Abstract. [Purpose] In order to develop a more effective treatment method for pain and function in myofascial pain syndrome, we examined the effects of ESWT, stability exercises, and combined treatment.[Subjects] The subjects were randomly divided into a stabilization exercise group (n=12), an ESWT (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy) group (n=12), and a combined treatment group (n=12).[Methods] The stabilization exercise group performed shoulder joint stabilization exercises. The ESWT group received ESWT for the upper trapezius. The combined treatment group received a combined treatment of shoulder joint stabilization exercises and ESWT. Pain and function were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), neck disability index (NDI), and the Constant Murley Scale (CMS).[Results] The VAS Score showed statistically significant improvements in all of the groups. All of the CMS evaluation items except muscle strength in the stabilization exercise group, and all of the CMS items in the ESWT group and the combined treatment group, exhibited statistically significant improvements. The combined treatment group of ESWT and stabilization exercises showed statistically significant improvements in all VAS of CMS evaluation items, and the NDI test after the four-week intervention.[Conclusion] The combined treatment was more effective at reducing pain than ESWT, and stabilization exercise would be useful for physical therapists treating myofascial pain syndrome in a clinical setting.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study examined the effects of bilateral upper extremity activities on the daily living abilities of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Method] A total of 26 study subjects were selected and were randomly divided into an experimental group of 13 subjects, who received an intervention consisting of bilateral upper extremity activities and nervous system rehabilitation, and a control group of 13 subjects, who received an intervention consisting of nervous system rehabilitation only.[Results] The experimental group showed statistically significant changes in all items. Among FIM items, Self-care, Social Cognition, and Total Score showed significant differences between the groups. [Conclusion] Bilateral upper extremity activities performed by the experimental group are considered to have improved daily living activities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of trunk muscle strengthening exercises on balance performance of sitting posture and upper extremity function, targeting the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: 20 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were sampled at random and the tests were conducted for 6 weeks, 3 times per week. For experimental groups, basic physical therapy and trunk muscle strengthening exercises were conducted and for control groups, only basic physical therapy was conducted. BPM(Balance Performance Monitor) was used to measure balance performance and QUEST(quality of upper extremity skills test) was used to measure the upper extremity function.

Importance of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) has been increasing in the hospital industry such as health care industry and financial industry. This study investigated in order to identify the factors like general, occupational and ergonomically characteristics of the subjects related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of physical therapists (PTs). Ergonomic tools of rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) were used for evaluation workload of the tasks. Prevalence of MSDs were 13 PTs (26.0%) for neck, 31 PTs (62.0%) for shoulder, 9 PTs (18.0%) for arm/elbow, 27 PTs (54.0%) for hand/wrist, 28 PTs (56.0%) for back, 14 PTs (28.0%) for leg/foot. The analysis of the rate of the pain intensity showed that 53.5% subjects experience moderate pain and 14.0% subjects experience severe pain. Factors which were general characteristics, for example, height, ergonomically characteristics such as Posture Score A were related musculoskeletal subjective symptoms in logistic analysis (p<.05). Among physical therapists, action level of RULA were action level 2 (6.0%), action level 3 (52.0%), action level 4 (42.0%). Physical therapists were estimated one of the highest risk factor in this study. This study suggested that the need of preventive education and program for PTs (physical therapists).Comprehensive and systematic management plans should be established to include both ergonomic and sociopsychological aspects.[Jung-ho Lee, Young-chul Choi, Jin-sang Kim. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain and Workload Evaluation of Physical Therapists: Focused on Neurological injury Treatment of Adults.

This study examined the effects of vocalization on upper extremity muscle activity during reaching task in patients with hemiplegia. Thirteen persons with right brain stroke performed reaching to a cup under four concurrent speech conditions of vocalizing the word "Ah" with hemiplegic side. These four conditions are self-vocalization, external vocalization, imaginary vocalization, and no vocalization. The muscle activity(Biceps brachii, Triceps brachii, Middle deltoid, and Upper trapezius) were measured using MP150. Muscle activity was significantly higher under self-vocalization and external vocalization conditions compared to the muscle activity under imaginary vocalization and no vocalization conditions on triceps brachii muscle.(p<0.05). Triceps brachii muscle was highly correlated with biceps brachii muscle(r=0.777, p<0.05). The results suggest that self-vocalization and external vocalization can be used in facilitating upper extremity movements in patients with stroke. When working with patients with right hemispheric stroke, therapists might explore possibilities of using patient's self-speech to enhance the quality of upper extremity movement performance.