The effects of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exercise training using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on breathing in patients with chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty chronic stroke patients who do not show abnormal response to electric stimulation were enrolled in this study and each 15 subjects were randomized either into the study group and the sham-controlled group. The subjects performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise for 20 minutes while tDCS device was attached to them (for study group, the device was on while for the sham-controlled group, the device was turned off 30 seconds later) [Results] The results of FVC, FEF1 and FEV1/FVC in the study group and those of FVC and FEV1 in the sham-controlled group were significantly increased after the breathing exercise. The independent comparison result between the groups showed that the breathing performance of study group significantly improved based on the results of FVC and FEV1. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the results of this study confirmed that breathing exercise effectively improved FVC and FEV1 in chronic stroke patients. Also, the breathing exercise using tDCS was more effective in improving FVC and FEV1.

Which Treatment is More Effective for Functional Ankle Instability: Strengthening or Combined Muscle Strengthening and Proprioceptive Exercises?

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to implement combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to examine the effects of combined exercises on functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (Group A), a muscle strengthening exercise group (Group B), or a combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group (Group C) consisting of 10 subjects each. In Group A, measurements were only conducted before and after the experiment without any intervention, whereas the exercise programs for Group B and Group C were implemented three days per week for four weeks. [Results] Muscle strength showed significant increases in Groups B and C compared with the control group during plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. The Cumberland ankle instability tool showed significant increases in Group B and Group C compared with Group A and significant increases in Group C compared with Group B. [Conclusion] Applying combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to those who have functional ankle instability is more effective than applying only muscle strengthening exercises.