Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of feedback respiratory training on chest expansion and pulmonary function in patients with stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-seven patients with stroke were randomly assigned to two groups: the feedback respiratory training group (experimental) (n=13) and the control group (control) (n=14). Feedback respiratory training and conventional physical therapy were performed by the experimental group. Conventional physical therapy was performed by the control group. Both groups received training three times per week for four weeks.[Results] Significant improvements were observed in chest expansion after training in the experimental group. Gains in chest expansion were greater in the experimental than in control group. Values of forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one second, peak expiratory flow, vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume, and inspiratory reserve volume in pulmonary function tests increased post-training in the experimental group. With the exception of expiratory reserve volume, all of these pulmonary function test measures showed greater gains in the experimental group than in the control group. [Conclusion] Feedback respiratory training is effective for the improvement of chest expansion and pulmonary function in patients with stroke.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate changes during walking in plantar pressure distribution on both the affected and unaffected sides of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).[Subjects] Sixty subjects were included in this study, including 30 patients with chronic low back pain and 30 healthy individuals as the control group.[Methods] The plantar foot pressure and the trajectory of the center of pressure (COP) of both groups were measured using the F-scan System while they walked at a comfortable speed. The F-scan system was used to determine the plantar pressures of both feet with data captured during three strides.[Results] Plantar pressure distribution differences between the left and right sides of the back pain group showed greater increases in anteroposterior (AP) displacement of COP than the control group.[Conclusion] Patients with chronic low back pain walked with a shorter AP displacement of COP, perhaps due to a compensatory action in trying to avoid pain. The foot pressure distributions in the back pain group provide evidence of alterations of the gait pattern in patients with chronic low back pain.