The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of multi joint-joint position sense (MJ-JPS) training on joint position sense, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. A total of 18 stroke patients participated in the study. The subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. Participants in the experimental group received MJ-JPS training (10 min) and conventional treatment (20 min), but participants in the control group only received conventional treatment (30 min). Both groups received training for five times per week for six weeks. MJ-JPS is a training method used to increase proprioception in the lower extremities; as such, it is used, to position the lower extremities in a given space. MJ-JPS measurement was captured via video using a Image J program to calculate the error distance. Balance ability was measured using Timed Up and Go (TUG) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Gait ability was measured with a 10 m walking test (10MWT) and by climbing four flights of stairs. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess normalization. Within-group differences were analyzed using the paired t-test. Between-group differences were analyzed using the independent t-test. The experimental group showed a significant decrease in error distance (MJ-JPS) compared to the control group (p<.05). Both groups showed a significant difference in their BBS and 10MWT results (p<.05). The experimental group showed a significant decrease in their TUG and climbing results (p<.05), but the control group results for those two tasks were not found to be significant (p>.05). There was significant difference in MJ-JPS and by climbing four flights of stairs on variation of pre and post test in between groups (p<.05), but TUG and BBS and 10MWT was no significantly (p>.05). We suggest that the MJ-JPS training proposed in this study be used as an intervention to help improve the functional activity of the lower extremities in stroke patients.

It is important to find the effective position for cough and sputum clearance in respiratory physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak cough flow (PCF) related to functional level and measurement position in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Twenty one subjects were classified into three functional levels, and measurements was undertaken in three different measurement positions (upright sitting, 45˚ reclining and supine). Vitalograph PEF/FEV DIARY was used to measure PEF and FEV1, and Ferraris Pocket Peak was used to measure PCF. Mixed two-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc test were used for statistical analysis. The results of the study were as follows: 1) Significant main effects for measurement position were found. 2) PEF was the highest in upright sitting, followed by 45˚ reclining, and supine in order. 3)FEV1 in upright sitting and 45˚ reclining were significantly greater compared with that in supine. 4) PCF in upright sitting and 45˚ reclining were significantly greater compared with that in supine. 5) No significant main effects for functional level were found in PEF, FEV1, and PCF. 6) No significant functional level by measurement position interactions were found in PEF, FEV1, and PCF. Therefore, it is concluded that upright sitting and 45˚ degree reclining positions are recommended for effective cough and sputum clearance.