This study aimed to identify the effects of kinesio taping (KT) applied in a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern on the pain, weight-bearing distribution (WBD), and walking ability of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients. Thirty women with KOA were randomly allocated to a control group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps only, and a PNF pattern group (n=15) with KT at the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analogue scale during walking. In addition, WBD, and walking ability were measured before and 30 minutes after KT application. The VAS significantly reduced in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). WBD (p<.05, ES=.32) and walking ability (p<.05, ES=.38) showed a significant change in the PNF pattern group, and in the inter-group comparison, the PNF pattern group showed a significant difference compared to the control groups. These results demonstrate that KT application with PNF pattern effectively attenuate the pain and improves WBD and walking ability in KOA patients.

The purpose of this study to identified the effect of muscle strengthening of ankle joints on postural sway. The subjects of this study were 29 healthy adults aged between 20 and 30 years(male 18, female 11). All subjects received ankle muscle strengthening exercise for 3 times, 3 sessions, 30 minutes per week over 4weeks period. The measured item of muscle strength, postural sway. Data collected from all subjects the result were as follows. The ankle strength showed significant increase(p<.05). One leg stand test with eye close increase in static balance(p<.05), left-right sway distance and anterior-posterior sway distance with eye open and close in static balance(p<.05). The result findings show that strength of the ankle joint muscles is a factor which affects postural sway and the ankle joints are important in static balance.

The purpose of this study is to identify the level of masseter muscle tension according to the levels of restricted movement and pain in the temporomandibular joint(TMJ), thereby verifying the fact that excessive masseter muscle tension can be a cause for restricted movement and pain in the TMJ. The subjects of this study were 81 men and women in their 20s and 30s, who feel uncomfortable with their masticatory function on the preferred chewing side. The subjects were measured in terms of the range of motion (ROM) and deviation of the TMJ and the degree of pain in the affected region. The ROM and deviation of the TMJ were measured using the Global Posture System(GPS) after instructing each subject to open his/her mouth to the fullest and taking photos of the subject with a digital camera. The tension of the masseter muscle was measured with a Pressure Threshold Meter(PTM). After the measurements, in order to compare the ROM of the TMJ, the subjects were divided into two groups based on the ROM of above 35mm and below 35mm. For the deviation and pain, based on the average of total subjects, the subjects were divided into two groups of above and below average. Thereafter, the levels of masseter muscle tension were compared between each pair of groups. According to the results, when each variable was compared between the respective two groups, in terms of the deviation, the pressure pain threshold(PPT) of the masseter muscle revealed a statistically significant difference(p<.05). However, the ROM and pain showed no statistically significant difference. Consequently, masseter muscle tension may cause restricted movement in the TMJ. In particular, the deviation and tension in the masseter muscle is considered to be a factor that causes deviation in the TMJ.

The amount of inorganic ions such as Na^+, K^+, Ca^2+, Mg^2+, NH_4^+, Cl^-, NO_3^-, and SO_4^2- in the precipitation at Chongwon area were analyzed during the period of February 1991 - June 1993. Ammonium ion was analyzed using Nessler and indophenol methods. Cations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and ion chromatography was used for anions. For the entire period of study, there was no particular ion which has significantly high correlation coefficient with hydrogen ion. The correlation between NO_3^-, and SO_4^2- was 0.6, which suggests that these ions may be from the same source. Most cations have high correlation with each other. In the seasonal analysis, the nitrate and sulfate ions have high correlations with the acidity in the fall and winter. The rain waters of Taeahn area showed usually high concentrations of the ions, even though the pH was much higher than that of Chongwon area. It is considered that the ions came as neutral salt in Taeahn, while NO_x and SO_x contributes largely to the acidity of rains in Chongwon.