The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of varying levels of photobiostimulation treatment dosage on plasma -endorphin concentration in humans. The subjects of this study were 21 healthy men and women, who were students of the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Seonam University. This study was performed from October 26, 1998 to November 5, 1998. All subjects were assigned to one of three groups: a 2.0 laser group, a 4.0 laser group, an 6.0 laser group. He-Ne laser (632.8 nm wave length) and infrared laser (820 nm wave length) of three different energy densities (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 ) were applied on the Su-Sam-Ri (L I 10) and Hab-Gog (L I 4) of acupuncture points. Blood samples were taken at pre-treatment, 30 min's post-treatment and 60 min's post-treatment. The level of endorphin was measured by radio immuno assay. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and repeated measure two-way ANOVA. The results of this study were as follows: 1) The human plasma -endorphin concentrations were noted to significantly increase due to the energy densities of laser photobiostimulation (p<0.05). 2) The human plasma -endorphin concentrations were noted to significantly increase during the period after laser photobiostimulation (p<0.05).

The purpose of this study was to determine whether high voltage pulsed current stimulation (HVPCS) would enhance wound healing in neuropathic rabbits. Ten rabbits were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The wounded part around the peripheral neuropathy of the experimental rabbits was stimulated for two hours twice a day for six days under the following conditions: pulse frequency 80 pps, pulse duration , and stimulation intensity 30~40 V. The results indicated that there was no difference in the wound closure between the experimental and control groups. The two groups showed similar aspects in collagen and reticulum, which were observed by colored Masson's trichome. While the rabbits in the control group had more or less thick fibers, the rabbits in the experimental group had thin and branched-shape fibers. The rabbits in the experimental group showed both strong responses in the shaping of elastic fibers and the increased aspects in fibroblast when compared with the control group.

The Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) has been used for hemiplegic patients in order to help their walking and to increase their balance function. Past studies have mainly focused on the PLS's influence on patients' walking without taking balance function into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effect of PLS on the standing balance in hemiplegic patients. Fifteen hemiplegic patients participated in this study: 10 men and 5 women, with an average age of 53.8 years. Standing balance was measured using a computerized dynamic posturography device under three conditions namely bare-foot standing, standing in shoes without PLS, and standing in shoes with PLS. The results were as follows: 1) The composite equilibrium scores of patients who stood in shoes only and stood in shoes with PLS were higher than those of patients who stood bare-foot. 2) There were no statistical difference in the composite equilibrium scores between the standing condition of patients who stood bare foot and that of patients who stood in shoes with PLS. In conclusion, it is not clear whether or not the PLS affects the standing balance of hemiplegic patients. Further study is required to determine the precise effect of the PLS on standing balance in hemiplegic patients who are not wearing shoes. This is particularly relevant in Korea culture where custom demands the removal of shoes when entering any house or even many restaurants.

Noninvasive low intensity ultrasound has been shown to be an effective means of accelerating bone fracture repair in both animal and clinical studies. The effects of ultrasound stimulation on bone repair after fibular osteotomy were assessed in a rabbit fibular fracture model. Bilateral closed fibular fractures were made in skeletally mature male White Japanese rabbits. In this study, 24 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental group 1 (n=12), and experimental group 2 (n=12). Experimental group 1 received 0.875 MHz continuous ultrasound and Experimental group 2 was treated with 3 MHz continuous u1trasound. The ultrasound intensity was 50 and treatment time was 10 minutes for every session in both groups. In each rabbit, one fibula served as a control and the other was subjected to ultrasound treatment 5 times per week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, rabbits were sacrificed and the ratios of the area between the trabeculae and bone marrow of the fibulae were calculated. At the end of the experimental period, 14 of the 24 rabbits were excluded due to complications from surgery or inadequate fracture status for this study. There was no statistically significant difference in the trabeculae area between experimental leg and control leg in experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 (p>0.05). And there was also no statistic-statistically significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 according to ultrasound treatment frequencies, 0.875 MHz and 3 MHz (p>0.05). These data suggest that in Japanese white rabbits, low intensity ultrasound stimulation does not facilitate fracture repair nor is there any difference in fracture repair results between ultrasound frequencies, 0.875 MHz and 3 MHz.

The pain is common among individuals with physical disabilities. It can interfere with therapy since patients with pain can become uncooperative and reluctant to move. This paper reviews the natural physiological mechanisms that can reduce pain perception, and considers physiological mechanisms which contribute to clinical pain by describing how the pain system changes its sensitivity depending upon the body's needs. The peripheral and central mechanisms contributing to sensitised nociceptive system are described with reference to the symptoms of clinical pain such as hyperalgesia, allodynia sopntaneous 'on-going'-projected and referred pain. It is suggested that in some chronic pain the nociceptive system maintains a state of sensitivity despite the absence of on-going tissue damage and under such circumstances the nociceptive system itself may have become dysfunctional. Such situations are often initiated by damage to nervous tissue which results in changes in the activity and organization of neuronal circuits within the central nervous system. The ability of the nociceptive system to operate in a suppressed state is also discussed with reference to pain modulation. The physical therapist can help facilitate the activation of these mechanisms through a combination of noninvasive modalities, functional activities, and the therapeutic use of self.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) on delayed onset muscle soreness(DOMS). Twenty males performed eccentric exercise of the elbow flexor. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a group (=7) that received low frequency TENS (7 Hz), 2) a group (=7) that received high frequency TENS (500 Hz), 3) a control group (=6) that received no treatment. DOMS was induced in a standardised fashion in the non-dominant elbow flexor of all subjects by repeated eccentric exercise. Treatments were applied immediately following exercise and again at 24 hours and at 48 hours after. Subjects attended on three consecutive days for treatment and measurement of elbow flexion, extension and resting angle(universal goniometer), and pain(Visual Analogue Scale; VAS) on a daily basis. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of results using repeated measures analysis of variance(ANOVA) and post hoc tests were as follows: 1) there were between groups differences in pain value at 48 hours after (p<0.05), 2) one-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for pain, resting angle, flexion angle and extension angle revealed significant differences within low frequency TENS group, 3) one-way ANOVA with repeated measurement for flexion angle revealed significant difference within high frequency TENS group.

The ability to maintain an upright position during quiet standing is a useful motor skill. The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) is a timed balance test that evaluates somatosensory, visual, and vestibular function for maintenance of upright posture. The Fugl-Meyer Sensorimotor Assessment (FMSA) balance subscale is the functional status assessment that indicates amount of assistance needed during various balance tasks. Functional Independence Measure (FIM) is the functional status assessment tool and FIM can be used clinically as an outcome measure. The purpose of this study was to see if the SOT can be used as a evaluation tool to measure hemiplegic patients' balance ability. Thirty-six patients with hemiplegia participated in this study. SOT scores were significantly correlated with FMSA balance scores and FIM scores(p<0.05). However correlation coefficients were not so high (r=0.60, and r=0.51, respectively). Therefore, further study is needed to verify the SOT's usefulness when physical therapists are evaluating for hemiplegic patients' balance ability.

Several studies have evaluated the effects of types of relative frequency and delay interval of knowledge of results(KR) on motor skill learning independently. The purpose of this study was to determine more effective types of KR relative frequency and KR delay interval for motor learning. Forty-six healthy subjects (15 female, 31 male) with no previous experience with this experiment participated. The subjects ranged in age from 20 to 29 years (mean=23.9, SD=0.474). All subjects were assigned to one of four groups: a high-instant group, a high-delay group, a low-instant group, and a low-delay group. During the acquisition phase, subjects practiced movements to a target (400 mm) with either a high (83%) or low (33%) KR relative frequency, and with either an instantaneous or delayed (after 8s) KR. Four groups were evaluated on retention (after 3min and 24hr) and transfer (450 mm) tests. The major findings were as follows: (1) there were no between-group differences in acquisition and short-term retention (p>0.05, (2) a low (33%) KR relative frequency during practice was as effective for learning as measured by both long-tenn retention and transfer tests, compared with high (83%) KR practice conditions (p<0.05), (3) delayed (8s) KR enhanced learning as measured by both long-term retention and transfer tests, compared with instantaneous KR practice conditions (p<0.05), and (4) there were no interactions between KR relative frequency and KR delay interval during acquisition, retention, and transfer phases. The results suggest that relatively less frequent and delayed KR are more effective types for motor learning than more frequent and instantaneous KR.ㅂ

The patients with hemiplegia show different body weight distribution as compared to normal subjects. These patients load their body weight more on sound leg than affected leg. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot placement under three conditions: forward, intermediate, and backward placement, on body weight distribution and time needed to rise while assuming sit-to-stand. Fourteen patients with hemiplegia participated in the study. Their body weight distributions during sit-to-stand under the three different conditions were measured by a limb loader and time needed to rise was measured by a stopwatch. The data were analysed by the repeated measure of one-way ANOVA. Statistical Analysis demonstrated that body weight distribution was less asymmetric in backward foot placement. The difference of body weight bearing rate between sound leg and affected leg was significantly decreased as foot placement moved from forward to backward. These results show that backward foot placement during sit-to-stand make patient with henuplegia distribute their body weight more evenly on the lower extremity.

This paper reviews physiological changes in the nervous system of patients with hemiparesis that may contribute to muscle weakness. The discussion includes the important role that alterations in the physiology of motor units, notably changes in firing rates and muscle fiber atrophy, play in the manifestation of muscle weakeness. This role is compared with the lesser role that spasticity of the antagonist muscle group appears to play in determining the weakness of agonist muscles. The contribution of other factors that result in mechanical restraint of the agonist by the antagonist is discussed relative to muscle weakness in patients with hemiparesis. More studies on patients with hemiparesis are required to assess what role muscle strength training should play in rehabiliting patients after a stroke.

The objective of this study was to identify the immediate effects of the short leg brace on the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients who had been hospitalized or visited out-patient department of Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, from January 5, 1996 through March 23, 1996. PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring) on and off changes in gait patterns were measured using ink foot print as well as by recording weight bearing distribution using a limb load monitor. The data were analyzed by the correlation and paired t-test. The findings were as follows: 1. Eighteen subjects were more weighted on the affected leg when PLS was put off(42.74%) than on(40.08%). 2. The defference in gait patterns between PLS on and off was statistically significant, with an increase in step length by 1.7cm on the involved side; a decrease in foot angle by 4.41 degree on the involved side; and a narrowing of base of support by 1.46cm when PLS were off. In conclusion, this study showed that PLS did not affect the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. Since, the evaluation method used in this study has limitations in regard to temporal distance gait values. Further studies are required to numerous experiments for subject and extensive study.

Two standard methods of cane length measurements were compared to find which methods really achieve the elbow flexion of 20 degrees to 30 degrees Twenty-four patients with hemiplegia who were ambulatory participated in this study. Method I : Length of the cane measured from the floor to the top of the greater trochanter. Method II : Length of the cane measured from the floor to the distal wrist crease with the arm at the side. Using an adjustable cane, each individual was fitted according to the two methods, and elbow angle was measured after each adjustment. The elbow angle according to Method I and Method II was , , respectively. No significant difference was found in the elbow angle or the cane length between the two methods. Of the 24 participants, 5(20.8%) measured according to method I and 3(12.5%) measured according to method II showed the elbow angle between 20 degrees and 30 degrees. These low predictive rates of agreement between ideal cane length and actually achieved elbow angle showed that these two methods which have conventionally been accepted as a standard to measure ideal cane length need to be revised through further research.

Spasticity has been defined as a motor disorder characterised by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks resulting in hyperexcitability of the stretch reflexes as one component of the upper motor neuron syndrome. Weakness and loss of dexterity, however, are considered to be more disabling to the patient than changes in muscle tone. The discussion includes the important role that alterations in the physiology of motor units, notably changes in firing rates and muscle fiber atrophy, play in the manifestation of muscle weakness. This paper considers both the neural and mechanical components of spasticity and discusses, in terms of clinical intervention, the implications arising from recent research. Investigations suggest that the resistance to passive movement in individuals with spasticity is due not only to neural mechanisms but also to changes in mechanical properties of muscle. The emphasis is on training the individual to gain control over the muscles required for different tasks, and on preventing secondary and adaptive soft tissue changes and ineffective adaptive motor behaviours.

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of weight-transfer training on the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients through visual and auditory feedback using a limb load monitor. The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients who had been hospitalized or were visited out-patient department of the Rehabilitation Hospital, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, from January 5, 1995 through March 15, 1995. Pre-and post-training changes in gait patterns were measured using ink foot prints as well as by recording weight bearing distribution using a limb load monitor. The data were analyzed by the repeated measure one-way ANOVA and paired t-test. The finding were as follows: 1. Prior to the training, 18 subjects bore more weight on the sound leg(61.6 %) than on the affected leg(38.4 %). 2. Posterior to the training, the average percentage of weight bearing on the affected leg increased significantly from 38.4 % prior to training; to 46.0 % immediately after training; 45.7 % after a 30 second delay; and 45.3 % after a 60 second 3. The difference in gait patterns between pre- and post- training was statistically significant, with an increase in gait velocity to 3.65 cm/sec post-training; an increase in stride length to 5.37 cm on the affected side; 4.77 cm on the sound side; and a narrowing of the base of support to 1.19 cm. In conclusion, hemiplegic weight-transfer training using visual and auditory feedback with a limb load monitor was found to be enhancing symmetrical standing posture, and simultaneously improve gait patterns.

In general, research in isokinetic exercise has focussed on studies of peak torque. However, peak torque is not always sufficient to assess the real amount of motion or to determine endurance. In this study, the subjects were 54 healthy students who performed continuous maximal isokinetic knee flexion and extension until their total work per time reached 50% of their maximal total work. Isokinetic curves were then plotted. Total work sums, exercise durations in seconds, and the numbers of repetitions were compared with reference to subject gender, angular velocity and muscle group. The relationship between total work sum, duration and number of repetition and thigh circumference plus leg length was computed. In addition, the characteristics of total work per second and total work per time were calculated. Results showed the total work sums differed greatly from muscle group to muscle group and with different angular velocities. The duration in seconds and the numbers of repetition differed only at higher angular velocity. Males achieved higher levels in every category except for some duration in seconds and some numbers of repetitions. Thigh circumference and leg length were deciding fators in every case, but duration in seconds and number of repetitions were not. These results suggest that measures of endurance should be included along with measures of total work when isokinetic studies are done. Measures of endurance in seconds are more accurate when isokinetic exercise is performed at lower angular velocities and numbers of repetitions at higher angular velocities.

It is well known that visual cues can improve the motor performance of Parkinsonian patients. Previous laboratory studies have examined the effects of visual cueing to the floor. This case study examined the effects of using a visual cue above eye level on the gait of a Parkinsonian man. It was found that cueing the patient to a target above eye level while waking not only improved the kinematic parameters of the gait cycle but also facilitated a more functional gait pattern with re-intergration of arm swing, rhythm, heel strike and a more erect posture. Visual targeting above eye level may serve as an important clinical tool for physiotherapists treating Parkinsonian patients.

The authors have investigated three species of Clupeidae such as herring, Korean anchovy and large-eyed herring, belonging to the order Clupeiformes. The fish is also indigenous to some parts of the southern regions of the West Sea. Fishes are the most popular marine products in Korea because of their taste and nutritional value, and Koreans consume them in large quantities. Especially, Korean anchovy and large-eyed herring are widely distributed in the entirety of brackish-water habitats and seawater areas of the West Sea in the Korean Peninsula, as well as in several areas in China. However, in spite of their economic and scientific consequences, a little information currently exist regarding the physiological and ecological levels only of crab species in Korea. During the last two decades, environmental contamination and various environmental disruptions by industries and city sewage, have threatened the coastal fisheries, and then reduction of individual number of this fish is an increasing trend in the 2000s. This study attempt is to elucidate the genetic distances within and between herring, Korean anchovy and large-eyed herring population from the West Sea. Three species of herring (C. pallasii), Korean anchovy (C. nasus) and large-eyed herring (H. zunashi) were obtained in close vicinity to the West Sea in Korea. Three species of fish muscle was collected in sterile tubes, placed on ice immediately, and stored under refrigeration until needed. Genomic DNA was extracted and purified under the conditions described previously (Yoon and Kim, 2004). The degree of variability was calculated by use of the Dice coefficient (F), which is given by the formula: F = 2nab / (na+nb), where nab is the number of bands shared between the samples a and b, na is the total number of bands for sample a and nb is the total number of bands for sample b (Jeffreys and Morton, 1987; Yoke-Kqueen and Radu, 2006). Euclidean genetic distances within-and between-species were also calculated by complete linkage method with the help of the hierarchical dendrogram program Systat version 10. The genomic DNA isolated from herring (C. pallasii), Korean anchovy (C. nasus) and large-eyed herring (H. zunashi) in the West Sea, were amplified several times by PCR reaction. The dendrogram obtained by the seven primers indicates three genetic clusters as shown in Fig. 1. The hierarchical dendrogram indicates three main branches: cluster 1 (PALLASII 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 and 07), cluster 2 (NASUS 08, 09, 10 and 11), and cluster 3 (NASUS 12, 13 and 14, ZUNASHI 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, PALLASII 05). The genetic distance among the three fish species ranged from 0.018 to 0.318. In three fish population, the shortest genetic distance displaying significant molecular difference was between individual PALLASII no. 03 and PALLASII no. 02 (0.018). Ultimately, individual no. 05 of the PALLASII herring was most distantly related to PALLASII no. 06 (genetic distance = 0.318). From what has been said above, the potential of this PCR analysis to identify diagnostic markers for the identification of three fish populations has been demonstrated. Generally speaking, this PCR analysis method has been applied to identify specific markers particular to line, species and geographical population, as well as genetic diversity/polymorphism in diverse species of organisms (McCormack et al. 2000; Yoon and Kim 2003).