[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural deformity of the foot joint on the affected side in hemiplegic patients to examine factors that affect this kind of structural deformity. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one hemiplegic patients and 32 normal adults participated. The foot posture index (FPI) was used to examine the shape of the foot, the modified Ashworth scale test was used to examine the degree of ankle joint rigidity, the navicular drop test was used to investigate the degree of navicular change, and the resting calcaneal stance position test was used to identify location change of the heel bone. [Results] The FPIs of the paretic side of the hemiplegic patients, the non-paretic side of the hemiplegic patients, and normal participants were −0.25 ± 2.1, 1.74 ± 2.3, and 2.12 ± 3.4 respectively. [Conclusion] Our findings indicated that in stroke-related hemiplegic patients, the more severe the spasticity, the more supinated the foot. Further, the smaller the degree of change in the navicular height of hemiplegic patients is, the more supinated the paretic side foot is. Additionally, a greater change in the location of the calcaneus was associated with greater supination of the overall foot.

[Purpose] It is well-known that the muscles of spinal stability also play roles in respiration. The spinal stability muscles are divided into two subgroups, the local muscle group and the global muscle group. Appropriately coordinated activation of muscle groups are recommended for more efficient spinal stability. The indirect method of measuring coordination of muscle groups is the synergist ratio of local muscles to global muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the synergist ratios of the spinal stability muscles of different breathing patterns. [Subjects and Methods] Forty healthy subjects performed 4 different breathing patterns and 3 synergist ratios calculated from % maximal voluntary isometric contraction of 2 local group muscles and 3 global group muscles were analyzed. [Results] The results of this study show synergist ratios were consistent among the breathing patterns and there was a consistent muscle reliance pattern of synergist ratios during each breathing pattern. The synergist ratio of extensors stayed around 1. The results were consistent with those of previous studies of spinal stability exercises. [Conclusion] We suggest that different breathing patterns could be used as a component of spinal stability exercises, secondary to the similarities of muscle coordination with spinal stability exercises, commonly used in clinics.

[Purpose] Hemiplegia occurs when posturing with a dominant flexor tone is present in the upper limbs, thus preventing increased abnormal tone. We attempted to improve the side effects of this condition using elbow re-positioning with non-elastic tape; this method is used to modulate abnormal muscle tone in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen post-stroke patients were included in this study. Non-elastic tape was applied to the elbow joint in a spiral manner. Before and after the tape was applied, the degree of spasticity (hypertonia) was measured in the elbow flexor muscles using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Global synkinesis (GS) intensity using electromyography (EMG) was measured in the biceps brachii and triceps brachii during voluntary isometric elbow contractions of the contralateral upper limbs. [Results] Application of non-elastic tape at the elbow joint significantly changed the GS intensity, but no significant changes were found when compared with the MAS. [Conclusion] This study demonstrates that non-elastic tape can be used to decrease abnormal elbow flexor tone. The findings may be used to influence the choice of intervention regarding muscle tone and spastic elbow flexion.