To synthesize Sn nanoparticles (NPs) less than 30 nm in diameter, a modified polyol process was conducted at room temperature using a reducing agent, and the effects of different pH values of the initial solutions on the morphology and size of the synthesized Sn NPs were analyzed. tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate, diethylene glycol, sodium borohydride, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and sodium hydroxide were used as a precursor, reaction medium, reducing agent, capping agent, and pH adjusting agent, respectively. It was found by transmission electron microscopy that the morphology of the synthesized Sn NPs varied according to the pH of the initial solution. Moreover, while the size decreased to 11.32 nm with an increase up to 11.66 of the pH value, the size increased rapidly to 39.25 nm with an increase to 12.69. The pH increase up to 11.66 dominantly promoted generation of electrons and increased the amount of initial nucleation in the solution, finally inducing the reduced-size of the Sn particles. However, the additional increase of pH dominantly induced a decrease of PVP by neutralization, which resulted in acceleration of the agglomeration by collisions between particles.

The existing metal getters are invariably covered with thin oxide layers in air and the native oxide layer must be dissolved into the getter materials for activation. However, high temperature is needed for the activation, which leads to unavoidable deleterious effects on the devices. Therefore, to improve the device efficiency and gas-adsorption properties of the device, it is essential to synthesize the getter with a method that does not require a thermal activation temperature. In this study, getter material was synthesized using palladium oxide (PdOx) which can adsorb H2 gas. To enhance the efficiency of the hydrogen and moisture absorption, a porous layer with a large specific area was fabricated by an etching process and used as supporting substrates. It was confirmed that the moisture-absorption performance of the SiO2/Si was characterized by water vapor volume with relative humidity. The gas-adsorption properties occurred in the absence of the activation process.

For maintaining adequate psychometric properties when reducing the number of items from an instrument, item level psychometrics is crucial. Strategies such as low item correlation or factor loadings, using classical test theory, have traditionally been advocated. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of a new short form assessing the impact of low back pain on physical activity. Rasch measurement model has been applied to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Activity Measure (ICF-AM). One hundred and one individuals with low back pain aged 19-89 years (mean age: 48.1±17.3) who live in the community were participated in the study. Twenty-seven items of lifting/carrying construct of the ICF-AM were analyzed. Ten items were selected from the construct to create a short form. Item elimination criteria include: 1) high or low mean square (out of the range: .6-1.4 for the fit statistics), 2) similar item calibrations to adjacent items, 3) person separation value, and item-person map for potential gap in person ability continuum. All 10 items of the short form fit to the Rasch model except one item (i.e., carrying toddler on back). Despite its high infit and outfit statistics (1.90/2.17), the item had to be reinstated due to potential gaps at the upper extreme of person ability level. The short form had a slightly better spread of person ability continuum compared to the entire set of item. The created short form separated individuals with low back pain into nearly 4 groups, while the entire set of items separated the individuals into 6 groups. The findings prompted multidimensional models for better explanation of the lifting/carrying domain. The item level psychometrics based on the Rasch model can be useful in developing short forms with rationally retained items.

Excessive lumbar flexion during sit-to-stand (STS) is a risk factor for lower back pain. Postural taping can prevent unwanted flexion of the lumbar spine. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of taping the lower back on the lumbopelvic region and hip joint kinematics during STS. Sixteen healthy subjects participated. All subjects performed the STS with and without taping of the lower back. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to measure the kinematics of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip joint during STS. The angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, and hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between starting position and maximal lumbar flexion were collected. Paired t-tests, or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test for non-parametric distribution, were used to assess differences in the measurements with and without taping. A p-value ＜.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference. Significant differences were observed in the angle of the peak lumbar flexion, pelvic anterior tilting, hip flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine (p＜.05). Taping was associated with a significant decrease in the angle of peak lumbar flexion and angular displacement of the lumbar spine between the starting position and maximal lumbar spine flexion. In addition, the peak angle of pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion were significantly increased with taping. The findings of this study suggest that taping the lower back can decrease excessive lumbar flexion, and increase the pelvic anterior tilting and hip flexion motion during STS.

Differential item functioning (DIF) based on Rasch model can be used to examine whether the items function similarly across different groups and identify items that appear to be too easy or difficult after controlling for the ability levels of the compared groups. The Oswestry low back pain disability (Oswestry) has traditionally been proved as an effective instrument measuring disability resulting from low back pain (LBP). In this study, DIF method was used to explore whether items on the Oswestry perform similarly across two different groups (participants with LBP and no LBP). A series of Rasch analyses on the 10 items of the Oswestry were performed using Winsteps(R) software. Forty-two participants with back pain were recruited from 3 rehabilitation hospitals in Gainesville, Florida. Another 42 participants with no LBP were recruited from several public places in the rehabilitation hospitals. Based on the DIF analysis across the two groups, several items were found to have an uniform DIF. Participants with no LBP had more difficulty on lifting and personal care items and participants with LBP had more difficulty on sleeping and social life items. For non-LBP group, a high ceiling effects (83% of participants with non-LBP) was detected, which was not be able to be effectively measured with the Oswestry items. Although 4 items of the Oswestry function differently across the two groups, all items of the Oswestry were well targeted the LBP group.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three cognitive tasks on gait at a preferred walking speed, and at a fast speed, using dual-task methodology. A total of 29 stroke patients participated in the study. All 29 subjects performed 2 motor tasks (10-meter walk task and timed up and go task each at a preferred and a fast speed) and three cognitive tasks [Stroop, word list generation (WLG), serial subtraction (SS)] under dual-task conditions [cognitive-motor interference (CMI)] in a randomized order. Gait speeds were measured in six different conditions. A repeated-measure analysis of variance was employed to compare the results of the Stroop training, WLG, and SS tasks during preferred and fast walking. A Bonferroni adjustment use for post hoc analysis. The level of statistical significance was set at α=.05. A CMI effect occurred for performance of a 10-meter walking task at two different speed and a cognitive task (p＜.05). Stroop had a significantly greater effect than SS and WLG (p＜.05). The timed up and go task was affected when performed with fast walking speed during Stroop cognitive task (p＜.05), but was not affected if performed with preferred walking speed during a cognitive task (p＞;.05). This study showed that CMI of Stroop can be used as a rehabilitation program for stroke patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of walking on a treadmill while using dynamic functional electrical stimulation (Dynamic FES) on functional ability and gait in chronic stroke patients. This was a prospective, randomized controlled study. Twelve patients with chronic stroke (＞;24 months) who were under grade 3 in dorsiflexor strength with manual muscle test were included and randomized into intervention (Dynamic FES) (n1=7) and control (FES) (n2=5). Both the Dynamic FES group and FES group were given a neuromuscular development treatment. The Dynamic FES group has implemented a total of 60 minutes of exercise treatment and gait training with Dynamic FES application. The FES group, with the addition of applying FES while sitting, has also implemented a total of 90 minutes of gait training on treadmill after the exercise treatment. Both two groups accomplished the program, twice a week, for a total of 24 times in a 12-week period. Exercise treatment, gait training on treadmill, and both Dynamic FES and FES were implemented for 30 minutes each. Korean version activities-specific balance confidence scale (K-ABC) was measured to determine self-efficacy in balance function. Timed up and go (TUG) test was performed to evaluate the physical performance. K-ABC, TUG, Berg balance scale (BBS), modified physical performance test (mPPT) and G-walk were evaluated at baseline and at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, statistically significant differences (p＜.05) were apparent in the Dynamic FES group in the changes in K-ABC and BBS. mPPT, TUG, gait speed, stride length and stance phase duration (%) were compared with the FES group. K-ABC had higher correlation to BBS, along with mPPT to TUG. Our results suggest that walking with Dynamic FES in chronic stroke patients may be beneficial for improving their balance confidence, functional ability and gait.

The purpose of this study was to determine the muscle activities of the erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), and the hamstring (HAM) and the ratios of Gmax/ES, Gmax/HAM, and Gmed/HAM during the prone heel squeeze (PHS) with different knee flexion angles (45˚, 90˚, and 135˚). Fifteen young and healthy subjects (8 men, 7 women) were recruited for the study. Surface electromyography signals were collected on ES, Gmax, Gmed, and HAM during PHS. A separate one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to determine the significance of the muscle activities of ES, Gmax, Gmed, and HAM and the ratios of Gmax/ES, Gmax/HAM, and Gmed/HAM with different knee flexion angles during PHS. There was a significant increase in the Gmax activity at the knee flexion of 90˚ in comparison with that of the 45˚ (p=.016). There were significant increases in the Gmed activity at the knee flexion of 90˚ (p=.008) and 135˚ (p=.006) in comparison with that of the 45˚. There were significant decreases in the HAM activity at the knee flexion of 90˚ (p=.009) and 135˚ (p=.004) in comparison with that of the 45˚. There were significant increases in the Gmax/HAM muscle activity ratio at the knee flexion of 90˚ (p=.007) and 135˚ (p=.012) in comparison with that of the 45˚. There were significant increase in the Gmed/HAM muscle activity ratio at the knee flexion of 135˚ in comparison with that of the 45˚ (p=.008). The knee flexion of 90˚ during PHS can induce decreasing activity of HAM and increasing activity of Gmax, and the knee flexion of 135˚ during PHS can induce decreasing activity of HAM and increasing activity of Gmed. Hence, PHS with different knee flexion positions could be considered for the different target muscle.

Violinists tend to position the neck asymmetrically to hold the violin between the chin and the left shoulder. Asymmetrical neck posture may induce unilateral neck pain. Previous studies have suggested that individuals with unilateral neck pain exhibit reduced muscle strength of the lower trapezius, but no study has investigated violinists with unilateral neck pain. To this end, we recruited 18 violinists with unilateral neck pain for the present study in which the side on which neck pain was experienced, pain duration, and intensity were recorded. Lower trapezius strength was measured bilaterally in each subject using a handheld dynamometer. Significant differences in lower trapezius strength were evident between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of neck pain (p＜.05). No significant association between neck pain intensity or duration, and the extent of a deficit in lower trapezius strength, was evident (both p＞;.05). The association between the sides of weakened lower trapezius strength and neck pain was significant (p＜.05). In conclusion, violinists with unilateral neck pain exhibited significantly less lower trapezius strength on the ipsilateral compared to the contralateral side of the pain. Unilateral neck pain more frequently involved the left side of the neck, which is used to stabilize the violin during playing. Thus, our study suggests that a possible relationship exists between muscle weakness in the lower trapezius and neck pain.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that delivers low-intensity direct current to cortical areas, thereby facilitating or inhibiting spontaneous neuronal activity. This study was designed to investigate changes in various sensory functions after tDCS. We conducted a single-center, single-blinded, randomized trial to determine the effect of a single session of tDCS with the current perception threshold (CPT) in 50 healthy volunteers. Nerve conduction studies were performed in relation to the median sensory and motor nerves on the dominant hand to discriminate peripheral nerve lesions. The subjects received anodal tDCS with 1 mA for 15 minutes under two different conditions, with 25 subjects in each groups: the conditions were as follows tDCS on the primary motor cortex (M1) and sham tDCS on M1. We recorded the parameters of the CPT a with Neurometer(R) at frequencies of 2000, 250, and 5 Hz in the dominant index finger to assess the tactile sense, fast pain and slow pain, respectively. In the test to measure CPT values of the M1 in the tDCS group, the values of the distal part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the second finger statistically increased in all of 2000 Hz (p=.000), 250 Hz (p=.002), and 5 Hz (p=.008). However, the values of the sham tDCS group decreased in all of 2000 Hz (p=.285), 250 Hz (p=.552), and 5 Hz (p=.062), and were not statistically significant. These results show that M1 anodal tDCS can modulate sensory perception and pain thresholds in healthy adult volunteers. The study suggests that tDCS may be a useful strategy for treating central neurogenic pain in rehabilitation medicine.

The purpose of this study is to identify the practical knowledge about osteoporosis and health promoting behavior possessed by male and female university students in their twenties. Next, the study seeks to analyze the difference in the degree of knowledge and practice of health promoting behavior depending on the students’ area of study (health-related or non-health-related major) and previous education about osteoporosis. A survey was given to 300 male and female university students in Jeju Island from November 18 to December 6, 2013. Regarding knowledge about osteoporosis, the accuracy rate of health science major participants was 16.8 % higher than that of those of non-health science, and the accuracy rate of participants with previous education about osteoporosis was 12.9 % higher than those who had not. Health promoting behavior showed a higher degree of practice among students in health-related majors and those with previous applicable education. There were significant differences between the knowledge of osteoporosis and major and the presence and absence of prior education. Regarding the degree of health promoting behavior and major, the presence or absence of prior education showed significant differences. Among male and female students in their twenties, the recognition of knowledge about osteoporosis is very low. There is a need to develop various programs that focus on osteoporosis prevention rather than treatment, to improve the quality of education and training content according to the individual, and to lower the target age for osteoporosis education.

This study was conducted in order to examine relationship between stroke patients' degree of satisfaction with leisure and quality of life according to their leisure activity types and whether they conducted leisure activities. A direct survey was performed from April 8 to May 3, 2013 on 92 inpatients and outpatients who received occupational therapy at hospitals located in Jeonju and Gunsan. A frequency analysis was carried out in order to look at the general characteristics of the subjects, their degree of participation in leisure activities, and their degree of satisfaction with leisure activities. A Pearson's coefficient was used to examine relationship between their degree of satisfaction and quality of life according to participation in leisure activities. Their degree of satisfaction according to participation in leisure activities was significantly higher when they took part in leisure activities such as handicraft activities, sports activities, or travel or tourism activities than when they did not perform any leisure activities. Their quality of life according to participation in leisure activities was higher when they conducted sports activities, outing activities, or tourism activities than when they did not. There was significant correlation between their degree of satisfaction with leisure and quality of life according to leisure activities.

The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of elasticity of taping on ankle muscles’activity and endurance after plyometric training that easily causes ankle injury, and provide baseline data for physical therapy intervention methods. The study subjects are 24 male students in their 20s who attend N University in Choongnam. They were divided into three groups; 8 subjects in the elastic taping group, 8 in the non-elastic taping group, and 8 in the non-taping group(control group). They had plyometric training for 6 weeks. After the training, this study measured their maximum voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) and muscle endurance of the muscles around ankle joint. The experiment result is as follows. After the training, all three groups showed improvement in muscle strength and endurance. The elastic taping group showed insignificant improvement in muscle strength but significant increase in muscle endurance in plantarflexion. In dorsiflexion, both muscle strength and endurance increased significantly. The non-elastic taping group showed insignificant improvement in muscle strength but significant increase in muscle endurance in plantarflexion. Taping during plyometric training had a little or insignificant effect on muscle endurance and strength compared to the non-taping group.

This study investigated the effects of changes to the pulsation factor of pulsed direct currents on wound healing. Patients with a pressure ulcer at a care hospital for the elderly were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 involved the application of 100㎲ in pulse duration, 10 ㎳ in pulse period, 100 pps in a pulsation factor, 15 ㎃ in pulse amplitude, and polarity red+ by using pulsed direct currents; Group 2 involved a change of pulse period to 8 ms; and Group 3 received general wound management. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the changing stages of pressure ulcers among the groups, all the groups dropped in numerical stages. In the two groups to which pulsed direct currents were applied, there was a statistically significant reduction in the stages of pressure ulcers from the initial assessment to the 12-week assessment (p<.05). Even though there were no statistically significant differences in changes to the area of pressure ulcers among the groups, a statistically significant decrease was found in pulsed direct current group 2 whose pulse period was shortened (p<.05). There was no difference in the healing rate of pressure ulcers among the groups, but it made a numerical increase in pulsed direct current group 1 and group 2 and a numerical decrease in group 3. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of those who had a full recovery among the groups. Those findings indicate that pulsed direct currents have positive effects on the wound healing of patients with a pressure ulcer and that a treatment with pulsed direct currents whose pulsation factor is raised by reducing the pulse duration is especially effective.

This study aims to identify the effect of home physical therapy on patients who left the hospital after total knee arthroplasty, compared to the Daily living group, when it was applied to them, under the guidance of physical therapists. As research subjects, 20 patients that were scheduled to leave the hospital after unilateral total knee arthroplasty, were chosen, and they were randomly divided into a home physical therapy group(10 patients) and an Daily living group(10 patients) in order to conduct an experiment. During the 4-week research, home physical therapy was offered for 40 mins once for 5 days a week, and muscular strength, gait components were measured. For muscular strength, quadriceps muscle strength, hamstring muscle strength were measured, and as gait components, endurance, speed, step time, single-limb support were analysed. For this experiment, pre- and post-measurement were performed, and collected data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 18.0 statistical program. From the analysis of data, the following study results were obtained. Home physical therapy group and Daily living group both showed significant improvements in quadriceps muscle strength, hamstring muscle strength, and quadriceps muscle strength, hamstring muscle strength of home physical therapy group more significantly improved than Daily living group's. In relation to gait components, gait endurance, gait speed, step time significantly improved in both of home physical therapy group and Daily living group, whereas home physical therapy group only showed significant improvements in single-limp support. According to the comparison between two groups, gait speed, single-limp support and step time improved more significantly in the home physical therapy group than in the Daily living group. In conclusion, positive results were revealed in both home physical therapy group and Daily living group, with regard to muscular recovery of lower limbs of patients discharged from the hospital after total knee arthroplasty and walking, but considering the comparison results between two groups, it seems that applying home physical therapy is more effective than maintaining a daily life.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of FES and ankle mobilization on the ankle motion and the quality of gait of chronic hemiplegic patients with limited ankle joint motions. As research subjects, 24 chronic hemiplegic patients who could walk independently, regardless of assistive aids, were selected. Then, 8 subjects received mobilization randomly and 8 subjects received FES and 8 subjects received mobilization and FES, at the same time. The dorsiflexion PROM significantly increased in the group of mobilization therapy, mobilization and FES all together(p<.01). There were statistically significant differences among the three groups(p<.01). The 10m walking test significantly decreased in the group of mobilization therapy, mobilization and FES all together(p<.05). There were statistically significant differences among the three groups(p<.01). The gait velocity significantly increased in the group of mobilization therapy, FES therapy, mobilization and FES all together(p<.05). There were statistically significant differences among the three groups(p<.01). The stride length significantly increased in the group of mobilization therapy, mobilization and FES all together(p<.05). There were statistically significant differences among the three groups(p<.05). In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that rather than only using one treatment technique, applying mobilization and FES together brings a more satisfactory result to hemiplegic patients with limited ankle joint motions.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation program on cognitive function, physical function and depression of long-term care insurance nongrading elderly dementia using Daytime protection service. For achieve this purpose, 30 dementia elderly were randomly assigned in to the experimental group(n=15)and control group(n=15). All subjects performed a general therapeutic exercise and 20- 30minutes takes virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation program were conducted with experimental group 2 times a week for 8 weeks. The intervention effects were measured by using cognitive function is mini-mental states examination-Korean version(MMSE-K), visual perception is MVPT(Motor-Free Visual Perception Test), Berg's balance scales(BBS), depression test GDS-K and lower limb strength. The results of study represented that the training group showed significant improvement in MMSEK( p<.05), visual perception(p<.05), balance(p<.05), lower limb strength(p<.05) and depression (p<.05). In conclusion, the virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation training using improves visual perception included cognitive function, physical function included balance, and lower limb strength and depression. These results suggest that virtual reality training using virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation program is feasible and suitable for mild dementia.

The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between female college students’ stress level and premenstrual syndrome so that it can provide baseline data on how to cope with the syndrome. The study subjects are 250 female college students in Gyungbook area. This study chose 199 appropriate subjects and collected data. As per general menstrual phases, this study investigated the age when one had her first period, regularity and duration of period, and amount of bleeding. It used a measurement tool to measure stress level and premenstrual syndrome. Most of the subjects experienced their first period before the age of 13. The menstrual period was irregular with the duration of less than 7 days. 123 subjects had normal amount of bleeding. 121 subjects were experiencing high level of stress over 2.4. The correlation between the level of stress and premenstrual syndrome factors showed significant static correlation for each factor. Especially, the correlation between digestive system and response of autonomic nervous system was .996 and negative emotion and behavioral change was .635, and negative emotion and pain was .614 which were relatively high. The regression analysis of factors of premenstrual syndrome depending on the subjects’ stress level indicated that response of autonomic nervous system had the biggest effect in the low stress group while behavioral change, negative emotion, pain, decreased concentration, water congestion, response of autonomic nervous system, and skin change had the biggest effect in the high stress group with statistical significance. Based on the result, it can be said that higher premenstrual stress is closely related to the premenstrual syndrome one experiences for some female college students.

The cerebellum is known to control balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone. If the cerebellum becomes damaged, the body is unable to retain its balancing functions or involuntary muscle movement. This is why, in stroke patients, there is a high risk of functional disability, as well as a myriad of other disabilities secondary to stroke. Ischemia was induced in SD mice by occluding the common carotid artery for 5 minutes, after which blood was reperfused. Needle electrode electrical stimulation(NEES) was applied to acupuncture points, at 12, 24, and 48 hours post-ischemia on the joksamri. Protein expression was investigated through caspase-3 antibody immuno-reactive cells in the cerebral nerve cells and Western blotting. The results were as follows: The number of caspase-3 reactive cells in the corpus cerebellum 12 and 24 hours post-ischemia was significantly (p<.05) smaller in the NEES group compared to the GI group. caspase-3 expression 12 and 24 hours post-ischemia was significantly(p<.05) smaller in the NEES group compared to the GI group. Based on these results, NEES seems to have a significant effect on Caspase-3 in the cerebellum in an ischemic state at 12 and 24 hours post ischemia, NEES delays the occurrence of early stage apoptosis-inducing Caspase-3, delaying and inhibiting apoptosis. Further systematic studies will have to be conducted in relation to the application of this study’s results on stroke patients.

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a group exercise program on cognitive function of elderly people. Subjects were chosen to be elders with dementia having minor to moderate degrees of cognitive function. Study was started out by randomly dividing the 16 subjects into two groups, each with 8 people; the group exercise group and the control group. The group exercise group performed 8 weeks of group exercise program and general physiotherapy while the control group only performed general physiotherapy. Cognitive function was measured by Korean version mini-mental state examination. The study group's attention and calculation statistically significantly improved but the control group saw no statistically significant change. The group exercise program affected improvement in cognitive function of elderly people with dementia and in particular, was effective for enhancing their attention and calculation.