (P<0.01), and LT activation increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: The six-week integrated exercise program effectively improved postural alignment and muscle activation in women with RSP by addressing muscle shortening, overactivity, and weakness. These findings suggest that combined stretching and strengthening exercises can serve as a practical and effective approach for RSP correction. Future studies with longer durations and diverse populations are recommended to further validate these results and enhance clinical applicability.

Background: As the length of stay for rehabilitation and medical care services for occupational injury patients continues to increase, this study aims to explore alternative solutions that can support the corporation's efforts to develop rehabilitation treatment programs in response. Objectives: By analyzing the most frequent diseases among occupational injury patients over the past five years and comparing the average length of stay (LOS) for each disease by disease type, occupation, gender, and type of accident, it is expected that the necessity for developing rehabilitation treatment programs for occupational injury patients can be identified. Furthermore, when applying the developed treatment programs, a reasonable LOS can be derived. Design: Patient clinical data lab. Methods: From January 2017 to December 2021, data from 292,423 occupational injury patients who submitted their initial medical treatment applications to the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (KWCWS) and received approval for their occupational injuries were de-identified. After data preprocessing, the cases were categorized by diagnosis, and statistical analysis was conducted using Excel ver. 21.0. Results: In the intensive rehabilitation treatment process, inpatient and outpatient care show a very strong correlation with r=0.8817, followed by the total number of treatment days (r=0.6431) and the number of treatment sessions (r=0.6441). Conclusion: It is necessary to establish application criteria for injury groups that significantly impact the average medical care days and medical care benefits of industrial accident patients. These criteria should consider factors such as exceeding the average length of medical care for specific injury groups (orthopedic/neurological), gender differences (female patient group), discrepancies in inpatient and outpatient medical care benefits, the proportion of high disability grades (Grade 1-3), common injury (accident) types, and the top 1/2/3 associated injury groups by occupation type. Based on these criteria, simultaneous management of the provision timing of rehabilitation service programs and the average medical care days for the 50 most common injury groups is required.

Background: Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a prevalent cause of shoulder pain, often linked to abnormal scapular positioning and movement. Prior research suggests that scapular stabilization exercises (SSE) may improve SAIS symptoms, but there's a lack of research on the specific quantitative effects of SSE on scapular position and function. Objectives: To investigated the effects of SSE on scapular position and shoulder function in patients with SAIS. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty participants with SAIS, diagnosed using the Scapular Dyskinesis Test (SDT), were randomly assigned to either a scapular stabilization exercise group (SSEG, n=15) or a traditional rehabilitation training group (TRTG, n=15). Both groups received eight weeks of intervention. Outcome measures included the scapular index (SI), measured using digital vernier calipers, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Results: The SSE group showed statistically significant increases in scapular index (SI) and significant decreases in Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) pain and disability scores. The TRTG showed no statistically significant changes in these measures. The SSE group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in SI and SPADI scores compared to the TRTG. Conclusion: These findings suggest that SSE may be a valuable treatment option for improving shoulder function and reducing pain in patients with SAIS. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the longterm effects of SSE.