Improving Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain, Tension-Type Headache, and Forward Head Posture: The Role of Eyeball Exercise and Cervical Stabilization Programs.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eyeball exercise and cervical stabilization programs to patients with chronic neck pain, tension-type headache (TTH), and forward head posture (FHP). MATERIAL AND METHODS The design of this study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). Both groups received cervical manual therapy and biofeedback-guided stabilization exercises (30 min/session, 3 sessions/week, 6 weeks). In addition to the regular treatments, the participants in the experimental group also performed eyeball exercises for 20 minutes per session, 3 sessions per week, for a total of 6 weeks. Changes in neck pain (numeric rating scale, NRS), neck disability index (NDI), quality of life (Short Form-12 Health Survey Questionnaire, SF-12), headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and muscle tone were measured. RESULTS Both groups showed significant improvements in NRS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6 scores, CVA, CRA, and muscle tone (p<0.05). The experimental group had significant differences in NDI, SF-12, HIT-6 scores, and suboccipital muscle tone compared to the control (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Combining the eyeball exercise program with commonly used manual therapy and stabilization exercises for patients with chronic neck pain can help reduce nerve compression and promote muscle relaxation in the eye and neck areas. The method is thus proposed as an effective intervention to enhance function and quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain patients, TTH, and FHP.

Validity Study for Clinical Use of Hand-Held Spirometer in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

A spirometer is a medical device frequently used clinically for the diagnosis and prediction of lung disease. This study aimed to investigate the clinical usefulness of a hand-held spirometer (The Spirokit), compared with conventional spirometry in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was conducted from February 2022 to October 2022. Measurements from 80 patients with COPD (male: 53, female: 27) were obtained using The Spirokit and PC-based pulmonary function test equipment, and the resulting values were compared and analyzed. For the concurrent validity comparison of The Spirokit, the intra-class correlation (ICC 2, 1), coefficients of variation (CVME), 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA), and Cohen's Kappa Index were analyzed. The Spirokit showed high agreement (ICC: 0.929-0.989; 95% LOA: -0.525 to 2.559; and CVME: 0.05-0.08) with the PC-based pulmonary function tester. Using the Cohen's kappa coefficients, the device showed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy scores of Pa: 0.90, Pc: 0.52, and K: 0.79, respectively, indicating considerable agreement. The Spirokit, a portable pulmonary function test device, is a piece of equipment with high validity and portability, with high potential for replacing PC-based pulmonary function test equipment.

Effects of a Senior Musical Program on the Physical Function and Cognitive Abilities of Older Women in the Community.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effects of a community-based senior musical program on the cognitive and physical functions in older women. METHOD: Older women aged ≥65 years participating in a program at a community welfare center were randomized to experimental (n = 17) or control (n = 17) groups. The control group participated in singing and yoga classes offered at the welfare center, while the experimental group participated in a senior musical program consisting of vocal training, dancing, and breathing training. The effects of the 12-week program (120 min/session, two sessions/week) and the intergroup differences in outcomes were compared using the cognitive impairment screening test (CIST), pulmonary function test (PFT), respiratory muscle pressure test (RPT), and static and dynamic balance tests. RESULT: The experimental group showed significant post-intervention changes in CIST scores, cardiorespiratory parameters, and static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05), but the control group only showed significant changes in some respiratory and balance parameters (p < 0.05). In comparison with the control group, the experimental group showed significantly greater post-intervention changes in the CIST score, PFT and RPT parameters, static balance, and Y-balance anterior (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The senior musical program enhanced older women's cognitive, respiratory, and physical functions and promoted a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction.

Effect of functional electrical stimulation-based mirror therapy using gesture recognition biofeedback on upper extremity function in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mirror therapy (MT) is an intervention used for upper extremity rehabilitation in stroke patients and has been studied in various fields. Recently, effective MT methods have been introduced in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation or with electromyography (EMG)-triggered biofeedback. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES)-based MT incorporating a motion recognition biofeedback device on upper extremity motor recovery to chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-six chronic stroke patients with onset of more than 6 months were randomly assigned into experimental group (n = 13) and control group (n = 13). Both groups participated in conventional rehabilitation program, while the control group received conventional MT intervention and the experimental group received FES-based MT with motion recognition biofeedback device. All interventions were conducted for 30 min/d, 5 d/wk, for 4 weeks. Upper limb motor recovery, upper limb function, active-range of motion (ROM), and activities of daily living independence were measured before and after the intervention and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), manual function test (MFT), K-MBI, and active-ROM (excluding deviation) were significantly improved in both groups (P < .05). Only the experimental group showed significant improvement in upper extremity recovery, ulnar and radial deviation (P < .05). There was a significant difference of change in Brunstrom's recovery level, FMA, MFT, and active-ROM in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: FES-based MT using gesture recognition biofeedback is an effective intervention method for improving upper extremity motor recovery and function, active-ROM in patients with chronic stroke. This study suggests that incorporating gesture-recognition biofeedback into FES-based MT can provide additional benefits to patients with chronic stroke.

Effect of stabilization exercise combined with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration on patients with lumbar instability: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar stability exercise promotes deep muscle functions, and it is an effective intervention method for increasing proprioceptive sensation. This study aims to explore and compare the effects of lumbar stability exercise with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration on patients with lumbar instability. METHODS: This study is a 3-group randomized control trial. Through screening tests, 48 patients with lumbar instability were selected and randomly assigned to SE group (n = 16), stabilization exercise program using respiratory resistance (SER) group (n = 16), and stabilization exercise program using respiratory resistance and whole body vibration (SERW) group (n = 16). In order to compare the effects depending on the intervention methods, quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), Functional Ability Roland-Morris low back pain and disability questionnaire ([RMDQ], center of pressure path length, velocity, and area), Korean version of fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire, and Pulmonary Function were used for measurement. RESULTS: All of the groups showed significant improvements in QVAS, RMDQ, Korean version of fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire, and balance abilities before and after the interventions. The SER group and SERW group showed a significant difference in QVAS and RMDQ than the SE group (P < .05). In addition, balance ability showed a significant difference in SERW group (P < .05), where only the SER group showed a significant difference in pulmonary function indexes including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Stabilization exercise program using respiratory resistance and whole-body vibration administered according to the purpose of intervention methods may be effective exercise programs for people with lumbar instability.

Effects of progressive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on the support surface on patients with high obesity with lumbar instability: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intensive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on highly obese patients with low back pain results in positive effects of body fat decline and prevention of complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of progressive neuromuscular stabilization exercise on unstable surface on pain, motor function, psychosocial factors, balance, and abdominal contraction with highly obese patients with lumbar instability. METHODS: This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 46 highly obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) with lumbar instability were assigned randomly to experimental group (n = 23) and control group (n = 23). The control group performed the intensive progressive exercise on a stable surface and the experimental group on an unstable surface. RESULT: Significant differences were shown for BMI, QVAS, K-ODI, FABQ, and balance ability for both groups before and after the intervention (P < .05), and only the experimental group showed significant difference for transverse abdominis muscle thickness in contraction and contraction rate (P < .05). Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significant difference (P < .05) in the amount of changes for QVAS, K-ODI, balance ability, transverse abdominis muscle thickness in contraction, and contraction rate. CONCLUSION: Progressive neuromuscular stabilization exercise program on unstable surfaces demonstrated to be an effective and clinically useful method to decrease pain level, increase motor function, balance, and transverse abdominis muscle thickness in contraction and contraction rate for highly obese patients with lumbar instability.

Comparison of Effects of Abdominal Draw-In Lumbar Stabilization Exercises with and without Respiratory Resistance on Women with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND This study examined the effects of abdominal draw-in lumbar stabilization exercises (ADIM) with respiratory resistance on women ages 40-49 years with low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-four women ages 40-49 years were screened for participation and were randomly assigned to either a respiratory with resistance exercise group (n=22) or a control group (n=22). Abdominal draw-in lumbar stabilization exercises were administered to both groups, but only the respiratory with resistance exercise group received the respiratory resistance training. The exercise training lasted 50 min per session, 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The assessment methods used were the quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS), Oswestry disability index-Korean version (ODI-K), diaphragm thickness and contraction rate, and lung capacity test. RESULTS Both groups showed significant differences in the QVAS, ODI-K, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and diaphragm thickness and contraction rate before and after the intervention (p<0.05). In the respiratory resistance exercise group, the ODI-K, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), MVV, and diaphragm thickness and contraction rate showed significantly better improvement than the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A lumbar stabilization exercise program consisting of ADIM and respiratory resistance resulted in decreased pain, reduced dysfunctions, and increased muscle thickness in contraction, contraction rate, and pulmonary function. Strong contraction of the diaphragm and deep abdominal muscles through breathing resistance increased the pressure in the abdominal cavity. Therefore, this may be an effective clinical exercise method for patients with lumbar instability.

Effects of Lower Trapezius Strengthening Exercises on Pain, Dysfunction, Posture Alignment, Muscle Thickness and Contraction Rate in Patients with Neck Pain; Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND Neck pain is reported by many laborers who are at risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders due to muscle stiffness and hypokinetics. This study examined the effects of a lower trapezius exercise program on neck pain patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The design of this study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 neck pain patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to experimental group (n=20) and control group (n=20) using randomization program. Both groups underwent a scapula and thoracic spine stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the lower trapezius strengthening exercise program. All interventions were applied 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), postural alignment, muscle thickness and contraction rate were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. RESULTS Both groups showed significant differences in VAS, NDI, and postural alignment before and after intervention (P<0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed more significant difference in the amount of change in NDI and postural alignment values than the control group. The experimental group showed significant improvement in muscle thickness and contraction (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS A lower trapezius strengthening exercise program is an effective method with clinical significance for reducing the level of neck dysfunction, and improving the postural alignment, muscle thickness, and contraction rate of the lower trapezius muscle.

Effects of a Progressive Stabilization Exercise Program Using Respiratory Resistance for Patients with Lumbar Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the effects of progressive stabilization exercise program carried out with respiratory resistance in patients with lumbar instability. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-three patients with lumbar instability were randomly assigned to experimental (n=20) and control groups (n=23). The experimental group performed progressive lumbar stabilization exercises along with respiratory resistance, and the control group only performed progressive lumbar stabilization exercises, for 40 min per session, 3 sessions a week, for 4 weeks. Numeric rating scale (NRS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), static balance ability, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), and pulmonary function test (PFT) were performed before and after the intervention program for comparison. RESULTS The 2 groups showed significant differences in NRS, K-ODI, balance ability, and FABQ after the interventions (p<0.05), but greater improvements were shown by the experimental group in balance ability and FABQ values. PFT results in the experimental group showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). The experimental group showed a greater improvement (p<0.05) in FVC and MVV compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS Progressive stabilization exercise program with respiratory resistance is an effective method with clinical significance in pain reduction, psychosocial stability, and enhancement of motor and respiratory functions.