The Effects of Stretching and Strengthening Exercise on the Pain, Pelvic Tilt, Functional Disability Index, and Balance Ability of Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). METHODS: A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to α=0.05 for all variables. RESULTS: The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form. CONCLUSION: In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.

A Systematic Review of Elastic Taping Effect of Patients with Stroke

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of taping intervention in patients with stroke through a review analysis of taping interventions used to enhance physical function and activity in patients with stroke. We searched randomized controlled trials using electronic databases. We also manually reviewed sources to identify additional relevant studies. Taping intervention is an approach to treat individuals with impaired physical function and activity. Taping interventions affect body functions by providing increased muscle strength, proprioceptive sensation, and range of motion, as well as decreased rigidity and pain. Taping interventions also improve walking, balance and arm functions, such as physical activity. Taping intervention for patients with stroke has been shown to be highly effective and is therefore strongly recommended; however, it is suggested that it be further developed to improve its efficacy as an intervention method and to create additional taping methods.

The Effects of Task-Oriented Exercise Program on Balance Ability in Patients with Acute Stroke

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the effects of a task-oriented exercise program on balance in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Twenty participants with hemiparesis resulting from acute stroke volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group, with 10 patients per group. Both groups underwent a task-oriented exercise program averaging 30 minutes daily for 4 weeks. Balance was assessed before and after the 4-week training period. Before and after the intervention, we conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group changes and an independent t-test to compare the betweengroup differences. The statistical significance level was set at p=0.05 for all the variables. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant within-group and between-group changes in balance (p < 0.05) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable information for future studies in this field. Further research using a larger sample and longer experiment spans can corroborate the results of our study.

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on the Respiratory Function, Balance, and Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Stroke

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, balance, and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with stroke. METHODS: The study included 21 patients with stroke, divided into the experimental group and control group. Both groups underwent traditional physical therapy once a day for 30 minutes, five times weekly for 6 weeks. The experimental group underwent additional respiratory muscle training once a day, five times a week during the study period. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), Berg balance scale (BBS), and Korean-modified Barthel index (K-MBI) were measured before and after the study period. For statistical analysis, paired t-test was used to compare the difference between the pre and post values. Independent t-test was used compare the differences between groups. RESULTS: Both groups had significantly improved MIP, MEP, BBS, and K-MBI scores after the study period. The experimental group had significantly improved MIP, MEP, BBS, and K-MBI scores. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that respiratory muscle training improves respiratory function, balance, and ADL in patients with stroke.

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Respiratory Function and Activities of Daily Living in Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: This study aimed to demonstrate reduction in stroke symptoms by analyzing the changes in respiratory function and activities of daily living (ADL) after respiratory muscle strengthening exercise in patients who had a stroke and thereby, propose an efficient exercise method. METHODS: Twenty patients with hemiplegic stroke were divided into two groups, with 10 patients in each. The control group (CG) received the traditional exercise therapy, and the experimental group (EG) received the traditional exercise therapy combined with expiratory muscle strengthening training. The training continued for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1) were measured with a spirometer, SpO₂ was measured with a pulse oximeter, and ADL were assessed by using the modified Barthel index (MBI). A paired t test was applied to compare the differences before and after the intervention, and an independent t test was used to compare the differences between the groups. The level of statistical significance was set as α=0.05. RESULTS: The changes in the FVC and FEV1 values within the group showed significant differences only in the EG (p<0.01). The between-group difference was statistically significant only for FVC and FEV1 in the EG (p<0.01). The changes in SpO₂ and MBI within the group showed significant differences only in the EG and CG (p<0.01). Between-group differences were statistically significant only for SpO₂ and MBI in the EG (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The interventions with active patient involvement and combined breathing exercises had a positive impact on all the functions investigated in this study.

Effect of the High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) on Pulmonary Function and Walking Ability in Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: This investigation aimed to determine the effects of treadmill training (TT) and high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on pulmonary function and walking ability in stroke patients as well as propose an exercise program to improve cardiovascular function. METHODS: Twenty hemiplegic stroke patients were randomized to either the control group (CG) (n=10) or the experimental group (EG), which received TT and HFCWO (n=10). Pulmonary function was quantitated using patient forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) while walking speed was assessed by the 10m walking test (10MWT). Further, walking endurance was determined utilizing the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Subjects of the EG performed the study protocol for 60 minutes, five times a week for six weeks; CG patients did not participate in regular exercise. To determine significance for the differences observed before and after exercise, within-group and between-group comparisons were conducted utilizing paired and independent t-tests, respectively, with the level of significance set at α=0.05. RESULTS: Within-groups, significant differences were observed in both FVC and FEV1 (p<0.01) following completion of the study protocol. Further, between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences in both FVC (p<0.05) and FEV1 (p<0.01). Post-exercise, significant changes in the 10MWT and 6MWT score were observed between the EG and CG (p<0.01). Further, statistically significant differences were observed in 6MWT scores between-groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The TT and HFCWO effectively improved pulmonary function and walking ability in subjects with stroke. The proposed program can be applied to stroke patients as a useful therapy.