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: Self-myofascial release using a foam roller has short-term effects for improving muscle function and joint range of motion (ROM) and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after exercise. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to examine the muscle physiological changes for each set in self-myofascial release of the hamstring muscles using a foam roller in order to provide basic data for the most effective program composition for improving muscle tension, stiffness, and flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Design: A quasi-experimental clinical trial. Methods: To confirm the effect of self-myofascial release of the hamstring muscles using a foam roller, muscle tone and stiffness of the hamstring muscles were measured. As an intervention method, the study subject performed four sessions of self-myofascial release by moving a foam roller back and forth on the posterior thigh muscle of the right leg. Results: There were statistically significant changes in the stiffness of the biceps femoris and the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Conclusion: Self-myofascial release with foam rolling is an effective intervention method for increasing hamstring flexibility and ROM, and it is recommended as effective to perform self-myofascial release for three to four sessions to maintain normal muscle tone and stiffness of the hamstring muscles.

Background: It is Difficult for older adults to avoid a decreased in pulmonary functions caused by aging, and these reduced functions have been shown to affect not only the quality of life, but also the rate of disease and mortality. Although massage therapy is generally applied as a treatment method for improving the musculoskeletal system, massage is also studied as a potential intervention for lung function as a complementary treatment method. Objectives: To determine the effects of massage and relaxation breathing exercise applied after a low-intensity walking exercise on pulmonary functions in older individuals. Design: Quaxi-experiment study. Methods: Twelve day care elderly were divided into a massage group (n=6) and a relaxation breathing exercise group (n=6). After performing low-intensity walking exercise twice for 7 weeks, massage intervention and relaxation breathing exercise intervention were performed, respectively. PEF, FEV1, and FVC were measured by performing lung function tests pre- and post the intervention. Results: As a result of this study, PEF and FVC were significantly increased in the pre- and post-group comparison of MG, and there was no significant difference in FEV1. There were no significant differences in all variables in the pre-post comparison of RBEG within groups. There was no significant difference in all variables in the comparison between the two groups on the intervention results. Conclusion: To conclude, pulmonary functions in older adults increased significantly after the massage intervention, although no significant difference was found in comparison to intervention with relaxation breathing exercise.

Background: Previous studies have reported that improving the spinal stability could be more effective in the prevention and treatment of recurrence. Lumbar stabilization exercise is known to strengthen the lumbar extension muscles and enhance physical, psychological and social functions. Objectives: To investigated the effect of lumbar spiral stenosis on the kinetic link training and lumbar stabilization exercise. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Study was preformed by randomly allocated 28 LSS participants into a kinetic link training group (KLT, n=14) and a lumbar stabilization exercise group (LSE, n=14). Kinetic link training and lumbar stabilization exercise were performed to subjects in both groups 5 times a week for 6 weeks. To verify the effect of LSS, changes in VAS, ODI, and proprioception before and after intervention were observed. Results: In KLT, statistically significant changes were found in VAS, ODI, and Proprioception before and after intervention. In LSE, there were significant changes in VAS and ODI before and after intervention. KLT and LSE before and after intervention indicated significant differences in proprioception. Conclusion: KLT and LSE are applied to LSS, there are effects of pain decrease, lumbar recovery and proprioception improvement.

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: Adults with forward head posture (FHP) often suffer from thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoracic dysfunction, and including reduction of the craniovertebral angle (CV angle) and tightening of the superficial neck muscles. In order to treat thoracic dysfunction, interventions aimed at improving thoracic mobility are necessary. Objectives: To examine the effects of maitland manual mobilization therapy on the thoracic spine in adults with FHP. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with FHP who met the selection criteria were randomized to the thoracic multiple joint mobilization (TMJM; n=15) group and the thoracic general joint mobilization (TGJM; n=15) group. Joint mobilizations were performed for 23 minutes a day for 4 weeks continuously, two times per week. Outcome measures were ImageJ, BTS FREE EMG 1000, neck disability Index (NDI). Results: Although changes in the left sternocleidomastoid muscle activity and NDI scores over time between the two groups differed, other variables were noted only changes observed over time. Muscle activity in the right sternocleidomastoid increased again in the TGJM group post-intervention and 2 weeks after the end of the experiment, but changes in other variables were retained or improved, confirming the lasting effects of thoracic joint mobilization. Conclusion: Thoracic multiple joint mobilization may be recommended as a more effective intervention for adults with FHP.

Background: Physical therapy has been widely studied in various fields, however, the academic trends and characteristics has not been systematically analyzed. Semantic network analysis is used as an approach for this study. Objective: To explore academic trends and knowledge system in the physiotherapy research in the Journal of International Academy Physical Therapy (J of IAPTR) Study design : Literature review Method: Semantic network analysis was conducted using the titles of 272 articles published in the Journal of IAPTR from 2010 to 2019. Results: Frequency analysis revealed following most frequently used key words; Stroke (27 times), Balance (21 times), Elder (13 times), Forward head posture (FHP, 11 times), Muscle activity (9 times). The relationship between the presented keywords is divided into six subgroups (FHP and pain, walk and quality, elder and balance, stroke and apoptosis, muscle strength and function) according to their correlation and frequency to be used together. Conclusion: The study is considered to be of help to researchers who want to identify research trends in physiotherapy.