Background: Among the various rehabilitation methods for stroke patients, one method involves the use of vibration. Recently, vibration foam rollers, combining vibration with foam rolling, have been developed and are widely used. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration foam rolling on ankle range of motion (ROM), and gait speed in patients with stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty stroke patients volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to the vibrating foam roller group (n=15) and the non-vibrating foam roller group (n=15). Active dorsiflexion ROM, and 10-meter walk (10MW) were used to evaluate ankle ROM, and gait speed before and after each exercise. The two groups performed a 30-minute foam roller exercise program. The non-vibrating foam roller group performed the same exercise program as the vibrating foam roller group, but without vibration. Results: The within-group change in active dorsiflexion ROM after the exercise was significant for both the vibrating foam roller group and the non-vibrating foam roller group (P<.05). The within-group change in 10MW after the exercise was significant for the vibrating foam roller group (P<.05), while it was not significant for the non-vibrating foam roller group (P>.05). Additionally, there was no significant difference in active dorsiflexion ROM and 10MW between the vibrating foam roller group and the non-vibrating foam roller group (P>.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that a vibrating foam roller exercise program immediately improves ankle ROM and gait speed in stroke patients.

Background: There is a lack of research on sling neurac exercise interventions for craniovertebral angle (CVA), head rotation angle, range of motion (ROM), and neck postural alignment in adults with forward head posture Objectives: To investigate the Immediate effects of sling neurac exercise on craniosacral angulation, ROM, and neck postural alignment in adults with forward head posture. Design: Quaxi-experimental study. Methods: Fifty young adults in their 20s were divided into a sling neurac exercise group (SNEG) and a control group (CG). SNEG conducted sling neurac exercise intervention for one day, and CG did not implement intervention. Craniosacral angulation, ROM, and postural alignment before and after exercise was evaluated for each group. Results: In the sling neurac exercise group (SNEG), CVA, cranial rotation angle (CRA), ROM, and postural alignment improved significantly after intervention (all P<.01). There were no significant differences in the control group (CG) (all P>.05). After the intervention, there were significant differences between the groups in craniosacral angulation, ROM, and postural alignment (all P<.01). Conclusion: The Sling neurac exercise can significantly improve CVA, CRA, ROM, and postural alignment. Therefore, it is suggested to consider sling neurac exercise as an intervention.

Background: Hemiparesis not only affects the affected side but also exerts an impact on the unaffected side. Stroke patients endure muscular weakness attributable to hemiparesis, resulting in asymmetry of muscular strength between the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides. Objectives: To investigate the correlation between lower limb muscle strength asymmetry and functional factors in patients with stroke. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 58 stroke patients participated in this study. After measuring the muscle strength of both lower limbs using manual muscle testing, the asymmetry was calculated. Functional factors such as berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG), 10-metre walk (10MW), and modified barthel index (MBI) were measured. Results: The BBS showed positive correlations with hip, knee, and ankle strength asymmetry (P<.05). The TUG showed negative correlations with hip, knee, and ankle strength asymmetry (P<.05). The 10MW showed negative correlations with hip, knee, and ankle strength asymmetry (P<.05). The MBI showed positive correlations only with hip strength asymmetry (P<.05). Conclusion: We were found that there is a more pronounced lower limb muscle strength asymmetry in the lower extremity of stroke patients, which is associated with BBS, TUG, and 10MW.

Background: Outcome measures (OMs) are essential components of evidence- based practice as they help in implementing interventions and assessing changes in a patient's status before and after treatment. However, many therapists do not utilize OMs in their practice, and research on the factors that influence physical therapists' decisions regarding the use of OMs primarily consists of quantitative or survey-based studies. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to select research studies on OMs use among physical therapists through a systematic review, identify questionnaire characteristics, and assess the quality of items collection and research. Design: A systematic review. Methods: This study systematically collected survey studies on the use of OMs from five databases (KMBase, RISS, KCI, Pubmed, and Cochrane) based on the criteria of PRISMA's systematic review flowchart. The quality of the studies was assessed using the AXIS Tool. Results: A total of eight studies were selected. In most of the studies, the questionnaires were developed internally, validated through preliminary research, and reliability testing was not conducted. The items used within OMs were divided into 10 categories, with the highest frequency of questions centering around how to use OMs, and the lowest frequency regarding work environment and reasons. All eight studies were determined to be of good quality. Conclusion: The collected OMs questionnaires revealed variations in the item frequency. Future qualitative research and participant feedback are needed to develop a consistent questionnaire and validate its validity and reliability.

Background: The application of exercise therapy and manual therapy to the thoracic spine is a widely used method of treating neck pain. Nevertheless, studies on the application of foam rollers and vibrating foam rollers to patients with neck pain are lacking. Objectives: To investigated the immediate effects of thoracic spine foam rolling and vibration foam rolling on pain and range of motion (ROM) in patients with chronic neck pain. Design: Randomized crossover trials. Methods: 24 patients with chronic neck pain participated in the study. The study subjects measured pain and ROM. Subjects were divided into vibration foam roller group, foam roller group, and control group. Results: Pain was not significantly different between and within groups (P<.05). There was a significant difference in flexion, extension, left rotation, and right rotation ROM in the vibration foam roller group after intervention (P<.05). There was a significant difference in flexion and extension ROM in the foam roller group after intervention (P<.05). There was a significantly greater increased extension ROM in vibration foam roller and foam roller groups compared with the control group (P<.0167). Conclusion: Thoracic spine foam rolling and vibration foam rolling improve ROM when treating patients with chronic neck pain. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in combination with other treatments

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is performed in patients with femur fractures and osteoarthritis. THR patients have balance problems even after surgery. There is a lack of research on vibration stimulation interventions for balance in THR patients. Objectives: To investigated the effect of vibration stimulation intervention on the balance and gait of THR patients. Design: Randomized controlled trials. Methods: 44 subjects were randomly assigned to a vibration stimulation group (VSG) and a non-vibration stimulation group (N-VSG). Seven study subjects dropped out, and 37 completed the study. Timed up and go (TUG) and Berg balance scale (BBS) were used for balance assessment, and 10-meter walk (10MW) was used for gait assessment. The intervention program was conducted three times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Significant differences within the groups in balance (BBS, TUG) and gait (10MW) between the VSG and the N-VSG. There was no difference between the two groups in any variable. Conclusion: The VSG improved the balance and gait of THR patients without any difference from the N-VSG. However, VSG showed a higher effect size than N-VSG.

Background: Although studies have been conducted on muscle thickness and balance in trunk stabilization exercise and exercise using vibration props, studies on trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration for spinal alignment are still insufficient to draw a conclusion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration on the spinal alignment in adult females. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six adult females were randomly assigned to the experimental group (active vibration) and 13 control groups (active non-vibrating) and exercised three times a week for 8 weeks. Each group was measured for spinal alignment before exercise and 8 weeks after exercise. Spinal alignment, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, and pelvic torsion were measured using a spinal alignment analyzer. Results: Trunk imbalance was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group and the control group (P<.05). Pelvic tilt was a significant difference between the groups (P<.05). Also, pelvic tilt was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group (P<.05), but the control group showed no significant difference (P>.05). Pelvic torsion was no significant difference in both groups (P>.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration has a positive effect on the alignment of the spine.

Background: Various treatments have been proposed for chronic low back pain (CLBP), but recent guidelines and reviews recommend regular physical exercise. However, some other studies have reported opposite results that sling exercise (SE) and other exercises (OE) did not differ in improving CLBP. Objectives: To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of SE on CLBP in studies published in Korea. Design: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials comparing SE with OE and modality therapy (MT), published up to June 2020, were identified by electronic searches. Primary outcomes were pain and disability. The weighted mean difference (WMD), stand mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Results: Based on the results of the meta-analysis, SE was effective for pain in the comparison of SE and MT [short-term: WMD=-1.64, 95% CI (-3.06, - 0.22); long-term: WMD=-0.34, 95% CI (-0.42, -0.26)]. It was effective for pain in the comparison of SE and OE [short-term: WMD=-1.18, 95% CI (-2.15, - 0.20); long-term: WMD=-0.66, 95% CI (-0.89, -0.43)]. It was also effective for disability in the comparison of SE and MT [short-term: SMD=-15.82, 95% CI (- 23.10, -8.54)]. We found no clinically relevant differences in disability between SE and OE. Heterogeneity was high in the comparison of SE and overall variables. Conclusion: If SE is applied to physical therapy to improve the main symptoms of CLBP patients, it may contribute to their recovery. More high-quality randomized studies on the topic are warranted.

Background: Ankle sprain in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) is common in fencing athletes, and studies comparing the ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength of both legs are insufficient. Objectvies: To compare the ankle ROM and hip strength between two legs in fencing athletes who has ankle instability in the lead leg side. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: Seven fencing athletes with ankle instability participated in this study, and they randomly assigned into ankle in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) and ankle in the Rear Leg Side (ARLS). Instability was determined by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and then joint ROM and hip muscle strength were measured. Results: There were significant differences in dorsiflexion ROM, hip strength (extension and abduction) between the ALLS with ankle instability and ARLS (P<.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the ankle ROM and hip muscle strength of ARLS are greater than ALLS in fencing athletes with ankle instability.

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI) indicating a decrease in muscle strength, proprioception, neuromuscular control, balance and postural control function. Objective: To investigate the effect of jumping exercise on the supporting surface on the ankle muscle thickness, proprioceptive sensation, and balance in adults with FAI. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: Twenty young people with FAI were randomly assigned to the unstable supporting surface jump group (N=10) and the stable supporting surface jump group (N=10). The intervention was conducted three times a week for eight weeks, and for 30 minutes per session. Trampoline was used as an unstable support surface and the stable support surface was carried out on a regular floor. The thickness of the tibialis anterior muscle and medial gastrocnemius muscle was measured by ultrasonography, and the proprioception of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using an electrogoniometer. The dynamic balance was also measured with a balance meter. Results: The the muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was significantly higher in the stable supporting surface jump group than in the unstable supporting surface jump group (p<.05). Furthermore, the plantar flexion proprioception and dynamic balance were significantly improved in the unstable supporting surface jump group than in the stable supporting surface jump group in the intergroup comparison (p<.05). Conclusions: The conclusion has been reached in this study that the jumping exercise on the unstable supporting surface could be a more effective in improving FAI than the regular surface.