The purpose of this study was to determine EMG biofeedback training effect on the muscle activities in 3 unilateral facial palsy patients along with multiple baseline design across subjects. The auditory feedback about facial muscles (orbicularis oris, orbicularis oculi, frontalis) was provided with each patient during facial exercise training. Electromyographic (EMG) activity during maximal voluntary contraction and maximal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude elected by supramaximal electrical stimulation on facial nerve of facial muscles were measured pre- and post- EMG biofeedback training to evaluate motor learning. EMG activity during maximal voluntary contraction was increased after EMG biofeedback training and CMAP amplitude elected by supramaximal electrical stimulation was not changed in all subjects. The results indicate that EMG biofeedback training is useful method to improve motor learning of facial excercise training in unilateral facial palsy patients.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation biofeedback on motor learning of quadriceps muscle isometric exercise in 3 patients who have undergone total knee replacement surgery. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used. The electrical stimulation biofeedback was provided with each patient during quadriceps isometric exercise, which last 10 to 14 sessions with 10 repetitions each sessions. After training patients received 4 retention tests. Maximum muscle activity was measured pre- and post- electrical stimulation biofeedback training and retention test to evaluate the effect of biofeedback training. Maximum isometric muscle activity of quadriceps was increased after electrical stimulation biofeedback training in all subjects. The results indicate that a electrical stimulation biofeedback training is a useful method to improve motor learning of quadriceps isometric exercise in total knee replacement.

This study was conducted to identify the effects of high-heel shoes on EMG activities of rectus femoris and biceps femoris in 28 healthy women. Subjects were composed of experimental group (wearing high-heel shoes) and control group (wearing low-heel shoes). Two groups participated in three conditions standing (bare foot wearing athletic shoes and 7.5 cm height shoes). In high-heel shoes condition, EMG activities of rectus femoris of control group were significantly lower than that of biceps femoris of experimental group, but EMG activities of both muscles of experimental group did not should significant difference. In bare foot standing condition, EMG activities of rectus femoris of experimental group were significantly lower than that of biceps femoris but EMG activities of both muscles of control group had no significant difference. These results showed that hamstring lengthening effects was produced when wearing high-heel shoes because the external knee extension moment was increased. In the short term, high-heel shoes effect on the increase of the biceps femoris activities by spindle reflex, but in the long term, the normal amplitude of the same muscle activities by Golgi tendon organ reflex.

The nature of entrainment between the locomotor and the respiratory rhythm was investigated while normal human subjects were walked or running on a treadmill. The purpose of this study was to analyze the incidence and type of coordination between the locomotor and the respiratory rhythm during running at different work load. The experiments were carried out on 12 untrained volunteers exercising at 3 work loads (2 METs, 3 METs, 4 METs in randomized order). The gait cycle was measured by electromyography (EMG) signal of gastrocnemius firing and the respiratory cycle was measured by a thermometer. We found that the ratio between the locomotor and the respiratory rhythm existed and 2:1 ratio between the locomotor-respiratory coupling was dominant at 2 METs and 3 METs

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mental practice on biceps brachii muscle strengthening in 3 poststroke hemiplegia patients along with multiple baseline design across subjects. The mental practice adopted for this experiment involved imagery training to practice elbow flexion, which last 12 to 16 sessions with 30 minutes each session. Maximal muscle activities was measured pre- and post-mental practice to evaluate the strength of biceps brachii. The strength of biceps brachii was measured by surface-EMG. The results were: In the subject 1, 73.92 mV (pre-) and 127.56 mV (post-); in the subject 2, 147.60 mV (pre-) and 202.85 mV (post-); and in the subject 3, 20.75 mV (pre-) and 27.92 mV (post-). The results indicate that a simple mental practice is a useful method to strengthen biceps brachii muscle in hemiplegic patients.

The purpose of this study were to compare light touch, two-point discrimination, position sense, and static balance ability and to examine the relationship of static balance ability and different senses in those who are wearing various heights of high-heeled shoes. Each 29 women was classified two different heights (below 3 cm, above 7 cm) by experience in wearing shoes. A t-test was used to determine the differences between low- and high-heeled shoe in light touch, two-point discrimination, position sense, and static balance ability. Pearson correlation was used to examine the relationship of static balance ability to these sensation. The results were as follows: 1) No significant differences in average light touch, position sense between two groups were found(p>0.05). But significant differences in average two-point discrimination, static balance ability were found(p<0.05). 2) Static balance ability was not significantly correlated with light touch, position sense, two-point discrimination(p>0.05). The results suggest that long time experience in wearing high-heeled shoe may be caused local sensory change and decreased static balance ability. Even though, static balance ability was not significantly affected but correlated with two-point discrimination, position sense, and light touch in order.

Back muscles play an important role in protecting the spine. Epidemiological studies have shown that loads imposed on the human spine during daily living play a significant role in the onset of low back pain. No previous study has attempted to correlate the response of the trunk musculature with the type of external load. The purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (EMG) to quantify the relative demands placed on the back muscles while lifting loads in one hand. Forty asymptomatic, twenty year-old subjects stood while lifting loads of 10% of body weight(BW) unilaterally. All EMG data were normalized to a percentage of the EMG voltage produced during no-load standing(%EMG). Our major analysis involved a paired t-test for repeated measures. Of particular note was the fact that the ipsilateral 10% of BW condition produced statistically less % EMG change than did the contralateral 10% of the condition.

Purpose - Previous studies on the influence of appeal types of advertising messages on pro-social behavior have shown inconsistent results. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the appeal type of advertising affects consumer’s prosocial behavior. In particular, the authors investigated whether the social exclusion moderates the relationship between the appeal type of advertising and prosocial behavior. Research design, data and Methodology - To verify the hypothesis, two experimental study were conducted. The experimental study was 2(appeal type : self-benefit vs. other-benefit) by 2(social exclusion : being ignored vs. being rejected) between-subject design. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. The experiment was conducted using a computer. First, the participants was exposed to the advertising image used in the social campaign, and then responded to questions about social behavior. The participants completed the experiment after further responding to the item for manipulation check and demographic measure. The experiment took about 10 minutes in total. Results - In Study 1, a global warming campaign with participation intention variable, other-benefit ads rather than self-benefit ads drive consumers who feel socially rejected to be more willing and likely to participate, but consumers who feel socially ignored are more likely to participate the campaign in self-benefit ad than other-benefit ad. Study 2 replicates the findings, a child poverty relief campaign with an amount-to-donate variable: consumers who feel explicitly rejected allocate more dollars to the charity in response to other-benefit rather than self-benefit ads, but consumers who being ignored are willing to donate more money. Conclusion - This study has theoretical contribution in that it expands existing theories by explaining the existing inconsistent results of the message appeal influence on pro-social behavior through new control variables. In addition, the results have important managerial implications, suggesting marketers should tailor their marketing message to match the consumer situation.