Background: Studies using Smovey and Vibration foam rollers are mostly conducted with normal adults, breast cancer patients, and athletes. However, there are not many studies applied to stroke patients to date. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of vibration exercise on the range of motion of the shoulder and knee joints in stroke patients. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 36 stroke patients, with 12 in the Smovey and Vibration foam roller group (SVG), 12 in the Smovey and Non-Vibration foam roller group (SNVG), and 12 in the control group (CG) were randomly assigned to exercise three times a week for 6 weeks. The range of motion of the shoulder and knee joints was measured for each group before and after 6 weeks of exercise. For joint range of motion, shoulder flexion and extension and knee flexion and extension were measured using BPMpro. Results: In terms of the difference in time, the flexion and extension of the shoulder and the flexion and extension of the knee on the paretic side were significant in the SVG and SNVG. The CG was not significant. Shoulder flexion and extension and knee flexion and extension on the unaffected side were all insignificant. The differences between each group were significant between the SVG and the CG and the SNVG and the CG. SVG and SNVG were not significant. Conclusion: It was found that vibration exercise had a positive effect on the range of motion of the shoulder and knee joints. Therefore, it is thought that vibration exercise can be provided as a clinical intervention method for shoulder and knee range of motion.

Background: Although studies have been conducted on muscle thickness and balance in trunk stabilization exercise and exercise using vibration props, studies on trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration for spinal alignment are still insufficient to draw a conclusion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration on the spinal alignment in adult females. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six adult females were randomly assigned to the experimental group (active vibration) and 13 control groups (active non-vibrating) and exercised three times a week for 8 weeks. Each group was measured for spinal alignment before exercise and 8 weeks after exercise. Spinal alignment, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, and pelvic torsion were measured using a spinal alignment analyzer. Results: Trunk imbalance was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group and the control group (P<.05). Pelvic tilt was a significant difference between the groups (P<.05). Also, pelvic tilt was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group (P<.05), but the control group showed no significant difference (P>.05). Pelvic torsion was no significant difference in both groups (P>.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration has a positive effect on the alignment of the spine.

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

Background: Sling exercises are frequently used for the rehabilitation process of patients with shoulder joint injuries, but research on the significant frequency intensity and appropriate treatment duration for sling exercises with local vibration stimulation is lacking. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise with vibration on shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain, and dysfunction in patients with a medical diagnosis of shoulder joint injury. Methods: Twenty-two patients were randomly assigned to the experiment and control groups. Six sling exercises with and without 50 ㎐ vibrations were applied in the experiment and control groups, respectively. Each exercise consisted of 3 sets of 5 repetitions performed for 6 weeks. The assessment tools used included shoulder joint range of motion, muscle strength, pain level, and shoulder pain and disability index for functional disability. We conducted re-evaluations before and 3 and 6 weeks after intervention. The changes in the measurement variables were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The ROM of the external rotation of the shoulder joint had a significant interaction between the group and the measurement point (F=3.652, p<.05). In both groups, we found a significant increase in external rotation angle between the measurement points (p<.05). The flexor strength of the shoulder joint significant interaction between the group and the measurement point (F=4.247, p<.05). Both the experiment (p<.01) and control groups (p<.05) showed a significant increase in shoulder flexor strength at the measurement points. After 6 weeks of the interventions, both the groups showed significantly improved VAS (p<.01), SPADI (p<.01), and orthopedic tests (p<.01). However, there was no significant difference between the group and the measurement point in terms of the clinical outcomes observed. Conclusion: The sling exercise with local vibration of 50 ㎐ affected the external rotation of the shoulder range of motion and improved shoulder flexor strength in the patients with shoulder injuries. Therefore, we propose the use of the sling exercise intervention with vibration in the exercise rehabilitation of patients with shoulder joint injuries.

Background: Vibration exercise after ankle surgery improves proprioception and ankle muscle strength through vibration stimulation. Objective: To examine the effects of vibration exercise on the ankle stability. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: Twenty soccer players were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The Vibration exercise program was conducted 12 weeks and 3 times a week. Ankle joint proprioceptive sensory test and Isokinetic muscle strength test were performed using Biodex system pro Ⅲ to measure plantar flexion / dorsiflexion and eversion / inversion motion. Results: The result of isokinetic test of ankle joint is showed significant improvement in all measurement items, such as leg flexion, lateral flexion, external and internal muscle forces, compared to previous ones by performing vibration movements for 12 weeks. However, in the comparison group, plantar flexor (30°), eversion muscle (120°), inversion (30°) of limb muscle strength were significantly improvedcompared with the previous phase; was no significant difference in dorsi-flexion. There was no significant difference between groups in all the items. Conclusions: In this study, we analyzed the effects of rehabilitation exercise on soccer players who had reconstructed with an ankle joint ligament injury through vibration exercise device. As a result, we could propose an effective exercise method to improve the ability, and confirmed the applicability as an appropriate exercise program to prevent ankle injuries and help quick return.

Background: Compared to healthy people, patients with chronic lower back pain have reduced balance abilities which may cause proprioception problems, patients with chronic lower back pain avoid physical activities due to pain, and reduced activity levels lead to muscle weakening, which can further exacerbate pain. Recently, there have been many studies on the use of sensory stimulation; and among these studies, interventions that use vibrational stimulation have shown functional improvements in the patients. Objects: This study examined the effects of a stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation on the balance ability and disability in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The subjects of the study were 30 persons who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group, with 15 subjects in each. The subjects were evaluated before and after intervention via a balance ability test, the Korean Oswestry disability index (KODI) test, a pain test, and a proprioceptive sensory test. Both groups received general physical therapy. The experimental group performed the stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation, and the control group performed a general stabilization exercise, three times a week for six weeks. Results: After the intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in the balance ability test, the KODI test, the pain test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. The experimental group showed statistically significant, higher improvements than the control group in the balance ability test, the KODI test, and the proprioceptive sensory test. Conclusions: The stabilization exercise with vibration stimulation for patients with chronic back pain has been reported to provide greater functional improvements than the conventional intervention method. Therefore, the stabilization exercise in a vibration stimulation environment could be a useful intervention for patients with chronic back pain.

본 연구에서는 고강도 운동 후 전신진동이 근피로도 감소와 심박회복율에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 하였다. 피험자 는 총 20명으로 진동을 제공받는 그룹과 진동을 제공받지 않는 그룹으로 구성되어 있다. 고강도 운동은 경사 8.5도와 보행속도 4km/h를 30분간 제공하였고, 그룹별 진동유무별 의자형 진동기 위에서 30분간 휴식을 취하였다. 전신진동자 극은 10Hz의 진동주파수와 5mm의 진폭을 제공하였다. 진동유무별 피로도 감소와 심박안정화 효과를 검증하기 위해 혈중 젖산농도와 실시간 심박수 변화를 측정하였다. 실험결과, 진동을 제공받는 그룹에서 95.2% 수준의 더 큰 근피로도 감소결과와 50.67%의 더 빠른 심박회복율 결과를 보였다. 이는 고강도 운동 후 전신진동이 근육속 혈관을 지속적으로 자극하여 운동 후 초과산소섭취를 빠르게 해소하고 혈액순환 기능을 증진시켜 피로도를 감소시킨다. 고강도 운동 후 전신진동을 이용한 휴식은 노약자나 여성들에게 운동 후 다른 육체적 활동 없이 마무리운동으로 긍정적 효과를 기대할 수 있다.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bridging stabilization exercise on balance ability and gait performance in elderly women. The subjects of this study were thirty-one elderly women over 65 years old in HongSung-Gun Senior Citizen Welfare Hall. The subjects were randomly assigned into one of three groups (trunk stabilization exercise on the mat, whole body vibration, and Swiss ball) and participated in each exercise program three times a week for 4 weeks. Each exercise began in the bridging position. The dynamic balance and gait were measured by limit of stability area using force plate, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The results were as follows: 1) The limit of stability in three groups increased significantly in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral lean after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 2) There were no significant differences in the limit of stability among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). 3) The BBS and TUG in three groups increased significantly after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 4) There were significant differences among three groups in BBS. Post-hoc test showed that Swiss ball exercise group was significantly higher than the mat and whole body vibration groups. 5) There were no significant differences TUG among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). In conclusion, this study suggested that 4 weeks of the bridging stabilization exercises were effective on balance and gait in all three groups. Particularly Swiss ball exercise group showed higher improvement than two other exercise groups (mat, whole body vibration group).

The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk and lower extremity muscle activity induced by six different conditions floor, intensity 0, 1, 3, 5 of whole body vibration (WBV), and Swiss ball during bridging exercise. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure trunk and lower extremity muscles activity. Ten elderly women were recruited from Hong-sung Senior Citizen Welfare Center. The collected EMG data were normalized using reference contraction (during floor bridging) and expressed as a percentage of reference voluntary contraction (%RVC). To analyze the differences in EMG data, the repeated one-way analysis of variance was used. A Bonferroni's correction was used for multiple comparisons. The study showed that EMG activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscles were not significantly different between six different conditions of during bridging exercise (p>.05). However, there were significantly increased EMG activity of the rectus femoris (p=.034) in the WBV intensity 0, 1, 3, and 5 conditions compared with the floor bridging condition. EMG activity of the medial gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the WBV intensity 0, 1, 3, 5 and Swiss ball conditions compared with the floor bridging condition. Future studies are required the dynamic instability condition such as one leg lifting in bridging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the trunk and lower extremity muscle activity induced by three different intensity conditions (intensity 1, 3, 5) of whole body vibration (WBV) during bridging exercise. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure trunk and lower extremity muscles activity. Eleven healthy young subjects (6 males, 5 females) were recruited from university students. The collected EMG data were normalized using reference contraction (no vibration during bridging) and expressed as a percentage of reference voluntary contraction. To analyze the differences in EMG data, the repeated one-way analysis of variance was used. A Bonferroni's correction was used for multiple comparisons. The study showed that EMG activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae and rectus femoris muscles was not significantly different among three intensity conditions of WBV during bridging exercise (p>.05). However, there were significantly increased EMG activity of the medial hamstring muscle (p=.001) and medial gastrocnemius muscle (p=.027) in the intensity 3 condition compared with the intensity 1 condition. This result can be interpreted that vibration was absorbed through the distal muscles, plantar flexor and knee flexor.