Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to give task-oriented training to stroke patients in water and on land and compare their static balance and dynamic balance. A total of 10 types of task-oriented training were given in water and on land.[Subjects] A total of 34 patients received training for 50 minutes, three times a week, for 12 weeks. [Methods] The 34 patients were randomly divided into an in-water training group and an on-land training group. The patients received the same task-oriented training for 12 weeks.[Results] When the groups' static balance was compared, the in-water training group showed significant improvements in anteroposterior velocity (mm/s) and mediolateral velocity (mm/s) with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). The on-land training group showed significant improvements in values other than anteroposterior velocity (mm/s) with EC. When the groups' dynamic balance was compared, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups at 12 weeks. The in-water training group showed significant reductions in the time and distance taken to implement a task. [Conclusion] According to the results, task-oriented training received by chronic stroke patients in water was more effective at improving static balance and dynamic balance than on-land training.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a cranio-cervical flexor exercise and thoracic mobilization are effective for muscular endurance (Endurance), visual analog scale (VAS) pain, and neck disability index (NDI) of patients with chronic neck pain.[Subjects] The subjects in this study were 53 patients who had chronic neck pain.[Methods] The experimental group (n=27) did both cranio-cervical flexor exercises and thoracic mobilizations and the control group (n=26) did cranio-cervical flexor exercises.[Results] A paired t-test analysis revealed significant pre-post score changes within both groups. The 2-way group time interaction for the repeated measures ANOVA was statistically significant for Endurance, VAS and NDI. The experimental group showed greater improvement in Endurance, with a between-group difference of 14.26 seconds, VAS pain, with a between-group difference of 2.02 points, and NDI, with a between-group difference of 2.07 points.[Conclusion] These results suggest that the combination of thoracic mobilization with cranio-cervical flexor exercise was more effective at increasing Endurance and reducing VAS pain and NDI.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of motor dual-task training (MDT), cognitive dual-task training (CDT), and motor and cognitive dual-task training (MCDT) on balance and daily living abilities of stroke patients. In addition, the relationships among assessment tools such as center of pressure (COP), Korean version of Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) were investigated. [Subjects and Method] Thirty-eight stroke patients were randomly allocated to a MDT group, a CDT group, and a MCDT group, and training was performed three times a week for six weeks. The patients' balance was assessed with the mean area of COP movement and K-BBS, and the daily living abilities were evaluated with FIM before and after the training. [Results] Post-training, a significant difference in COP was found in each of the three groups, and between the CDT group and the MCDT group. K-BBS and FIM also showed a significant difference in each of the three groups, and comparison among the three groups showed that the improvement in the MCDT group was significantly better than those of the other two groups. Highly negative correlations were found between COP and K-BBS and between COP and FIM (r=-0.960,-0.874, respectively), and a highly positive correlation was found between K-BBS and FIM (r=0.870). [Conclusion] For effective training of balance and daily living abilities for stroke patients, it is more effective to implement both motor and cognitive dual-tasks than motor or cognitive dualtasks alone.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study sought to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) their associated work risk factors and the coping strategies used to reduce their risk among physical therapists in Korea.[Subjects] Korean physical therapists with at least 1 year of working experience.[Methods] A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 234 physical therapists working in different hospitals, and 180 questionnaires were returned yielding a 76.9% response rate. Twenty-three of the returned questionnaires were excluded from the analysis because of incomplete data.[Results] The overall prevalence of WRMDs during the past 12 months was 92.4%. Female physical therapists reported a significantly higher prevalence of WRMDs than male physical therapists (p=0.028). The most injured body areas were the low back (53.5%) and shoulders (45.2%). Treating an excessive number of patients in 1 day (90.4%) and a lack of rest breaks (89.8%) were the most perceived work risk factors for WRMDs. The most commonly adopted coping strategies were modification of the therapist's or patients' positions and use of a different part of the therapist's body to administer a manual technique (51.6%).[Conclusion] WRMDs are significantly higher among physical therapists in Korea compared to many other countries. Education programmes on prevention and coping strategies for WRMDs are recommended for physical therapists in order to reduce the risk of further injury.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study sought to determine an exercise regimen that can effectively improve degenerative osteoarthritis patients' muscle strength, proprioception, and functional performance. The regimen consisted of resistive exercises (RT) or manual therapy and resistive exercises (MT).[Subjects] The subjects were 35 elderly women who trained three times a week for eight weeks.[Methods] The 35 subjects were divided at random into RT and MT groups, according to the treatment method. [Results] Quadriceps strength significantly improved in both the RT and MT groups. Muscle strength increased to 4.35 N on the right side and to 3.55 N on the left side in the RT group, and to 10.59 N and 9.02 N, respectively, in the MT group. Only in the MT group did proprioception change significantly. The MT group showed a decrease in error from the target angle by -0.83° on the right side and -0.5° on the left side. Additionally, only in the MT group did functional performance change significantly; with the elapsed time in functional performance testing decreasing by 10.29 s.[Conclusion] According to the results, a regimen consisting of manual therapy together with resistive exercise appears to be more effective at improving muscle strength, proprioception, and functional performance than resistive exercise alone.