The immediate effects of rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch on muscle tone and stiffness of respiratory muscles and chest expansion ability in patients with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to identify the impact of rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch on respiratory muscle tone and stiffness and chest expansion in stroke patients and to compare the effects of both interventions. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were randomly assigned to a rib cage joint mobilization group (n=15) or a chest wall stretch group (n=15). Respiratory muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a myotonometer, and the chest expansion was gauged using a measuring tape. [Results] A significant difference was found on comparing the respiratory muscle tone and stiffness on the affected and sound side before intervention. Although both groups showed an increase in respiratory muscle tone and stiffness after intervention, no significant difference was found. A significant increase in chest expansion was observed; however, no significant difference was observed in the variations between the groups. [Conclusion] This study suggests that rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch exercises can be used to increase chest expansion potential and respiratory muscle tone in patients with chronic stroke.

Comparison of the effects of core stabilization and chest mobilization exercises on lung function and chest wall expansion in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of core stabilization and chest mobilization exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: a core stabilization exercise group (n=15) and a chest mobilization exercise group (n=15). Each exercise was performed 3 times per week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks, and pulmonary function and chest expansion when breathing were measured for both groups. [Results] There were significant increases in both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second before and after intervention. Core stabilization exercise resulted in a significant increase in peak expiratory flow, and significant increases in upper and lower chest expansion were detected with chest mobilization exercise. However, no significant difference was revealed between the two groups. [Conclusion] This study suggested that both exercises were effective in some aspects of pulmonary function while core stabilization can help increase peak expiratory flow and chest mobilization can assist with chest expansion.

Effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance and head alignment in stroke patients with neglect syndrome.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on patients with neglect syndrome. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the eye movements (EM) group; and the PNF with eye movements (PEM) group. The program was conducted five times each week for 6 weeks. Balance (both static and dynamic) and head alignment (craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle) were measured before and after testing. [Results] In measurements of static balance, the EM group showed significant improvement in sway length and sway area when examined in the eyes-open condition, but not when examined in the eyes-closed condition. The PEM group showed significant improvement when examined under both conditions. In the assessment of dynamic balance, both groups showed significant improvement in measurements of sway areas. With respect to head alignment, there were no significant differences pre- and post-testing in either the craniovertebral angle or the cranial rotation angle in the EM group, but the PEM group showed significant differences in both measurements. [Conclusion] These results suggest that in stroke patients with neglect syndrome, PNF with eye movements, rather than eye movements alone, has a greater positive effect on balance and head alignment.

Effects of muscle activity and number of resistance exercise repetitions on perceived exertion in tonic and phasic muscle of young Korean adults.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of muscle activity and the number of resistance exercise repetitions on perceived exertion in tonic and phasic muscles in young Korean adults. [Subjects] Janda's classification system was used to divide 40 Korean males and females in their 20s into a tonic muscle group (10 males, 10 females) and phasic muscle group (10 males, 10 females). [Methods] Each participant performed resistance exercise at 70% of maximum exertion for a single repetition. Muscle activity and number of repetitions were measured according to the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, with fairly light, hard, and very hard rated as 11, 15, and 19, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed. [Results] As the number of tonic and phasic muscle repetitions for males and females and female phasic muscle activity increased, the perceived exertion increased. Perceived exertion increased as the number of tonic muscle repetitions and activity of gastrocnemius muscles in males and females and the hamstring in males increased. Increased activity of phasic muscles in males and females and rhomboid muscle activity in males was associated with significantly increased perceived exertion. [Conclusion] Muscle activity and number of repetitions affect perceived exertion. The perception of exertion differs by muscle type and can differ by gender. The influence of the number of repetitions exceeds that of muscle activity.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase contributes to norepinephrine-induced contraction through phosphorylation of caldesmon in rat aortic smooth muscle.

Vascular smooth muscle contraction is mediated by activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, an isoform of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, the role of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in vascular smooth muscle contraction has not been defined. We investigated the role of JNK in the contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) in rat aortic smooth muscle. NE evoked contraction in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect was inhibited by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. NE increased the phosphorylation of JNK, which was greater in aortic smooth muscle from hypertensive rats than from normotensive rats. NE-induced JNK phosphorylation was significantly inhibited by SP600125 and the conventional-type PKC (cPKC) inhibitor Gö6976, but not by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Thymeleatoxin, a selective activator of cPKC, increased JNK phosphorylation, which was inhibited by Gö6976. SP600125 attenuated the phosphorylation of caldesmon, an actin-binding protein whose phosphorylation is increased by NE. These results show that JNK contributes to NE-mediated contraction through phosphorylation of caldesmon in rat aortic smooth muscle, and that this effect is regulated by the PKC pathway, especially cPKC.