Jong Ha Lee | 9 Articles |
To evaluate the association between balance function and asymmetry of knee extension strength in an elderly Korean population. The strength of the knee extensors in each leg was measured in 306 community-dwelling elderly subjects (age, 76.70±4.85 years) and 25 young healthy subjects (age, 34.23±8.93 years). Based on the difference in strength of both legs, the elderly subjects were divided into symmetric (n=128) and asymmetric (n=178) strength groups using an asymmetry cutoff 20%. We determined the postural control ability of the subjects using InBody posturography, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The sway index (SI) of the subjects in four positions was assessed using posturography. The group with asymmetric strength presented a significantly higher SI than the group with symmetric strength, in the normal position with eyes open and eyes open on pillows. In the normal position with the eyes closed and in postures with the eyes closed on pillows, the statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the two groups. The three tests for physical performance (BBS, TUG, and SPPB) show no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The asymmetric strength group showed a significantly lower balance than the group with symmetric strength based on several posturographic parameters. Ambulatory elderly individuals with asymmetry in knee extension strength, showed deficits in balance control even in normal clinical tests. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To investigate the differences in biomechanical parameters measured by gait analysis systems between healthy subjects and subjects with plantar fasciitis (PF), and to compare biomechanical parameters between ‘normal, barefooted’ gait and arch building gait in the participants. The researchers evaluated 15 subjects (30 feet) with bilateral foot pain and 15 subjects (15 feet) with unilateral foot pain who had a clinical diagnosis of PF. Additionally, 17 subjects (34 feet) who had no heel pain were recruited. Subjects were excluded if they had a traumatic event, prior surgery or fractures of the lower limbs, a leg length discrepancy of 1 cm or greater, a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2, or had musculoskeletal disorders. The participants were asked to walk with an arch building gait on a treadmill at 2.3 km/hr for 5 minutes. Various gait parameters were measured. With the arch building gait, the PF group proved that gait line length and single support line were significantly decreased, and lateral symmetry of the PF group was increased compared to that of the control group. The subjects with bilateral PF displayed significantly increased maximum pressure over the heel and the forefoot during arch building gait. In addition, the subjects with unilateral PF showed significantly increased maximum pressure over the forefoot with arch building gait. The researchers show that various biomechanical differences exist between healthy subjects and those with PF. Employing an arch building gait in patients with PF could be helpful in changing gait patterns to normal biomechanics. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To assess the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscles for investigating the occurrence of asymmetry of the paraspinal (multifidus and erector spinae) and psoas muscles and its relation to the chronicity of unilateral lumbar radiculopathy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This retrospective study was conducted between January 2012 to December 2014. Sixty one patients with unilateral L5 radiculopathy were enrolled: 30 patients had a symptom duration less than 3 months (group A) and 31 patients had a symptom duration of 3 months or more (group B). Axial MRI measured the CSA of the paraspinal and psoas muscles at the middle between the lower margin of the upper vertebra and upper margin of the lower vertebra, and obtained the relative CSA (rCSA) which is the ratio of the CSA of muscles to that of the lower margin of L4 vertebra. There were no differences in the demographics between the two groups. In group B, rCSA of the erector spinae at the L4–5 level, and that of multifidus at the L4–5 and L5–S1 levels, were significantly smaller on the involved side as compared with the uninvolved side. In contrast, no significant muscle asymmetry was observed in group A. The rCSA of the psoas was not affected in either group. The atrophy of the multifidus and erector spinae ipsilateral to the lumbar radiculopathy was observed only in patients suffering from unilateral radiculopathy for 3 months or more. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To investigate whether the polymorphisms of Genomic DNA from 121 ischemic stroke patients and 201 healthy control subjects were extracted, and polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced. To investigate the association of polymorphisms and the development, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (K-NIHSS), logistic regression models were analyzed. Polymorphism of the untranslational region of These results indicate the possibility that Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To evaluate the association between baseline characteristics, three physical performance tests and fall history in a sample of the elderly from Korean population. A total of 307 participants (mean age, 76.70±4.85 years) were categorized into one of two groups, i.e., fallers and non-fallers. Fifty-two participants who had reported falling unexpectedly at least once in the previous 12 months were assigned to the fallers group. Physical performance tests included Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test. The differences between the two study groups were compared and we analyzed the correlations between fall histories and physical performance tests. SPPB demonstrated a significant association with fall history. Although the BBS total scores did not show statistical significance, two dynamic balance test items of BBS (B12 and B13) showed a significant association among fallers. This study suggests that SPPB and two dynamic balance test items of the BBS can be used in screening for risk of falls in an ambulatory elderly population. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To evaluate the relationships between tongue pressure and different aspects of the oral-phase swallowing function. We included 96 stroke patients with dysphagia, ranging in age from 40 to 88 years (mean, 63.7 years). Measurements of tongue pressure were obtained with the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument, a device with established normative data. Three trials of maximum performance were performed for lip closure pressure (LP), anterior hard palate-to-tongue pressure (AP), and posterior hard palate-to-tongue pressure (PP); buccal-to-tongue pressures on both sides were also recorded (buccal-to-tongue pressure, on the weak side [BW]; buccal-to-tongue pressure, on the healthy side [BH]). The average pressure in each result was compared between the groups. Clinical evaluation of the swallowing function was performed with a videofluoroscopic swallowing study. The average maximum AP and PP values in the intact LC group were significantly higher than those in the inadequate lip closure group (AP, p=0.003; PP, p<0.001). AP and PP showed significant relationships with bolus formation (BF), mastication, premature bolus loss (PBL), tongue to palate contact (TP), and oral transit time (OTT). Furthermore, LP, BW, and BH values were significantly higher in the groups with intact mastication, without PBL and intact TP. These findings indicate that the tongue pressure appears to be closely related to the oral-phase swallowing function in post-stroke patients, especially BF, mastication, PBL, TP and OTT. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
We describes a patient with hypokalemia-induced rhabdomyolysis due to primary aldosteronism (PA), who suffered from slowly progressive muscle weakness after laparoscopic adrenalectomy, and was later diagnosed with coexisting sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). A 54-year-old Asian male presented with severe muscle weakness of both lower extremities. Laboratory findings showed profound hypokalemia, and extreme elevation of the serum creatine phosphokinase levels, suggestive of hypokalemia-induced rhabdomyolysis. Further evaluation strongly suggested PA by an aldosterone-producing adenoma, which was successfully removed surgically. However, muscle weakness slowly progressed one year after the operation and a muscle biopsy demonstrated findings consistent with sIBM. This case is the first report of hypokalemia-induced rhabdomyolysis by PA coexistent with sIBM, to the best of our knowledge. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. Patients with dystonia may experience uncontrollable twisting, repetitive movements, or abnormal posture. A 55-year-old man presented with an involuntary left forearm supination, which he had experienced for five years. There was no history of antecedent trauma to the wrist or elbow. Although conventional therapeutic modalities had been performed, the symptoms persisted. When he visited our hospital, electromyography was performed. Reduced conduction velocity was evident at the elbow-axilla segment of the left median nerve. We suspected that there was a problem on the median nerve between the elbow and the axilla. For this reason, we performed an ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging study. A spindle-shaped soft tissue mass was observed at the left median nerve that suggested the possibility of neurofibroma. Dystonia caused by traumatic or compressive peripheral nerve injury has often been reported, but focal dystonia due to a neurogenic tumor is extremely rare. Here, we report our case with a review of the literature. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
To investigate the relationship between the shoulder gradient and acromiohumeral interval of both shoulders in patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome. Using the angulometer, we measured the shoulder gradient in patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome in a standing position. Using the radiography, we measured the acromiohumeral interval and the angle between a vertical line and a line connecting a superior angle with an inferior angle of the scapula. In patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, the frequency of shoulder impingement syndrome was 76.2% (16 of 21) on the side of the relatively lower shoulder. The mean acromiohumeral interval on the side of the lower shoulder was 10.03±1.28 mm, compared with 10.46±1.50 mm for the higher shoulder. The angle between a vertical line and a line connecting a superior angle with an inferior angle of the scapular of the side of the lower shoulder was -0.31±3.73 degrees, compared with 3.85±4.42 degrees for the higher shoulder. The frequency of shoulder impingement syndrome was significantly higher on the side of the relatively lower shoulder, and there is no significant difference in the acromiohumeral interval between the side of the lower shoulder and that of the higher shoulder. In patients with unilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, the scapular on the side of lower shoulder was more rotated downward than on the side of the higher shoulder. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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