Seck Jin Kim

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a home training program using web-based services to manage obesity and improve functional independence in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients and methods: Fifteen individuals (12 males, 3 females; mean age: 40.7±10.8 years; range, 28 to 60 years) with SCI paraplegia were included in the study conducted between August 2020 and December 2020. All participants remotely completed a six-week resistance program using Thera-Band with the aid of training videos. The program comprised chest press, lateral raise, front raise, shoulder press, and arm curl exercises, performed for five sets of 8 to 10 repetitions, and exercise intensity was increased by 5% each week. Results: Lean body mass (p=0.042) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p=0.038) increased, and C-reactive protein levels decreased without significance. Significant improvements were observed in the 6-min push test (p=0.009), peak oxygen uptake (VO ₂ peak; p2 peak/kg (p2 (p=0.004), VO ₂ /kg (p=0.002), and ventilation (p=0.019), while statistically insignificant increases were observed in the respiratory exchange ratio, maximum inspiratory pressure/mean, maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure/mean, maximum expiratory pressure, and shoulder and chest press weights. Heart rate values decreased without significance. Arm curl repetitions (left, p=0.008; right, p=0.032) and lateral pull weight increased (p=0.038). Conclusion: Home training using Thera-Band is feasible for persons with SCI to manage obesity and improve cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, and endurance. It can facilitate the maintenance of physical activity in individuals with SCI who have limited mobility and access to training facilities.

Health screening is crucial for individuals with disabilities because they are likely to experience preventable health challenges, leading to poor health outcomes. However, there is limited insight into barriers to health screening for them after arriving at a healthcare facility. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between disability status/type and health screening test completion and the reasons for incomplete tests after arriving at a healthcare facility. We reviewed 767 electronic health records of individuals who underwent health screening in a healthcare facility over one year. Chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests were used to explore differences in test completion. Levesque's access to care framework was used to categorize the reasons for incomplete tests into provider‐ and patient‐related domains. The findings showed associations between disability status and health screening completion. Both provider‐ and patient‐related barriers were recorded as the reasons for incomplete tests for cases with disabilities. The associations found suggest potential disparities individuals with disabilities experience upon arrival at healthcare facilities. Further prospective studies are needed to test and validate the healthcare utilization disparities in disability.

In this study, we developed an AI-based real-time motion feedback system for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) during rehabilitation, aiming to enhance their interest and motivation. The effectiveness of the system in improving upper-limb muscle strength during the Thera band exercises was evaluated. The motion analysis program, including exercise repetition counts and calorie consumption, was developed using MediaPipe, focusing on three key motions (chest press, shoulder press, and arm curl) for upper extremity exercises. The participants with SCI were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG = 4) or control group (CG = 5), engaging in 1 h sessions three times a week for 8 weeks. Muscle strength tests (chest press, shoulder press, lat pull-down, and arm curl) were performed before and after exercises. Although both groups did not show significant differences, the EG group exhibited increased strength in all measured variables, whereas the CG group showed constant or reduced results. Consequently, the computer program-based system developed in this study could be effective in muscle strengthening. Furthermore, these findings may serve as a valuable foundation for future AI-driven rehabilitation exercise systems.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 8 weeks of resistance circuit training in people with paraplegia due to spinal cord injury.Methods Participants were randomized into experimental and control groups. Although the intensity and sequence of movements of the exercise programs were identical in both groups, the resting time between sets was limited to 1 minute in the experimental group. In the control group, the participants were allowed to rest until they were comfortable. Both groups received 8 weeks of training twice per week. Before and after the program, muscle mass, body fat percentage, fat mass, blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength and muscular endurance were evaluated, and 6-minute propulsion test was conducted. Additionally, the safety of the program was assessed.Results Twenty-two individuals with paraplegia were enrolled (11 in each group). After the training program, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in the resting blood pressure and improvement in the upper extremity muscle mass, strength, and endurance (p<0.05). Each variable showed significant inter-group differences (p<0.05). Furthermore, none of the participants showed autonomic adverse events, musculoskeletal side effects, or discomfort.Conclusion The results show that resistance circuit training programs with short resting intervals are superior to the usual resistance exercise programs in improving the blood pressure and physical strength and are safe for people with upper thoracic level injuries at T6 or higher.