[Purpose] This study compared the use of the Maitland mobilization and Kaltenborn mobilization techniques for improving pain and range of motion in patients with frozen shoulders. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 20 patients with frozen shoulder who visited Hospital H, Ulsan, Korea. The subjects were divided randomly into two groups to receive Maitland or Kaltenborn mobilization to the affected shoulder. Grade III anteroposterior oscillation and posterior translation were used for the Maitland and Kaltenborn mobilization groups, respectively. Pain and range of motion of external and internal rotation were evaluated pre- and post-intervention in both groups. Paired t-tests were used to compare the pre- and post-intervention results in both groups, and independent t-tests were used to compare groups. [Results] Both groups exhibited significant decreases in pain post-intervention. Moreover, the range of motion of internal and external rotation increased significantly post-intervention in both groups. However, there was no significant difference between groups with respect to pain improvement or range of motion. [Conclusion] The posterior Maitland and Kaltenborn mobilization techniques are effective for improving pain and range of motion in frozen shoulder patients. Therefore, we recommend both techniques for such patients.

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It is important that compensatory lateral movement of the pelvis does not occur during side-lying hip abduction (SHA). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of abdominal hollowing and abdominal bracing during SHA on pelvic lateral rotation (PLR) and the electromyography activity of the gluteus medius, quadratus lumborum (QL), external oblique abdominis (EO) and internal oblique abdominis (IO). A total of 22 healthy male adults participated in the study. The subjects performed three conditions in side-lying in random order: SHA with abdominal hollowing (SHA-AH), SHA with abdominal bracing (SHA-AB), and SHA without any condition (SHA-WC). The angle of PLR in SHA-AB was significantly lower compared to SHA-AH and SHA-WC, and angle of PLR in SHA-AH was significantly lower than that in SHA-WC. The muscle activity of the QL was significantly greater for SHA-AB compared to SHA-AH and SHA-WC. The muscle activity of the EO was significantly greater for SHA-AB compared to SHA-AH and SHA-WC. And the muscle activity of the EO for SHA-AH was significantly greater than that for SHA-WC. The muscle activity of the IO was significantly greater for SHA-AH and SHA-AB compared to SHA-WC. Based on these results, we suggest that abdominal bracing increases the muscle activity of QL, EO, and IO, and decreases the angle of PLR compare to abdominal hollowing during SHA.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional spine stabilization exercise can strengthen the trunk muscles with minimal spine movement. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the newly developed Spine Balance three-dimensional (3D) system on trunk strength and gait abilities of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-four chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental ( n = 12) or control group ( n = 12). The experimental and control groups performed spine stabilization exercise by using the newly developed Spine Balance 3D system and the well-known Bridge exercise thrice a week for 30 min per day for 7 weeks. Timed up and go (TUG) test, 10-m walking test (10-m WT), trunk muscle strength, and gait ability were evaluated before and after 7 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: The 10-m WT, TUG, walking speed, non-affected side step length, and distance in the experimental group, wherein trunk muscle strength was checked by using the Spine Balance 3D system evaluation program, showed more significant improvement than those in the control group ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the newly developed Spine Balance 3D system can be a more useful therapeutic tool for rehabilitation of trunk muscle strength and gait abilities than bridge exercise-based spine stabilization exercise in chronic stroke patients.

Japan's largest platform for academic e-journals: J-STAGE is a full text database for reviewed academic papers published by Japanese societies

Japan's largest platform for academic e-journals: J-STAGE is a full text database for reviewed academic papers published by Japanese societies