• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2022

Purpose : Low back pain (LBP) is reported as a risk of experiencing musculoskeletal disorders due to muscle stiffness and hypokinetics. The lumbar spine in an unstable state causes imbalance and lumbar instability. Therefore, This study examined the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program on pain, function, psychosocial level, static balance ability, and transverse abdominal muscle (TrA) thickness and contraction ratio in patients with lumbar instability. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Twenty-six LBP patients participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to the experimental group (n=13) and control group (n=13) using a random allocation program. Both groups underwent a lumbar stabilization exercise program. In addition, the experimental group implemented the self-complex exercise program. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The quadruple visual analog (QVAS), the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), Korean version of fear-avoidance belief questionnaire (FABQ), static balance ability, TrA thickness, and contraction ratio were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Statistical significance was set at 𝛼=.05. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in QVAS, K-ODI, FABQ, static balance ability, and TrA thickness in contraction (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in K-ODI and FABQ were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program resulted in reduced dysfunctions, psychosocial stability in patients with lumbar instability. Therefore, Lumbar stabilization exercise and self-complex exercise program for patients with lumbar instability are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and psychosocial stability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.23-34
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• 2022

Purpose : This study examined the effects of pain, neck dysfunction, psychosocial level, headache impact test (HIT), postural alignment, and trapezius muscle tone of the complex exercise program using dynamic taping in patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture. Methods : The design of this is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-four patients with chronic neck pain were screened using a randomized assignment program and assigned to experimental group (n=17) and control group (n=17). Both groups underwent a complex exercise program. In addition, the experimental group dynamic taping was applied to the upper trapezius muscle. All interventions were applied three times per week for four weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), short form-12 health survey questionnaire (SF-12), Headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), Craniovertebral angle (CVA), Cranial rotation angle (CRA), upper trapezius muscle tone were compared to evaluate the effect on intervention. Results : Both groups showed significant differences before and after the intervention in VAS, NDI, SF-12, HIT-6, and CVA, CRA (p<.05). In addition, significant differences in NDI and upper trapezius muscle tone were observed between the experimental group and control group (p<.05). Conclusion : A complex exercise program using dynamic taping for patients with tension headache and chronic neck pain with forward head posture are effective method with clinical significance in improving the function and reducing upper trapezius muscle tone.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.217-226
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• 2010

The lower limb orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of muscular activities of lower limbs was developed in this study. Compared to other knee extension assistive devices being developed by other researchers, our device is designed especially for the elderly people and intended only for slight assistance so that the subjects can keep their muscular strength. For the effectiveness of system, muscular activities of major muscles in lower limbs during sit-to-stand (STS) and squat motion were measured and analyzed. Subjects were performed the STS and squat motion with and without lower limb orthosis. We made comparison muscular activities between with and without lower limb orthosis. Lower limb orthosis was controlled using muscular stiffness force feedback that is controlled by muscular activities of the measured muscle from force sensor. For analysis of muscular activities, electromyography of the subjects was measured during STS and squat motion, and these were measured using MP 150(BIOPAC Systems, Inc.). Muscles of interest were rectus femoris(RF), vastus lateralis(VL), vastus medialis(VM) and vastus intermedius(VI) muscles in lower limbs of the right side. A biodex dynamometer was used to measure the maximal concentric isokinetic strength of the knee extensors of wearing and not wearing orthosis on right side. The test were performed using the concentric isokinetic mode of test with the velocity set at 60°/s for muscles around the knee joints. The experimental result showed that muscular activities in lower limbs wearing orthosis using muscular stiffness force of a vastus medialis muscle was reduced and knee extension torque of an knee joint wearing lower limb orthosis was increased. With this, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed lower limb orthosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.61-81
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• 2002

The purposes of this research were to investigate home care rehabilitation services in rural areas and to collect basic data about disabled persons necessary when for carrying out rehabilitation services. Respondents were selected from six of a total of eight townships (Myon) and one town (Eup) in the Wonju city area. Wonju is in Kangwon Province (Do). Of a total of 338 names provided by the Myon offices, 298 persons were located and included registered and non-registered persons. Conditions included stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy in addition to disabilities classified as first, second or third degree, in the case of registered cases. Respondent demographic characteristics, medical characteristics, rehabilitation service needs, willingness to receive rehabilitation service and individual opinions regarding rehabilitation services were analysed by frequency and percentage. The results were as follows: 1) Rehabilitation services received by disabled persons living at home in the rural areas surrounding Wonju city were medical rehabilitation (41.7%), diagnosis (36.5%), rehabilitation assistive devices (7.6%), social assistance (7.1%), rehabilitation counseling (3.0%), vocational rehabilitation (1.8%), educational rehabilitation (1.6%) and housekeeping services (0.5%). The majority of rehabilitation services were medical rehabilitation provided at hospitals and oriental medicine hospitals. 2) Sixty point eight percent of respondents expressed their willingness to receive home care rehabilitation services. Needs expressed were highest for medical rehabilitation (27.0%), followed by social assistance (19.4%), medical examination (12.4%), physician-generated diagnosis in the home setting (11.6%), sociopsychological rehabilitation (9.3%), vocational rehabilitation (7.6%), rehabilitation engineering (6.0%), educational rehabilitation (3.3%), and housekeeping services (3.3%). 3) Rehabilitation service needs were analyzed by severity classification: 65.8% of first degree, 62.7% of second degree and 55.6% of third degree disability classification, and 62.7% of non-registered disabled individuals responded that rehabilitation service was necessary. 4) Rehabilitation service needs were also analyzed by diagnosis: 62.6% of stroke, 85.5% of amputation, 60.0% of spinal cord injury and 52.4% of traumatic brain injury respondents answered positively that they were willing to receive rehabilitation service if it were to be provided. Rehabilitation service utilization data of disabled individuals living at home in rural areas were investigated and their rehabilitation needs analyzed. This critical information can be used when community-based rehabilitation programs for disabled persons living at home are planned for provision out of a public health center or when community-based rehabilitation welfare policy is formulated.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.37-50
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• 2022

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the use of electromyography (EMG) to evaluate upper limb movement or function in stroke patients. Methods : We reviewed papers published in journals between January 2018 and December 2021 using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, RISS, and KISS. The main keywords of databases were ('stroke' OR 'hemiplegia') AND ('EMG' OR 'electromyography' OR 'electromyogram' OR 'muscle activity') AND ('Upper limb' OR 'Hand'). Results : Fifteen studies were selected, most of which evaluated muscle activity. Interventions performing tasks related to activities of daily living (ADLs), using assistive technology, and interventions that provide repetitive training were most frequently applied. Conclusions : When evaluating upper limb functions using electromyography, it is meaningful to present an evaluation that can be used according to the purpose of the study and to provide a basis for setting up interventions that can utilize electromyography during evaluation.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.447-457
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to understand the parents' perceptions of the distance learning provided to students with disabilities and to explore the demands for educational support. A survey was conducted on a total of 2,392 parents of school-age children with disabilities. The survey questions were largely divided into the learning support to prevent educational gap, support for behavioral and psychological difficulties, and care support for educational welfare. As a result of the study, it was found that face-to-face education in schools was the most important to prevent the educational gap between students with disabilities, and counseling on distance learning methods and strategies suitable for the characteristics of the disabled in connection with the Special Education Support Center was the most necessary. As a learning support method for distance learning for students with disabilities, there was a high demand for individual learning support through preparatory special education teachers, and it was necessary to secure enough learning aids and assistive technology devices to be used appropriately when needed. In addition, psychological counseling and educational support for students with disabilities were requested, and there were demands for development of care programs suitable for the characteristics of the disabled and assignment of dedicated personnel. Based on the results of this study, this study suggested implications for students with disabilities to bridge the learning gap and provide educational support due to distance learning.