Correlations between measurement time and different expansibility of the elastic tape on the rectus femoris and body sway index with plyometric exercise.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between measurement time and different expansibility of the elastic tape on the rectus femoris and body sway index with plyometric exercise. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 24 healthy men. C90 area, C90 angle, trace length, sway average velocity for body sway index were measured using a force plate by BT4. The collected data were analyzed using Kendall's coefficient of concordance. [Results] All of body sway index on measuring follow up 24 hours after removing tape were significantly decreased than before and right after plyometric exercise. No significant correlations were found between body sway index and different expansibility of the elastic tape. [Conclusion] It appears that different expansibility of the elastic tape does not affect the ability to body sway index. Carry over effect of taping was verified on measuring follow up 24 hours after removing tape through the decreasing body sway index.

Interrelationship between the general characteristics of Korean stroke patients and the variables of the sexual functions: random forest and boosting algorithm.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to examine patient preferences for counseling related to sexuality post-stroke in Korea. [Subjects and Methods] A survey was conducted on 200 stroke patients. Among the 200 submitted questionnaires, 156 responded but 147 cases are available. The questionnaire is composed of 27 questions such as 8 independent variables related to the general characteristics of the patients, 7 dependent variables in conjunction with sexual intercourse and changed muscle tone, 6 questions regarding to changed sexual function, and 6 questions about a changed motor and a sensory function after stroke. To analyze the factors related to a sexual function after a stroke, we used the random forest, boosting algorithm and MANOVA. [Results] The most important variable in variable group 1 is VAR1, and then VAR22, VAR23, VAR26, VAR27, VAR25, VAR21 and VAR 24 respectively. The most important variable in variable group 2 is VAR22, and then VAR26, VAR23, VAR25, VAR1, VAR27, VAR21 and VAR 24. Finally, for variable group 3, VAR1 has the most important percentage, and we have the order as VAR26, VAR23, VAR27, VAR22, VAR25, VAR21 and VAR 24 among the rest of variables. The result of variable importance in boosting algorithm is somehow the same as that of random forest. [Conclusion] As a result of our analysis, we figured out that duration of illness, age, and education level are important factors of sexual functions for Korean Stroke patients.

The effect of gait training with shoe inserts on the improvement of pain and gait in sacroiliac joint patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of the current research was to identify how gait training with shoe inserts affects the pain and gait of sacroiliac joint dysfunction patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty subjects were randomly selected and assigned to be either the experimental group (gait training with shoe insert group) or control group. Each group consisted of 15 patients. Pain was measured by Visual Analogue Scale, and foot pressure in a standing position and during gait was measured with a Gateview AFA-50 system (Alpus, Seoul, Republic of Korea). A paired sample t-test was used to compare the pain and gait of the sacroiliac joint before and after the intervention. Correlation between pain and walking after gait training with shoe inserts was examined by Pearson test. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. [Results] It was found that application of the intervention to the experimental group resulted in a significant decrease in sacroiliac joint pain. It was also found that there was a significant correlation between Visual Analogue Scale score and dynamic asymmetric index (r= 0.796) and that there was a negative correlation between Visual Analogue Scale score and forefoot/rear foot peak pressure ratio (r=-0.728). [Conclusion] The results of our analysis lead us to conclude that the intervention with shoe inserts had a significant influence on the pain and gait of sacroiliac joint patients.

The effect of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on cognitive function for stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation (CACR) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cognitive function in patients with stroke. [Subjects and Methods] We enrolled 20 patients and divided them into CACR and rTMS groups. CACR and rTMS were performed thrice a week for 4 weeks. Cognitive function was measured with the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric (LOTCA-G) before and after treatment. The independent samples t-test was performed to test the homogeneity of K-MMSE and LOTCA-G before treatment and compare the differences in cognitive improvement between the CACR and rTMS groups. A paired samples t-test was used to compare cognitive function before and after treatment. [Results] Cognitive function of both the groups significantly improved after the intervention based on the K-MMSE and LOTCA-G scores. While the LOTCA-G score improved significantly more in the CACR group than in the rTMS group, no significant difference was seen in the K-MMSE scores. [Conclusion] We showed that CACR is more effective than rTMS in improving cognitive function after stroke.

Correlations between Muscle Activities and Strap Length and Types of School Bag during Walking.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine correlations between muscle activities and strap length and type of the school bag during walking. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 20 healthy students. An 8-channel electromyograph (8-EMG) (Pocket EMG, BTS, Italy) was used to measure the muscle activities of the right upper trapezius, left upper trapezius, right erector spinae and left erector spinae during walking with the bag. The collected data were analyzed using Kendall's coefficient of concordance. [Results] The muscle activities of the right upper trapezius, left upper trapezius, right erector spinae and left erector spinae were significantly higher when walking with a shoulder bag than when walking with a backpack. No significant correlations were found between muscle activities and strap lengths of the bag. [Conclusion] While carrying a bag, the activities of the trunk muscles were influenced more by the type of the bag than by the strap length. These results indicate that a backpack is a better method of carrying a load than a shoulder bag.

The Correlation between the Muscle Activity and Joint Angle of the Lower Extremity According to the Changes in Stance Width during a Lifting Task.

[Purpose] This study examined the correlation between the muscle activities and joint angle of the hip and knee according to the changes in stance width during a lifting task. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 15 healthy students. A three-dimensional motion analyzer (SMART-E, BTS, Italy) was used to measure the joint angles of hip and knee during lifting. An 8-channel electromyograph (8-EMG) (Pocket EMG, BTS, Italy) was used to measure muscle activities of the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior during lifting. The collected data were analyzed using the Pearson-test and SPSS 18.0. [Result] The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior was significantly decreased by increasing the stance width (r= -0.285). Muscle activity of the erector spinae was significantly decreased by increasing the knee angle (r= -0.444). The muscle activity of the gluteus maximus was significantly increased by increasing the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior (r= 0.295). [Conclusion] Efficient lifting is possible when stance width and knee flexion are increased, which results in reduced muscle activity of the tibialis anterior and the erector spinae. Lifting is facilitated when the muscle activities of the gluteus maximus and tibialis anterior are correlated.

Intracerebral transplantation of human adipose tissue stromal cells after middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats.

The transplantation of cells capable of neuronal differentiation has great potential for the treatment of neurological conditions. I examined whether human adipose tissue stromal cells (hATSCs) can be induced to undergo neuronal differentiation. I isolated hATSCs from human liposuction tissue and induced neuronal differentiation using azacytidine. After neuronal induction, the hATSCs adopted a more neuronal morphology. These hATSCs were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rat brain, after which they migrated to various parts of the brain. After ischemic brain injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a large number of cells migrated to the injured cortex. Intracerebral grafting of hATSCs significantly enhanced the recovery of functional motor deficits in MCAO rats. These data indicate that transplanted hATSCs survive, migrate and differentiate in the ischemic microenvironment and improve neurological recovery after stroke in rats.