The Effect of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Pulmonary Function, Gait Ability, and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the changes in pulmonary function, gait ability, and quality of life when NMES is applied along with CBE and to provide basic clinical data to be used in pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines for patients with COPD to treat patients with severe COPD. METHODS: For this study, CBE and NMES of quadriceps femoris on both sides were applied to the experimental group (n=10), and only CBE was applied to the control group (n=10). For a pre-test, a 6-minute walk test was performed, and pulmonary function and health-related quality of life were measured. Moreover, an exercise program was applied to each group for 30 minutes per session, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. After that, a post-test was conducted the same way as the pre-test. RESULTS: In the within-group comparison, there were significant differences in forced expiratory volume in one second, 6-minute walk test and health-related quality of life between the experimental group and the control group (p < 0.01)(p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, the experimental group showed an increase in forced expiratory volume in one second and 6-minute walk test (p < 0.05) and showed a decline in health-related quality of life (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 6-weeks NMES program improved health-related quality in patients with severe COPD by increasing expiratory volume by reinforcing the function of quadriceps femoris. This finding implies that NMES could be an alternative mode for improving physical functions of patients with severe COPD, who cannot participate in a breathing exercise program or are reluctant to participate.

The Effect of Rhythmic Neurodynamic on the Upper Extremity Nerve Conduction Velocity and the Function for Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to resolve, in an efficient manner, the mechanoreceptor problems of the part far from the paretic upper extremity in stroke patients, as well as to provide clinical basic data of an intervention program for efficient neurodynamic in stroke patients, by developing a rhythmic neurodynamic exercise program and verifying functional changes depending on the increase in the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity. METHODS: Samples were extracted from 18 patients with hemiplegia, caused by stroke, and were randomly assigned to either the experimental group I for the general upper extremity neurodynamic (n=9) and the experimental group II for rhythmic upper extremity neurodynamic (n=9). An intervention program was applied ten times per set (three sets one time) and four times a week for two weeks (once a day). As a pre-test, changes in the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity and functions were assessed, and two weeks later, a posttest was conducted to re-measure them in the same manner. RESULTS: The wrist and palm sections of the radial nerve and the wrist and elbow sections of the median nerve, as well as the wrist, lower elbow, upper elbow, and axilla sections of the ulnar nerve had significant differences with respect to the upper extremity nerve conduction velocity between the two groups (p<0.05)(p<0.01), and significant differences were also found in the upper extremity functions (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhythmic neurodynamic accelerated the nerve conduction velocity more in broader neural sections than the general neurodynamic. In conclusion, rhythmic neurodynamic was proven to be effective for improving the functions of upper extremity.

Effects of 3D Stabilization Exercise on the Muscle Activity and Static Balance of Patients with Lumbar Instability

PURPOSE: The paper presents an intervention for clinical applications in the future by examining the effects of 3D stabilization exercise on patients with lumbar instability, which causes problems in the muscles and balance, and analyzing the effects of balanced lumbar muscles on the static balance. METHODS: After collecting samples randomly from thirty patients with lumbar instability, fifteen patients selected for 3D stabilization exercise were placed in the stability group and fifteen patients selected for Swiss ball exercise were placed in the ball exercise group. The intervention program was applied for thirty minutes a session, once a day, three days a week for four weeks. Before the intervention, the lumbar muscle activity and static balance were measured. After four weeks, they were re-measured in the same way and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: In relation to the within-group changes in muscle activity, all groups except for the LEO and REO groups showed significant differences. Regarding the between-group changes in muscle activity depending on the left and right difference, ES, RA, and TrA but not EO showed significant differences. In addition, there were significant differences in the between-group change in static balance. CONCLUSION: 3D stabilization exercise improves the muscle activity by promoting a balanced posture of lumbar muscles and changing senses, such as a proprioceptor but this had a positive influence on the static balance by controlling the balance of muscles.