BackgroundThe efficacy of facial muscle exercises (FMEs) for facial rejuvenation is controversial. In the majority of previous studies, nonquantitative assessment tools were used to assess the benefits of FMEs.ObjectivesThis study examined the effectiveness of FMEs using a Pao (MTG, Nagoya, Japan) device to quantify facial rejuvenation.MethodsFifty females were asked to perform FMEs using a Pao device for 30 seconds twice a day for 8 weeks. Facial muscle thickness and cross-sectional area were measured sonographically. Facial surface distance, surface area, and volumes were determined using a laser scanning system before and after FME. Facial muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, midfacial surface distances, jawline surface distance, and lower facial surface area and volume were compared bilaterally before and after FME using a paired Student t test.ResultsThe cross-sectional areas of the zygomaticus major and digastric muscles increased significantly (right: P < 0.001, left: P = 0.015), while the midfacial surface distances in the middle (right: P = 0.005, left: P = 0.047) and lower (right: P = 0.028, left: P = 0.019) planes as well as the jawline surface distances (right: P = 0.004, left: P = 0.003) decreased significantly after FME using the Pao device. The lower facial surface areas (right: P = 0.005, left: P = 0.006) and volumes (right: P = 0.001, left: P = 0.002) were also significantly reduced after FME using the Pao device.ConclusionsFME using the Pao device can increase facial muscle thickness and cross-sectional area, thus contributing to facial rejuvenation.Level of Evidence: 4

Background: Weakness of evertor strength is controversial in chronic ankle instability (CAI). Ankle evertor muscles are attached to the toe joints as well as to the metatarsal bone. Therefore, it is necessary to consider toe joint position for the measurement of evertor strength. The purpose of this study was to compare ankle evertor strength and muscle activity during eversion with and without toe flexion (TF) in individuals with CAI and individuals in a healthy group. Methods: Fifteen subjects with CAI and 15 healthy subjects participated in this study. Isometric ankle evertor strength and muscle activity of the peroneus longus (PL), peroneus brevis (PB), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were measured during eversion with and without TF. Results: The results indicated a significant interaction effect in evertor strength ( P = .03) and no significant interaction effect on EMG of the PL ( P = .08), PB ( P = .12), and EDL ( P = .28). However, measurements of muscle activity of the PL and PB between eversion with and without TF revealed a significant difference in the CAI group ( P < .01) and no significant difference in the healthy group (PL: P = .07; PB: P = .13). Conclusion: The results indicated that subjects with CAI had increased EDL compensation and reduced selective activation of the PL and PB during eversion. Clinical Relevance: Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider the activation of EDL when training the evertor of patients with CAI.

Background: Previous studies suggested that patients with symptomatic intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) of lumbar spine have reduced cross-sectional area (CSA) and functions of core muscles. However, reduced CSA and functions of core muscles have been observed not only in patients with symptomatic IDD but also in patients with other subgroups of low back pain (LBP). Thus, it is uncertain whether reduced CSA and functions of core muscles lead to IDD and LBP, or pain leads to reduced CSA and functions of core muscles in patients with symptomatic IDD. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the CSA and functions of core muscles between asymptomatic participants with and without IDD in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Twenty asymptomatic participants (12 men and 8 women) participated in this study. Ten participants had asymptomatic IDD at L4-5. The others were healthy controls (without IDD at all levels of lumbar spine). The CSA of core muscles was measured using MRI. Maximal isometric trunk flexor strength and side bridge strength were measured by a Smart KEMA strength sensor. Trunk flexor endurance test, side bridge endurance test and plank endurance test were used to measure core endurance. Double legs loading test was used to measure core stability. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in core muscle functions between the two groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in CSA between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in CSA and core muscle functions between asymptomatic participants with and without IDD. These findings indicate that a degenerative or bulging disc in asymptomatic individuals has little effect on CSA and functions of core muscles, especially in young age. Therefore, the general core endurance test or strength test could not differentiate asymptomatic people with and without IDD of lumbar spine. Trial registration number: Clinical Research information Service. KCT0004061. Registered 13 June 2019. retrospectively registered.

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