• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to confirm the effectiveness of the diaphragm stretching technique as a treatment method for low back pain by evaluating maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and changes in back mobility in patients with low back pain. Methods: Thirty-four patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The diaphragm stretching technique was conducted in the experimental group, and the placebo intervention was conducted in the control group. The diaphragm stretching technique was conducted once, maintaining tension for 7 min. The placebo intervention was conducted in the same position as the diaphragm stretching technique, but with only light contact maintained without pressure. Maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility were measured before and after the intervention, and the changes were compared and analyzed. A paired sample t-test was used to compare measurements within the group before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the experimental and control groups. Statistical significance (α) was set at 0.05. Results: In the experimental group, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility increased significantly after the intervention (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes in all areas of the control (p > 0.05). As a result of comparative analysis of changes before and after the intervention, there were significant differences in maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility only in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The diaphragm stretching technique improved maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and back mobility compared to the placebo intervention. Therefore, the diaphragm stretching technique can be recommended as a physical therapy intervention to improve pain in patients with LBP.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chest mobilization and stretching exercises on maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure in healthy adults who use computers for extended periods of time each day due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults in their 20s and without respiratory disease (15 female, 10 male) took part in this study. Two types of thoracic mobilizing exercises using a Theraband and three types of stretching exercises using a foam roller were performed. Maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure were measured three times each before and after the interventions. In terms of statistical methods, the maximum inspiratory pressure due to chest mobility and stretching was compared with the maximum expiratory pressure using parametric paired t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Maximum inspiratory pressure (p = .012) and maximum expiratory pressure (p = .006) showed significant differences before and after chest mobilization exercise and stretching among the participants. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that chest mobilization and stretching exercises are effective exercise methods for improving maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure. They suggest that these exercises can prevent respiratory muscle weakness and improve aerobic fitness in healthy people as well as those in need of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigated the effects of threshold resistance inspiratory muscle training on respiratory function in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Methods: Eighteen patient with stroke were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=9) and control group (n=9) all testing and training. The experimental group underwent threshold resistance inspiratory muscle training with resistance adjusted of maximal inspiratory pressure, 60 breathing a day and general physical therapy 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The control group was taken general respiratory muscle training and general physical therapy for 4 weeks in the same way. Respiratory function, walking ability were evaluated before and after the intervention. Statistical significance of the results were evaluated by ANCOVA between control group and experimental group after intervention. Results: There was a significant increase in FVC and FEV1 in the experimental group in pulmonary function tests (p<0.05). There was a significant difference with the maximum inspiratory pressure and the maximum inspiratory flow rate between experimental and control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference with the maximum inspiratory capacity between experimental and control group (p>0.05) but the maximum inspiratory capacity of experimental group some increased than that of control group. Conclusion: These finding gave some indications that the threshold resistance inspiratory training may benefit on pulmonary function in people with stroke, and it is feasible to be included in rehabilitation interventions with this population.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.287-291
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the influence of inspiratory muscle exercise using visual biofeedback and inspiratory muscle exercise with diaphragm breathing retraining in stroke patients in regard to inspiratory muscle activity and respiratory function and to provide fundamental information on intervention for improvement of pulmonary function in stroke patients. Methods: The current study measured and analyzed inspiratory muscle activity and pulmonary function of 15 randomly selected subjects in a Biofeedback inspiratory muscle exercise (BIE) group that uses visual feedback and 15 subjects in the Diaphragm breathing exercise (DBE) group that uses breathing retraining before and after intervention. Intervention was performed for 30 minutes, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. Subjects were measured for muscle activity of upper trapezius muscle and lattisimus dorsi muscle using a surface electromyography system and maximum inspiratory pressure was measured using a respiratory measurement device. For homogeneity test of subjects, independent t-test was performed and ANCOVA was performed for comparison of inspiratory muscle activity and pulmonary function between groups. Results: In the study results, the BIE group showed more significant muscle activity than the DBE group in upper trapezius muscle and lattisimus dorsi muscle (p<0.001). In addition, the BIE group showed more pressure than the DBE group in maximum inspiratory pressure (p<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the current study, performing biofeedback respiration exercise simultaneously with breathing retraining in stroke patients can provide more efficient respiratory physical therapy. In addition, it is considered that consistent study on the effectiveness is necessary to further improve clinical availability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2021

Purpose : It was to compare changes in respiratory function (pulmonary function, inspiratory function) after four weeks of inspiratory muscle strengthening training (diaphragmatic breathing with upper arm exercise, Power-Breathe breathing) for 36 healthy people. Methods : Subjects were randomly assigned to diaphragmatic breathing with upper arm exercise (Group I) and Power-breathe breathing (Group II) was conducted by the protocol for four weeks five times per week. As the main measurement method for comparison between groups For pulmonary function, Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume at One second (FEV1) were used, and for inspiratory function, Maximum Inspiratory Capacity (MIC), Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), and Maximum Inspiratory Flow Rate (MIFR) were used. Results : In changes in pulmonary function between groups, FVC and FEV₁ showed no significant difference, and in inspiratory function changes, MIC showed no significant difference, but in MIP and MIFR, Group B significantly improved over Group A. Conclusion : The progressive resistance training using the Power-breath device applied to the inspiratory muscle did not show a significant difference in the increase in the amount of air in the lungs and chest cage compared to the diaphragmatic breathing training accompanied by the upper arm exercise. However, by increasing the air inflow rate and pressure, it showed a more excellent effect on improving respiratory function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.389-395
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the respiratory function of patients with stroke was different on the ground and under water. Methods: We recruited 14 adults who had experienced a stroke (12 male, 2 female) for our study. We measured forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure when the participants breathed on the ground and under water. On the ground, the participants were safely supported using a table and chair and were measured in a standing posture. For measuring under water, the participants were immersed in water in a standing position to clavicle height. The participants were measured while standing, and the assistant supported them when they needed help. The collected data were analyzed by a paired t-test. Results: Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second were significantly lower in water than on the ground when breathing at maximum. Maximum inspiratory pressure was not significantly different when standing on the ground or in water, but maximum expiratory pressure was significantly higher in water than on the ground. Conclusion: It has been confirmed that the hydrostatic pressure affecting stroke patients immersed in water affects the forced expiratory volume at one second while reducing the forced vital capacity and increasing the maximum expiratory pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.394-399
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• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lower rib cage lateral expansion limitation on the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and on abdominal muscle activity during maximal respiratory breathing in healthy subjects. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. During maximal breathing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured, and abdominal muscle activity was determined with using surface electromyography. Also, the measurement was repeated with using a non-elastic belt to the lower rib cage for limiting of lateral expansion. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for obtaining the statistical difference with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The findings of this study are as follows: 1) There were no significant differences in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure with and without lower rib cage lateral expansion (p>0.05), 2) There was no significant difference in abdominal muscle activity during the maximal inspiratory phase (p>0.05). However, right external oblique muscle activity decreased significantly during maximum exhalation with lower rib expansion limitation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that a non-elastic belt was effective in decreasing right external oblique muscle activity during forced expiratory breathing in healthy subjects.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.105-113
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk-stabilization training using stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization techniques of PNF on trunk muscle strength and respiratory function in elderly stroke patients. Methods: There were 26 stroke patients included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, and all patients performed exercise 30 min five times per week for six weeks. The experimental group performed trunk stability exercise using stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization techniques of PNF, and the control group performed flexibility and strength training. Trunk muscle strength, forced vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiration pressure were measured to determine the changes after the intervention. For statistical processing, a paired t-test was performed within the group, and the value after intervention was performed as an independent t-test to find out the difference between the two groups. Results: In the experimental group, all of the trunk muscle strength, forced vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiration pressure showed significant differences according to the intervention. In the control group, there were statistically significant differences in trunk muscle strength and forced vital capacity, but the maximum inspiratory pressure and the maximum expiration pressure did not show any statistical change. Conclusion: From these results, it can be seen that the trunk stability exercises that use the proprioceptive neuromuscular promotion method of stable reversal and rhythm stabilization can be a good intervention for the respiratory function of stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2022

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of depending on the location of applying chest expansion resistance exercise on the respiratory muscle strength stroke patients, and to suggest more effective interventions to improve respiratory function in stroke patients in clinical practice. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were selected and divided into two groups, and chest cage extension resistance exercise was applied to the sternum and rib cage, respectively, and performed for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, for 20 minutes. In order to compare the general characteristics of the study subjects and the homogeneity of the group, the pre-experimental values were analyzed using the independent sample t-test. Paired-sample t-test was used for pre-post value comparison of maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure in each group. Statistical significance was set to .05. RESULTS: Both the sternum application group and the rib cage application group showed a significant difference in the maximum inspiratory pressure according to the intervention. Also, there was a statistically significant difference in the maximum expiratory pressure in the sternum application group. CONCLUSION: As breathing exercise is important for stroke patients, based on the results of this study, if therapists perform sternal extension resistance exercise or rib extension resistance exercise according to the patient's condition and environment, it can help the breathing function of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of posture difference on respiratory function in cerebral palsy patients. Methods : Twenty-two cerebral palsy childrens were recruited this study. Respiratory Function test was measured with Cardio Touch 3000 and Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter. Cardio Touch 3000 was used to assess cerebral palsy childrens' forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second. Micro Respiratory Pressure Meter was to assess Maximum inspiratory pressure and Maximum expiratory pressure. Subjects had four respiratory functions measured in supine, slouched sitting, and elected sitting postures. Statistical analysis was used Paired t-test for within-group comparisons and Independent t-test for between-group comparisons. SPSS statistics Ver 20.0 was used for statistical anlysis and statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than 0.05. Result : The subjects' respiratory function according to posture showed significant difference in Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), Maximum Expiratory Pressure(MEP) and Maximum inspiratory pressure(MIP)(p<.05). Elected sitting posture had a positive effect on respiratory function than slouched sitting, supine. Conclusion : In conclusion, We could see that change of posture in children with cerebral palsy affects respiratory function and Elected sitting can be a positive help for the respiratory function of children with cerebral palsy.