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BACKGROUND: Bracing is one of the oldest non-operative treatments for patients with scoliosis. However, a wide variety of braces is used, and some show no effect, while others show conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a new orthotic device for the treatment of adult scoliosis. METHODS: Twenty adult patients who were diagnosed with scoliosis and qualified for the study were selected and all participants were treated for 12 hours/day for 12 weeks using a new orthotic device. Various efficacy assessments (Cobb’s angle, spine length, pelvic angle, shoulder angle, thoracic angle, lumbar angle, pelvic sacral angle) were performed before and after the 12-week treatment. The values at each time point were compared. RESULTS: There were significant treatment effects in a time-dependent manner on every efficacy assessment (p< 0.05) after 12 weeks of bracing. CONCLUSION: In this clinical study, it was demonstrated that a new brace that is more comfortable for the wearer reduced scoliosis and may be a useful option for non-operative treatment of scoliosis.

Background The amount of patients with muscle imbalance of the left and right side increases rapidly due to an incorrect lifestyle. Objective We investigated the optimal exercise load required to improve muscle imbalance. Methods Thirty participants were enrolled in the study. They performed squat exercises according to a whole body vibration (WBV) frequency protocol over a period of eight weeks. The exercises were performed three days a week and comprised five sets of fifteen trials per set per day. We validated muscle imbalance improvement using WBV by comparing and analyzing the results at different vibration frequencies. The participants were divided into three WBV protocol groups: no WBV, low-frequency WBV (25 Hz and 5 mm amplitude), and high-frequency WBV (50 Hz and 5 mm amplitude). We estimated the isokinetic muscle functions of the hip, knee, and ankle joints using BIODEX system 3. Ultimately, low-frequency WBV improved balance 10.2 ∼ 26.5% more than high-frequency WBV. Results Continuous load-deviation motions during low-frequency WBV were more effective at improving muscle imbalance than high-frequency WBV. WBV load variation methods improved muscle function and contractility more than external weights or loads by directly transferring kinetic energy into the body. Conclusion In this clinical study, we demonstrated that low-frequency WBV was more effective at improving muscle imbalance. The WBV protocol can be used in rehabilitation programs to improve imbalance without requiring elderly or physically decompensated patients to participate in excessive exercise.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle function and basal physical fitness in relation to muscle balance pattern using rowing machines. Twenty four subjects participated in this study, using three different rowing machines. Rowing exercises were performed for twenty-five times a set, four sets a day, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. Biodex system 3(Biodex Medical Systems Co., New York, USA) was used to measure joint torques in the elbow, shoulder, lumbar and knee of subjects, for analyzing muscle function. The evaluation of basal physical fitness included body composition, muscle strength, muscle endurance, muscle reaction, agility, flexibility and explosive power. Before the experiment, significant differences of joint torques in the elbow, shoulder, lumbar and knee were present between subjects in the group. After the rowing exercise, significant improvement in every joint was witnessed. All aspects of basic fitness increased significantly, and the most improvement was observed in muscle strength from the joint torque results. As shown in the following results, every joint it was evident to have improved by more than 30% with the use of dependent load deviation type over the previously used water load method. This means that it is more effective for enhancing muscle strength and endurance to keep the muscle balance using dependent load deviation. The human body maintains motor coordination of muscle contraction during exercise. The muscle balances in the upper-lower and left-right arms could assist with effective activation of motor coordination. In this paper, an exercise method using dependent load deviation was demonstrated to be more efficient for improving muscle imbalance and strengthening muscles.