The aim of this study was to identify the effect of suspension unloading (SU) and electrical stimulation upon the development of neonatal muscular system. For this study, the neonatal rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, an experimental group I, and an experimental group II. The SU for experimental group I and II was applied from postnatal day (PD) 5 to PD 30. The electrical stimulation for soleus muscle of experimental group IIwas applied from PD 16 to PD 30 using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which gave isometric contraction with 10 pps for 30 minutes twice a day. In order to observe the effect of SU and ES, this study observed myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity in the soleus muscles at PD 15 and PD 30. In addition, the motor behavior test was performed through footprint analysis at PD 30. The following is the result. At PD 15, the soleus muscles of experimental group Iand II had significantly lower MEF2C, VEGF immunoreactivity than the control group. It proved that microgravity conditions restricted the development of the skeletal muscle cells at PD 15. At PD 30, soleus muscles of the control group and experimental group II had significantly higher MEF2C, VEGF, immunoreactivity than experimental group I. It proved that the NMES facilitated the development of the skeletal muscle cells. At PD 30, it showed that SU caused the decrease in stride length of parameter of gait analysis and an increase in toe-out angle, and that the NMES decreased these variations. These results suggest that weight bearing during neonatal developmental period is essential for muscular development. They also reveal that NMES can encourage the development of muscular systems by fully supplementing the effect of weight bearing, which is an essential factor in the neonatal developmental process.

Skeletal muscle injury occurs frequently in sports medicine and is the most general form of injury followed by physical impact. There are growth factors which conduct proliferation, differentiation, and synthesis of myogenic prodromal cells and regulate vascular generation for the continued survival of myocytes. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) and electrical stimulation (ES) on muscle recovery processes according to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into 2 experimental groups and a controlled group. All animals had suffered from crush damage in the extensor digitorum longus for 30 seconds and were killed 1, 3, and 7 days after injury. 30 Hz and 1 mA impulsion for 15 minutes was applied to the EA experimental groups Zusanli (ST36) and Taichong (LR3) using electroacupuncture and the same stimulation was applied to the ES group using an electrical node. Hematoxyline-Eosin staining and VEGF immunohistochemistry were used to ascertain the resulting muscle recovery. There were few morphological differences between the EA and ES groups, and both groups were observed to have tendencies to decrease atrophy as time passed. In the controlled group, gradually diminishing atrophy could be observed, but their forms were mostly disheveled. There were few differences in VEGF expression between the EA and ES groups, and tendencies to have an increased quantity of VEGF with the lapse of time were observed in both groups. In the controlled group, a little VEGF expression could be observed merely 7 days after injury. In conclusion, EA and ES contributed to muscle recovery processes and could be used for the treatment of muscle injury.

Electrical treatment has been widely used for porcine oocytes activation. However, developmental rates following electrical activation of porcine oocytes is relatively inefficient compared to other domestic animals. To investigate the effects of porcine oocytes on combined activation by both chemical and electrical treatment, in-vitro matured oocytes were activated by combined cycloheximide and electrical pulses treatment. Cumulus-free oocytes were exposed with NCSU-23 medium containing cycloheximide (10μgml) for 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 min and then activated by electrical pulse treatment and cultured in PZM-3 for 8 days. Also effects of exposure to 6.25μM calcium ionophore for 2 min for cumulus-free oocytes were tested. The percentage of blastocyst formation in 10 min exposure to 10μgml cycloheximide and electrical pulse treatment was significantly increased (P<0.05) than in the control group. And exposure to 6.25μM calcium ionophore for 2 min with 10μgml cycloheximide for 10min and electrical pulse treatment significantly increased (P<0.05) the percentage of blastocyst developmental rates than the control group. In conclusion, activation by combined cycloheximide and electrical stimulation treatment promoted the subsequent development of porcine oocytes and improved the subsequence blastocyst development

목적 : 연하곤란이 있는 환자에게 목에 붙이는 전극을 통하여 전기자극을 주는 신경근 전기자극 치료의 안전성과 치료효과를 알아보기 위함이다. 연구방법 : 연하곤란 증상이 있는 10명을 대상으로 2주일 동안 1주일에 5번, 하루에 한 시간씩 신경근 전기자극 치료를 하였다. 전기자극 치료 시작 전․후에 비디오 투시조영연하검사로 환자가 흡입 없이 삼킬 수 있는 음식물의 형태를 근거로 삼킴 기능 점수를 최소 0점에서 최고 6점까지 주었으며 삼킴 기능에 관련된 임상증상을 치료 전과 치료 후로 평가하여서 Wilcoxon 부호 순위검증으로 비교 분석하였다. 결과 : 삼킴 기능 점수는 1.6점에서 4.4점으로 유의하게 증가되었으며(p＜0.05), 환자의 90%에서 삼킴 기능이 증가하였다. 또한 삼킴 기능에 관련된 구토반사, 기침반사, 혀의 운동성, 후두 편위가 신경근 전기자극 치료 전에 비하여 치료 후에 유의하게 회복하였다. 결론 : 신경근 전기자극 치료는 목의 삼킴 기능에 관련하는 근육을 활성화시키는 것뿐만 아니라 삼킴 기능에 영양을 미치는 임상적 증상의 회복에도 도움이 되므로 연하곤란을 치료하기 위한 신경근 전기자극 치료는 안전하고 효과적인 것으로 입증되었다.

By measuring changes in blood lactate and plasma enzyme (CPK, GOT, GPT) with electrical stimulation applied at two duty cycles, this study is intended to look into which type of duty cycle may have more effects on blood lactate and plasma enzyme constituents through animal experiment so as to determine any duty cycle appropriate for electrical treatment. In this study, electrical stimulation was applied to total 20 Korean house rabbits (weight: 3~3.5 kg) by means of an electrical therapeutic apparatus called TS6000 (made in Netherlands) at duty cycle of 50% and 20% respectively for 30 minutes. Here, 5 cc of blood was collected from their carotid artery before stimulation and in 30 minutes after stimulation respectively to carry out biochemical experiment and analysis. As determined through the above experiment, blood lactate rate was increased to 333.07% at 50% duty cycle after experiment and 185.71% at 20% duty cycle after experiment respectively. In both cases, blood lactate rate was significantly increased to higher level after electrical stimulation than before. Moreover, the rate of change in the average of blood lactate rate at both duty cycles also showed significant differences. CPK rate was boosted to 301.82% at 50% duty cycle after experiment and 321.35% at 20% duty cycle after experiment respectively. In both cases, CPK rate was remarkably boosted to higher level after stimulation than before (p<.05). However, there was not any significant difference in the rate of change in average CPK at both duty cycles (p<.05). GOT rate was significantly boosted up to 38.97% at 50% duty cycle after experiment (p<.05), while it was slightly increased to 1.68% at 20% duty cycle after experiment without any significant difference. Rather, GPT rate dropped slightly at both duty cycles after experiment, but there was not any significant difference. Although blood lactate and GOT were relatively less generated at 20% duty cycle after electrical stimulation than at 50% duty cycle, the change of duty cycle didn't have any significant influence on CPK rate. In this regard, this study failed to come any consistent conclusion about the association between change of duty cycle and muscle fatigue. Therefore, it is advisable that follow-up studies seek various ways to a little more effectively apply electrical stimulation to laboratory animals by avoiding their muscle fatigue. GOT rate was significantly boosted up to 38.97% at 50% duty cycle after experiment (p<.05), while it was slightly increased to 1.68% at 20% duty cycle after experiment without any significant difference. Rather, GPT rate dropped slightly at both duty cycles after experiment, but there was not any significant difference. Although blood lactate and GOT were relatively less generated at 20% duty cycle after electrical stimulation than at 50% duty cycle, the change of duty cycle didn't have any significant influence on CPK rate. In this regard, this study failed to come any consistent conclusion about the association between change of duty cycle and muscle fatigue. Therefore, it is advisable that follow-up studies seek various ways to a little more effectively apply electrical stimulation to laboratory animals by avoiding their muscle fatigue.

We investigated the activation of the cerebral cortex during active movement, passive movement, and functional electrical stimulation (FES), which was provided on wrist extensor muscles. A functional magnetic resonance imaging study was performed on 5 healthy volunteers. Tasks were the extension of right wrist by active movement, passive movement, and FES at the rate of .5 Hz. The regions of interest were measured in primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (SI), secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), and supplementary motor area (SMA). We found that the contralateral SI and SII were significantly activated by all of three tasks. The additional activation was shown in the areas of ipsilateral S1 (n=2), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral (n=2) SII, and bilateral SMA (n=3) by FES. Ipsilateral M1 (n=1), and contralateral (n=1) or ipsilateral SII (n=1), and contralateral SMA (n=1) were activated by active movement. Also, Contralateral SMA (n=3) was activated by passive movement. The number of activated pixels on SM1 by FES ( pixels) was smaller than that by active movement ( pixels) and nearly the same as that by passive movement ( pixels). Findings reveal that active movement, passive movement, and FES had a direct effect on cerebral cortex. It suggests that above modalities may have the potential to facilitate brain plasticity, if applied with the refined-specific therapeutic intervention for brain-injured patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on a visual analysis scale and functional visual analysis scale regarding functional capacity. A total of 7 consecutive patients with the complaint of patellofemoral pain syndrome who received this diagnosis from a sports medicine physician were recruited to assess the effect of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Functional Visual Analog Scale (FVAS), functional capacity patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The exercise rehabilitation consisted of a complex training program requiring five treatments a week for eight weeks. The training program consisted of four phases, and each lasted for two weeks. Statistical analyses were one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The results were as follows: (1) There were significant differences in the VAS and FVAS during 8-weeks of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (p<.01). (2) There were no significant differences in the functional capacity during 8-weeks of rehabilitation exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (p<.05). In conclusion, at the end of the eight weeks of this rehabilitation program and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, a significant reduction was found in VAS and FVAS, but there was no significant difference in functional capacity at the end of the treatment.

In most tissues, apoptosis plays a pivotal role in normal development and in regulation of cell number. Therefore inappropriate apoptosis is revealed in a variety of diseases. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of acupuncture and needle electrode electrical stimulation on the change of caspase-3, 9 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) immunoreactive cells in the sprague dawley rats (SD rat). In immobilized SD rats (n=5), enhanced caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression were detected in the reticular part of substantia nigra, and enhanced nNOS was detected in the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (DL-PAG) of midbrain and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus using immunohistochemistry. Following the immobilization, acupuncture (n=5) and needle electrode electrical stimulation (n=5, 2 Hz) was applied at Hg (LI4) acupoint of SD rats, respectively. The stress-induced enhancement in the expression of caspase-3, 9 and nNOS were The present results demonstrate that and needle electrode electrical stimulation are effective in the modulation of expression of caspase-3, 9 and nNOS induced by immobilization.

The purpose of this study was to compare visual analogue scale (VAS), pain threshold (PT), , and EMG gaps before and after applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the upper trapezius muscle at the patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). The subjects were 4 men and 10 women composed of both the inpatients and outpatients who were diagnosed as MPS at Wonju Medical Center. VAS and PT measurements were performed to assess the subjective pain level. The reference voluntary contraction (RVC) test was performed for 15 seconds for normalization on the bilateral trapezius muscle using surface electromyography (sEMG). After 3-minute resting time, the EMG signal was recorded while performing a typing activity for 2 minutes and then TENS was applicated with a comfortable intensity for 10 minutes. The EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle was recorded during typing for 2 minutes. The results of study were as follows: 1) VAS score was significantly decreased on the more painful side after treatment, however, it was not significantly different on the less painful side. 2) PT was increased after treatment on both sides, however, it was not significantly different between before and after the TENS application. 3) The EMG activity during typing was significantly decreased after treatment, and 4) The EMG gaps were significantly increased after TENS treatment compared to before it. Consequently, the study showed that TENS was effective in decreasing VAS, , and in increasing EMG gaps. The EMG gap analysis could be a useful method to measure pain in patients with MPS in the upper trapezius.

본 연구에서는 상부 승모근의 근막통증(myofascial pain syndrome; MPS)를 대상으로 이완상태에서 근 활성도를 측정해보고, 통증을 감소시키는 데 주로 이용되는 경피신경자극 치료 후 근 활성도에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 본 연구의 대상자는 근막 통증으로 진단을 받은 총 10명을 대상으로 실시하였다. 주관적 시각 척도(visual analogue scale; VAS)와 압통 역치 측정계(pressure thresh

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) training of the knee extensors is a useful way to rehabilitate the ability to stand and walk. However, training using FES has not been able to solve the problem of fatigue; clinical application of FES quickly produces muscle fatigue, due to the continuous activation of the muscles of the lower extremity. Therefore, reduction of muscle fatigue is an important factor in increasing the effectiveness of FES training in paraplegia. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation is a method that combines the advantages of high frequency (leading to strong muscle contractions) and alternating stimulation (reducing muscle fatigue), thereby continuously strengthening muscles. It is not known whether low frequency simultaneous stimulation results in stronger muscle contraction than high frequency alternating stimulation. This study compared the effectiveness of high frequency alternating stimulation with low frequency synchronized stimulation. Muscle power using FES on the quadriceps of 20 normal subjects were compared. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation did not produce more powerful muscle contraction than intermittent low frequency synchronized stimulation, because the muscle characteristics differed individually. Significant individual variation according to muscle characteristics was founded when applying FES. Accordingly, when physical therapists use FES to treat patients, they must be aware of individual variation in muscle characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of three interventions on the disuse atrophy of rat hindlimb after two weeks suspension. Forty-eight 11~12 weeks old female Sprague-Dawley white rats were divided into four intervention groups: 1) suspension only (S; n=10), 2) intensive weight bearing treadmill (IWBT; n=10), 3) electrical stimulation (ES; n=9), 4) 2)+3) (ES/IWBT; n=9). Another 10 rats received no intervention or hindlimb suspension and served as controls (C). After the interventions, 1) the cross-sectional area (CSA), 2) the ratio of white muscle fiber composition (WMFC), 3) isometric tetanic tension (ITT), and 4) muscle weights (MWs) were measured from the four calf muscle specimens. The results were as follows: 1. In all intervention groups, the CSAs of medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG LG), soleus (SOL), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) decreased when compared to the control (C) group (p<.05). The CSA increased in FDS and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 2. The ratios of WMFC in MG, LG, SOL, and FDS increased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ratios of WMFC decreased in SOL and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group, and decreased in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the IWBT group (p<.05). 3. The ITT in the MG, LG, SOL, and FDS decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ITT increased in MG LG/FDS, SOL, and the whole calf muscles (WCMs) in the IWBT, ES and ES/IWBT groups compared to the S only group (p<.05). 4. The MWs in MG LG/FDS, SOL, WCMs decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The MWs increased in MG LG/FDS and WCMs for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES group, and in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 5. In atrophied muscles, the IWBT group showed the best recovery and the ES/IWBT and ES groups followed in decreasing order. The most susceptible muscle to disuse atrophy was the SOL. But conversely, it showed the best recovery in the ES/IWBT group. After two weeks of hindlimb suspension, the calf muscles of rats atrophied and their isometric tension decreased. These changes were best reversed by hindlimb-focused treadmill activity. The next best results were achieved by electrical stimulation combined with the treadmill followed by only electrical stimulation. These findings indicate that full weight bearing treadmill activity alone or in combination with electrical stimulation are effective treatments for non-weight bearing induced muscle atrophy. Further study of the effect of different intensities of electrical stimulation and variations in the duration period of full weight bearing treadmill activity on disuse atrophy is recommended.

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 to investigate the effects of a functional electrical stimulation (FES) on temporal parameters (stride length, step width and cadence) of gait patterns in a patient with right hemiparesis. A single-subject reversal (ABAB) design was used. The subject was a 25-year-old male who had foot drop and circumduction gait pattern. An ink foot-print method was used to assess the temporal parameters of gait between the baseline phase and the intervention phase. FES was applied at 8 m walkway, three times a week for 5 weeks. The results showed that stride length was increased by 4.04 cm and that step width was decreased by 3.93 cm in the intervention phase. There was no difference in cadence between the baseline phase and intervention phase.

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a common problem that can interfere with rehabilitation as well as activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of both transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation (MENS) on DOMS, Twenty-seven untrained and male volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: 1) a group that received TENS (7 Hz), 2) MENS (60 , .3 pps) or 3) a control group that received no treatment. Subjects performed repeated eccentric exercise of the non-dominant forearm flexor muscle with submaximal intensity by the simply designed eccentric exercise devices. Treatments were applied after 24 hours and 48 hours. Subjects attended on two consecutive days for treatment and measurement of elbow flexion, extension, resting angle (universal goniometer), and pain (visual analogue scale: VAS) on a daily basis. Measurements were taken after treatment. Analysis of results were as follows; 1) There were no significant differences between TENS and MENS by one-way repeated ANOVA, 2) The t-test for pain, resting, flexion and extension angle revealed significant differences within TENS group, 3) The t-test for resting angle revealed significant differences within MENS group.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not the physical therapist's explanation of the treatment prior to electrical stimulation affects the subjects level of anxiety. Eighty healthy subjects participated in this study and were assigned either to the experimental group receiving information on the treatment (=40) or to the control group not receiving information on the treatment (=40). Transcutaneus Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), a sphygomamometer and the Spielberger State Anxiety Scale Questionnaire were used to investigate the threshold of anxiety. Analysis of data revealed significant differences in pulse and diastolic blood pressure compared to the control group when the subjects were stimulated electrically after receiving information on the treatment. We found significant differences between the two groups. The results of the study indicate that the patient's anxiety can be reduced by the physical therapist's explanation on the treatment.

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 purpose of this study was to compare the effects of high intensity, high frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points and low intensity, low frequency microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulation(MENS) of auricular and somatic acupuncture points on experimental pressure threshold at the elbow according to the time. Fifty healthy adults, aged 19 to 26 years, were assigned randomly to one of five groups: 1) the high intensity, high frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 2) the high intensity, high frequency auricular group(n=10) received MENS to auricular acupuncture points, 3) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) received MENS to somatic acupuncture points, 4) the low intensity, low frequency somatic group(n=10) receive MENS to somatic acupuncture points, and 5) the placebo group(n=10) received placebo treatment and served as controls. Pressure threshold was measured before, after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Pressure threshold has increased significantly(p<.05) in the high intensity, high frequency auricular group following treatment after 5 minutes, with no statistically significant differences in pressure threshold change scores among five groups, Only the high intensity, high frequency auricular group demonstrated statistically significant change score in pressure threshold following treatment after, 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes after compared to the placebo group. The results indicated that MENS applied to the high intensity, high frequency auricular group increases pressure threshold.

The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the changes between pre-treatment and post-treatment of four groups of 15 persons each and 2) to compare the effect of conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) and laser at auricular acupuncture points on experimental pain threshold measured at the wrist. Sixty healthy adult men and women(M:32, F:28), aged 20 to 28 years, were assigned randomly to one of four groups. Group 1 received TENS to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 2 received laser to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 3 received placebo TENS to the appropriate auricular point for wrist pain, Group 4 received no treatment and served as controls. Experimental pain threshold at the wrist was determined with a painful electrical stimulus before and 20 minutes after ear stimulation. Group 1 was the only group that showed a stastically significant increase (p<0.05) in pain threshold after treatment whereas the Group 2,3 and 4 did not. These results suggest that TENS has the capability to higher pain threshold but laser does not.

The purpose of this case study was to introduce functional electrical stimulation(FES) for paraplegic patients. FES provides the ability to rise from sitting to standing, maintenance of a standing position, and the ability to walk with a reciprocal gait. Six channels of electrical stimulation are sufficient for synthesis of a simple reciprocal gait pattern in these patients. During the double-stance phase, knee extensor muscles of both knees are stimulated, providing sufficient support for the body. Only one knee extensor muscle group is excited during the single-stance phase. The swing phase of the contralateral lower extremity is accomplished by eliciting the synergic flexor muscle response through electrical stimulation of afferent nerves. The transition from the double-stance phase to the swing phase is controlled by two hand switches used by the therapist or built into the handles of the walking frame for using by the patient. A twenty-five years old male was with a T9/T9 spinal cord injury due to a traffic accident and admitted to Yonsei Rehabilitation Hospital for comprehensive treatment. After 30 days of training using the Parastep(R) he was able to stand for 10 minutes. After 43 days, he was able to walk and at discharged he could walk for 100 meters.