Influence of ocarina practices on lung function of healthy middle-aged females in Korea.

[Purpose] The objective of this study is to identify the influence of ocarina practices on the lung function of a group of healthy female ocarina players aged 40 and above in comparison to an age-matched group of females with no experience with ocarina playing. [Participants and Methods] Spirometry measurement has been conducted on both groups of 35 healthy females aged 40 and above, one with regular participation in ocarina practices (experimental group) and the other without (control group). [Results] FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values of those in the experiment group who practiced ocarina on a regular basis turned out to be significantly higher than the control group, and there was no significant difference on FVC. [Conclusion] This study indicates that ocarina practices on a regular basis helps middle-aged females improve their lung functions particularly in FEV1 and FEV1/FVC.

Comparison of lower limb muscle activation with ballet movements (releve and demi-plie) and general movements (heel rise and squat) in healthy adults.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to demonstrate therapeutic grounds for rehabilitation exercise approach by comparing and analyzing muscular activities of Ballet movements: the releve movement (RM) and the demi-plie movement (DM). [Methods] Four types of movements such as RM vs. heel rise (HM) and DM vs. squat movement (SM) were randomized and applied in 30 healthy male and female individuals while measuring 10-s lower limb muscular activities (gluteus maximus [GMa], gluteus medius [GMe], rectus femoris [RF], adductor longus [AL], medial gastrocnemius [MG], and lateral gastrocnemius [LG]) by using surface electromyography (EMG). [Results] Significant differences were found in GMa, GMe, AL and MG activities for DM and in all of the six muscles for RM, in particular when the two groups were compared (RM vs HM and DM vs SM). [Conclusion] The RM and DM have a greater effect on lower limb muscular force activities compared to HM and SM and could be recommended as clinical therapeutic exercises for lower limb muscle enhancement.

Comparative analysis of trunk muscle activities in climbing of during upright climbing at different inclination angles.

[Purpose] This study was performed to provide evidence for the therapeutic exercise approach through a compative analysis of muscle activities according to climbing wall inclination. [Subjects and Methods] Twentyfour healthy adult subjects without climbing experience performed static exercises at a therapeutic climbing at with various inclination angles (0°, 10°, 20°), and the activities of the trunk muscles (rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis, obliquus internus abdominis, erector spinae) were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) for 7 seconds. [Results] Significant differences were found between the inclination angles of 10° and 0°, as well as 20° in the rectus abdominis, obliquus internus abdominis, right obliquus externus abdominis, and right erector spinae. [Conclusion] Based on measurements of trunk muscle activity in a static climbing standing position at different angles, significant changes in muscle activity appear to be induced at 10 degrees. Therefore, the results appear to provide clinically relevant evidence.

Effects of trunk-hip strengthening on standing in children with spastic diplegia: a comparative pilot study.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the effects of trunk-hip strengthening exercise on trunk-hip activation and pelvic tilt motion during standing in children with spastic diplegia and compared the improvement of pelvic tilt between the modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise and conventional exercise. [Subjects and Methods] Ten ambulant children with spastic diplegia were randomized to the modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise (n = 5) or conventional exercise (n = 5) group. The intervention consisted of a 6-week modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise 3 times per week. The children were tested for trunk-hip muscles activation and pelvic tilt motion during standing by surface electromyography and an inclinometer before and after the intervention. [Results] The anterior pelvic tilt angle and activation of the extensor spinae, rectus femoris, and semitendinosus during standing decreased significantly in the modified exercise group. The activation of extensor spinae differed significantly between groups. [Conclusion] Compared to the conventional exercise, the modified exercise was more effective for trunk-hip activation improvement and anterior pelvic tilt motion decrease during standing in children with spastic diplegia. We suggest clinicians use an individually tailored modified trunk-hip strengthening exercise for strengthening the weakest muscle groups in children with standing ability problems.

Effects of stabilization exercises with a Swiss ball on neck-shoulder pain and mobility of adults with prolonged exposure to VDTs.

[Purpose] This study compared the effects on neck-shoulder pain and mobility of strengthening exercises for the neck flexors and scapular retractors performed on a Swiss ball and a mat. [Subjects] Twenty student volunteers were the subjects. [Methods] The students were randomly assigned to two groups: Mat group (n=10), and Swiss ball group (n=10). At pre-test, post-test, and 1-week follow-up pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the pain pressure threshold (PPT) of the shoulder was measured with an algometer, and neck mobility was measured with a Zebris. [Results] The data analysis revealed that there was a significant decrease in pain and significant increase in neck flexion in both groups, and the Swiss ball group showed better results. [Conclusion] Strengthening the neck flexors and scapular retractors for stabilization of the neck using exercises on a Swiss ball was more effective at reducing the pain and stabilizing the neck than mat exercises.

Influence of pelvic position and vibration frequency on muscle activation during whole body vibration in quiet standing.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation related to postural stability depending on the pelvic position and frequency of whole body vibration (WBV) during quiet standing, and to identify the most effective training conditions that elicit the highest neuromuscular responses. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this single-group, repeated-measures study in which surface electromyography (EMG) data for the upper trapezius, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and medial gastrocnemius were collected at three frequencies (0 Hz, 10 Hz, and 20 Hz) of WBV and three pelvic positions (neutral, anterior tilt, posterior tilt) for each subject during quiet standing. [Results] The EMG activities of all the recorded muscles showed significant differences between the three frequencies of WBV and three pelvic positions during quiet standing. [Conclusion] The study findings suggest that a higher WBV frequency (20 Hz) should be used to strengthen most muscles, and that using the posterior pelvic tilt during WBV is much more effective at strengthening and training muscles related to core stability.

Curvature range measurements of the arcuate fasciculus using diffusion tensor tractography.

Because Broca's area and Wernicke's area in the brain are connected by the arcuate fasciculus, understanding the anatomical location and morphometry of the arcuate fasciculus can help in the treatment of patients with aphasia. We measured the horizontal and vertical curvature ranges of the arcuate fasciculus in both hemispheres in 12 healthy subjects using diffusion tensor tractography. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus horizontal part were 121.13 ± 5.89 and 25.99 ± 3.01 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 121.83 ± 5.33 and 27.40 ± 2.96 degrees, respectively. In the right hemisphere, the direct curvature range and indirect curvature range values of the arcuate fasciculus vertical part were 43.97 ± 7.98 and 30.15 ± 3.82 degrees, respectively, and in the left hemisphere, the values were 39.39 ± 4.42 and 24.08 ± 4.34 degrees, respectively. We believe that the measured curvature ranges are important data for localization and quantitative assessment of specific neuronal pathways in patients presenting with arcuate fasciculus abnormalities.

Somatotopic location of corticospinal tracts in the internal capsule with MR tractography.

We demonstrated the exact location of the somatotopic area of the corticospinal tract in the internal capsule. Ten healthy subjects participated in this study. We used the imaging technique that combines functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor tractography. In order to reduce erroneous elements while image processing, we used the probabilistic tracking algorithm and brain normalization method. Our results showed that hand fibers were located anteromedial to foot fibers, and the separation angle between them was 45.00-78.69°. In conclusion, we confirmed the relative location of hand and foot fibers and the separation angle in the internal capsule. These data are useful information for neuroscience researchers.

Use of virtual reality to enhance balance and ambulation in chronic stroke: a double-blind, randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine an additive effect of virtual reality on balance and gait function in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. DESIGN: Twenty-four adults with hemiparetic stroke were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group. Both groups underwent conventional physical therapy, 40 mins a day, 4 days a week for 4 wks. The experimental group received an additional 30 mins of virtual reality therapy each session. Balance performance was determined by the Balance Performance Monitor and Berg Balance Scale tests. Gait performance was determined by the 10-m walking test and Modified Motor Assessment Scale, and spatiotemporal parameters were obtained using GAITRite. Analysis of variance and correlation statistics were performed at P < 0.05. RESULTS: In the balance test, the experimental group had improved Berg Balance Scale scores, balance and dynamic balance angles (ability to control weight shifting) compared with the controls (P < 0.05). In the gait performance test, the experimental group showed significant improvements in velocity, Modified Motor Assessment Scale scores, cadence, step time, step length, and stride length (P < 0.05). Improvement in dynamic balance angles was correlated with velocity and cadence (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that virtual reality has an augmented effect on balance and associated locomotor recovery in adults with hemiparetic stroke when added to conventional therapy.

Corticospinal tract compression by hematoma in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage: a diffusion tensor tractography and functional MRI study.

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate corticospinal tract compression that was due to a hematoma by using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) and functional MRI (fMRI) in a patient with an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A 23-year-old right-handed woman presented with severe paralysis of her right extremities at the onset of a spontaneous ICH. Over the first three days from onset, the motor function of the affected upper and lower extremities rapidly recovered to the extent that she was able to overcome applied resistance to the affected limbs, and her limbs regained normal function 3 weeks after onset. The tract of the right hemisphere originated from the primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1) and it passed through the known corticospinal tract pathway. However, the tract of the left hemisphere was similar to that of the right hemisphere except that it was displaced to the antero-medial side by the hematoma at the cerebral peduncle. Only the contralateral SM1 area centered on the precentral knob was activated during affected (right) or unaffected (left) hand movements, respectively. In conclusion, fMRI and DTT demonstrated a corticospinal tract compression due to hematoma in this patient. We conclude that the combined use of these two modalities appears to improve the accuracy of investigating the state of the corticospinal tract.

Virtual reality-induced cortical reorganization and associated locomotor recovery in chronic stroke: an experimenter-blind randomized study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Virtual reality (VR) is a new promising computer-assisted technology to promote motor recovery in stroke patients. VR-induced neuroplasticity supporting locomotor recovery is not known. We investigated the effects of VR intervention on cortical reorganization and associated locomotor recovery in stroke patients. METHODS: Ten chronic stroke patients were assigned randomly to either the control group or the VR group. VR was designed to provide interactive real-life practice environments in which practice parameters can be individualized to optimize motor relearning. Laterality index (LI) in the regions of interests (ROIs) and locomotor recovery were measured before and after VR using functional MRI (fMRI) and standardized locomotor tests, respectively. The t test and nonparametric test were performed to compare the mean differences at P<0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the interval change in the LI score for the primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC) between the groups (P<0.05), indicating that VR practice produced a greater increase in LI for the control group. However, the interval changes in the other ROIs were not significantly different (P>0.05). Motor function was significantly improved after VR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our novel findings suggest that VR could induce cortical reorganization from aberrant ipsilateral to contralateral SMC activation. This enhanced cortical reorganization might play an important role in recovery of locomotor function in patients with chronic stroke. This is the first fMRI study in the literature that provides evidence for neuroplasticity and associated locomotor recovery after VR.

Medial reorganization of motor function demonstrated by functional MRI and diffusion tensor tractography.

PURPOSE: Peri-lesional reorganization is a motor recovery mechanism after brain injury. The object of this study was to demonstrate the peri-lesional reorganization, using functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). METHODS: Six control subjects and a 53 year-old woman with left primary sensori-motor cortex (SM1) and underlying deep white matter injury were evaluated. The patient presented with complete paralysis of the right hand after the resection of a meningioma on the left SM1. The motor function of the affected hand had recovered slowly the extent of her being able to overcome some resistance for 6 months. At 2 years after the operation, fMRI was performed at 1.5 T in parallel with timed finger flexion-extension movements in all subjects and DTT was performed only in the patient. RESULTS: The contralateral SM1 centered on the precentral knob was activated during hand movements of unaffected (left) side or control subjects. However, the medial area of the injured SM1 was activated during affected (right) hand movements. DTT of the affected (left) hemisphere originated from the medial area of the injured SM1 and descended along the medial side of injured deep white matter. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the motor function of the affected hand was reorganized into the medial area of the injured SM1 and deep white matter in this patient.