Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of Truncal Exercises after Stroke to Improve Gait and Muscle Activity

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a trunk exercise program on the gait and muscle activity in stroke patients. The participants of this pilot study included six hemiplegic stroke patients. The outcomes were surface electromyography (sEMG) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. In analysis of sEMG, no statistically difference was found between pre- and post-training of Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC) in rectus abdominis and external abdominal oblique muscle, but it tended to increase. However, the gait parameter significantly increased in walking speed, walking cycle, and affected stride length in stroke patients. These results suggest that the trunk exercise program may in part improve the gait of chronic stroke patients.

The Effect of Low Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Range of Motion Exercise on Paretic Hand Function in Female Patients after Stroke

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has recently been demonstrated to improve motor function after stroke. However, no study has yet tested the synergetic effects of physical exercise on rTMS in clinical settings. We investigated the effect of a 6-session course of low frequency rTMS on contralesional primary motor cortex combined with range-of motion (ROM) exercise on paretic hand function in female stroke patients. This was a single-blind study of the effects of rTMS with or without ROM exercise in female hemiplegic patients after stroke. All patients underwent rTMS on the contralesional primary motor cortex for 15 minutes and ROM exercise on the paretic hand. The cortical excitability determined by the amplitude and latency of the motor evoked potential (MEP) was measured in both first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles. We also evaluated arm function using Box and Block, arm reach, 9-hole pegboard, power grip, and pinch grip force tests. The rTMS-induced MEP amplitude of the paretic side significantly increased whereas the non-paretic side showed a decrease through every session. However, the MEP latency significantly increased on the non-paretic hand at post-rTMS with exercise, but a tendency of decrement on paretic hand at same application. Motor function showed improvement in the 9-hole pegboard and arm reach tests at post-rTMS with exercise on the paretic side compared with the non-paretic side. A significant correlation was especially noted between motor function and MEP on the paretic side of stroke patients. Low frequency rTMS with ROM exercise improved hand function after stroke. This may, in part, result in additional rehabilitation in stroke patients.

Analysis of Skin Parameters of Korean Men According to the Parts of the Body for Integumentary Physiotherapy Research

Studies have demonstrated that some cutaneous biophysical properties vary with the part of the body. The results to date of skin conditions in human skin of multiple parts of the body have not yet been well established. In this study, we assessed the differences in the skin’s sebum, moisture, pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity of each body part in Korean men in their 20s. A total of 34 healthy men were enrolled. A Skin Diagnosis Meter was used to measure the skin’s surface sebum, moisture, pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity of each body part. The sebum content was significantly higher on the face than at other sites. Moisture was significantly high on the feet. Pores were significantly high on the face. Wrinkles were significantly high on the face. Pigmentation was high on the face and neck, but not significantly. Elasticity was significantly high on the hands. In the correlation analysis results, sebum and pore were positively correlated, but sebum and moisture and wrinkle and elasticity were negatively correlated. For nearly the first time, this study resulted in systematic reference values for standardized biophysical measuring methods and body parts reflecting the skin physiology of healthy South Korean men. The results show that skin’s surface sebum, moisture, pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity vary with the part of the body.

Differences in body components and electrical characteristics between youth soccer players and non-athletes

Many previous studies have focused on youth soccer player injuries without body component analysis compared to non-athletes. Only a few studies which have investigated body components of youth soccer players, and studies that look at electrical characteristics used by rheobase and chronaxie as well as body components are even scarcer. Therefore, we feel that there is a need for a study investigating objective clinical analysis of the body components (body structure and body composition) and electrical characteristics of both youth soccer players and non-athletes. Sixty subjects participated in our study, comprising of thirty youth soccer players and thirty non-athletes. The Inbody 520 was used to measure and analyze body composition and the Duo 500 was employed to measure electrical characteristics. It was observed that the soccer players showed markedly lower total impedance compared to the non-athletes. In both legs, it was particularly noted that there were significant differences between the right and left sides. The soccer players showed a higher skeletal muscle mass and lean/ideal lean × 100% compared to the non-athletes. Furthermore, the soccer players had a lower rheobase and higher chronaxie. A comparison of the genders showed a similar pattern. In this study, we were able to separate the differences in body components and electrical characteristics between the subject groups using a systemic approach. Future studies on diverse types of athletes would contribute further to the development of clinical physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation.

Analysis of Interferential Current Therapy-Induced Skin Changes in Healthy Korean Men

We examined the changes in numerous skin conditions before and after the ap-plication of interferential current therapy to various regions of healthy male bodies. In this study, we assessed the differences in the skin’s sebum, moisture levels, pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity on the shoulders, lower back, and the knees of Korean males in their 20s. A total of 30 healthy males were in-cluded in the study. We used a skin diagnosis meter as a device for measuring the state of the skin. A statistical difference was found when comparing the pre- and post-measurement values in regards to the moisture levels, wrinkles, and pig-mentation. In the correlation analysis results, the sebum and pigmentation, moisture levels and wrinkles, moisture levels and pigmentation, and moisture levels and elasticity were all positively correlated, respectively. The results of this study partially suggest that a change in skin condition is associated with ex-ternal stimulation. The study also found that the effects of the application of in-terferential current therapy on the various skin conditions may differ depending on the region of the body that the application is conducted as well.

Characteristic Dermatologic Changes in the Condition of Skin after Ultrasonic Stimulation in Healthy Korean Men

The aim of our study was to recognize different skin conditions of the face and neck using six biophysical parameters and to show the changes after the application of ultrasonic stimulation (US). We assessed the differences in the sebum, moisture, pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, and elasticity of the skin in the face and neck regions. A total of 30 healthy men in their 20s were enrolled. We used a skin diagnosis meter to assess the state of the skin. The sebum and pores of the face were more significant than in the neck. The amount of moisture in the U-zone was significantly higher than in other areas. Statistical differences were found between the pre-and post-measure-ment values in the sebum, moisture, wrinkles and pigmentation. Wrinkles and pigmentation were positively correlated. Our data showed that the changes in skin condition are associated with external stimulants. The effect of US on skin may differ depending on the part of the body, and some biophysical properties of skin vary depending on the location on the body.