[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on stroke patients of trunk stabilization exercise on different support surfaces. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen stroke patients with onset of stroke six months earlier or longer were randomly and equally assigned to group I (exercise performed on a stable support surface) and group II (exercise performed on an unstable support surface). The two groups conducted the trunk stabilization exercises on the respective support surfaces, in addition to existing rehabilitation exercises five times per week for 12 weeks. Changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscles were examined using computed tomography (CT), and changes in the balance ability were assessed using a measuring system and the trunk impairment scale (TIS). [Results] In group I, there was a significant increase in the CSA of the mulifidus muscle on the side contralateral to the brain lesion and in the paravertebral and multifidus muscles on the side ipsilateral to the brain lesion. In group II, there was a significant increase in the CSA of the paravertebral and multifidus muscles on the side contralateral to the brain lesion and on the side ipsilateral to the brain lesion. In terms of changes in balance ability, the sway path (SP) and TIS significantly improved in group I, and the SP, sway area (SA), and TIS significantly improved in group II . [Conclusion] Exercise on the unstable support surface enhanced the size of the cross-sectional area of the trunk muscles and balance ability significantly more than exercise on the stable support surface.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of the Neurac sling exercise on postural balance adjustment and muscular response patterns in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen CLBP patients participated in this study. They were randomly and equally assigned to group I, whose members received ordinary physical therapy (40 minutes per time, four times per week), and group II, whose members performed a lumbar stabilization exercise using the Neurac sling after ordinary physical therapy (40 minutes per time, four times per week). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to evaluate exercise effects. BioRescue and electromyography were utilized for the measurement of changes in postural balance adjustment and muscular response patterns, respectively. [Results] Both groups saw their VAS and ODI decrease significantly. There were significant decreases in both groups in posturography as well, but group II recorded a greater decrease. There were significant increases in the flexion–relaxation ratio in both groups, and there were significant increases in the extension–flexion ratio in the left L1–2 of group I and in all elements of group II. [Conclusion] Lumbar stabilization exercise using the Neurac sling is effective in decreasing pain, improving damaged postural balance adjustment, and normalizing muscle response patterns of CLBP patients.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze the architectural properties of muscles on ultrasonographic images of chronic stroke patients taken during different muscle activities.[Methods] Thirty chronic stroke patients were equally divided into three groups according to their Modified Ashworth Scale grade (1 to 3). Ultrasonographic equipment was used to measure structural properties of their skeletal muscles (muscle thickness, muscle pennation angle, and length of muscle fascicles).[Results] Muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length significantly decreased both at rest and during MVIC (Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction) as muscle spasticity increased. Each group's muscle pennation angle markedly increased during MVIC compared to at rest. Each group's muscle thickness and fascicle length decreased during MVIC compared to at rest. [Conclusion] Changes in structural properties of the skeletal muscles influenced architectural properties of the muscles on ultrasonographic images. Our results indicate that understanding the structural properties of the skeletal muscles of chronic stroke patients needs to take into consideration the ultrasonographic architectural properties of the muscles.

The smart grid is a developing network of transmission lines, equipment, controls and new technologies working together to respond immediately to 21st Century demand for electricity, but the smart grid may also create much new vulnerability if not deployed with the appropriate security controls. In this paper, to evaluate the secure GOOSE message performance, we implemented the IEC 62351-6 MAC mechanism, applied it on F-IED using the IEC 61850 GOOSE stack and the HSM, built the security test environment, and obtained test results.