[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity (SCALE) and Pediatric Balance Scales (PBS) in children with spastic cerebral palsy and further to test whether the SCALE is a valid tool to predict the PBS. [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the SCALE and PBS in 23 children (9 females, 14 males, GMFCS level I–III) with spastic cerebral palsy. [Results] Both the SCALE and PBS scores for children with spastic hemiplegia were significantly higher than those for children with spastic diplegia. The scores for SCALE items were low for distal parts. The PBS items that were difficult for the participants to perform were items 8, 9, 10, and 14 with the highest difficulty experienced for item 8 followed by items 9, 10, and 14. The correlation coefficient (0.797) between the SCALE and PBS scores was statistically significant. The correlations between each SCALE item and the PBS scores were also statistically significant. SCALE items were significantly correlated with two PBS dimensions (standing and postural change). [Conclusion] In SCALE assessment, more severe deficits were observed in the distal parts. Standing and postural changes in the PBS method were difficult for the participants to perform. The two tests, that is, the SCALE and PBS, were highly correlated. Therefore, the SCALE is useful to prediction of PBS outcomes and is also applicable as a prognostic indicator for treatment planning.

This study examined the effects of trunk control rehabilitation robot training (TCRRT) on the dynamic balance, lower extremity strength, gait ability and pain for bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Methods: Hemiarthroplasty (n= 28) patients participated in this study. The subjects were randomized into two groups: trunk control rehabilitation robot training group and control group. Results: The TCRRT group showed significantly more improvement in the MFRT, MMT, 10MWT, TUG, and VAS compared to that before intervention (p< 0.05). In addition, all tests were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that TCRRT is feasible and effective for improving the dynamic balance, lower extremity strength, gait ability, and pain efficacy after bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

Kinesio taping (KT) is widely applied for pain control and rehabilitation in clinical settings. Tape tension is a key factor in the taping method. However, limited evidence exists regarding the reinforced tension effects of KT on functional performance and pain in healthy individuals. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of double-taped Kinesio taping (DTKT) on functional performance and pain caused by muscle fatigue after exercise. A total of 44 healthy male students (mean age, 23.3 ± 2.2 years) were randomly assigned to the following three groups: DTKT, normal-tape Kinesio taping (NTKT), and placebo. The single-hopping (SH) distance, vertical jump height (VJH), and power (VJP) were assessed at baseline. The muscle fatigue protocol was then applied to induce muscle soreness. Outcome measures including subjective pain, SH distance, VJH and VJP were evaluated immediately after the muscle fatigue protocol, and KT was then applied; the measures were then again evaluated immediately and 24 h after KT application. No significant interactions between pain and functional performance were observed (p > 0.05), and there were no significant differences in SH, VJH, and VJP among the groups (p > 0.05). Notably, the DTKT had an immediate effect on the alleviation of pain caused by muscle fatigue. The present findings indicate that DTKT is not superior to NTKT or placebo in terms of pain relief and enhancing functional performance after tape application in healthy male students.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effect of kinesio taping (KT) on vertical jumping performance. Methods: Young women (n= 24) performed vertical jumping under three conditions: kinesio taping, placebo taping, and no taping. All tapes were applied to both quadriceps and the gastrocnemius of the subjects. Vertical jump height and power were measured using an OptoGait, and the non-parametric Friedman test was used to identify differences between conditions. Results: No significant differences in maximum jump height or peak jump power between were observed between taping conditions. Conclusion: The results showed that KT did not facilitate muscle performance by generating higher jumping power or yielding a better jumping performance. As the functional performance is related to muscle strength, this finding may be explained by the fact that KT has no effects on muscle strength.

Assessing muscle tone is an essential component of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning of developmental disabilities (DD) in children and is of great help in developing clinical diagnosis patterns. The purpose of this study was to investigate intra-rater and inter-rater reliability using the myotonometer, which is an assessment tool to measure muscle tone in children with DD. This study included 26 children diagnosed with DD. Two physical therapists measured the children’s muscle tone using a myotonometer. For all the muscles measured, reliability was determined using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard measurement error (SEM), and the minimal detectable change (MDC). The intra-rater reliability for all muscles was excellent (ICC = 0.75~0.78), except for the biceps brachii (ICC = 0.68). The inter-rater reliability was also excellent for all muscles (ICC = 0.75~0.95), and the SEM and MDC showed small measurement errors. Therefore, the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of measurements by the myotonometer was found to be good or excellent. This suggests that the myotonometer is a tool that can objectively assess muscle tone, and it can be utilized in clinical practice to quickly and conveniently measure muscle tone in children with DD.