• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.376-384
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• 2023

In this paper, we introduce an upper extremity rehabilitation robot, NREH (NRC End-effector based Rehabilitation arm at Home). Through NREH, stroke survivors could continuously exercise their upper extremities at home. NREH allows a user to hold the handle of the end-effector of the robot arm. NREH is a end-effector-based robot that moves the arm on a two-dimensional plane, but the tilt angle can be adjusted to mimic a movement similar to that in a three-dimensional space. Depending on the tilting angle, it is possible to perform customized exercises that can adjust the difficulty for each user. The user can sit down facing the robot and perform exercises such as arm reaching. When the user sits 90 degrees sideways, the user can also exercise their arms on a plane parallel to the sagittal plane. NREH was designed to be as simple as possible considering its use at home. By applying error augmentation, the exercise effect can be increased, and assistance force or resistance force can be applied as needed. Using an encoder on two actuators and a force/torque sensor on the end-effector, NREH can continuously collect and analyze the user's movement data.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-4
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• 2009

In this paper, I will report the cases of children who are able to study at kindergarten or elementary school because they learned how to move by themselves using a moving aid before school age, and I will also discuss the development of a mobility device which allows severely disabled preschoolers to practice moving around by themselves safely and easily at home and institutions.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.81-86
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• 2010

This paper is case study on design, manufacture and application of customized assistive device for the ADL of person with brain lesions. The study had carried out from October 2010 to November 2010 and 2 clients from Assistive device case management demonstration project which is performed by Daegu assistive and rehabilitation center had participated. Case A, a 47-year-old man with brain lesions, stays only on the floor and could not get close to the usual toilet by himself because of the poor low extremities muscle strength and function. The moveable-toilet and customized ramp had applied to Case A. He clambers up the ramp and reach to the toilet easily. Case B, a 8-year-old boy with brain lesions, had difficulties with self-feeding because of his clumsy hand. Several existing feeding aids were applied but not appropriated. A customized feeding aid was designed and manufactured out of regard of Case A's ROM and right hand size. And his occupational therapist works together continuously to make him feed himself in the near future. Already-made assistive devices were not appropriate to Case A and B and to solve this problem, customized assistive devices were applied. The importance and needs of design and manufacture of assistive device were recognized through these case study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the current state of training in assistive technology(AT) for pediatric physical therapists(PPTs) and pediatric occupational therapists(POTs), in addition, investigate therapists' preferred training methods and contents. The eventual purpose was to suggest the essential fundamental factors to adapt the assistive technology in clinics. METHODS: The subject of this study were 167 therapists(98 PPTs and 69 POTs) who work at general hospitals, welfare center, facilities for the disabled, and special education school in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. Frequency analysis and Chi-squared test were used. RESULTS: Significant numbers of PPTs(66 therapists, 67.3%) and POTs(50 therapists, 72.5%) answered that they had received training in AT. More than 48% answered no training experience or low adequacy in each classification scheme for questions. The most difficulty in the training was indicated by lack of education opportunity(90 therapists, 53.9%). The most required device training was seating and position device training(43 therapists, 21.9%) for PPTs and orthosis and prosthesis device training(29 therapists, 21.0%) for POTs. In assistive technology service, PPTs needed evaluation to AT device training(69 therapists, 35.2%) and POTs needed evaluation to disabilities for AT training(41 therapists, 29.7%). Both therapists answered that the most effective training is continuous education(52 therapists, 31.1%) and college education(48 therapists, 28.7%). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that PPTs and POTs need more opportunities for training in AT. For effective clinical app lication of AT, there should be continuous education such as on-the-job training, mentoring program, technical manual, and college education.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.189-199
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare pflugbogen's biomechanical characteristics between on the ski simulator and snowed ski slope to develop interactive ski simulator. Nine ski instructors(sex: male, age: $29.6{\pm}5.4yrs$, height: $176.0{\pm}5.6cm$, body mass: $76.0{\pm}14.0kg$) belong to Korean Ski Instructors Association participated in this research. 24 Infrared cameras for snowed ski slope experiment and 13 infrared camera for ski simulator experiment were installed near by path of pflugbogen. The participants did pflugbogen on the snowed ski slope and the ski simulator both. During the experiment, the participants weared motion capture suit with infrared reflective makers on it, and plantar pressure sensors in ski boots, so that ski motion and plantar pressure data were collected together. Displacement of COG(center of gravity) movements, trunk flexion/extension angle, adduction/abduction angle, and plantar pressure data were significantly different between on the simulator and ski slope. However, percentage of time of COG movement in the phases during medial/lateral and anterior/posterior movement were not significantly different. Findings indicate that the difference between two groups occurred because the ski simulator's drive mechanism is different from ski motion on the slope. In order to develop the ski simulator more interactively for pflugbogen, the ski simulator's drive mechanism need to be reflected 3D motion data of pflugbogen on the slope that were purposed in this research.

• Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing
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• 제20권sup1호
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• pp.154-159
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• 2018

Purpose: There is a need for artificial intelligence which nurtures human intelligence as the prevalence of dementia and collapse of intelligence of human beings has become a social problem. Purpose of this study is to develop intervention technologies for maintaining cognitive health of older adults. Methods: The method named the Coimagination Method (CM) was proposed and has been developed in order to achieve goal. Conversation assistive technologies have been developed and tested based on the method. Results: The state of the art of the group conversation support system, and regular series of group conversation sessions for full-years with insights for healthy older adults are described in detail. Participatory approach has been applied to the design process for simultaneous research and implementation of the service. Both participants and practitioners have been maintaining their cognitive health for independent living. Conclusion: Findings imply that there exist potentially preventive types of dementia and intervention should be applicable for such types. Ways of thinking and living are gently intervened through understanding of personal values and broadening minds, which lead to improved quality of life.

• 재활복지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.25-45
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• 2014

The present report aims to examine the assistive technology(AT) service operating system for the Disabled in Sweden, and will give it to NHIS(National Health Insurance Service) to manage of policy for AT service operating system. The user of AT is around 10% of the Disabled in Sweden which is introduced the AT service system to support the independence for the Disabled. To provide AT service, the role of the Ministry of Health(planning and regulation, controling Handisam and Hi as a subsidiary), County councils(providing and follow up medical AT service, operating AT service center) and Municipalities(providing general AT service) in Sweden is decentralized strictly. Specially, all the AT device is lent freely and recycled suitably for persons with Disabilities, moreover nurses, physical therapist and occupational therapist has a qualification for prescription of AT device . This finding will be the basis to improve Assistive Technology Operating System in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• 제26권6_3호
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• pp.1315-1323
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• 2023

Rehabilitation assistive devices not only assist the rehabilitation therapy and daily life of the disabled and the elderly, but also assist the labor of their caregivers, so various functions are required to improve their quality of life. In this study, a design method considering its practicality is introduced for an active rehabilitation assistive device that can perform both standing and walking assistance by driving various actuators. For this purpose, the force required to assist standing was calculated using statics with the body segmentation method. Also, the overturning stability of the device was verified for various physical conditions and postures. The actuator in the active rehabilitation assistive device was operated by a patient using a graphical user interface in an embedded computer and a touch panel for easy usage. The detailed design was performed for implementation through the help of 3D-CAD and the finite element analysis, and a prototype was produced. Finally, it was proven that the design goal was satisfied by experimental validation.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.21-31
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• 2013

Objective : This study was aimed to survey the present situation and satisfaction in assistive technology of the physically disabled person. Method : 110 patients, being diagnosed with spinal cord injury and stroke, were chosen and structured interview was carried out using by a questionnaire. Result : The followings are the results of this study. First, spinal cord injury(76.2%) and stroke(72.5%) patients used the most wheelchair and mobility devices in assistive technology device. Second, they were satisfied in effectiveness of assistive technology device. Third, spinal cord injury(39.4%) patients used the most repair service in assistive technology service. Fourth, stroke(28.2%) patients used the most application and training service. Fifth, they were satisfied in professionality while were dissatisfied in service delivery program. Conclusion : The results of this study would contribute to better assistive technology for the physically disabled person.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• 제53권12호
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• pp.180-190
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• 2016

This prospective pilot clinical trial mainly focuses on developing dual chamber-based assistive cups which are suitable for stroke patients who have struggled with using there affected arms. It is unable to provide motor and sensory enhancement during drinking activities and to examine the feasibility of the devices for acute phase, even for chronic stroke survivors. The stroke patients(n=16; male=8, female=8), in this trial, were provided informed consent to the investigation. All the individuals participated in 1 weeks of training for using cups, randomized over dedicated dual chamber based assistive cups(DC) or placebo-cups(PC) training. All the participants were assessed within 1 week before and after the intervention period. 3-dimensional motion analysis, sEMG(surface electromyography) and 3-dimensional trunk movement were assessed. The result presents DC data group compared with PC showed, they needed lesser ROM(range of motion) at the phase of drinking in shoulder movements and lesser muscle activities on upper trapezius, deltoid middle fiber and triceps brachii muscles, lesser tilting movement on front and back side in drinking phase, the differences were statistically significant(p<.05). Dual chamber-based assistive cup could be one of efficient way to complete ADLs(activities of daily living), especially drinking tasks, and these evidence data may contribute to determine certain rehabilitation policies related to assistive devise usage.