Investigating the Dose-Related Effects of Video Game Trunk Control Training in Chronic Stroke Patients With Poor Sitting Balance

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose-related effect of trunk control training (TCT) using Trunk Stability Rehabilitation Robot Balance Trainer (TSRRBT) in chronic stroke patients with poor sitting balance. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 38 chronic stroke patients with poor sitting balance that underwent TCT with TSRRBT. The participants were assigned either to the low-dose training (LDT) group (n=18) or to the highdose training (HDT) group (n=20). In addition to the conventional rehabilitation therapy, the LDT group received 5 sessions of TSRRBT intervention per week, whereas the HDT group received 10 sessions of TSRRBT intervention per week. The outcome measures were the scores on the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) and its subscales, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC), and the Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI). All outcome measures were assessed before the training and at the end of the 4-week training. RESULTS: After the 4-week intervention, TIS, BBS, FAC, and K-MBI scores showed improvement in both LDT and HDT groups. Furthermore, the improvements in TIS scores and its subscales were significantly greater in the HDT group than in the LDT group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TCT using TSRRBT could be an additional treatment for the conventional rehabilitation therapy of chronic stroke patients with poor sitting balance. HDT may provide more beneficial effects on improving patients’ sitting balance than LDT.

Clinical and Biomechanical Effects of Low-Dye Taping and Figure-8 Modification of Low-Dye Taping in Patients With Heel Pad Atrophy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effect of low-dye taping (LDT) and figure-8 modification of LDT (MLDT) on peak plantar pressure and heel pain in patients with heel pad atrophy. METHODS: There were reviewed 32 feet of 19 patients who have been diagnosed with heel pad atrophy who were enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed with heel pad atrophy with clinical findings, and loaded heel pad thickness measured by ultrasonography. At the first visit, patients were taught how to do LDT and MLDT. They were instructed to do daily living with barefoot, LDT and MLDT at least one time per day. Patients performed pedobarography with barefoot, LDT and MLDT within 2 weeks. The severity of heel pain was also checked with the visual analogue scale (VAS) during daily living with barefoot, LDT and MLDT. RESULTS: VAS of hindfoot were significantly decreased after LDT and MLDT (p < 0.01). Peak plantar pressure under hindfoot were also decreased after LDT and MLDT (p < 0.01). The effect of MLDT in decreasing peak plantar pressure of hindfoot (p < 0.01) and pain relief (p=0.001) was better than the effect of LDT. CONCLUSION: The LDT technique is clinically useful for pain management and reducing peak plantar pressure of hindfoot in patients with heel pad atrophy. MLDT is more effective than LDT in reducing peak plantar pressure and heel pain in patients with heel pad atrophy.

Dilemmas of Korean Athletes With a Spinal Cord Injury to Participate in Sports: A Survey Based on the ICF Core Set for Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences of athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) in Korea with respect to dilemmas of participating in sports with regards to the facilitators and barriers, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: The facilitators and barriers to sports participation of individuals with SCI were examined using 112 ICF categories. A questionnaire in dichotomous scale was answered, which covered the subjects 'Body functions', 'Body structures', 'Activity and participation' and 'Environmental factors'. Data analysis included the use of descriptive statistics to examine the frequency and magnitude of reported issues. RESULTS: Sixty-two community-dwelling participants were recruited. Frequently addressed barriers in 'Body functions' were mobility related problems such as muscle and joint problems, bladder and bowel functions, pressure ulcers, and pain. In 'Activity and participation', most frequently reported were mobility and self-care problems. Highly addressed barriers in 'Environmental factors' were sports facilities, financial cost, transportation problems and lack of information. Relationships such as peer, family and friends were the most important facilitators. CONCLUSION: Numerous barriers still exist for SCI survivors to participate in sports, especially in the area of health care needs and environmental factors. Our results support the need for a multidisciplinary approach to promote sports participation.

Labial and buccal surface contours of Korean normal occlusion in a three-dimensional digital model / 대한치과교정학회지

OBJECTVIE: This study was performed to investigate the labio/buccal clinical crown curvatures of Korean permanent teeth and to obtain the curve-ratio data in an attempt to fabricate bracket bases fit for each individual Korean permanent tooth. METHODS: Three-dimensional digital models were made from 30 sets of dental casts with normal anatomic structures. According to the FA points, horizontal and vertical reference planes were established and lines were drawn on the tooth surfaces in reference to these planes. The curvature was expressed as the coefficient of a quadratic equation. Lines mesial, distal, gingival and occlusal to the horizontal, vertical reference planes and the FA point were drawn. RESULTS: The curvature measured for each line revealed that there are no significant differences between male and female, except for maxillary canines and maxillary second bicuspids (p > 0.05). There were notable differences in the mesio-distal or gingivo-occlusal curvatures among the mandibular lateral incisors, maxillary canines, maxillary and mandibular first and second bicuspids and first molars (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The labial & buccal crown curvatures of teeth in Korean normal occlusion were measured on the mesial and distal, gingival and occlusal sides respectively in this study. Based on these data, a SWA can be developed to fit the individual features of Korean tooth crowns.

The Effects of Inhalational Anesthetics on Memory and Cognitive Function / 대한마취과학회지

Many investigators have studied the effects of commonly used general anesthetic agents on CNS and found that a variety of congintive functions including psychomotor activity, assciative learning and short-term tasks were affected by anesthetice, and the ability of inhalstional anesthetics to depress or ebhance neuronal excitibility depends on the anesthetics, the anesthetic conectration, and particular brain region examined. To study the effects of inhalational snesthetics on meomory and congnitive function in human, we selected 123 patients scheduled for elective surgery, in ASA Phyaical Status Class I or II, for experimental group. But the patients undergoing a major surgery and with previous neuropsychiatrie history were excluded. As control group, 92 healthy volunteers were selected. Three tests Bender Gestalt Test, Trail Making B Test and Cognitive Cspacity Screening Examination-were performed on the properative day and the 4-5th postoperative day in experimental group. In control group these tests were performed tow times at the aame intervals. The mean performance ratos (II/ IX100) (i.e I is the score in the first examination and 3 id the score in the second examination)in experimental group were compared with those in control group. Results were as follows; 1. Bender Gestalt Test The mean performance ratios of control group 104.2+/-8.8 in man, 104.7+/-9.8 in woman and 104.5+/-9.4 in total control group. In experimental group they were 102.6+/-9.2 in man, 105.3+/-9.5 in woman and 104.9+/-9.2 in total experimental group. 2. Trail Making B Test The mean performance ratios of control group were 99.8+/-8.3 in ma, 97.6+/-10.0 in woman and 98.8+/-10.0 in total control group. In experimental group they were 99.2+/-13.5 in man, 97.9+/-14.0 in woman and 98.5+/-14.7 in total experimental group. 3. Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination The mean performance ratios of control group were 100.9+/-3.9 in man, 100.2+/-3.4 in woman snd 100.5+/-3.3 in total control group. In experimental group they were 99.4+/-2.1 in man, 101.6+/-3.7 in woman and 101.2+/-3.6 in total experimental The performance ratios of Congitive Capacity Sereening Examination in woman were signifi- cantly increased in experimental group, compared with control group. (p<0.05), but no differences were observed in total experimental group. The performance ratios of Bender Gestalt Test and Trail Making B Test in experimental group were increased more thatn those in control group but no statistical singificance was observed. According to these results we could confirm that inhalational anesthetics hsve no significant effects on memory and congnitive function.