The effects of maitland orthopedic manual therapy on improving constipation.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of interventions on constipation and to provide basic data for physical therapy in internal medicine. [Subjects and Methods] The colon transit times of 30 subjects were measured and after the interventions. Fifteen subjects were assigned to a Maitland orthopedic manual therapy group, and 15 subjects were assigned to a dietary fiber group. [Results] The analysis of changes in colon transit time showed statistically significant differences in left colon transit time, rectosigmoid colon transit time, and total colon transit time for the Maitland orthopedic manual therapy group and statistically significant differences in rectosigmoid colon transit time and total colon transit time for the dietary fiber group. An analysis of group differences in the effects of Maitland orthopedic manual therapy and dietary fiber showed that the Maitland orthopedic manual therapy group achieved statistically significantly larger declines in rectosigmoid colon transit time and total colon transit time compared with the dietary fiber group. [Conclusion] This study confirmed that Maitland orthopedic manual therapy can be an effective treatment method for internal conditions such as functional constipation by almost normalizing the colon transit time, not only by improving the symptoms of constipation but also by facilitating intestinal movements.

The effects of taping, stretching, and joint exercise on hip joint flexibility and range of motion.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of joint exercise, taping, and stretching on hip joint flexion, flexibility, and range of motion. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-five college students in their 20s were randomly assigned and equally divided into three groups, as follows: a stretching group, a taping and exercise group, and an exercise group. Changes in trunk range of motion and hip joint flexibility of the three groups were measured before and after the intervention. [Results] Comparison between flexibility before and after the intervention revealed statistically significant changes in all three groups. Moreover, the evaluation of joint range of motion after the intervention showed that there were statistically significant changes in all three groups. [Conclusion] Taping, stretching, and joint exercise are considered effective for the increase in flexibility and joint range of motion.

Two-point discrimination of the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's.

[Purpose] The present study attempted to measure two-point discrimination in the upper extremities of healthy Koreans in their 20's. [Subjects and Methods] Using a three-point esthesiometer, we conducted an experiment with a group of 256 college students (128 male and 128 female), attending N University in Chonan, Republic of Korea. [Results] Females showed two-point discrimination at a shorter distance than males at the following points: (i) 5 cm above the elbow joint, the middle part, and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the anterior upper arm; (ii) 5 cm above the elbow joint and 5 cm below the shoulder joint of the posterior upper arm; (iii) 5 cm above the front of the wrist joint of the forearm; 5 cm below the elbow joint, the palmar part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the thumb, the dorsal part of the distal interphalangeal joint of the middle and little fingers. It was also found that females showed greater two-point discrimination than males in distal regions rather than proximal regions. [Conclusion] The findings of this study will help establish normal values for two-point discrimination of upper extremities of young Koreans in their 20's.