The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during descent ramp climbing at different inclinations. Twenty-three subjects descended four steps at four different inclinations (level, -8˚, -16˚, -24˚). The 3-D kinematics were measured by a camera-based Falcon System. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. The kinematics of descent ramp walking could be clearly distinguished from the kinematics of level walking. On a sagittal plane, the ankle joint was more plantar flexed at initial contact with -16˚/-24˚ inclination, was decreased in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001),and was decreased at maximum plantar flexion during the swing phase (p<.001). The knee joint was more flexed at initial contact with the -24˚ inclination (p<.001), was more flexed in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001), and was more flexed at minimum flexion during stance phase and at maximum flexion during swing phase with -16˚, -24˚ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was more flexed in the toe off position with -16˚, -24˚ inclination and was deceased at maximum extension during stance phase with -16˚, -24˚ inclination (p<.05). In the frontal plane, the ankle joint was more everted at maximum eversion during stance phase with -16˚, -24˚ inclination (p<.01) and was decreased at maximum inversion during swing phase with -16˚, -24˚ inclination (p<.01). The knee joint was more increased at maximum varus during stance phase with -16˚, -24˚ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was deceased at maximum adduction during stance phase with -24˚ inclination (p<.05). In a horizontal plane, only the knee joint was increased at maximum internal rotation during stance phase with -24˚ inclination (p<.05). In descent ramp walking, the different gait patterns occurred at an inclination of over 16˚ on the descending ramp in the sagittal and frontal planes. These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and descent ramp walking gait patterns.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the upper limb nerve mobilization (ULNM) on functional recovery of upper extremity in hemiplegic patients following stroke. Twenty patients who had functional impairment on upper extremity were participated. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Control group (n=10) received traditional physical therapy only for 4 weeks; Experimental group (n=10) received ULNM treatment along with traditional physical therapy for the same period. Upper extremity functions were assessed by manual muscle test (MMT), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) before and after the treatment. In both experimental and control group, upper extremity functions were significantly improved in MMT (p<.01) and FMA (p<.01), however only experimental group showed significant improvement in FMA after the treatment (p<.05). Moreover, experimental group showed significantly greater improvement than control group in MMT (p<.05), MAS (p<.05), and FMA (p<.05). We conclude that the upper extremity functions is a useful additional therapeutic technique for the effective treatment of upper extremity deficits in hemiplegic patients.

This study was performed to assess the efficacy of high voltage pulsed galvanic current for the healing of wounds in rabbits. Skin wounds were created laterally on the flank of 12 domestic rabbits(). The wounds of each group were treated with an intensity of 170 V at a frequency of 70 pulses per second, which was applied for 30 minutes a day for 10 days. The experimental groups were randomly assigned to either EXP I (n=3), EXP II(n=3), EXP III(n=3) or control(n=3). Each group was stimulated under the following conditions : 1) EXP I (Negative polarity), 2) EXP II (Change in polarity, negative electrode stimulation during the first 3 days and then positive electrode stimulation from 4 to 10 days), 3) EXP III(Positive polarity), 4) control(No stimulation). An active electrode was placed over the wound and a dispersive electrode on the buttock. The rate of wound closure was compared with the original wound size, evaluated by a tracing film in each measurement period. Finally, on the wound in each group, skin tissue was excised for histological evaluation after treatment for 10 days. The results obtained are as follows : 1) It was found that the control group did not show a complete remodeling of epitherial layer and had a chronic inflammatory response. Judging from the irregularity of intercellular space and the loose alignment of connective tissue, these findings show that wound healing was delayed. 2) EXP I showed a significant bactericidal effect, but a moderate response of vasodilation. The rate of wound closure was slower when compared with EXP II, III. 3) EXP II showed a complete remodeling of epitherial layer and a positive repair of connective tissue. Its rate of wound closure was best when compared with the others. 4) EXP III had a slower rate of wound closure than EXP II, but judging from the greater proliferation of collagen fibers and the dense alignment of connective tissue, this positive electrode was very effective in the formation of neo - connective tissue.