[Purpose] This study aimed to compare and analyze the mechanical properties of the upper cervical muscles in patients with cervicogenic headache to identify efficient methods of treatment and diagnosis. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 40 subjects including 20 healthy individuals and 20 patients with cervicogenic headache were selected. A MyotonPRO device was used to measure the tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (log decrement) of the suboccipital muscles and upper trapezius of the subjects. [Results] There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the elasticity of the suboccipital muscles and upper trapezius. However, there was a statistically significant difference in tone and stiffness. [Conclusion] This study showed that the tone and stiffness of the suboccipital muscles and upper trapezius in patients with cervicogenic headache had increased compared to healthy subjects.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Nordic walking and walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 30 young adult males, who were divided into a Nordic walking group of 15 subjects and a walking group of 15 subjects. [Methods] To analyze the spatiotemporal parameters and ground reaction force during walking in the two groups, the six-camera Vicon MX motion analysis system was used. The subjects were asked to walk 12 meters using the more comfortable walking method for them between Nordic walking and walking. After they walked 12 meters more than 10 times, their most natural walking patterns were chosen three times and analyzed. To determine the pole for Nordic walking, each subject’s height was multiplied by 0.68. We then measured the spatiotemporal gait parameters and ground reaction force. [Results] Compared with the walking group, the Nordic walking group showed an increase in cadence, stride length, and step length, and a decrease in stride time, step time, and vertical ground reaction force. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that Nordic walking increases the stride and can be considered as helping patients with diseases affecting their gait. This demonstrates that Nordic walking is more effective in improving functional capabilities by promoting effective energy use and reducing the lower limb load, because the weight of the upper and lower limbs is dispersed during Nordic walking.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on upper extremity muscle tone in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, 30 stroke patients participated in this study and they were divided into ESWT group and sham-ESWT group, each group consisted of 15 patients. ESWT and sham-ESWT was performed by the patients for two times a week, for eight weeks. MyotonPRO was used to measure muscle tone. [Results] According to the results of the comparisons between the groups, after intervention, upper extremity muscle tone were significantly higher in the ESWT group than in the sham-ESWT group. [Conclusion] This study showed that ESWT is effective for improving decrease of muscle tone in chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between quadriceps muscle activity and balance and gait in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-five stroke patients (30 males 25 females; mean age 58.7 years; stroke duration 4.82 months; Korean mini-mental state examination score 26.4) participated in this study. MP100 surface electromyography, BioRescue, and LUKOtronic were used to measure the quadriceps muscle activity, balance, and gait, respectively. [Results] There was a significant correlation between quadriceps muscle activity (vastus lateralis % reference voluntary contraction, vastus medialis % reference voluntary contraction) and balance (limits of stability) and gait (gait velocity) but there was none between vastus lateralis % reference voluntary contraction, vastus medialis % reference voluntary contraction. [Conclusion] An increase in quadriceps muscle activity will improve balance and gait ability. To improve function in stroke patients, training is needed to strengthen the quadriceps muscles.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of virtual reality-based eccentric training on lower extremity muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients participated, with 15 patients allotted to each of two eccentric training groups: one using a slow velocity (group I) and one using a fast velocity (group II). The virtual reality-based eccentric training was performed by the patients for 30 minutes once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks using an Eccentron system. Surface electromyography was used to measure the lower extremity muscle activity, while a BioRescue was used to measure balancing ability. [Results] A significant difference in lower extremity muscle activation and balance ability was observed in group I compared with group II. [Conclusion] This study showed that virtual reality-based eccentric training using a slow velocity is effective for improving lower extremity muscle activity and balance in stroke patients.