Purpose: Since core competence-based training is in demand, this study aimed to develop a suitable talent model and major competencies for the Department of Physical Therapy at U University and use it to propose appropriate educational subjects. Methods: This case study was conducted at U university in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. To study curricula based on major competence, related documents were analyzed, expert opinions were obtained, and a consumer survey was conducted. Results: U University assigns major competencies for each department, develops subjects accordingly, maps them, and constructs a competency matrix. The four major competencies of physical therapy were defined as musculoskeletal system, nervous system, cardiorespiratory system and sports injury, and physical management abilities. In order to realize these major competencies, U University added subjects to its curriculum. Conclusion The results of internal and external environmental analysis should be more actively considered to enable changes in subjects at the departmental level. In addition, the setting of major competencies should be subjected to more detailed, specific reviews to maintain the basic principles of major curricula.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) abdominal muscle strengthening exercise on the activity, posture, and body function of clients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. Methods: PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied to one patient with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied five times a week for four weeks. The 5-time supine-to-long sitting test (5-TSLST) and supine-to-stand test (SST) were used to measure activity, and the pelvis tilt angle test (PTAT) and anterior head translation test (AHTT) were used to measure posture. Body function was assessed using the transverse abdominis muscle strength test (TAMST), the internal oblique and external oblique muscle strength test (IOEOMST), and the rectus abdominis muscle strength test (RAMST). Results: Activity, posture, and body function were improved post-intervention. Conclusion The study verified that PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are effective when applied to patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. The findings of this study provide useful data for future interventions in patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section.

Purpose: Although microwave diathermy is widely employed, research conducted in South Korea indicates a lack of theoretical understanding concerning the appropriate application intensity. Consequently, there is a need to enhance the objectivity of microwave diathermy by conducting quantitative studies to determine its effective application intensity and provide suitable application parameters. Methods: The study was performed on 60 participants, divided equally into 40W or 80W microwave diathermy intervention groups. Microwave diathermy was applied at 2,450MHz to iliocostalis and longissimus muscles for 15 minutes in each group. Ranges of motion were compared before and after intervention using straight leg raise (SLR) test results. The analysis was performed using the paired t-test and the independent t-test. Results: SLR angles increased significantly in both groups after intervention, but the 80W group exhibited a greater post-intervention angle increase. While no significant intergroup difference was observed between pre-intervention angles, post-intervention angles were significantly different. Conclusion The study confirms that microwave diathermy treatment at 40W for 15 minutes effectively increases SLR angles but that treatment at 80W has a greater effect. Further research is warranted to establish quantitatively the optimal time and intensity settings for microwave diathermy.

Purpose: This study was performed to identify and investigate the therapeutic effects of low-level laser (LLL) combined with a lightemitting diode (LED) on post-operative wound healing and functional recovery after hand orthopedic surgery. Methods: The study subjects were twenty patients who had passed the acute inflammatory phase after hand orthopedic surgery and were assigned equally to an experimental or a control group. Phototherapy was administered three times weekly for two weeks. Changes in wound length, edema, pain, and hand function were measured. Results: Significant differences in wound length, edema, pain, and hand function were observed between the experimental and control groups (p< 0.05). However, no significant intergroup difference was observed (p> 0.05). Nonetheless, a comparison of results showed changes in the experiment group over the two-week study period were significantly greater than in the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion These findings show that combined LLL plus LED phototherapy positively influences post-operative hand rehabilitation.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed in a stroke patient with genu recurvatum. Methods: The subject was a 52-year-old female diagnosed with stroke. Information on health was collected through client Interview based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF was used to identify connections between functional problems, and for diagnosis, and functional problems were described using ICF terms. For prognostic purposes, comprehensive goals for functional activity and participation level are presented as long- and short-term goals. Intervention was performed using an exercise program composed of techniques and principles based on PNF concepts for 50 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Gait speed and lower limb strength before to after intervention differences were used as study outcomes. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function (3.6kg increase in knee extension strength, 1.4kg increase in knee flexion strength, 0.9kg increase in hip abduction). Gait speed, which was the patient’s primary limitation, was improved by 0.2m/sec. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, application of the PNF concept would appear to improve gait speed and genu recurvatum in stroke patients.

Purpose: Cybersickness is a type of motion sickness induced by virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) environments that presents symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and headaches. This study aimed to investigate how cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) alleviates motion sickness symptoms and modulates brain activity in individuals experiencing cybersickness after exposure to a VR environment. Methods: This study was performed on two groups of healthy adults with cybersickness symptoms. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either cathodal tDCS intervention or sham tDCS intervention. Brain activity during VR stimulation was measured by 38-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). tDCS was administered to the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) for 20 minutes at an intensity of 2mA, and the severity of cybersickness was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ).Result: Following the experiment, cybersickness symptoms in subjects who received cathodal tDCS intervention were reduced based on SSQ scores, whereas those who received sham tDCS showed no significant change. fNIRS analysis revealed that tDCS significantly diminished cortical activity in subjects with high activity in temporal and parietal lobes, whereas high cortical activity was maintained in these regions after intervention in subjects who received sham tDCS. Conclusion These findings suggest that cathodal tDCS applied to the right TPJ region in young adults experiencing cybersickness effectively reduces motion sickness induced by VR environments.

Purpose: The study was undertaken to investigate the electromyographic activities of the gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), and multifidus (MF) in three different sling locations during bridge exercise in the supine position. Methods: Twenty healthy male subjects participated. An electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities of the GM, HAM, and MF muscles. Subjects were asked to perform bridge exercises with three different sling locations as follows: 1) Bridge exercise with an ankle sling; BEAS, 2) Bridge exercise with a calf sling; BECS, and 3) Bridge exercise with a knee sling; BEKS in random order. The analysis was conducted using one-way repeated ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc. Significance was set at α= 0.01. Results: HAM muscle activity was significantly different in the three conditions (BEAS, BECS, BEKS) (adjusted p-value [padj]< 0.01), and HAM muscle activity was significantly smaller during BEKS than during BEAS or BECS (padj < 0.01). Muscle activity ratio (GM/HAM) during BEKS was significantly greater than muscle activity ratios during BEAS or BECS (padj < 0.01). Conclusion BEKS is recommended to inhibit HAM muscle activity and improve the GM/HAM muscle activity ratio.

Purpose: This study was conducted to verify the effect of applying a pressure biofeedback unit on walking ability and knee joint function while performing knee joint extensor strengthening exercises using resistance exercise equipment in total knee replacement (TKR) patients. Methods: This study was conducted on twelve patients receiving rehabilitation treatment after being admitted to a rehabilitation hospital post-TKR. Of these, six were allocated to a feedback group with a pressure biofeedback unit, and the other 6 were allocated to a control group without a pressure biofeedback unit. The subjects performed an exercise program for 45 minutes per session, five times a week, for two weeks. Walking ability and knee joint function were evaluated and analyzed before and after exercise. Results: The feedback group showed significantly better improvements in walking speed, gait cycle, step length on the non-operation side, time on the foot on the operation side, K-WOMAC stiffness, and K-WOMAC function than the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusion When strengthening the knee joint extensor muscles using resistance exercise equipment in TKR patients, the provision of a pressure biofeedback unit was found to improve walking ability and knee joint function by inducing concentric-eccentric contraction of the knee joint extensor muscles. Therefore, the study shows that exercise based on the provision of a pressure biofeedback unit should be considered when strengthening knee joint extensor muscles to improve the walking ability and knee joint function of TKR patients in clinical practice.

Purpose: Since core competence-based training is in demand, this study aimed to develop a suitable talent model and major competencies for the Department of Physical Therapy at U University and use it to propose appropriate educational subjects. Methods: This case study was conducted at U university in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. To study curricula based on major competence, related documents were analyzed, expert opinions were obtained, and a consumer survey was conducted. Results: U University assigns major competencies for each department, develops subjects accordingly, maps them, and constructs a competency matrix. The four major competencies of physical therapy were defined as musculoskeletal system, nervous system, cardiorespiratory system and sports injury, and physical management abilities. In order to realize these major competencies, U University added subjects to its curriculum. Conclusion The results of internal and external environmental analysis should be more actively considered to enable changes in subjects at the departmental level. In addition, the setting of major competencies should be subjected to more detailed, specific reviews to maintain the basic principles of major curricula.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) abdominal muscle strengthening exercise on the activity, posture, and body function of clients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. Methods: PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied to one patient with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercise was applied five times a week for four weeks. The 5-time supine-to-long sitting test (5-TSLST) and supine-to-stand test (SST) were used to measure activity, and the pelvis tilt angle test (PTAT) and anterior head translation test (AHTT) were used to measure posture. Body function was assessed using the transverse abdominis muscle strength test (TAMST), the internal oblique and external oblique muscle strength test (IOEOMST), and the rectus abdominis muscle strength test (RAMST). Results: Activity, posture, and body function were improved post-intervention. Conclusion The study verified that PNF abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are effective when applied to patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section. The findings of this study provide useful data for future interventions in patients with abdominal muscle weakness after cesarean section.