Background: Various treatments are being tried for lumbar neuropathy. Among them, neural mobilization aims to reduce peripheral nerve sensitivity by stimulating them directly. Similarly, applying kinesiotape stimulates skin and joint receptors around the nerves, thereby affecting nerve function and movement. Objectives: To investigated the effect of low back pain on the neural mobilization and kinesiotaping. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated to three groups: the neural mobilization exercise with kinesiotaping group (NEKTG, n=10), the neural mobilization exercise group (NEG, n=10), and the kinesiotaping group (KTG, n=10). Each group performed six intervention sessions over two weeks. The results were analyzed by measuring the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and straight leg raise (SLR) before and after the intervention in each group. Results: NEKTG, NEG, and KTG all indicated a significant decrease in the back pain index before and after the intervention. However, there were no differences observed between the three groups. The SLR angles before the experiment were identical across the three groups. The SLR angles before and after the intervention were as follows: the SLR angle significantly increased in NEKTG. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the SLR angle in NEKTG compared to both NEG and KTG. Conclusion: Neural mobilization combined with kinesiotaping provided better therapeutic effects regarding pain reduction and neurodynamic improvement compared to alone kinesiotaping and mobilization with chronic low back pain.

Background: Junior colleges have been establishing plans for the development of start-up education for students and have been providing various educational programs to support students’ start-up businesses. Objectives: The effects of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the start-up intention of college physical therapy students were analyzed. Design: Questionnaire design. Methods: Surveys on entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and start-up intention were conducted with 269 college physical therapy students, and the levels of individual measurement variables, correlations, and variables affecting start-up intention were analyzed. Results: College physical therapy students showed differences in start-up intention between genders, and male students tended to have a higher startup intention (P<.001) than female students. The correlations among the major variables were analyzed. According to the results, all sub-factors of start-up intention had significant positive correlations with all sub-factors of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (P<.05). In addition, multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify factors affecting start-up intention. Start-up education was shown to have no direct effect on start-up intention. Innovation (β=.238, P=.000), risk sensitivity (β=.228, P=.000), and initiative (β=.220, P=.001), which are sub-factors of entrepreneurship, were shown to have effects on start-up intention. Self-regulated efficacy (β=-.193, P=.039) and task challenge (β=.210, P=.004), which are sub-factors of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, were found to have effects on start-up intention. Conclusions: To boost the start-up intention of college physical therapy students and induce their start-ups, customized start-up education that considers entrepreneurship level and gender is necessary.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) recommend therapeutic exercise, and recently, interventions for pain neuroscience education (PNE) are also recommended. Objectives: To investigate the effects of aquatic exercise combined with PNE on pain, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with CLBP. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: The 27 participants recruited in this study were randomly allocated as pain neuroscience education combined with aquatic exercise group (PAEG, n=14) and aquatic exercise group (AEG, n=13). Both groups performed aquatic exercise for 50 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, and only PAEG received additional PNE. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), modified oswestry disability questionnaire (MODQ), and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) were used as evaluation methods before and after intervention. Results: Statistically significant decrease in NPRS, MODQ and FABQ (physical activity and work score) before and after intervention in PAEG. However, there were statistically significant changes in NPRS, MODQ and FABQ (physical activity score) before and after intervention in AEG. PAEG and AEG before and after intervention indicated statistically significant differences in MODQ and FABQ (work score). Conclusion: Aquatic exercise combined with PNE improved disability (MODQ) and fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ) has been shown to have additional benefits. Therefore, combining PNE as a clinical intervention for CLBP patients will enhance the therapeutic effect.

Background: In order to improve the daily life of stroke patients, it is necessary to restore walking performance. Improving gait performance is one of the main goals for stroke rehabilitation. Objectives: To investigate the change in gait parameters through evaluation of one stroke patient before, during, and after wearing the weight vest. Design: A case study. Methods: This study is an ABA study design. In principle, one assessment per day (A1) was measured three times without wearing the weight vest. Intervention assessment (B) was performed 6 times while wearing the weight vest. The second baseline evaluation (A2) was measured three times with the weight vest removed again. Results: The gait speed was increased when the weight vest was removed than when the weight vest was worn. Also, gait symmetry increased when wearing the weight vest. Conclusion: Wearing the weight vest can reduce the gait asymmetry in stroke patients and increase the gait speed after wearing the weight vest.

Background: If the weakness of the knee muscles persists and there is pain at the same time, lumbar mobilization can be used. Objectives: This study investigated the immediate effect of lumbar joint mobilization on postural sway and knee pain in elite volleyball players. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twelve male elite volleyball players were recruited for this study. Lumbar joint mobilization was performed in all study subjects. Evaluation items were static and dynamic balance and knee pain change. All evaluations were made immediately after the intervention. Results: C90 area, trace length, and STD Y deviation in the open static balance were significantly decreased after intervention (P<.05). C90 area, trace length, Velocity, STD X deviation, and STD Y deviation in static balance with closed eyes decreased significantly after intervention (P<.05). In dynamic balance, the left and right side. COPs were significantly increased. Pain significantly decreased after intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: This study found that lumbar joint mobilization is an effective method for improving postural sway and knee pain in elite volleyball players.

Background: A recent study found that pain neuroscience education (PNE) alters pain intensity, knowledge of pain, disability, psychological function, and pain behavior in patients with musculoskeletal pain. However, they noted that PNE alone was not sufficient to affect chronic low back pain (CLBP) reduction. Objectives: To investigated the effect of CLBP on the PNE combined with lumbar mobilization. Design: Quasi-experiment study. Methods: A total of 33 patients aged 25 to less than 65, recruited from L-hospital for low back pain in Chungcheongnam-do. Out of 33 subjects, 17 were pain neuroscience education combined with lumbar mobilization group (PLMG) and 16 were lumbar mobilization group (LMG). The outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI) and the fear avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ). The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: PLMG was indicated statistically significant decrease in VAS, ODI and FABQ before and after intervention. However, there were statistically significant changes in VAS and ODI before and after intervention in LMG. PLMG and LMG before and after intervention indicated statistically significant differences in VAS, ODI and FABQ. Conclusion: The inclusion of PNE combined with lumbar mobilization in patients with CLBP is a promising and feasible approach to the management of CLBP.

Background: Physical therapists provide treatment with patient counseling. Therefore, communication with the patient is essential. There was insufficient research on the relationship between communication competence and job satisfaction of physical therapists. Objectives: To examine the relationship between communication ability and job satisfaction of physical therapists. Design: Descriptive surveys. Methods: The subjects were 89 physical therapists who working in hospitals and clinics. Communication competence were measured using global interpersonal communication competence scale (GICC-45). Job satisfaction were measured with the job satisfaction questionnaire used by Park. Results: As a result of comparison by employment status, there was a significant difference (P<.05). In comparison between working positions, there was a significant difference between staff and manager compared to assistant manager (P<.05). In comparison between working hours, there was a significant difference between more than 40 hours per week compared to less than 40 hours per week (P<.05). Communication competence and job satisfaction was found to have a significant positive correlation (P<.05). Specifically, communication ability were found to have a significant positive correlation with job pride, organization factor, autonomy and payment, working condition, welfare and stability (P<.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the higher the communication competence of the physical therapist, their job satisfaction was higher.

Background : Several studies have suggested different arguments for the effect of stretching exercises and core muscle exercises on flexibility and balance ability. Objective : To determine the effects of stretching exercises and core muscle exercise on flexibility and balance ability. Design : Quasi experimental research Method : The study applied exercise interventions (three sessions per week for 6 weeks) on 40 subjects. The subjects were divided into stretching and core muscle exerciseing groups to identify the change of flexibility and balance ability. Sit- and- reach test results and hip hyperextension were measured for identifying changes in flexibility, and the Romberg test and Pedalo stabilizer were used for changes in balance ability. Results : Both the stretching exercise and core muscle exercise groups showed a statistically significant increase in flexibility (p<.05). However, the stretching exercise group showed a statistically significant increase in balance ability (p<.05), whereas the core muscle exercise group showed partially statistically significant differences in this par t(p>.05). In the analysis of the differences in the amount of change in flexibility, based on the types of exercise, stretching exercises showed a significant difference (p<.05), whereas a significant difference was not found in the amount of change in balance ability (p>.05). Conclusions : These findings indicate that stretching exercises are the more effective intervention for improving and maintaining flexibility, whereas there is no difference between stretching and core muscle exercises with respect to improving balance ability.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is also called as aging related memory damage. Decreased cognitive function due to aging is known to be associated with the frontal lobe. Alpha wave is generated in the dominance in the frontal lobe or a wide range of regions in the brain, it should be doubted that the brain function might be degraded. Objective: To determine the effect of sensory stimulation type on learning and brain activity pattern of elderly persons with MCI. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (single blind) Methods: Twenty elderly persons aged more than 65 with MCI were randonmized to simultaneous visual/auditory stimulation group (SVASG) and or auditory stimulation group (ASG). Ten peoples were assigned to each group and lectroencephalogram test was performed to individuals. In the electroencephalogram test, electroencephalography of prior to sensory stimulation, and during sensory stimulation were measured to compare brain activity pattern according to the study groups and measurement period. Results: The relative alpha power due to a sensory stimulation type showed that the SVASG significantly decreased in the left frontal lobe and the left parietal lobe statistically compared to those of the ASG while sensory stimulation was given (p<.05). The relative beta power due to a sensory stimulation type showed that the SVASG significantly increased in the left and right frontal lobes, the left and right parietal lobes, and the left temporal lobe statistically compared to those of the ASG while sensory stimulation was given (p<.05). Conclusions: Electroencephalographic analysis showed that the type of sensory stimulation can affect the brain activity pattern. However, the effects were not studied that which brain activity pattern help to improved cognitive function of elderly persons with mild cognitive impairment.