[Purpose] This study investigated the therapeutic effects of augmented reality (AR)-based EMG-triggered functional electric stimulation (FES) on stroke patients receiving rehabilitation. [Methods] Ten subjects who were in the chronic phase following stroke were divided into two groups for: ankle dorsiflexion with AR-based EMG-triggered FES (Experimental group, n=5), and EMG-triggered FES alone (Control group, n=5). Experimental subjects received ankle dorsiflexion with AR-based EMG-triggered FES for 20 minutes per day, 5 times per week over a 4 week period. Muscle activation, ankle range of motion and muscle strength were measured to identify the effect of the AR training environment with EMG-triggered FES. [Results] The muscle activation of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius (GCM), as measured by EMG, the improvement was increased significantly after the intervention compared to before within the experimental groups of the tibialis anterior(TA), and the improvement was significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Muscle strength of the tibialis anterior (TA) and GCM in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion were significantly greater post-intervention in the experimental group. [Conclusion] The results of this study provide evidence in support of incorporating an AR environment into ankle dorsiflexion training with FES for the improvement of muscle activity, and strength of chronic phase stroke patients.

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[Purpose] This study compared the effects of wall push-up plus conditions on activation of the middle serratus anterior (MSA) and lower serratus anterior (LSA), and investigated which exercise selectively activated each part of the serratus anterior. [Subjects] Sixteen subjects were recruited. [Methods] Surface electrodes were placed over the middle and lower serratus anterior. The subjects performed the wall push-up plus exercise under three conditions. [Result] Condition 3 (39.9 ± 12.4%) significantly increased MSA activity compared to condition 1 (32.0 ± 16.8%). Condition 2 (40.7 ± 15.2%) significantly increased LSA activity compared to condition 1 (32.6 ± 10.5%). [Conclusion] We think that each part of the serratus anterior muscle is activated differently according to the protraction direction and surface condition during wall push-up plus exercise.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of shoulder stability exercise on shoulder pain and function of middle-aged women. [Subjects] The subjects were 22 middle-aged women, who were randomly divided into two groups: a shoulder stability exercise group of 11 subjects, and a control group of 11 subjects. [Methods] All subjects were evaluated for pain, pressure pain threshold, rounded shoulder posture, and upper extremity stability. A stability exercise for the shoulder joint was designed in order to correct the abnormal location of the scapula, and encourage symmetric rolling, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation symmetrically reciprocal. The measured parameters were evaluated before and after four weeks of exercise. In the exercise group, the exercise training consisted of 40-minute sessions, three sessions a week, for four weeks. [Results] Following intervention, the shoulder stability exercise group showed significant decreases in pain, the pressure pain threshold, and rounded shoulder posture, and upper extremity stability was significantly improved. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest the feasibility and suitability of this shoulder stability exercise for middle-aged women.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a wrist motion storage biofeedback system on wrist range of motion during keyboard typing work. [Subjects] For this study, we recruited 10 computer workers as volunteers. [Methods] Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation angles were analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system. [Results] The wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation, and radial deviation angles decreased significantly in keyboard typing work with the wrist motion storage biofeedback system. [Conclusion] We suggest that the wrist motion storage biofeedback system promotes the adoption of a beneficial wrist posture, which may be effective at preventing computer work-related wrist disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

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[Purpose] This study examined the effects of bilateral upper extremity activities on the daily living abilities of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Method] A total of 26 study subjects were selected and were randomly divided into an experimental group of 13 subjects, who received an intervention consisting of bilateral upper extremity activities and nervous system rehabilitation, and a control group of 13 subjects, who received an intervention consisting of nervous system rehabilitation only. [Results] The experimental group showed statistically significant changes in all items. Among FIM items, Self-care, Social Cognition, and Total Score showed significant differences between the groups. [Conclusion] Bilateral upper extremity activities performed by the experimental group are considered to have improved daily living activities.

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[Purpose] The purpose in the present study was to examine the possibility that virtual reality interactive exercise game can help relieve depression and improve the quality of life of elderly females with osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Forty elderly females suffering from knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group so that each group had 20 members. The experimental group played exercise game using Xbox 360 kinetic sensors for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for four weeks. The control group did not engage in this activity. The depression of the subjects was measured using the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) and their quality of life was measured using SF-8. [Results] The experimental group’s SGDS-K score after the exercise game intervention was significantly lower than that before the intervention and the experimental group’s SGDS-K score was significantly lower than that of the control group. The experimental group’s SF-8 score after the intervention was significantly higher than that before the intervention and the experimental group’s score was higher than that of the control group, although the differences were not significant. [Conclusion] The exercise game experiment using Xbox 360 kinetic sensors showed the possibility that such activities could help relieve depression and improve the quality of life of elderly females suffering from osteoarthritis. Further studies are necessary to determine the most effective methods and duration.

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[Purpose] Myofascial release is a manual soft tissue technique that is frequently used in physical therapy, but few reports on the effectiveness of myofascial release are available. We compared the effects of myofascial release and stretching on range of motion, muscle stiffness, and reaction time. [Subjects and Methods] Forty healthy individuals were randomly allocated to four groups: myofascial release for quadriceps; myofascial release for hamstrings; stretch for quadriceps; and controls. [Results] Active range of motion was significantly increased in the two myofascial release groups and the stretch group. Passive range of motion was significantly increased by myofascial release in the quadriceps and stretching groups. No significant differences in muscle stiffness were seen between before and after the interventions. However, premotor time was significantly reduced by myofascial release in the quadriceps and hamstrings groups, with significant differences observed in this parameter between both the quadriceps and hamstrings groups and controls after the interventions. Compared to controls, reaction time was significantly lower after the interventions in the quadriceps and hamstrings groups. [Conclusion] Myofascial release improves not only range of motion, but also ease of movement.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low intensity laser therapy (LILT) on inflammatory osteoarthritis in the knee joint of rats. [Subjects] Thirty Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 rats each: the normal, control, and LILT groups. The arthritis group was treated with LILT using a gallium–aluminum–arsenide diode laser over during 3 weeks. All treatments were applied once a day, 5 days per week for 21 days. The inflammation cytokine and the articular index were used to assess the arthritic symptoms. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 in the serum were used as outcome measures. [Results] The arthritis index points of rats in the LILT group were lower than that of the control group. Similarly, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 concentrations in serum were significantly decreased in the LILT group compared to the control group, which coincided with behavioral studies. [Conclusion] This study shows that LILT is capable of reducing inflammatory cytokine concentrations induced by monosodium iodoacetate osteoarthritis in rats.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation training, using elastic bands and a body blade, for ice hockey players with confirmed diagnosis of shoulder joint instability. [Methods] The subjects of this study were healthy adult ice hockey players without shoulder instability (control group, n=9) and adult ice hockey players with shoulder instability (training group, n=9). We implemented a rehabilitation training program using elastic bands and a body blade for eight weeks, and measured the isokinetic muscle functions of the shoulder joint in terms of flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation, as well as the subjective pain score at baseline (Week 0) and Weeks 4 and 8. [Results] There were interactions in flexion and internal rotation at 60°/sec, flexion and extension at 180°/sec, and subjective pain score. [Conclusion] We consider that the rehabilitation program given in this study had a positive effect on stabilization of the shoulder joint of ice hockey players, and various further studies should address shoulder joint rehabilitation for ice hockey players.

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[Purpose] We examined the effects of motor imagery on the sitting balance of 16 hemiplegic patients. [Subjects] The subjects were 6 persons in an intervention group and 10 persons in a non-intervention group. [Methods] All patients received pre- and post-training assessments on the 1st and 5th day. The intervention patients received motor imagery combined with repetitive task practice for 3 consecutive days, while the non-intervention group received no training other than the assessments. With the aid of visual and auditory information the intervention group were instructed to sit and perform imaging as if they flexed their trunk forward and bent their trunk laterally. After motor imagery, they were asked to perform the same repetitive task practice as motor imagery. Elevation and roll angles of the spinal process of L1 and sitting pressure were measured. These parameters were compared between pre- and post-training, and between the intervention and non-intervention groups using ANOVA. [Results] Sitting pressure on the affected side at rest was significantly increased after training, but during forward-flexion, the patients inclined more to the unaffected side, especially left hemiplegic patients. The angles of movement were significantly increased while bending laterally to the affected side. However, sitting pressure showed no significant increase on the affected side. [Conclusion] Short-term motor imagery with repetitive task practice had limited effect on the sitting balance of hemiplegic patients.

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[Purpose] This study examined the difference in nerve conduction velocity (NCV) between two groups: one performed median nerve self-mobilization (self-MNM) in an open kinetic chain (OKC) and the other performed self-MNM in a closed kinetic chain (CKC). Our objective was to establish a therapeutic basis for self-MNM, and to provide an effective method of self-MNM for performance at home. [Methods] Our subjects were 20 healthy female college students without symptoms or signs of peripheral neuropathy. Subjects were divided into two groups, and all were examined in a median motor nerve conduction study before the experiment, prior to self-MNM. The first group performed self-MNM for 15 seconds in OKC while the other group performed self-MNM for 15 seconds in CKC; all subjects keeping their elbow and wrist joints extended during that period. Each set was repeated three times, with a break of 10 seconds inserted between each set. [Results] In the wrist-elbow section, NCV increased in the CKC group, but did not significantly change in the OKC group. In the elbow-axilla section, NCV did not change significantly in either of the two groups. [Conclusion] The results show that, in comparison to self-MNM in CKC, self-MNM in OKC was more effective at increasing nerve conduction velocity in the wrist-elbow section.

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[Purpose] The aim of the current study was to investigate whether dynamic balance control, assessed by the center of pressure (COP) trajectory, during level walking and obstacle crossing is affected by Tai Chi (TC) training. [Subjects] Twenty healthy older adults (mean age, 71.9; age range, 65–82 years) who met the inclusion criteria volunteered to participate in this trial. [Methods] Subjects underwent pre- and post-test measurements of initiation of gait and stepping over an obstacle at their normal comfortable pace. Subjects received TC training three times per week over a period of 16 weeks. The pre- and post-intervention values of COP trajectory were measured using two force plates for obstacle crossing and initiation of gait conditions. [Results] There was a significant increase in the anteroposterior COP and the average velocity of COP of both limbs in post-TC measurements as compared to pre-TC measurements. No significant main effect of time was found in the mediolateral COP of limb. Furthermore, no significant main effect of gait was found for COP variable of limb. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that TC can enhance older individuals’ balance control significantly while performing volitionally destabilizing activities.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of using hand-grips and a labile surface during push-up exercise. [Subjects] We recruited 12 male subjects. [Methods] Push-up exercises were performed under four different conditions on a multi-function balance board: a stable surface with and without hand-grips, a labile surface with and without hand-grips. Muscle activities of the upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), extensor carpi radialis (ECR), and flexor carpi ulnaris(FCU) muscles were recorded. [Results] Push-ups on the labile surface tended to increase greater activation of the SA, and significantly increased both UT and FCU activities compared with the same exercise on the stable surface regardless of hand-grip usage. Push-ups on the labile surface with hand-grips condition caused significantly increased in ECR activation compared to other conditions. [Conclusion] Usage of hand-grips is recommended when push-ups are performed on a labile surface to reduce muscular imbalance in the wrist.

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[Purpose] We investigated the effect of combination therapy, consisting of heat stress and muscle contraction exercise induced by neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), for the prevention of hindlimb suspension (HS)-induced disuse atrophy in rat gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles, and clarified the effective exercise intensity for this therapy. [Methods] The experimental group was divided into the following six groups: 1) HS only; 2) HS plus heat stress (Heat); 3) HS plus low-intensity exercise (LEx); 4) HS plus combination therapy of heat stress and low-intensity exercise (H+LEx); 5) HS plus high-intensity exercise (HEx); and 6) HS plus combination therapy of heat stress and high-intensity exercise (H+HEx). Before, and at the end of the experimental period, muscle wet weight relative to total body weight, muscle fiber diameter, and heat shock protein (Hsp) 72 content in GAS muscles were evaluated. [Results] In the H+LEx and HEx groups, atrophy of all muscle fiber types in the deep and superficial regions was prevented. Hsp 72 expression was upregulated in the Heat, H+LEx, and H+HEx groups. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that low-intensity exercise is more effective than high-intensity exercise for the prevention of disuse muscle atrophy using heat stress and exercise combination therapy. The expression of Hsp72, which is induced by heat stress, may be related to this preventative mechanism.

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[Purpose] Social participation and physical activities are important for elderly people to extend their healthy life expectancy. It is necessary to feel subjective enjoyment in order to continue a healthy life. While the enjoyment of a psychosocial situation has been reported, the enjoyment of elderly people in continuing social participation and physical activities is unknown. The purpose of this study was to clarify the contents of subjective enjoyment of elderly people and the construct of enjoyment. [Subjects] The subjects were 412 community-dwelling elderly people. [Methods] We asked 412 elderly people about their kinds of subjective enjoyment and reasons for this enjoyment, using our original questionnaire. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis to evaluate the model fit for enjoyment using parameters of the chi-square value (χ²), Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). [Results] The most common item of enjoyment was karaoke. Three factors of activity were “Cognition & Tasks”, “Self-Assertiveness Social Relations”, and “Emotions”. The model fit met acceptable levels. [Conclusion] Elderly people expect to continue social participation and physical activities incorporating these 3 factors into their activities.

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[Purpose] This study reports the effects of the Muslim prayer, known as Salat, on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) while performing and miming the actions of Salat: standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. [Subjects] Thirty Muslim subjects were asked to perform the actual and mime Salat. [Methods] HR and BP were measured using a Schiller AT-102 Electrocardiograph and an Omron SEM-1 Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor. [Results] The findings revealed that there was a significant difference in the HR of the subjects between performing and miming Salat. The standing and prostration positions of Salat produced the highest and the lowest HR, respectively. A lower HR may be of potential benefit to an individual’s health. The systolic and the diastolic BP decreased significantly after performance and mime of Salat, and a greater reduction in BP was observed during performance of Salat. [Conclusion] This is the first study of HR and BP in relation to Salat positions. The findings will encourage further studies to explore the benefits of Salat maneuvers for patients with cardiovascular diseases.

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[Purpose] We investigated whether pelvic inclination angle (PIA) influences hip abductor strength and gait ability after total hip arthoplasty (THA). Additionally, we assessed whether preoperative PIA is useful as a predictor of hip abductor strength and ambulation ability after THA. [Subjects] Thirty-six women patients with unilateral THA (age: 67.9 ± 10.0; body weight: 56.8 ± 9.1 kg; height: 150.2±8.3 cm; BMI: 25.1±3.6 kg/m²)participated in this study. [Methods] We measured pre- and postoperative PIA, hip abductor strength, hip pain (visual analog scale: VAS), and subjects performed the timed up and go (TUG) test, and the 10-m gait speed test. [Results] PIA showed onetime decrease in pelvic tilt at 1 week postoperatively, and thereafter generally exhibited a posterior change after THA. The patients with postoperative posterior PIA showed late recovery of abductor muscle strength and inferior TUG test results compared to patients with anterior or neutral PIA. The hip abductor strength and TUG test results of patients with preoperative posterior PIA were significantly lower than those of patients with preoperative anterior or neutral PIA. [Conclusions] PIA affected hip abductor strength and TUG test resulting, which were associated with a decrease in hip pain, and preoperative PIA may be useful for predict short-term hip abductor strength and ambulation ability after THA.

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